Bond. James Bond Themes. There's often as much excitement about the themes to the movies as there is about the films themselves. And they always attract major stars to record them. In a time when movie soundtracks really don't do as well as they used to, it's nice to see the Bond themes still as big as ever (the latest Sam Smith Bond Theme was last week number one in the UK). With the recent release of the latest Bond theme, it felt like the right time to look at my favourite Top Ten James Bond themes.
Now these songs span many years, and in many cases, genre. These artists are different and unique, and choosing the best is a difficult thing. I have read a few of these lists over the past week, and people get so passionate about it - remember this is just an opinion based on my own tastes, but please feel free to let me know your favourite tracks in the comments section below.
10 - Another Way To Die - Jack White & Alicia Keys (from Quantum of Solace)
This was always a very divisive song, some loved it, many hated it. So many liked it as a song, but not a Bond Theme. I disagree, I think it was a great Bond theme as it matched in with the darker and dirtier feel of the Craig Bond. Yeah, this one took me a while to get into, but I ended up really liking this song. Black and Keys seem like a strange team for duet, and while it isn't perfect, the duo produced a slick track with a great beat and a catchy chorus. It's sad to think, this Bond theme was always meant to be Amy Winehouse's, I'm sure she would have produced something pretty awesome with Mark Ronson!
9 - Writings On The Wall - Sam Smith (from Spectre)
Speaking of divisive, the latest Bond theme has everyone up in arms again (wow people love to complain). I am a big fan of this song, it was proven to me when I couldn't get the song out of my head for most of last week. Dramatic and powerful, Smith sounds beautiful in this big ballad that is a showcase for his truly extraordinary voice. This is a special song, and his UK number one spot for the track proves it.
8 - A View to a Kill - Duran Duran (from A View to a Kill)
You've gotta love a bit of camp 80s, and you don't get more 80s than Duran Duran. This is the only Bond theme to ever hit number one in the US and was one of Duran Duran's highest selling songs of all time. It has all the classic elements of a great Duran Duran tune, a good beat, the synths and the distinctive and great voice of Simon Le Bon - he always sounded so impassioned! This is often overlooked as being one of the 80s best, which is a shame, cause it's a great tune.
7 - Tomorrow Never Dies - Sheryl Crow (from Tomorrow Never Dies)
I am a big Sheryl Crow fan and always hated the negativity that surrounded her Bond theme. Critics liked the instrumentation, but not her voice. Well I say screw them, Crow sounds amazing. I love the tone of her voice, and why should the Bond themes all be torch songs? This is a great laidback pop/rock track and Crow commands the track and really brings it home. The chorus is catchy and I often have it stuck in my head for ages after listening to it.
6 - Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon (from The Spy Who Loved Me)
I feel like this Carly Simon classic would have been higher on the list if the tune wasn't butchered by Australian real estate company, LJ Hooker. All Aussies will know what they did with the song and rue the fact that every time they hear the song their mind changes the words. Anyway, I digress, this is a stunning ballad from the pen of the awesome Carole Bayer Sager. Carly has such a great laidback delivery and this tune was a well deserved hit for her. A true classic.
5 - Live & Let Die - Paul McCartney and The Wings (From Live & Let Die)
This is a classic Bond theme and a genuinely good song. And of course there's a classic cover of this tune from the gents of Guns 'n' Roses. Creative and dramatic, the driving beat is inspiring and McCartney sounds great. This may just be the best song from The Wings and is certainly very iconic. Get those lighters in the air and listen to it loudly.
4 - Golden Eye - Tina Turner (From Golden Eye)
Written by Bono and The Edge specifically for Tina Turner, Turner owns this sharp tune with her commanding and effortless vocals. Wow she can sing, and she proves it here. Sure, the song is a little camp, but the Brosnan Bond films were quite camp. The beat is great and the strings add the right level of drama. The song builds beautifully, and the ending is exquisite. I can imagine a million drag Queens have performed this tune over the years.
3 - Skyfall - Adele (From Skyfall)
The only Bond theme to win an Oscar, this is a special track. Adele is such an amazing vocalist and this track is a showcase of exactly what she can do. On its own merits, this is a bloody good track that has the right levels of drama. The instrumentation is extraordinary and Adele is at the top of her game with the vocals - effortless and brilliant. I love this tune and revisit it often, now where exactly is that new album from Adele? We want it!
2 - Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey (from Goldfinger)
Many consider this as the best Bond theme of all time, it slots into number two for me. It is a great song with an iconic vocal performance from Ms Bassey. That voice, it's so very good! So dramatic, so filled with attitude, the song makes you smile. A classic indeed!
1 - Die Another Day - Madonna
Disclaimer, I am a MASSIVE Madonna fan, she is my favourite artist, so she could appear nowhere else but at the top of this list. I love this song, even after all these years, I play this song all the time. It's funny that Madonna was chosen because of the success of the brilliant "Beautiful Stranger" from Austin Powers, a James Bond take-off. This is possibly the most divisive Bond theme of all time, many dislike it because it departs so much from the formula of Bond themes, while others love it exactly for that reason. Dramatic and sparse, the song and clip show this as a song about battling with one's own ego. The clip is as stunning as the film. Surely they were going for Hollywood glamour with this one with the choice of Madonna on the soundtrack and Halle Berry in the film. Haters can hate, but I adore this track and it will always be my favourite Bond theme - it has the perfect attitude. "Analyze this"!
So what are you favourite Bond themes, tell us in the comments section below.
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