I don’t know why, but I really like some of the James Bond themes, even if I don’t like the artists they come from very much.
I vote that the best Bond songs are:
All Time High sung by Rita Coolidge.
The World is Not Enough sung by Shirley Manson(Garbage).
Live and Let Die sung by Paul McCartney.
Of course the original theme (first heard on Dr. No) by John Barry is my favorite. It has been used as the basis for many “spy tunes” like Johnny Rivers’s Secret Agent Man.
As for the title songs, I have liked:
From Russia With Love
Live and Let Die
Goldfinger
Thunderball
Mine:
Live and Let Die
Goldfinger
Goldfinger, absolutely!
Dr. No is definitely my favourite. I like the way it segues into the calypso Three Blind Mice. And of course, the trademark Bond score is much longer than was used in later films.
I realize I’m in the minority, but my favorite is Nobody Does It Better, the theme from The Spy Who Loved Me, sung by Carly Simon.
In every list I’ve seen ranking the Bond themes, it’s near the bottom. snif.
Well, I doubt it will be there now that Madonna made one. Die Another Day is the worst one by far.
My two favorites are You Only Live Twice (Nancy Sinatra) and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (instrumental).
And even though it’s an unofficial film, I love Herb Alpert’s Casino Royale (instrumental), written by Bacharach and David.
I once met with literary agent Barney Karpfinger, but knew I could never sign with him, as sooner or later I’d burst into,
Fishy words he will pour in your ear
But his lies can’t disguise what you fear
For a mermaid knows when he’s kissed her
It’s the fishy kiss from Mister
Karpfinger, pretty girl, beware of this heart of karp
This karp is cold!
View to a Kill by Duran Duran (even though the movie sucks)
Righteous, Eve!
I also like the Carly and Nancy tunes. Should have listed them.
I didn’t think Dr. No actually had a “theme” song per se, other than the typical James Bond theme music (you know the one… its in all the pictures).
Live and Let Die!
Another vote for Nobody Does It Better.
bernse: The “typical James Bond music” was the theme music. They only used the first part of it in subsequent films, then went on to the “feature song”; but in Dr. No the “James Bond Theme” was played all the way through and included that Calypso bit.
I also liked For Your Eyes Only (Sheena Easton).
Another vote for A View to a Kill, the only Bond theme to outshine its accompanying flick, as well as the only one to hit #1 on the charts.
Second, third and fourth are close, near ties, between Nobody Does it Better, Goldfinger and Live and Let Die. Fifth Place for Goldeneye just because Tina Turner is so durn smooth.
Worst themes: Die Another Day, Tomorrow Never Dies and that thing that Garbage did. The post-Broccoli era theme songs have been rather dire.
Underrated theme: Living Daylights by A-ha. It’s not a great song but it captured the film well.
Count another vote for Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better
(That really finishes at the bottom of lists? Sheesh.)
Honorable Mention “Godfinger”-Shirley Bassey - and THE best Bond film - IMHO
Goldfinger - best theme, best movie, hands down!!!
You, sir or madame, are insane. The World is Not Enough is one of the best songs ever. Perfect in every way.