10 most memorable Bond theme songs
10 most memorable Bond theme songs
Goldfinger (1964)
1. Composed by John Barry, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the song was performed by Shirley Bassey for the film's opening and closing title sequences as well as the soundtrack album release. The single release of the song gave Bassey her only Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit, peaking at No. 8 and at No. 2 for four weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart. In the United Kingdom, the single reached No. 21. In 2008, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
2. Performed by Nancy Sinatra, with music and production provided by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, the song is widely recognised for its striking opening bars. It is considered to be among the best Bond theme songs and has become one of Nancy's best known hits. The song has been extensively covered by artistes such as Coldplay, Soft Cell, Bjork and Shirley Bassey. Meanwhile, Robbie Williams re-recorded the opening bars of the song for his hit Millennium.
We Have All the Time In The World (1969)
3. Sung by Louis Armstrong, its music is composed by John Barry and lyrics by Hal David. The title is taken from Bond's final words in both the novel and the film, spoken after his wife's death. The song was not registered in the music rating charts in the UK when first released, only becoming well known 25 years later as part of a Guinness beer commercial after My Bloody Valentine chose to cover it for charity. Armstrong's version was then re-released and reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart. In 2005, a BBC survey showed it is the third-most-popular love song played at weddings.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
4. The soundtrack was composed by John Barry, with lyrics by Don Black, for the 7th James Bond film of the same name. It was the second Bond theme performed by Shirley Bassey, after Goldfinger in 1964. The song was also recorded in Italian by Bassey as Una Cascata di Diamanti (Vivo Di Diamanti).
Live and Let Die (1973)
5. Performed by Paul McCartney & Wings, it was one of their most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point, charting at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Commissioned specifically for the movie and credited to Paul McCartney and his wife Linda, it reunited McCartney with Beatles producer George Martin, who both produced the song and arranged the orchestral break. It has been covered by several bands, with the Guns N' Roses' version being the most popular. Both McCartney's and Guns N' Roses' versions were nominated for Grammys. This year, McCartney was awarded the Million-Air Award from BMI Publishing for more than four million performances of the song in America.
A View To A Kill (1985)
6. This is the 13th single by Duran Duran. It remains the only Bond theme song to have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made it to No. 2 for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart. In 1986, John Barry and Duran Duran were nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for this song. It was the last track that the original five members of Duran Duran recorded together until their reunion 16 years later in 2001. It was played at their final performance in 1985 at Live Aid in Philadelphia. The single was at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time they performed it.
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
7. This is the theme to the 12th Bond movie, which is written by Bill Conti and Mick Leeson, and performed by Scottish singer Sheena Easton. The song reached No.4 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. It was nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards in 1982.
Die Another Day (2002)
8. This theme to the Bond film of the same name by American singer-songwriter Madonna was released as a single in late 2002 by Warner Bros. Records. It also marked Madonna's 20th anniversary from her first album release in 1983. It peaked at No. 8 in the United States and No. 3 in the United Kingdom, selling 175,000 copies - making it the most successful Bond theme since Duran Duran's A View to a Kill. The song was included on the soundtrack album of the same name and later included on her 2003 studio album, American Life ,and her 2009 greatest hits compilation, Celebration.
Nobody Does It Better (1977)
9. Nobody spelled out the sexiness of the Bond films better than Carly Simon. The song was written by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager and holds the distinction of being the first Bond theme that did not carry the same name as the accompanying film, The Spy Who Loved Me.
Skyfall, 2012
10. Adele digs in to the classic sound of Bond in this soundtrack featuring a brassy and soulful tune alongside the work of Shirley Bassey. And with the name of Adele attached, the song instantly flooded pop radio and stormed the digital sales charts. Marking Adele's first song after her hit album 21, it rocketed straight to the top of the iTunes charts.
By Hizreen Kamal
Goldfinger (1964)
1. Composed by John Barry, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the song was performed by Shirley Bassey for the film's opening and closing title sequences as well as the soundtrack album release. The single release of the song gave Bassey her only Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit, peaking at No. 8 and at No. 2 for four weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart. In the United Kingdom, the single reached No. 21. In 2008, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
You Only Live Twice (1967)
2. Performed by Nancy Sinatra, with music and production provided by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, the song is widely recognised for its striking opening bars. It is considered to be among the best Bond theme songs and has become one of Nancy's best known hits. The song has been extensively covered by artistes such as Coldplay, Soft Cell, Bjork and Shirley Bassey. Meanwhile, Robbie Williams re-recorded the opening bars of the song for his hit Millennium.
We Have All the Time In The World (1969)
3. Sung by Louis Armstrong, its music is composed by John Barry and lyrics by Hal David. The title is taken from Bond's final words in both the novel and the film, spoken after his wife's death. The song was not registered in the music rating charts in the UK when first released, only becoming well known 25 years later as part of a Guinness beer commercial after My Bloody Valentine chose to cover it for charity. Armstrong's version was then re-released and reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart. In 2005, a BBC survey showed it is the third-most-popular love song played at weddings.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
4. The soundtrack was composed by John Barry, with lyrics by Don Black, for the 7th James Bond film of the same name. It was the second Bond theme performed by Shirley Bassey, after Goldfinger in 1964. The song was also recorded in Italian by Bassey as Una Cascata di Diamanti (Vivo Di Diamanti).
Live and Let Die (1973)
5. Performed by Paul McCartney & Wings, it was one of their most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point, charting at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Commissioned specifically for the movie and credited to Paul McCartney and his wife Linda, it reunited McCartney with Beatles producer George Martin, who both produced the song and arranged the orchestral break. It has been covered by several bands, with the Guns N' Roses' version being the most popular. Both McCartney's and Guns N' Roses' versions were nominated for Grammys. This year, McCartney was awarded the Million-Air Award from BMI Publishing for more than four million performances of the song in America.
A View To A Kill (1985)
6. This is the 13th single by Duran Duran. It remains the only Bond theme song to have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made it to No. 2 for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart. In 1986, John Barry and Duran Duran were nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for this song. It was the last track that the original five members of Duran Duran recorded together until their reunion 16 years later in 2001. It was played at their final performance in 1985 at Live Aid in Philadelphia. The single was at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time they performed it.
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
7. This is the theme to the 12th Bond movie, which is written by Bill Conti and Mick Leeson, and performed by Scottish singer Sheena Easton. The song reached No.4 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. It was nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards in 1982.
Die Another Day (2002)
8. This theme to the Bond film of the same name by American singer-songwriter Madonna was released as a single in late 2002 by Warner Bros. Records. It also marked Madonna's 20th anniversary from her first album release in 1983. It peaked at No. 8 in the United States and No. 3 in the United Kingdom, selling 175,000 copies - making it the most successful Bond theme since Duran Duran's A View to a Kill. The song was included on the soundtrack album of the same name and later included on her 2003 studio album, American Life ,and her 2009 greatest hits compilation, Celebration.
Nobody Does It Better (1977)
9. Nobody spelled out the sexiness of the Bond films better than Carly Simon. The song was written by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager and holds the distinction of being the first Bond theme that did not carry the same name as the accompanying film, The Spy Who Loved Me.
Skyfall, 2012
10. Adele digs in to the classic sound of Bond in this soundtrack featuring a brassy and soulful tune alongside the work of Shirley Bassey. And with the name of Adele attached, the song instantly flooded pop radio and stormed the digital sales charts. Marking Adele's first song after her hit album 21, it rocketed straight to the top of the iTunes charts.
By Hizreen Kamal
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