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The Bond Themes Rated « Thread Started on Mar 29, 2007, 7:44pm »
As every EON 007 movie gets released, the theme song it features in the opening credits gets almost as much publicity as the picture itself. There's been classic Bond themes, bad ones, & some in between. But just which is the best of them all? A matter of opinion, sure, but here's how I rate all 21...
'The James Bond Theme'- The John Barry Orchestra (first heard in 'Dr. No')
Ah, that most iconic of compositions, & perhaps the most famous piece of movie music in the world ever. Updates & remixes have come over the years, but the original JBO recording, first heard in debut EON 007 offering 'Dr. No', is the one we all know & love. It still sounds timeless today & has captured within itself what James Bond is truly all about: sex, spying & a few vodka Martinis to boot!
My Rating: **** (out of 5 stars)
'From Russia With Love'- Matt Monro ('From Russia With Love')
Monro in his day was considered by many to be the British Frank Sinatra, so it seems only right that his dulcet tones would feature on the 2nd 007 flick. An enjoyable, laid-back song for what still remains one of the best Bond films of all-time
Rating: ****
'Goldfinger'- Shirley Bassey ('Goldfinger')
Recently voted the greatest Bond theme of them all in a Channel 4 viewers poll, this isn't my favourite Bassey-Bond collaboration, but with that signature "DAAA DAAA" trumpet, who can resist this timeless classic?
Rating: ****
'Thunderball'- Tom Jones ('Thunderball')
Another big name in the 1960's records the theme for what is by now an established tour de force in the film industry. This one's not really my cup of tea, as I've never liked Jones' voice, but there's been worse efforts
Rating: ***
'You Only Live Twice'-Nancy Sinatra ('You Only Live Twice')
Now here's an absolute classic. First offered to Nancy's dad Frank, it's hard to imagine now anyone else but the 1960's blonde bombshell purring her way through this. Even Robbie William's ripping this off for 'Millenium' doesn't take anything away from what is, for me, the best 007 theme in this list so far
Rating: ****1/2
'We Have All The Time In The World'- Louis Armstrong (love theme from 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service')
OK, so this wasn't the actual proper movie theme (that was a decent but not-awe-inspiring orchestral effort from the JBO), but this deserves more than a passing mention. Allegedly jazz trumpeter & singer Armstrong's final recording before his death, this touching song perfectly sums up the mood of a very different, very romantic Bond film. That this song only got the recognition it deserved in the 1990s after being used in a Guinness ad, is a crying shame
Rating: ****1/2
'Diamonds Are Forever'-Shirley Bassey ('Diamonds Are Forever')
In my opinion, the best of the 3 Dame Shirley's. Her voice never sounded better in this phallic ode! Shame I didn't enjoy Connery's return as much as I did the theme, but never mind
Rating: ****1/2
'Live & Let Die'- Paul McCartney & Wings ('Live & Let Die')
This ties with another Bond theme as my very favourite. Why do people always overlook this in favour of the over-rated 'Bohemian Rhapsody' when asked what their favourite "epic pop song" is? This has it all, hard rock, ballad, reggae, all in the one hit song, & proved Macca was more than just one quarter of the Beatles. Here again, didn't reckon much to the film despite loving the theme
Rating: *****
'The Man With The Golden Gun'- Lulu ('The Man With The Golden Gun')
The first theme so far that can only really be described as very, very average. Scottish "Shouter" Lulu seems like an odd choice for Bond theme chanteuse, & the resulting theme is quite underwhelming. Bloody marvellous film, though!
