# Best James Bond Theme? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 12, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676 "2003-08-12T16:46:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/1 "2003-08-12T16:46:42Z")
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: 1. All Time High sung by Rita Coolidge. 2. The World is Not Enough sung by Shirley Manson(Garbage). 3. Live and Let Die sung by Paul McCartney. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/2 "2003-08-12T16:53:02Z")
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_ ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/3 "2003-08-12T16:56:55Z")
Mine: Live and Let Die Goldfinger ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/4 "2003-08-12T17:18:41Z")
Goldfinger, absolutely! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/5 "2003-08-12T17:35:57Z")
_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. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/6 "2003-08-12T17:38:50Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/7 "2003-08-12T18:09:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Torque \* > \*\*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. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/8 "2003-08-12T18:20:48Z")
My two favorites are _You Only Live Twice_ (Nancy Sinatra) and _On Her Majesty’s Secret Service_ (instrumental). ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/9 "2003-08-12T18:22:00Z")
And even though it’s an unofficial film, I love Herb Alpert’s _Casino Royale_ (instrumental), written by Bacharach and David. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/10 "2003-08-12T18:22:07Z")
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!_ ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/11 "2003-08-12T18:31:50Z")
_View to a Kill_ by Duran Duran (even though the movie sucks) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/12 "2003-08-12T18:32:01Z")
Righteous, **Eve**! I also like the Carly and Nancy tunes. Should have listed them. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/13 "2003-08-12T18:46:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Johnny L.A. \* > \*\*_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 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). ---
**Author:** ![SpaceForRent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@SpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/14 "2003-08-12T19:16:17Z")
Live and Let Die! ---
**Author:** ![Reuben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/54ee81/32.png) [@Reuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reuben)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/15 "2003-08-12T20:19:50Z")
Another vote for **Nobody Does It Better**. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/16 "2003-08-12T21:33:27Z")
**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). ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/17 "2003-08-12T22:26:27Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/18 "2003-08-12T23:08:17Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/19 "2003-08-13T02:12:56Z")
**Goldfinger** - best theme, best movie, hands down!!! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676/20 "2003-08-13T03:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tlw \* > \*\*and that _thing_ that Garbage did. . \*\* You, sir or madame, are insane. The World is Not Enough is one of the best songs ever. Perfect in every way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-james-bond-theme/194676.md?page=2)