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 Crow
Film: Tomorrow Never Dies
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: Madonna
Film: Die Another Day
Oh dear. What more can be said of this. “Sigmund 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.
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6 Comments
From best to worst? Ehh not worst to best?
OHMSS should be the John Barry theme, not Armstrong.
imo:
22. All Time High
21. Moonraker
20. Die Another Day
19. Tomorrow Never Dies
18. The World Is Not Enough
17. A View To A Kill
16. Goldeneye
15. For Your Eyes Only
14. Another Way To Die
13. Diamonds Are Forever
12. Let The Sky Fall
11. Thunderball
10. The Man With The Golden Gun
9. The Living Daylights
8. From Russia With Love
7. You Only Live Twice
6. Licence to Kill
5. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
4. You Know My Name
3. Live And Let Die
2. Goldfinger
1. Nobody Does It Better
I think the best Bond theme ever is from the Blood Stone game. Amazing.
Baby, you’re the best.
I’d put the tune from Cornell casino royale higher tbh. Cracking song and it screams Bond in my opinion, plus i love the video. Very James Bond :D
I agree on the Skyfall song, very old school Bond. I’ve only heard it a couple of times but i like it.
For my live and let live should be number one, god i love that song. I prefer the guns n roses version more though.
Actually after listening to Nobody does it better (No 1 spot) again i’ll agree with you, best of the bunch :)
Roll on Skyfall !
You mention Sheena Easton is the only artist to appear in the opening title sequence, not so. Crow appears at the end of the opening titles of Tomorrow Never Dies (which I find to be a good Bond song and really don’t get all the hate).
I love the Crow song, but the main issue here is her performance, she is way out of tune and lacks some depth and warmth in her tone that could have made this song much better.