Before 'Spectre,' Revisiting James Bond's Theme Music to Date

[Machiavelli]

Graeme McMillan
The Hollywood Reporter
December 7, 2014

Thursday's big announcement for the 24th James Bond movie -- Spectre, to be directed by Skyfall's Sam Mendes, and once again featuring Daniel Craig as the British super spy -- sadly lacked details of the most important element of any Bond movie. No, not the Bond girl. The Bond theme.

From Dr. No on, each Bond movie has had a distinctive theme that attempts to set the stage for what's to come. At their best, the songs are as dramatic and exciting as the movies themselves, but… well, let's just say that not every song is at its best and leave it at that. With that in mind, as we start to wonder just who is going to take on the heavy mantle of tackling the Bond theme for Spectre, let's revisit Bond themes of the past, from worst to best.

More, with a brief evaluation along with a music video presentation of each theme, as well as reader comments

23. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
22. Die Another Day (2002)
21. The Living Daylights (1987)
20. Casino Royale (2006)
19. From Russia With Love (1963)
18. Octopussy (1983)
17. Licence to Kill (1989)
16. Quantum of Solace (2008)
15. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
14. Moonraker (1979)
13. The World Is Not Enough (1999)
12. Thunderball (1965)
11. A View To A Kill (1985)
10. Goldeneye (1995)
9. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
8. The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)
7. Live and Let Die (1973)
6. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
5. Skyfall (2012)
4. You Only Live Twice (1967)
3. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
2. Dr. No (1962)
1. Goldfinger (1964)

[truth_seeker]

Without looking it. Up, name the vocalist for the Goldfinger theme song.

[SPQR]

The best James Bond actor was Sean Connery. SPECTRE was an excellent nemesis for James Bond.

[SPQR]

The best James Bond actor was Sean Connery. SPECTRE was an excellent nemesis for James Bond.

The three best names for a female character was: Miss Plenty O'Toole,bleep Galore, and Tiffany Case

[SPQR]

Best line was "Diamonds are Forever":

Blofeld: Tiffany, my dear. We're showing a bit more *cheek* than usual, aren't we?

[Tiffany takes the cassette out from her bottom and hands it to Blofeld]

Blofeld: [to the guards] Take her below and lock her up with Mr. Bond.

[the guards take her to a cell]

Blofeld: What a pity, such nice cheeks too. If only they were brains.

[referring to the cassette]

Blofeld: Destroy this, Metz.

[SPQR]

Best line was "Diamonds are Forever":

Blofeld: Tiffany, my dear. We're showing a bit more *cheek* than usual, aren't we?

[Tiffany takes the cassette out from her bottom and hands it to Blofeld]

Blofeld: [to the guards] Take her below and lock her up with Mr. Bond.

[the guards take her to a cell]

Blofeld: What a pity, such nice cheeks too. If only they were brains.

[referring to the cassette]

Blofeld: Destroy this, Metz.

Another great quote from the movie:

Bambi: “I'm Bambi.”
Thumper: “And I'm Thumper. Is there something we can do for you?”
Bond: “I can think of several things, off hand..”

[EC]

Without looking it. Up, name the vocalist for the Goldfinger theme song.

Shirley Bassey.

[SPQR]

Shirley Bassey.

The best theme songs for a James Bond film was "You Only Live Twice" by Nancy Sinatra and "A View To A Kill" by Duran Duran

[aligncare]

Bookmark for later dissection.

[kevindavis007]

The best James Bond actor was Sean Connery. SPECTRE was an excellent nemesis for James Bond.

To me Craig, Bronsan, and Connery are the best Bond.. Lazenby was the worst.  I'm glad Spectre is coming back.

[SPQR]

To me Craig, Bronsan, and Connery are the best Bond.. Lazenby was the worst.  I'm glad Spectre is coming back.

I agree. But Sean tops the list.