Before 'Spectre,' Revisiting James Bond's Theme Music to Date

The Hollywood Reporter ^ | December 7, 2014 | Graeme McMillan

[EveningStar]

Thursday’s big announcement for the 24th James Bond movie — Spectre, to be directed by Skyfall’s Sam Mendes, and once again featuring Daniel Craig as the British super spy — sadly lacked details of the most important element of any Bond movie. No, not the Bond girl. The Bond theme.

From Dr. No on, each Bond movie has had a distinctive theme that attempts to set the stage for what’s to come. At their best, the songs are as dramatic and exciting as the movies themselves, but… well, let’s just say that not every song is at its best and leave it at that. With that in mind, as we start to wonder just who is going to take on the heavy mantle of tackling the Bond theme for Spectre, let’s revisit Bond themes of the past, from worst to best.

[EveningStar]

There is a brief evaluation along with a music video presentation of each theme.

23. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
22. Die Another Day (2002)
21. The Living Daylights (1987)
20. Casino Royale (2006)
19. From Russia With Love (1963)
18. Octopussy (1983)
17. Licence to Kill (1989)
16. Quantum of Solace (2008)
15. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
14. Moonraker (1979)
13. The World Is Not Enough (1999)
12. Thunderball (1965)
11. A View To A Kill (1985)
10. Goldeneye (1995)
9. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
8. The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
7. Live and Let Die (1973)
6. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
5. Skyfall (2012)
4. You Only Live Twice (1967)
3. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
2. Dr. No (1962)
1. Goldfinger (1964)

[EveningStar]

ping

[Inyo-Mono]

Goldfinger, my all time favorite and a big radio hit too for Shirley Bassey.

[SamAdams76]

I think "Live and Let Die" by McCartney and Wings was the worst song ever for a Bond movie.

"You Only Live Twice" by Nancy Sinatra and "Nobody Does It Better" by Carly Simon were two of the best.

[vetvetdoug]

“View To A Kill” is my favourite. “Goldfinger” is the classyist but “View” was the best rocker.

[blueunicorn6]

If you listen very closely, you can hear my Humacomb solo in Octopussy.

[CaptainK]

A dumb countdown. Is there anyone in the world who remembers the theme to “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”? How did it it score a high #3?

[matthew fuller]

I listened to the beginnings of the first five- THEY ALL SUCK!

[Chode]

whoever wrote that list is on drugs. Casino Royale (2006) wasn't the best, but Chris Cornell's You Know My Name is damn sure better than half the songs rated higher

[dfwgator]

“View To A Kill” is my favourite.

Mine too. Bernard Edwards' (RIP) production was top notch.

[twister881]

Thunderball is my favorite title song — Tom Jones at his best, and the lyrics describe 007 (and his foes) perfectly.

[gaijin]

Goldfinger theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDnj-_b3iSs

[Rodamala]

Didn’t read article... but I read somewhere the Lana Del Rey may be lined up to sing the next Bond themesong... Hope it’s a hit. I love her voice and shoegazer style.

[L.A.Justice]

I liked NOBODY DOES IT BETTER also...

I did like FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, sang by Sheen Easton...

And SKYFALL was good...

[Dagnabitt]

I think it’s a good tune.

[a fool in paradise]

Brian Wilson (of the Beach Boys) wrote one that was rejected (and later turned up on Pet Sounds):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF8Uywc4aI8