Today, October 5, is James Bond Day. Why not a day that ends in a seven, you might ask? According to the official James Bond website, the answer’s pretty straightforward. October 5, 1962, was the premiere date for the 007 film that started it all: Dr. No.
It’s been five years since the last Bond flick, No Time to Die, and given production for the next entry is still in early phases, it seems we’re still several years away from another spin in an Aston Martin. Fortunately, the series has made impressive strides in the world of video games, with IO Interactive’s 007 First Light wowing fans and critics alike.
While First Light is a terrific game — one that brings the franchise into the modern age while reimagining its most important characters — there’s one aspect that lacks some zest. I’m talking, of course, about the Bond theme, “First Light.” Lana Del Rey does an admirable job with her breathy vocals, and the horns backing her are a nice touch, but the song just can’t compete with the series’ best.
That’s why we’re here today. In honor of this illustrious franchise and many a martini shaken, not stirred, let’s walk through the (double-O) seven greatest Jame Bond themes ever made — and what makes them so elite.
7. “Live and Let Die” by Wings
It’s hard to have a list of best Bond songs and not include Sir Paul McCartney. The man is arguably the most important songwriter ever, and though his contribution to the 007 pantheon is from his Beatles follow-up band, Wings, the song shows many glimmers of the same greatness that McCartney gave audiences in his heyday.
“Live and Let Die” opens with a classic McCartney intro: slow, moody, and contemplative. Then, upon singing the song’s titular words, the track transforms. We move from piano chords to boisterous horns and drums, then an upbeat orchestral rock sequence. The band vibes out some more, then digs into a groovy, vocal-backed lick. Then, we circle back to the chorus once more, before returning to our introspective introduction.
The song is somber yet explosive, poignant yet exciting, laid-back yet adrenaline-fueled, all wrapped in one three-minute track. I’d argue it’s the wrong song for a James Bond film, which is why it ranks lowest on this list, but there’s no denying the creative genius at the helm here. “Live and Let Die” indeed.
6. “No Time To Die” by Billie Eilish
I’m a massive fan of old-school crooners (as will soon become evident). I grew up listening to the recordings of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Tony Bennett, and have since gravitated to modern voices like Laufey and Lady Gaga. There’s something about jazz and blues that just hits different compared to all other genres, and these singers — past and present — capture that magic.
Billie Holiday was yet another of my faves, and though she’s long gone, her spirit is very much alive. Whereas the late, great Billie swooned audiences 80-plus years ago with her sultry yet somber voice, the modern Billie Eilish is in many ways her spiritual successor.
Eilish has always been adept at telling a story — with her expressions, her dark timbre, her distinct shaping — and “No Time To Die” is no exception. A torch song for today’s era, the song blends an introspective intro (“Was I stupid to love you?” / “Was I reckless to help?” / “Was it obvious to everybody else?”) with an endlessly listenable chorus (“Fool me once, fool me twice” / “Are you death or paradise?” / “Now you’ll never see me cry” / “There’s just no time to die”).
A minimal backtrack lets Eilish do most of the heavy lifting. For most singers, the spotlight would be too much for the moment; for Eilish, it’s effortless. The result is one of the most striking Bond songs of the modern era, if not ever.
5. “Moonraker” by Shirley Bassey
Moonraker fared exceptionally well upon its 1979 release, grossing $210 million worldwide and setting a then-record for the best-performing Bond film at the box office. Curiously, however, its title track, performed by legendary U.K. singer Shirley Bassey, somehow has been lost to time.
The song is never in the running for best James Bond theme, despite Bassey’s two other franchise contributions, “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Goldfinger,” being unmistakable hits. (Don’t worry; we’ll get to both.) I love all three tracks, but there’s something magical about “Moonraker” that’s hard to describe. I’ll do my best.
As with many Bond songs, “Moonraker” opens with a series of questions (“Where are you?” / “Why do you hide?” / “Where is that moonlight trail that leads to your side?”). But unlike, say, “Live and Let Die,” which quickly transitions in tempo and feeling, “Moonraker” confidently stays with its slow-moving power.
Whereas so many Bond intros are loud and grandiose, Bassey embraces quiet strength. The pace is slower, controlled, and more deliberate. There’s an air of nostalgia that never delves into sadness. There’s a sense of wonder that’s uncompromising, as if Bassey can see what lies beyond the horizon and wishes for us to see it too.
Given Moonraker ends with 007 journeying to outer space, it makes sense that its intro song would focus less on action and more on awe. It’s a love song, but it’s also a song about the joys of discovery. It’s a song I simply cannot stop replaying.
4. “The James Bond Theme” by John Barry
You can’t celebrate the pantheon of great James Bond intros without the first to ever do it. “The James Bond Theme,” performed by John Barry, accompanies the intro sequence to Dr. No, but its influence has extended far beyond.
