Top Bond Themes

With the looming release of the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, Sky Movies have taken the opportunity to turn Sky Movies Showcase into Sky Movies 007 and repeat every previous Bond film, ever made. I'm not sure how deep my love for Bond really is, especially when you weigh up that pretty much every film is the same. I couldn't hand on heart even say I've seen all of them. None-the-less, The latest Bond theme has now been released, and I have to say, I like it. I really really like it.

Its hard to say what makes a good Bond theme good, and a bad one awful [although Madonna sure knows, what with the terrible "Die Another Day"]. Adele's latest manages to draw on the great Bond themes of the past and create something that resonates with all the history of the film series, whilst retaining something of the modern flavour of the later additions to the franchise.

So, proving I can be just as opportunistic as the people at Sky, here is a list of the 5 greatest Bond themes:

5. Diamonds are forever

I'll say this, Shirley Bassey has a unique voice. Silky and smooth, yet somehow also authoritative and just slightly tempering a deep anger, it comes out in force when coupled with a terrifically catchy hook.

4. Goldfinger

Bassey again, but this time I have to give most of the credit to composer John Barry. He added an element of pop which started in force, the grand tradition of Bond themes. It's catchy, timeless, and the tune immediately brings to mind, thoughts of espionage and intrigue.


3. The World is Not Enough

When it was announced, Scottish alt. rockers Garbage were to create the theme for The World is not enough, many were sceptical. It' snot that they weren't a good band, its just that... well Scottish rock doesn't really scream Bond. Some also viewed them as too pop or mainstream, after their recent successes with Version 2.0. In the end it didn't matter: Their Bond theme was a beautiful nod to the themes of old, epic, sweeping and yet with as likable a tune as you'll find in the entire series.

2. Live and Let Die

 Paul McCartney did a fantastic job with this one. Combining elements from the slower, silkier themes before, with a new sense of pace and purpose, this was the tune that added excitement back into Bond themes. Also, Guns and Roses did an amazing cover version..so there's that

1. Tomorrow Never Dies

Murder, intrigue, lost love, the life of a spy and his discarded lovers. Sheryl Crow's theme somehow combines all of them, with a heartbreaking melody and lyrics to match. With an amazing set of pipes to her, the chorus just blows you away. The Greatest Bond theme of all time, now, and probably until the World falls away.