1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - John Barry
Description: So it all comes down to this: the reigning and undisputed champion of Bond themes, sitting right on the doorstep. I tried, and failed, to give you all a new Number 1; but it just isn't happening. John Barry was a smart man, smart enough to let his work speak for him when words couldn't. Smart enough to correct a-Ha when they were wrong on The Living Daylights. Smart enough to leave others like Bill Conti to make mis-steps and Marvin Hamlisch to make gold whenever he needed to be elsewhere. In short, this song is as much about John Barry's command of music as it is about Commander Bond's dedication to his job.
Choice Lyrics: There are no lyrics, and frankly there don't need to be. When the music started playing and the images of Bond's past started to fly by, we had all we needed right in front of us. Bond was at the crossroads for the first time, and in that first instance it bucked trend and expectation. It cast an Australian male model as its leading man, with no acting experience to speak of. It produced what was the longest Bond film of its time, up until Casino Royale eclipsed it in 2006. It put a face to the now infamous name of Ernst Starvo Blofeld. It let Bond do everything his character, and the series, needed to... even when it let him fall in love. Argue if you must, but by time the melody kicks in with this song, you're either with it or your left behind. Much like when you're running with Bond himself.
What say you? Are you more of a Duran Duran fan than a Tom Jones lover? Do you think that "For Your Eyes Only" is really an unsung masterpiece? Or are you seriously going to take me up on that Die Another Day challenge? Let me know in the comments below. And remember...
James Bond Will Return