This is the song that folks associate with 007. Every element of its instrumentation is iconic, from the bombastic horns at the start, to the swelling ascendance of strings, to the unforgettable bassline, to the jazzy sax interlude. The track is over 60 years old, and yet it remains timeless: a synthesis of intersecting parts that work in perfect harmony, just like a fine Swiss watch that Bond wears on his wrist.
“The James Bond Theme” has been remixed time and time again, from a Spectre club bop to the GoldenEye 007 pause music (both of which slap). But the goat will forever be the original.
3. “Diamonds Are Forever” by Shirley Bassey
The second Bassey track to crack the list, “Diamonds Are Forever” would easily be number one in any other timeline. But James Bond soundtracks are rarefied air, and Bassey’s magnum opus is still to come. Thankfully for us, we get to enjoy all three of her contributions, all in the same universe.
“Diamonds Are Forever” has been covered on many occasions. From Chaka Khan to American Idol’s LaKisha Jones, the song has been channeled through the decades by strong Black women with even stronger pipes. (Seriously, sing at your own peril; it’s no cakewalk!!) And yet, Bassey’s rendition will always be the best.
If “Moonraker” is about love, then “Diamonds Are Forever” is about lust. The lyrics are a playful series of innuendos (“Diamonds are forever” / “Hold one up and then caress it” / “Touch it, stroke it, and undress it”) — not about a man’s jewels, but about the jewels a woman really cares about: the ones you put on a finger.
Much like James Bond himself, the song is playful, leaning on the femme fetale trope that — for better or worse — has become synonymous with the franchise. As male-gazey as the franchise can be, “Diamonds Are Forever” is a song that reminds us that women drive the action in this series just as much as (if not more than) 007 himself. Now, if only we could get a female Bond in the next 20 years…
2. “Skyfall” by Adele
You likely already guessed numbers one and two on this list. The only debate was the ordering, and I’m sure many would give Adele’s “Skyfall” top honors. This is the ultimate battle: between new- and old-era Bond, between modern pop and legacy pop, between quiet and loud power. In the end, however, there could only be one.
Much like Billie Eilish with “No Time To Die,” “Skyfall” is everything I love from modern James Bond. It’s a power ballad, with minimal piano that gives Adele room to breathe and shape the song to come. Her ornamentation on lines like “Hold your breath and count to ten” and “Hear my heart burst again” has become iconic, and the lyrics underscore the gravity of the film we’re about to watch (while passing the Bechdel test — a low bar, I know).
Then, there’s the chorus. Despite its relative simplicity (“Let the sky fall” / “When it crumbles” / “We will stand tall” / “Face it all together at Skyfall”), it’s effective. Adele brings us along for one last ride in the Aston Martin, despite the world metaphorically dissolving around us.
At nearly five minutes, “Skyfall” is one of the few Bond songs to feature a bridge, giving it some added heft on repeat listens. And while it’s hardly the most complex tune — lyrically or sonically — Adele’s timbre and unparalleled prowess elevate it to lofty heights. It just ain’t number one…
1. “Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey
You really thought I’d leave any Shirley Bassey track off this list? Get real.
Despite being just the third James Bond film ever, 1964’s Goldfinger remains one of the series’ most iconic. It introduced Bond’s trusty Aston Martin (in this case, the DB5); gave us Oddjob, the hat-toting henchman (and N64 staple) who supports the titular Goldfinger; and featured a King Midas-inspired death scene. Most importantly, however, it gave us its titular intro song.
“Goldfinger” is timeless for so many reasons. Its opening notes — an explosive cacophony of horns — perfectly encapsulate the dangers of excess. The very first word Bassey enunciates, Goldfinger, leans heavy on the “gold” before retreating to “finger.” She brings up the Midas analog (“The man with the Midas touch” / “A spider’s touch”), then warns us of the perils ahead (“Such a cold finger” / “Beckons you to enter his web of sin” / “But don’t go in”). This is opulence to the point of greed, and Bassey is telling us to escape before we too are ensnared.
The song accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do: It paints a picture of the menacing Goldfinger and teases what’s to come in the scenes ahead. It’s one of the more plot-reliant Bond themes, but I’d argue its lyrics still hold true today. At a time when wealth disparity is ravaging the U.S. (and many other countries), greed doesn’t get us far. Those with the gold thrones are the real losers, and those who see through the mirage will come out on top, so long as we stay vigilant (and organized).
Maybe I’m projecting here, sure. But even without the chilling relevance to the orange in the White House, “Goldfinger” is magnificent. The film Bassey sets up is great, but it’s the song she sings that will forever endear me to this moment in James Bond history.
What are your favorite James Bond theme songs? Let us know in the comments!
David is the founder of The Punished Backlog. He has a problem finishing games he starts.
Just beat: Splatoon Raiders.
Working on: GTA V.
Can't wait for: Ocarina of Time (2026), GTA VI.
Follow David on Twitter at @David_Silbert to keep up to date with all things The Punished Backlog.
