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Bond songs, with their signature sounds of strings, horns, electric guitar-riffs and dollops of sass, are often more talked about than the movie itself. Some say the title songs have the potency to make or break a film. Here is a list of title songs over the years.
1962: John Barry & His Orchestra: Kingston Calypso (Dr No)
This iconic song has become synonymous with suspense and spy thrillers. Composed by Monty Norman and orchestrated by John Barry, this instrumental piece is the head of the Bond music canon. But the first Bond film may be remembered musically for Ursula Andress' sultry exit from the sea singing "Underneath the mango tree..."
1963: Matt Monro: From Russia With Love
With the same lacquered cabaret vocals made famous by the Rat Pack, From Russia With Love is not featured in the opening credits but makes itself heard when a radio is switched on during the first half of the film.
1964: Shirley Bassey: Goldfinger
Composer John Barry may describe it as the craziest and weirdest song that he ever wrote, but there's no ignoring the Olympian feat achieved by Bassey.
Her signature blood-curdling roar over a symphony of strings struck gold as she toppled the Beatles anthem A Hard Day's Night off the number one slot, a feat unimaginable in the mid '60s. This remains an archetypal pop-treasure and catapulted Bassey into international fame.
1965: Tom Jones: Thunderball
Bondlore has it that Jones fainted while recording the final note of this title song. Sadly, the physical exertions did not translate into superlative reviews as many panned it as a "pseudo-reprise of Shirley Bassey's Goldfinger".
1967: Nancy Sinatra: You Only Live Twice
"I was so scared, I could hardly breathe ... Are you sure you don't want to call Shirley Bassey?" asked Frank Sinatra's petrified daughter, as she entered the recording studio. But all went well, with Sinatra dishing out a haunting melody with a romantic twist. This classic was also sampled on Robbie Williams' hit Millennium.
1969: John Barry: On Her Majesty's Secret Service
With the opening theme of this sixth James Bond movie, John Barry did the unthinkable. He didn't include the title of the song in the opening lines, choosing instead to go instrumental. Many mistakenly believe that Louis Armstrong's We Have All The Time In The World is the movie's theme song - the title taken from Bond's closing line in the film.
1971: Shirley Bassey: Diamonds Are Forever
If the diva-esque delivery does not leave you shaken and stirred, then an interesting blend of traditional Barry orchestral elements and '70s funk should do the job.
1973: Paul McCartney & Wings: Live and Let Die
This title song earned the Bond series its first music-related Oscar nomination for ‘Best Original Song' and clinched the number two slot on the US charts. It was later successfully covered by Guns 'n' Roses.
1974: Lulu: The Man With The Golden Gun
When Scottish singer Lulu belted out "He's got a powerful weapon. He charges a million a shot," she was confirming what every woman already believed about Bond.
1977: Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better (The Spy Who Loved Me)
The first Bond song to have a title that's different from the film, Simon broke with tradition and serenaded her way into people's hearts with this soft-rock ballad. It has since been the inspiration behind a number of ad jingles.
1979: Shirley Bassey: Moonraker
Dame Bassey is the only singer to have recorded more than one Bond theme song. But this third outing lacked her usual bold caberet lustre.
1981: Sheena Easton: For Your Eyes Only
This happens to be the first and only theme song where the performer actually appears in the film's opening sequence. The song was nominated for ‘Best Original Song' at the Academy Awards in 1982.
1983: Rita Coolidge: All Time High (Octopussy)
Written by Tim Rice and performed by Rita Coolidge (a former backup singer for Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton), the song comes with the quintessential horn opening that eventually makes way for a tranquil love song.
1985: Duran Duran: A View To Kill
Said to be only Bond theme to have hit number one on the US pop singles chart, Simon Le Bon's dramatic vocal performance was top-notch.
1987: A-Ha: The Living Daylights
The Norwegian pop group, who have since become the synonymous '80s soundtrack, welcomed the arrival of the new Bond Timothy Dalton and bid farewell to Bond's score composer staple John Barry.
1989: Gladys Knight: Licence to Kill
This song is a testament to the commercial appeal of opening with a powerful ballad. The Pips' siren helped introduce the suave gizmo-savvy spy with an irrevocable explosion.
1995: Tina Turner: Goldeneye
The song introduced Pierce Brosnan's outing as James Bond. Penned by Bono and The Edge, the song takes time to grow on you. But when it does, the robust energy of Turner is contagious.
1997: Sheryl Crow: Tomorrow Never Dies
The theme song for the 18th Bond film, written by Sheryl Crow and Mitchell Froom, lacks Shirley Bassey's sassy sauciness - so it's no surprise it never shows up on best Bond song lists.
1999: Garbage: The World Is Not Enough
The line "There's no point in living, if you can't feel the life" may have reflected on Bond's theme, but this is by far one of the least popular tracks. Staying away from the traditional Bond style of sexual and bloodthirsty lyrics was a mistake.
2002: Madonna: Die Another Day
When it comes to this electro-savvy and string-heavy track there's no middle path. Sir Elton dubbed it the "worst Bond tune of all time" but whether you love it or loathe it, there's no ignoring this track composed by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzai. It is also one of the most often played Bond theme songs of all time.
2006: Chris Cornell: You Know My Name (Casino Royale)
Apart from holding the distinction of being the first song to be sung by an American male vocalist (former frontman of Sound Garden and Audioslave, Chris Cornell) the tune featured a never-heard-before rock twist - but didn't find favour with fans.
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