James Bond Theme Tunes: From Best To Worst

There are certain expectations that come with a theme to the opening credits of a Bond movie- many people have a set idea in their head of what the criteria is- big, brassy, a powerful singer belting out about the villain€ but there€™s a lot more diversity than people give this particular musical canon credit for. There€™s sweeping and romantic, rocky and dangerous, and... um€Madonna. Some of the themes are truly timeless, others are definitely products of their time. As Adele€™s theme has just been released, allow me to rank the 22 themes we€™ve had (I€™ve decided not to include John Barry€™s theme tune, because that is not only completely iconic, but it€™s a theme tune throughout all the films, and not a song specific to any individual film). I€™ve been impartial and ignored the actual films, instead focusing on each song for its musical calibre. So, without further ado- bum-bum-ba-ba-baaaa€bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-baaaa€.

22. Tomorrow Never Dies

Artist: Sheryl CrowFilm: Tomorrow Never Dies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_K-sE8gy4c I can€™t think about anything good in this tune. Sheryl Crow clearly doesn€™t have the lungs for it, and it€™s too of its time. Crow sounds like she€™s whining throughout, and the distracting opening effects of a jet€ eurgh, there€™s nothing special or notable about this. With one exception, Brosnan€™s films had a terrible time of it in regards to the opening theme, and this is definitely the worst.

21. Die Another Day

Artist: MadonnaFilm: Die Another Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_pCcBm400Y Oh dear. What more can be said of this. €œSigmund Freud€? What€™s all that about? Now, I€™ve never liked Madonna, and this and the fact she appeared in the film (as if SheenEaston€™s appearance in the opening titles of €˜For Your Eyes Only€™ wasn€™t weird enough) didn€™t help. This is not Bondy, it€™s not interesting, it doesn€™t take you on a journey and set you up for the ensuing adventure, you just want it to end. It only just tops the previous entry because Madonna carries some clout and it€™s not quite as weak as Crow€™s entry.
Contributor
Contributor

Aspiring Director, Screenwriter and Actor. Film is my passion, but I indulge in TV, Theatre and Literature as well! Any comments or suggestions, please tweet me @IAmOscarHarding