James Bond: the soundtracks of the 007 films and their curiosities

In addition to the performances, plots and photography, another point stands out for its quality whenever we talk about the franchise. James Bond: the soundtracks of the 007 films. Being one of the key elements of the saga since 1962, the year in which the most famous secret agent in cinema first appeared on the big screen, theme songs are as important as any other element. present in the movies. Taking advantage of the 60th anniversary that the franchise completes in 2022, the showmetech prepared a very special list with all the songs, stories and curiosities present in his 26 films — and not 25 as many think.

Names like Billie Eilish, Adele, Shirley bassey, George Martin e Paul McCartney are some who have already written songs for the franchise's features. Billie Eilish is responsible for the song of the most recent release of the franchise: 007 — No Time to Die. Among the 26 main themes of the films, there are indisputable classics, hits which topped the US and UK charts and two Oscar-winning songs for best original song. There are also those who were not so lucky and became real failures. Discover:.

Billie Eilish – No Time to Die, by 007 No Time To Die (2021)

Eilish became the youngest musician to write and record a theme for James Bond at age 18. No Time to Die, a song written in partnership with his brother Finneas O'Connell, had its big release on Brit Awards in February 2020. Even with the film being delayed for 18 months until September of this year, the song achieved great success, even reaching the top of the UK Sing Charts and winning a Grammy de Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Sam Smith – Writing's On The Wall, from 007 – Against Specter (2015)

signed by Sam Smith, Writing's on The Wall is present in 007 – Against Specter, 2015. The track, awarded with Oscar e Golden Globe , the Best Original Song of the Year 2016, was the “Plan B” of the film's producers, who had initially commissioned the score from the English band Radiohead, but because it was considered “too melancholy”, it ended up being discarded.

Adele – Skyfall, from 007 – Operation Skyfall (2012)

In 2012, it was time to Adele stand out with the theme song. The singer was one of those responsible for the title song of 007 – Operation Skyfall. The following year, in 2013, the song earned her the Huescar Best Original Song. The track still took the Brit Award , the Best British Single of the Year (2013), or Critics Choice Movie Award de best song (2013), or Golden Globe de Best Original Song (2013) and the Grammy Award de Best Song Written for Visual Media (2014)

Jack White and Alicia Keys – Another Way To Die, from 007 – Quantum of Solace (2008)

the duet of Jack White e Alicia Keyes is the only one in the film franchise, and the theme of Quantum of Solace it's one of the good true rock songs in the Bond catalogue. Another Way To Die was written by the lead singer of White Stripes who shared vocals with American superstar Alicia Keys. Although the partnership worked, the melody is not the most memorable in the saga of James Bond and was beaten by the awards of the time.

Chris Cornell – You Know My Name, from Casino Royale (2006)

To mark the debut of English Daniel Craig in the role of 007, a rock composed by the late ex-vocalist of Soundgarden e Audioslave, Chris Cornell. At the time, the song was highly praised, even being labeled “the best James Bond theme since 'A View to a Kill'” by some critics. On the other hand, there are those who criticize the track even for considering it slow and very 'cast'.

Madonna – Die Another Day, from 007 – A New Day to Die (2002)

Madonna has always been an artist recognized for innovating, but it seems that in Die Another Day this was not a good idea. The style techno, present in the late 90s and early 2000s, was taken into the franchise of James Bond. The result? A real failure compared to other incredible productions. Despite this, the song performed well on the charts at the time.

Garbage – The World Is Not Enough (1999), from 007 – The World Is Not Enough

The Scottish-American rock band Garbage was known for his technical production magic in his materials and a phenomenon in the late 90s. With the collaboration of composer David Arnold and lyricist Don Black, The World Is Not Enough it was well received by critics and reached number 11 in the UK charts. A curiosity? The lyrics are the only ones on the list to approach the film's plot from the perspective of the villain (Elektra King, played by Sophie Marceau).

Sheryl Crow – Tomorrow Never Dies, from 007 – Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Tomorrow Never Dies is on the list of worst-received songs in the entire Bond franchise. Despite this, she still managed to receive nominations for the Golden Globe and Grammy. The range represented by Sheryl Crow was chosen at the last minute by the producers, who had also commissioned several other songs. The official theme, in fact, would be a homonymous song recorded by kdlang, a track kept on the film's soundtrack and renamed "Surrender".

