The Best James Bond Theme Songs Ever by Nick Law - December 29, 2008 I finally got out and saw the new James Bond movie! It only took me two months of sitting around with my hands on my ears while my friends talked about the plot at great lengths as if “Quantum of Solace” were the new “Goldfinger”. I’m not sure if I watched the same movie as my friends. What it looked like to me was director Marc Foster’s attempt to ride the coattails of the highly successful “Bourne” series with a younger, blonder Bond and a plot that was 99% fast action fighting. And I swear that if 007 had jumped through just one more glass window, I was walking out. Still, you can’t question the success of the Bond franchise and the importance of the theme songs that have become such a series signature. Therefore, without further ado, I give you the 10 best James Bond intro songs! 10) “Another Way to Die” – Jack White and Alicia Keys (Quantum of Solace, 2008) This marked the first and only time that a duet has been performed as an intro to a Bond film. That makes it kinda strange how it was the only time throughout the almost 2 hours that I felt like I was watching a Bond film. 9) “Kingston Calypso” – Unknown Artists (Dr. No, 1962) Although the first Bond film ever opens with the famous James Bond theme, it concludes with a vocal Calypso-flavored rendition of “Three Blind Mice”, making Dr. No the only film in the franchise to have two different theme songs. 8) “Goldeneye” – Tina Turner (Goldeneye, 1995) The theme for my personal favorite in the long line of Bond films is belted out by the amazing voice of Tina Turner. Take into account that it was also written by Bono and The Edge and what you’re left with is gold. 7) “All Time High” – Rita Coolidge (Octopussy, 1983) Can’t really remember much of the song, but the name sounds cool. Plus, how could I miss out on an Octopussy reference. 6) “Nobody Does It Better” – Carly Simon (The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977) With a better than average Bond (Roger Moore), a hotter than average Bond girl (Barbara Bach), a cool, gimmicky villain (Jaws) and a peaceful love ballad, The Spy Who Loved Me is about as close as you can get to the ideal Bond film. 5) “The Living Daylights” – a-ha (The Living Daylights, 1987) Forget that the movie stared Timothy (worst Bond ever) Dalton. The theme song was performed by a-ha. If only 007 would have driven a DeLorean in this film. Forget Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The Living Daylights would have been the best 80s movie ever! 4) “The World Is Not Enough” – Garbage (The World Is Not Enough, 1999) Whatever happened to Garbage? Seriously, I forgot all about them ‘til just now. 3) “Diamonds Are Forever” – Shirley Bassey (Diamonds Are Forever, 1971) The only Bond film that I still haven’t seen, despite the fact that TNT plays the marathon ALL THE TIME. Sadly, you can’t go to the store and buy just one Bond film anymore. Guess I’ll end up buying them all again on Blu-Ray just to get to this one. 2) “Thunderball” – Tom Jones (Thunderball, 1965) Everyone always makes fun of Tom Jones, but I actually like him. I think his voice is amazing. Rumor has it that he got so into this song as he belted out the last line in the recording studio that he actually passed out and hit his head. 1) “Goldfinger” – Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger, 1964) Bassey makes my list for the second time and why not? There’s something about her voice that just screams James Bond. Oh, and forget what I said earlier about The Spy Who Loved Me being the ideal Bond film. I forgot about Goldfinger’s Aston Martin and hat throwing dwarf. A devastating 1, 2 punch in any man’s league.  Subscribe to Latest Articles

2 Responses

Toby Byrd January 18, 2009 9:02 PM First I want to say that I really like your articles here on Musicstack. My muscial background is different, so sometimes I don't know anything about the artists you are writing about. This does not matter to me, I read them all. Being from earth (Germany in fact, apologize any bad english) I do know the 007 theme songs of course. So I rushed your list to see what you wrote about Sheena Easton's 1981 smash "For your eyes only". And what did I find out? It's not included. I still get goose pimples when I listen to this song, so please Nick, tell me that you simply have forgotten to mention this great track.

rob bloemkolk January 31, 2009 9:02 PM Nice list with the usual suspects coming up on top. I sort of miss Louis Armstrong's themesong for "On het Majesty's Secret Service": "We have all the time in the world". Whatever happened to George Lazenby? And of course Paul McCartney's "Live and let die".

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