Rating: **1/2
'Nobody Does It Better'- Carly Simon ('The Spy Who Loved Me')
I can't even have this song in my head without hearing Alan Partridge doing the "SHANG A LANG A LANG" intro in his caravan! Carly has a sweet, but not over-sickly voice, & I enjoyed this theme considerably
Rating: ****
'Moonraker'- Shirley Bassey ('Moonraker')
The weakest of the 3 efforts from the Queen of the Divas. But still a good enough song, & Dame Shirley just has that voice that is made for James Bond movies
Rating: ***
'For Your Eyes Only'- Sheena Easton ('For Your Eyes Only')
Into the '80's now, & young pop startlet Easton was a surprise choice to sing the theme for this film. One of my personal favourite Bond songs, great melody, & an inspired decision to have Sheena appear singing in the opening titles
Another Bond movie, another sultry female singer. Not as good as this theme's predecessor, but a noble & enjoyable turn by Ms. Coolidge
Rating: ***1/2
'A View To A Kill'- Duran Duran ('A View To A Kill')
Now THIS is the 1980s! The first Bond pop video to get heavy MTV rotation, from one of the biggest acts of the era. Pop promo-friendly Duran & slick, end-of-Moore-era 007 go hand in hand for something that would be considered still today one of the best pop singles of the last 25 years, Bond film or no Bond film
Rating: ****1/2
'The Living Daylights'- A-ha ('The Living Daylights')
Tied with the Wings song as my favourite ever Bond theme. Criminally under-rated by most, I love this theme! Perhaps if it had come out 2 or 3 years earlier, at the height of A-ha's success it would be remembered more fondly by most. Absolutely addictive chorus ("OHHHH, OH-WAY-OH!") & a melody so good it should be illegal
Rating: *****
'Licence To Kill'- Gladys Knight ('Licence To Kill')
Well, the film itself is probably the worst 007 offering ever, bar 'Die Another Day', but the theme wasn't too shabby, though after the electro-pop stylings of Duran & A-ha, & before that the young up & comer Sheena Easton, the choosing of soul veteran Knight seemed like something of a step backwards for the franchise
Rating: ***
'Goldeneye'- Tina Turner ('Goldeneye')
Plumping again for a big-voiced diva, but with the added intrigue of being written by half of U2 (who incidentally, did a much better movie theme of their own earlier with 'Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me' for the Batman franchise). Tina's OK if you like that sort of thing, but she's no Bassey, that's for sure!
Rating: ***
'Tomorrow Never Dies'- Sheryl Crow ('Tomorrow Never Dies')
A really odd choice, country-pop singer Crow as Bond theme singer, & it shows. Not an offensive, bad song per se, it's just very, very, VERY dull & plodding, exactly the opposite of what a 007 score should be. Brosnan's best flick, though
Rating: **
'The World Is Not Enough'- Garbage ('The World Is Not Enough')
I've enjoyed a lot of Garbage's output of the years, but strangely not this. Shirley Manson sounds like she could have been an excellent Bond chanteuse, had she had a stronger piece to sing. Again in the 1990's, all too average
Rating: **1/2
'Die Another Day'- Madonna ('Die Another Day')
Without a doubt the WORST Bond theme ever, fitting really for the worst film of the EON franchise. A terrible choice for the theme, with its half-arsed effort at being credible dance music (summing up Madge's career over the last 5 years, there) & showing absolutely no passion, heart or anything. If this was the 1980s, or even early to mid 90's, Madonna would have sung a total classic for the series. This is just dire, though. And that cameo appearance? Pah!
Rating: *
'You Know My Name'- Chris Cornell ('Casino Royale')
And we're back on form after years of themes ranging from mediocre to just downright crap. A male singer for the first time in 19 years, the one-time grunge singer Cornell was again perceived by some as an odd choice, but as Craig's Bond went back to basics, so did the soundtrack, with this being a thoroughly enjoyable guitar-based romp for the greatest 007 movie made to date
Rating: ****
So, that's my take on all 21 official theme songs. Now it's your turn; give us your favourite & not-so-favourite James Bond themes...
Re: The Bond Themes Rated « Reply #1 on Sept 4, 2009, 3:35am »
Have a look, very good, pass by... A friend in need is a friend indeed.A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe.By reading we enrich the mind, by conversation we polish it.Confidence in yourself is the first step on the road to success.
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