Tina Turner – GoldenEye, from 007 Against GoldenEye (1995)

Musically,'GoldenEye' is considered one of the watermarks of the franchise. Each element is precise, tense, lean and efficient. The theme was written by the stars of the rock band U2, Bond e The Edge. Sung by Tina Turner, GoldenEye became a great success in the North American career, mainly in Europe, appearing shortly after in her album Wildest Dreams. The track was produced by Nellee Hooper, a crucial figure in British electronic music at the time.

Gladys Knight – License To Kill, from 007 – Permission to Kill (1989)

For the first time since 1973, the 1989 film's theme song was not composed by soundtrack author Michael Kamen. In reality, Knight was a “plan B” for the producers of Permission to Kill. She was chosen to sing the track after Eric Clapton and original Bond guitarist Vic Flick had the written theme rejected. Achieving great success in Europe, License to Kill is to date the longest theme of James Bond, with 5 minutes and 43 seconds.

A-ha – The Living Daylights (1987), from 007 – Marked for Death (1987)

“The Living Daylights” is one of the biggest hits of the Norwegian pop band Aha and was considered, at the time, a rather unusual choice for a Bond theme. With the electronic feel of the 1980s flavor, the song can thrill anyone. The song was chosen as the production theme after an earlier Pet Shop Boys track was rejected by the producers.

Duran Duran – A View To A Kill, from 007 – In the Eye of the Assassins (1985)

This was not only one of the biggest hits of Duran Duran, but it was the only Bond song to reach No. Billboard Hot 100 from the USA. Your amazing riffs guitar and synth sound remain a beloved hit decades after release. The song also reached number two on the charts. Singles UK for three weeks and was nominated for the Golden Globe de Best Original Song.

Rita Coolidge – All Time High, from 007 – Never Again (1983)

The saxophone right at the opening delivers: we are in the depths of the 80s. All time high, song performed by Rita Coolidge, was the subject of 007 — Never Again, released in 1983 and which marked the return of John Barry after an absence from 007 — For Your Eyes Only, from 1981. Apparently, the song was not named after the movie because it would have been a challenge to write a song with the title Octopussy! — original title of the film in English. This was the first Bond theme to have a music video.

Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only, 007 – For Your Eyes Only (1981)

For Your Eyes Only is another Bond song in the select group of nominations Oscar. the contribution of Sheena easton for the franchise remains one of the biggest hits of Bond themes. She is also the only singer to appear in the opening credits of a Bond film — and is one of the few not to incorporate John Barry's instrumentals. The track, written by Bill Conti, was a favorite of the producers, who previously rejected another theme recorded by the rock band. Blondie.

Shirley Bassey – Moonraker, from 007 vs. Death Rocket (1979)

the third song of Shirley bassey present in the franchise James Bond brings all the good old clichés you've seen before: string orchestra, a catchy rhythm and a big, bold vocal performance by Shirley bassey. This combination, however, did not make the theme memorable. However, it is still considered one of the best and most underrated songs the Bond franchise has ever had.

Carly Simon – Nobody Does It Better, from 007 – The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Nobody Does It Better it is a song that marked an era and was part of the most diverse places, such as motels, back seats of taxis and any other places used for intimate encounters. The hit is still one of the biggest hits of Carly simon and was nominated for Golden Globe e Oscar, while in 2004 it was listed as the 67th best music film do American Film Institute. In 1986, the song won a Portuguese version sung by Fafá de Belém.

Lulu – The Man With The Golden Gun, 007 vs The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)

The Man With The Golden Gun It was a real backfire. The song personified by the Scottish singer Lulu it was a flop and didn't even chart in the US and UK. Years later, composer John Barry himself stated that he "hated" the theme and that it was the worst of his compositions for the series.

