Paul McCartney & Wings - "Live and Let Die" (1973)
Paul McCartney had already proven himself as a master of the pop music suite with the #1 hit single
"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" when the James Bond movie franchise came calling. He throws everything
including the kitchen sink into this grand production then lightens it with pop-reggae breaks.
This is Paul McCartney at his best, and it sounds just as good today as 30 years ago.
Nobody spelled out the sexiness of the James Bond films better than Carly Simon. The song was written by
Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager and holds the distinction of being the first Bond theme that did
not carry the same name as the accompanying film. In this case, the film was The Spy Who Loved Me.
Radiohead's Thom Yorke has declared onstage that "Nobody Does It Better" is "the sexiest song that was ever written."
In contrast with many Bond themes, "You Only Live Twice" is more of a moody ballad than a brassy attention-getter.
Nancy Sinatra's performance and a memorable melody help it stand out from the crowd. This classic was sampled
on Robbie Williams' hit "Millenium."
Many prognosticators predicted disaster when the new wave pop band Duran Duran were enlisted to record a Bond
theme song. Despite predictions, this is one of the best, and it is the only Bond theme to hit #1 on the pop
singles chart in the US. Simon Le Bon's sexy and dramatic vocal performance carries the day.
Kanye West re-introduced the world to this classic when he used it as the base for his recording "Diamonds
From Sierra Leone." In the mode of "Goldfinger," it's another big, brassy performance from Ms. Bassey.
Bond theme from Casino Royale is a keeper. Chris Cornell is best known as the lead vocalist for Soundgarden
and Audioslave. It's unique among the other themes in being a true rock song and being the first theme sung
by an American male vocalist.
The follow-up to "Goldfinger" was originally intended for Shirley Bassey, but the producers settled on Welsh
performing legend Tom Jones. It's not as memorable as "Goldfinger," but it's still a pleasing addition to the
James Bond canon.
Jack White and Alicia Keys - "Another Way to Die" (2008)
The very first duet to serve as a James Bond movie theme is this song for the film Quantum of Solace. Jack White
of the White Stripes and Alicia Keys collaborate for one of the more raucuous, and brilliant, entries in the series.
Sheena Easton was a hot new singer coming off her very first pop smash "Morning Train" when she was tapped to record
a Bond theme. "For Your Eyes Only" is a bit dated, but the memorable melody still lingers in the brain.