5 James Bond Themes That Almost Were

5. You Only Live Twice (Alternative Version) - Lorraine Chandler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNGxdrdq-wY The theme for You Only Live Twice is often quoted as the best Bond song ever written. Written by the legendary John Barry and sung by the beautiful Nancy Sinatra, the track has been covered numerous times by several bands including Coldplay. Recorded with a live full orchestra, the story goes that Sinatra was a little beside herself and extremely nervous. They got enough material after about thirty takes and Barry would go on to mix vocals from several takes to form the final masterpiece. Although extremely happy with the final project, Nancy was actually plan B for Barry and the producers. The original You Only Live Twice had been recorded a couple months earlier by Lorraine Chandler and also featured a live orchestra. This version is bewilderingly different. It is faster, more oriental/guitar based, and features more on Chandler's power vocals. Distinctly Bondish in every way and not bad by any means, but not what the producers had in mind; out went Chandler's version and in came Sinatra.