The Songs of Bond

My ranking of 007 theme songs
On
April 21, 2014
In the history of movie songs, there can be no doubt that the songs of James Bond are some of the most memorable. Each film typically featured a singer who was the hot stuff of that particular time, or was just otherwise well known. The likes of Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Sheena Easton and Rita Coolidge all contributed to the music of Hollywood's favorite super spy.

After some thought and listening to each song, here is my personal view on all the songs of James Bond, going from worst to first.



NOTE: Dr. No doesn't have a song, so it will not be on this list.

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22. Madonna, "Die Another Day"



It is bad. So bad.


21. Alicia Keys, "Another Way To Die"



Messy, sloppy, mixed up. Just no.


20. Rita Coolidge, "All Time High"

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As hilarious as it would have been to have a song named Octopussy, I guess they just couldn't make it work. Rita and sultry saxophone jazz this one up.


19. Louis Armstrong, "We Have All The Time In The World"



Satchmo's ballad from On Her Majesty's Secret Service, is done as only he can.


18. Shirley Bassey, "Moonraker"



I didn't like Moonraker as a film, but mad respect to Shirley for the title song.


17. Nancy Sinatra, "You Only Live Twice"



A movie that gave us Blofeld for the first time, also featured the daughter of the Chairman. Not a great song, but not bad either.


16. Matt Monro, "From Russia With Love"

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While this movie is traditionally a fan favorite, I can take or leave Matt's low voice.


15. Tom Jones, "Thunderball"



This song strikes! Like thunderball.


14. Shirley Bassey, "Diamonds Are Forever"



In case you didn't know, Shirley is the only singer to perform multiple Bond songs.


13. Sheryl Crow, "Tomorrow Never Dies"



Really, the only thing I liked about Tomorrow Never Dies, was Jonathan Pryce as the bad guy. The song was ok too.


12. Sheena Easton, "For Your Eyes Only"

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Interesting note: Sheena is the only Bond singer to appear in the movie's intro.


11. Lulu, "The Man With the Golden Gun"



While I prefer Lulu's "To Sir With Love", her style is effective here as well.


10. Shirley Bassey, "Goldfinger"

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She's still got it.


9. Gladys Knight, "License To Kill"



It isn't popular to like Timothy Dalton's work as Bond, but screw popular notions and opinions! I liked him.


8. Paul McCartney & Wings, "Live And Let Die"



Bond and McCarney. A film legend and a musical legend, together.


7. Duran Duran, "A View To A Kill"



Rock out with Le Bon, Simon Le Bon.


6. Carly Simon, "Nobody Does It Better"

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From The Spy Who Loved Me, comes Carly Simon. This song was also used as a tribute to Desmond Llewelyn (Q), who passed away following The World is Not Enough.


5. Chris Cornell, "You Know My Name"



Daniel Craig was an all new 007, but we still knew his name.


4. Tina Turner, "GoldenEye"



Tina wails on an excellent song, but an effect is added by the title sequence, which depicts the fall of the Soviet Union.


3. a-Ha, "The Living Daylights"



The guys from Norway sing for a very grounded in reality Bond film. Spies, KGB, cold war drama, all rolled into one movie.


2. Garbage, "The World is Not Enough"



I'm not really a fan of Garbage, or this film for that matter. Denise Richards as nuclear scientist? Right. But, Shirley Manson's voice is amazing.


1. Adele, "Skyfall"

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Perfection.


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So there you have it. What's your favorite Bond song?

Thanks for reading.


~ TheOutlaw
-7
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