Paul McCartney & The Wings – Live and Let Die, from 007 Live and Let Die (1973)

As one of Bond's most iconic themes, Live and Let Die brought together McCartney on George Martin — who had produced many of the band's biggest hits and most famous albums. Beatles. At the time of its release, it was the best Bond song of all time, reaching number two in the US and number nine in the UK, nominated for Oscar de best song. The song also became famous in re-recordings of the Guns N'Roses.

Shirley Bassey – Diamonds Are Forever, from 007 – Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

007 - Diamonds Are Forever may be best known for being the last film of Sean Connery in the films produced by Eon Productions (he would return in 007 - Never Again, from 1983, a kind of remake de 007 against Atomic Blackmail), and also served as the second time Shirley bassey as interpreter of the Bond theme. While better than “Moonraker” and less iconic than “Goldfinger,” this is a song that works like bubblegum and might not get out of your head anytime soon.

Louis Armstrong – We Have All The Time in the World, from 007 – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Officially, We Have All The Time in the World is not the main theme of the film, but "the soundtrack of love" by Bond and his wife Tracy. But because it was very successful soon after the premiere of the feature, it came to be seen as a “secondary theme”. sung by Louis Armstrong, the song was also the first not to have the same title as the film. It was later recorded by several other artists, such as My Bloody Valentine e The Specials.

Nancy Sinatra – You Only Live Twice, from With 007 You Only Live Twice (1967)

Considered by many to be one of Bond's best themes, this track has been extensively re-recorded — and is especially known for its striking opening, which has come to be described as "a perfection." Once again, songwriter John Barry is the father of a theme song that has stood the test of time and proved a hit to this day. With its smooth, simple orchestral sound, the song is one of Nancy Sinatra.

Tom Jones – Thunderball, from 007 against Atomic Blackmail (1965)

Originally titled “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” and recorded by Shirley bassey, Thunderball needed to be re-edited to fit the opening of the film. A new version was made, this time sung by Dionne Warwitch. However, the recording also ended up being scrapped by the producers, who ultimately put lyricist Don Black to work and handed the revised result to Tom Jones, who had just burst into the US and England with "It's Not Unusual." . Some say Jones passed out in the recording booth while singing the high note at the end of the song.

Shirley Bassey – Goldfinger, from 007 against Goldfinger (1964)

Goldfinger was the first of three theme songs performed by Shierley Bassei and arguably the most iconic of them all. This was Bassey's only song to break the US top 40, and was voted the 53rd best song for film by the American Film Institute. As incredible as it may seem, the song was almost left out of production. That's because the producer, Harry Saltzman, hated the song and only allowed its inclusion in the film because there was no more time to come up with another theme.

Matt Monro – From Russia with Love, Moscow vs 007 (1963)

The second film in the series James Bond, released in 1963, was the first for which John Barry was the main songwriter, with the theme song sung by popular singer Matt Monro. An instrumental version is played over the opening credits — the full song is heard for the first time on the radio, during a scene in the film.

John Barry & Orchestra, Monty Norman – James Bond Theme, from 007 against the Satanic Dr. No (1962)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UssXdE4MFI

The first theme came with 007 against the Satanic Dr. At the (1962), made by John Barry, who won five times the Oscar for soundtracks from productions such as Dance with wolves (1990) and The Lion in Winter (1968). The soundtrack is regarded as one of the most famous musical pieces of all time, having appeared in every Bond film in one form or another since playing in the opening credits of Dr. Not in 1962.

Extra: Lani Hall – Never Say Never Again, from 007 – Never Again (1983)

Directed by Irwin Kershner, 007 - Never Again it is not part of the official James Bond film series. The feature, backed in court by McClory, is not officially considered a film in the franchise, as it was not produced by the character's film rights holder, producer Albert Broccoli. The court victory made filming possible, but prevented the film from having classic details from the series, such as the “Bond, James Bond” catchphrase, the well-known vignette designed by Maurice Binder and the unsurpassed score by John Barry.

The soundtrack, entitled Never Say Never Again, was sung by Lani Hall, composed by Michel Legrand and written by by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

Did you like our selection of theme songs and the stories and trivia behind each one? Tell us in the comments which ones tagged you.

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Check out the DC movie calendar in 2022 and don't miss any!

Check out DC's 2022 movie calendar and don't miss any!