Top Bond Theme Songs
By: MattInRC
Now that Hollywood has rightly celebrated Adele's instant Bond classic Skyfall with an Oscar for Best Song, it got us thinking of the most memorable from the 007 franchise. To be honest, it's impossible to qualify such a list, as we're talking about radically different directions these themes have taken throughout its 50 year history. Choose electronics beats like Madonna's Die Another Day or Duran Duran's View to Kill over Shirley Bassey's Goldfinger and Moonraker? No matter your preference, we love them all for the same reasons: deep orchestral melodies surrounded by powerful voices and that trademark Monte Hall Bond theme.
Who does that mix better than the others is anyone's guess. For now, and without going into an actual numbered list, we present our favorites in the order they appeared:
From Russia with Love - Among the lesser-known themes, Matt Monro busts out his best Andy Williams for a tasty preview of the direction the franchise would take. It's interesting that his version was not the one we got in the opening credits, but its elegant melody has Bond written all over it.
Goldfinger - The gold standard (pardon the pun) for all Bond themes now and forever. Shirley Bassey belts out a timeless classic. Man With The Golden Gun - I used to play this all the time against my mother's Sound of Music soundtrack, just to piss her off. Deliciously decadent, Lulu's performance of Gun is fun even if it's way dated.
Live and Let Die - Paul McCartney and Wings introduced us to another new Bond in grand style. It's not as epic as I remember, partially due to the fact that so many better Bond themes were later produced, but it's still worth mentioning.
Moonraker - Everyone eviscerates Moonraker for its over-the-top-space-ark cheesiness, but I have to say that Composer John Barry creates a lush audio environment, including another Bassey monster ballad. Love it or not, Moonraker is one of my favorites.
View to a Kill - If I had to pick a top song, it's gotta be the Duran Duran epic. Filled with the best parts of what makes Bond songs so memorable, Duran Duran and John Barry got a little Grammy love with a nomination for Best Song. That one never EVER gets old.
Tomorrow Never Dies - Sultry and passionate, Sheryl Crow brings it with a slow burn theme that could have been used 30 years ago. Tomorow Never Dies is another of my favorite Bond movies, and really represents one of the last good films for Brosnan in general.
Die Another Day - What started out as a brilliant Act 1 with 007 in prison and tortured sadly deteriorated into a facepalm third act. Thank god Madonna's theme is so damn sexy.
Casino Royale - If Duran Duran hadn't made View, my pick would have to fall squarely here. It's interesting to note that Cornell's original (and honestly superior) track was rejected by Composer David Arnold at the last minute. Check out the rejected version on YouTube, and let us know what you think.
Skyfall - There's little I can say that will elevate Adele's sultry addition to Bond themes, except that in my mind the song became an instant classic, adding more to the greatness that is Skyfall the movie.
Do you have a favorite set of Bond opening themes?
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