The Best Of Bond

Oct 28, 2008

Right now it's pretty much impossible to turn on the TV without something James Bond related being peddled at you. You can buy the TV that James Bond watches, drive the car that James Bond drives, wear the watch that James Bond tells the time by, and drink the cola drink that James Bond most definitely drinks. Most of these adverts are set to the strains of the new Bond theme, 'Another Way To Die' performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys.

There are a few things that remain integral to a James Bond movie (or at least there were until they went and 'reimagined' the whole franchise). The girls, the gadgets and the one liners delivered with a well-arched eyebrow have always been staples of the franchise until Daniel Craig came along dispensed with the tongue placed firmly in cheek. But the songs are still a key part of any Bond movie, with Chris Cornell having delivered 'You Know My Name' to Craig's last outing, Casino Royale. The track was much maligned, but actually worked pretty well within the context of the movie and having been given its John Barry-esque re-working.

As well as the new single that was released last week, there is yet another compilation album hitting the stores this week bringing together The best of Bond and around this time, the old argument of just what is the greatest Bond theme, is usually wheeled out. So, without wanting to be accused of having an ounce of originality, here is Flashlight Music's guide to the top 10 Bond themes so far...

10. Chris Cornell - You Know My Name (Casino Royale) - 2006
A strange choice for a Bond theme due to Cornell being relatively unknown in the UK, except by 90s throwback grunge fans. At first listen the song, despite its rocky demeanour, is fairly underwhelming, but when coupled with the gritty intro to Casino Royale worked very nicely indeed. The traditional approach to the Bond theme went out the window along with the traditional format of the films, and the risk paid off in spades as the song peaked at number 7 in the charts. It was also the first Bond theme since The Living Daylights to be sung by a male vocalist.
See it here

9. Gladys Knight - Licence To Kill (Licence To Kill) - 1989
Initially, the theme tune to the 1989 Timothy Dalton starring movie was meant to be written and performed by Eric Clapton and Vic Flick (the guitarist who played the riff on the original James Bond Theme). Things didn't work out however and Gladys Knight's track was chosen. Based on the original horn part from Goldfinger (to the point that royalties even had to be paid) the track is a typically stirring theme with a chorus straight from the 80s. This was the longest track ever to be used as the theme for a Bond film clocking in at 4 minutes 15 seconds.
See it here

8. Nancy Sinatra - You Only Live Twice (You Only Live Twice) - 1967
The theme from the 5th Bond film was instantly recognizable by its opening harmonies and was nicked years later by the new Sinatra (in his own mind), Robbie Williams for his hit song, 'Millenium'. There are a few interesting versions of this kicking about including ones by Bjork and Lorraine Chandler here which became something of a northern soul hit. Perennial Bond music staple, Shirley Bassey also did her own version later on for her album, Get The Party Started.
See it here

7. Tom Jones - Thunderball (Thunderball) - 1965
Legend has it that upon holding the final note of Thunderball, Tom Jones actually fainted in the recording booth. This track was recorded late in the day to replace a track called 'Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'. Producers felt that the song wouldn't work due to the fact that it didn't have the title of the film in it and therefore brought ol' Tom in. Interestingly, Johnny Cash also submitted his own track here for the movie but sadly it was turned down by the studio. If nothing else, it makes it sound much more like Bonanza.
See it here

6. Lulu - The Man With The Golden Gun (The Man With The Golden Gun) - 1974
Opening with the frankly classic line, "He has a powerful weapon" and later asking "Who will he bang?" The Man With The Golden Gun was John Barry's least favourite Bond theme that he was involved in. However, the ridiculously suggestive lyrics and Lulu's slightly saucy voice make this a classic over the top Bond song. Alice Cooper claims that his song of the same name was intended to be used until being cast aside for Lulu.
See it here

5. Tina Turner - Goldeneye (Goldeneye) - 1995
This is something of a bittersweet entry for me...On one hand, the vocals of Tina Turner are perfect for this dramatic Bond theme, but on the other, it was written by Bono & The Edge. Oh well, you can't win 'em all. To stick with the recurring theme, there was an alternative recording made of this track by Swedish baby wanters Ace of Base but unfortunately all the Youtube links have been removed. They eventually released it as 'The Juvenile', simply replacing the word Goldeneye with The Juvenile.
See it here

4. Duran Duran - A View To A Kill (A View To A Kill) - 1985
The most successful Bond theme to date (reached Number 2 in the UK and Number 1 in the USA) allegedly came about when Duran Duran bassist and lifelong Bond fan John Taylor approached producer Cubby Broccoli at a party, and asked him "When are you going to get someone decent to do one of your theme songs?" It turned out that he meant Duran Duran, and the rest was history. The video for this one is particularly manic, with the band involved in some kind of Bondian plot from the movie. It features lots of sound effects including an evil accordion at the end.
See it here

3. Paul McCartney & Wings - Live & Let Die (Live & Let Die) - 1973
The first soundtrack that didn't feature John Barry in any capacity saw Macca and his Mrs take up the mantle. A familiar name had filled the producer's chair in George Martin, marking the first time that the former Beatle had worked with him since 8Abbey Road* in 1969. The song was a massive hit, being the first time that a proper rock song had opened one of the movies. The chorus is still an absolute classic and the track was less successfully covered by Guns n' Roses in their Spaghetti Incident period for the movie Interview With The Vampire.
See it here

2. Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger (Goldfinger) - 1964
Arguably the song that Bassey is most famous for, 'Goldfinger' for many is the quintessential Bond theme song. Just ask Alan Partridge or Homer Simpson . Composed by John Barry, produced by George Martin and with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley, rumour has it that the words were based around 'Moon River', a big previous hit from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Newley sang the song originally before recording it with Bassey and his original version was released to mark the 30th anniversary of Bond on screen. A far more subtle affair I'm sure you'll agree.
See it here

1. Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better (The Spy Who Loved Me) - 1977
The first theme not to share a name with the movie, Marvin Hamlisch's power ballad is epic in scope whilst not being quite as ostentatious as other Bond themes. The piano opening is fantastic with Simon's voice bringing just the right amount of vocal prowess to the song without descending into the warbling that others might be tempted to. Known miserablist Thom Yorke of Radiohead even claimed in 1995, that this was "the sexiest song that was ever written" before doing his own cover version of it. In fact, he did far more warbling on it than Carly Simon.
See it here

Final Note - Before people start bitching, I was focussing on the themes with guest vocalists brought in, therefore counting out John Barry's original theme. Louis Armstrong's 'We Have All The Time In The World' was also disqualified due to not being the main theme to On Her Majesty's Secret Service. So there...

James Pegrum

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