Song, Theme Song
There are a few things we expect when we watch a James Bond movie: a cool car, a shaken martini, and that opening theme song. And just like there have been some great James Bond movies and some big duds—the same holds true for all those theme songs. So, it's about time we ranked them from the worst ever to the greatest Bond song that has ever been.
Note: We will just be looking at the EON produced Bond movies and not the two non-canon films (1967's Casino Royale and 1983's Never Say Never Again).
N/A: James Bond Theme (John Barry & Orchestra)
This one doesn't count as it isn't a theme song specific to a movie, but rather the awesomely-iconic theme specific to the franchise. But, as many fans are well aware, it was used in the opening title sequence of the first Bond film ever, Dr. No. So, we get to at least mention it.
Eon Productions, Dr. No (1962)
N/A: From Russia With Love (John Barry Orchestra)
From Russia With Love was the second Bond film and at this point, they still hadn't taken the dive into the theme songs as they would with the next installment, Goldeneye. For From Russia With Love, they stuck with some nice John Barry orchestration that slips into the awesome Bond theme at the end—so, we're going to say this one doesn't count either.
Eon Productions, From Russia With Love (1963)
23: The Man With The Golden Gun (Lulu)
From the similarly-titled 1974 Bond film, this offering from Lulu has the big sounds we associate with a Bond theme. But with the lyrics being a not-so-subtle ode to James Bond's manhood, the whole thing comes across like a bad SNL parody song.
Eon Productions, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
22: A View To A Kill (Duran Duran)
Duran Duran sings "dance into the fire" so much in this song it feels like they had a song called "Dance Into The Fire" that they just repurposed into a James Bond theme. The song is a typical Duran Duran track and given that the band is one of those that people generally either really like or really don't like—the same is gonna hold true for this song. With apologies to Duran Duran fans everywhere, we fall on the latter side of the fence (at least when it comes to this track).
21: All Time High (Rita Coolidge)
Rita Coolidge's "All Time High" is one of the all time lows of James Bond themes. This AM-radio ballad sounds more like it belongs at the end of an '80s Brooke Shields or Dudley Moore movie than the beginning of a Bond film.
Eon Productions, Octopussy (1983)
20: The Living Daylights (A-Ha)
If "The Living Daylights" sounds like a track from the '80s it's because that's exactly what it is. A product of its time and of the band themselves, this one is a decent enough track. But while it might work as the third single off of a 1987 A-Ha album, it has none of the needed James Bond oomph to get anyone excited about the movie you're about to see.
Eon Productions, The Living Daylights (1987)
19: License To Kill (Gladys Knight)
They had good intentions with this one—grabbing the horn line from Goldfinger as an homage to that classic theme song. But while Gladys Knight gives it her all—what she gives us is a good '80s R&B love song, not a good James Bond theme.
Randy Miramontez, Shutterstock
18: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (John Barry Orchestra)
For the first film after Sean Connery's departure from the role, James Bond went back to an instrumental track for the opening credits. It's an interesting choice for the start of a new Bond era. But John Barry does a stand up job—although it doesn't stand out the way the classic Bond theme does. Lazenby deserved something more.
Eon Productions, On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
17: You Know My Name (Chris Cornell)
Casino Royale was a big moment for the Bond franchise—with the introduction of Daniel Craig and a new era of 007. Unfortunately, Chris Cornell's foray into Bond themes brought nothing new to the table. As the song begins, there's a feeling that it could be quite good. But instead of building to something special, it hangs out in somewhat generic grunge-land. Not Cornell's best work.
Eon Productions, Casino Royale (2006)
16: Die Another Day (Madonna)
Coming on the heels of her 2000 album, Music, Die Another Day found Madonna in a very dance-pop and electronica state of mind. So, that's what James Bond got with this film's theme song. Say what you will about a techno Bond song, the bigger problem was that this wasn't even a good one. Auto-tuned Madonna was just going through the motions here—and it shows.
Eon Productions, Die Another Day (2002)
15: Writing's On The Wall (Sam Smith)
Sam Smith's Spectre track became the second Bond song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. But unlike the first one to do it (which we will get to way higher up on this list), "Writing's on the Wall" doesn't stand among the great James Bond theme songs. Is it a good Sam Smith ballad? Yeah. But does the composition, the arrangement, and Smith's vocals feel more at home playing over a romantic montage than opening up a Bond movie? Yup.
