Top Ten Bond Theme Songs
The Best of Bond
A colleague of mine recommended an interesting documentary, available on Prime, called the The Sound of 007. It was a look back on the music of the franchise, including both orchestral pieces originally composed by John Barry and others, as well as the theme songs which generally played over the opening credits. It was neat to hear the backstory on the creation of the music and the characters who were part of the process, and to hear tales about theme songs which didn’t quite make it (but which would have been far better than what we wound up with). It hammered home how important music has been to the franchise, which is true of most movies of course, but which is especially poignant considering the six decade span of the movies.
So, naturally, this got me thinking about what my favorite theme songs are. Without further ado, here’s the list of my top ten Bond songs.
10.We Have All the Time in the World, by Louie Armstrong (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service)
This is not the song which played over the opening credits - it was a lyric-less re-recording of the Bond theme, which in and of itself is pretty good. But this soulful ditty from Armstrong - who died not long after the movie was released - is the core of the movie. The song’s title are the words spoken by Bond at the end of the only Bond movie until the Daniel Craig era that had an unhappy ending. It is also the only theme which would come back later - over half a century later, as a matter of fact, in No Time to Die. Speaking of which, that takes us to the next song on the list.
9.No Time to Die, by Billie Eilish
I had mixed feelings about this one originally (not the first one in the Craig era I felt that way about). It’s a bit weepy at first, but it builds to a nice crescendo. As the documentary mentions, it’s also the first theme that is essentially from the point of view not of Bond or his antagonist, but rather of his love interest. It’s a fitting parting number for the Craig era of Bond.
8.Goldeneye, by Tina Turner
The Brosnan era literally peaked at the first credit scene. A number composed by U2, they handed the worst demo in music history over to Tina Turner, and she turned it into the only four minutes of the Brosnan era worth re-visiting. Crappy demo or not, U2’s music hits a great balance, capturing the excitement and thrill that the Bond series is meant to convey while also having a bit of a pop hook. Turner, meanwhile, has the sultry sheen reminiscent of the lady who will be on this list in just a moment.
7.Live and Let Die, by Paul McCartney
Another funny moment from the documentary was when it was recounted how Albert Broccoli, the famed Bond producer, heard this song and loved it - then kept asking who should record it. Eventually, common sense prevailed, and Paul got the gig. Aside from the weird little Jamaican riff in the middle, it’s a classic of both the Bond and rock genre.
6.You Only Live Twice, by Nancy Sinatra
I’m sort of fascinated by Nancy Sinatra. She doesn’t exactly have her father’s chops, and I don’t think she’ll go down as one of the most accomplished recording artists of all-time. Yet, she also has a couple of signature musical accomplishments. One became a great Megadeth cover, and then there’s this. Through the years not every Bond theme has been a perfect match for the look and feel of the movie. Though most on this list indeed pull that off, almost none were as fitting for the thematic element of the movie itself than the theme for Connery’s next to last real Bond starring role. As for the last . . .
5.Diamonds Are Forever, by Shirley Bassey
This would certainly be higher on the list - many consider this the best Bond theme, and it was Bassey’s personal favorite - but the movie itself is my least favorite of the Connery batch, and so the song itself hasn’t seeped into my consciousness as much as others have. That said, it’s an undeniable classic. Also, it’s remarkable how filthy this song is when you really listen to the lyrics and realize that Bassey ain’t really singing about diamonds.
4.Nobody Does it Better, by Carly Simon (The Spy Who Loved Me)
The funny thing about the Moore era is how great the theme songs were despite the movies themselves being somewhat mediocre. The movie from which this came is the best of the Moore films, and has almost nothing to do with the movie itself in any real sense, despite a passing lyrical nod to the title. But there’s such a silly, almost winking nod to the preposterous nature of the entire Bond mythology. And Carly Simon could really freaking sing.
3.A View to a Kill, by Duran Duran
While the previous song came from the best of the Moore movies, this one . . . did not. Were it not for the disaster that was Moonraker, this would rank at the bottom of the entire Bond series - and that’s with Christopher Walken playing the villain of the movie. How do you screw that up? Anyway, the only saving grace of the entire debacle is the only Bond song to hit number one on the US pop charts (the last two Bond themes in the Craig era went to number one in the UK). It can be reasonably argued that this is really just a neat pop song that happened to be in a Bond movie, and as such doesn’t really belong on this list. But screw that - this song kicks ass.
2.Skyfall, by Adele
Technically I prefer the Duran Duran song, but despite what I just said about not caring that it doesn’t quite sound like a Bond theme, Adele does get the nod because it does have the feel of a true Bond song. And I really just love that hook. Despite the difficulty of composing a song that’s essentially about a house, it perfectly captures the feel of the ensuing movie, which is one of the best in the entire series.
1.Goldfinger, by Shirley Bassey
Come on, like I was gonna pick something else. The first (with lyrics) is still the best, and set the standard for all that would follow. I’m not sure any other on this list has as much cultural cachet. It’s remarkable to think it turns sixty years old this year and sounds as dynamic and fresh as it did the first time it was ever heard.