Eon Productions, Spectre (2015)
14: Moonraker (Shirley Bassey)
Of the three Bond theme songs Bassey recorded, "Moonraker" is easily the worst. But, it's still better than many other Bond songs thanks to that voice that brings to mind James Bond like no other (except for maybe Sean Connery's). The song was originally meant for Johnny Mathis—you can hear how the song's arrangement was designed for the popular crooner. However, when he just couldn't pull it off, in came Bassey and she did more than just make it work.
Rob Mieremet, Wikimedia Commons
13: For Your Eyes Only (Sheena Easton)
If a 1980s ballad and the climactic song from a Broadway musical had a baby, it would be Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only". And if we're being completely honest...we kinda dig it. We aren't alone in that sentiment either—as the song was nominated for an Oscar.
Eon Productions, For Your Eyes Only (1981)
12: The World Is Not Enough (Garbage)
Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson has a great voice for a Bond theme—but unfortunately, her band's entry in the franchise is a little up and down. The verses tend to meander—but that chorus! Now that's the good stuff.
Stig Nygaard, CC BY 2.0 , Wikimedia Commons
11: Tomorrow Never Dies (Sheryl Crow)
We wouldn't have thought a James Bond theme was in Crow's wheelhouse, but with "Tomorrow Never Dies" the "If It Makes You Happy" songstress made us pretty happy with her track. The slow start, the orchestral backing, the big chorus...it's all there. A slightly stronger voice could've given it more impact—but regardless, all you need to do is hear the song and it screams James Bond.
Eon Productions, Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
10: You Only Live Twice (Nancy Sinatra)
You Only Live Twice was the fifth James Bond film—and the one where Bond goes to Tokyo (after faking his demise in Hong Kong). As such, composer John Barry attempted to infuse the "elegance of the Oriental sound" into the You Only Live Twice theme song. We don't know if it would've been better had Frank Sinatra agreed to sign it, but his daughter Nancy did an admirable job with this solid entry.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
9: Thunderball (Tom Jones)
John Barry orchestrates those classic Bond song sounds and Tom Jones channels his inner-Shirley Bassey—giving us a very enjoyable paint-by-numbers theme song that totally works.
Eon Productions, Thunderball (1965)
8: Nobody Does It Better (Carly Simon)
One could easily forget this was ever a Bond song given how it has ingrained itself into our popular culture, from weddings to rom-coms. But it's true. This great Carly Simon song began its life over the opening credits of The Spy Who Loved Me. It's no doubt however, that it is a better song than it is a James Bond theme song—which is why it isn't higher on the list.
Eon Productions, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
7: Another Way To Die (Jack White And Alicia Keys)
One of the few Bond theme songs that doesn't share its name with the title of the film it's setting up, "Another Way to Die" is a good theme to a bad movie. Easily the worst of the Daniel Craig Bond movies, Quantum of Solace was a disappointment almost from the start—except for this rockin' collab between Jack White and Alicia Keys.
Eon Productions, Quantum of Solace (2008)
6: Diamonds Are Forever (Shirley Bassey)
There's a reason Shirley Bassey is the only artist to sing more than one James Bond theme song. She's just so good at it. Her ability to make it feel big and important and alluring is a true talent. And as good as "Diamonds Are Forever" is, it isn't even her best entry on the list.
Eon Productions, Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
5: No Time To Die (Billie Eilish)
Note to Sam Smith—this is how you build a slow burn ballad into a beautiful James Bond theme song. Eilish might've been the youngest Bond song singer ever (she was just 18 at the time), but the maturity she brought to the song was well beyond her years—honoring the iconic Bond-esque orchestration while still staying true to herself and her style on the song that finished up Craig's 007 run.
Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
4: Goldeneye (Tina Turner)
Bond rides a motorcycle off a cliff and free falls into a falling plane—just in time to grab the controls and fly to safety. Goldeneye introduced Pierce Brosnan as Bond with one of the greatest opening sequences in the history of the franchise—and it needed a theme song to match it. While Tina Turner's "Goldeneye" isn't the best ever, it has plenty of classic Bond-themed gravitas, and Turner's vocals are a power punch of 007-goodness.
3: Skyfall (Adele)
Adele seemed to be a perfect choice for a Bond song, and the "Hello" singer didn't disappoint—giving us one of the best of all time. The track was also the first Bond theme song to win an Oscar for Best Original Song and Skyfall was the first Bond film to surpass $1 billion at the box office. Coincidence?
Vytautas Kielaitis, Shutterstock
2: Goldfinger (Shirley Bassey)
There are only two songs that can ever truly be in the discussion of the best James Bond theme songs of all time. There is the one we've selected as number one, and there is Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger"—the song that set the standard for all Bond themes to follow. Everything one has come to expect in a great Bond song is because of "Goldfinger". But while it is without a doubt the quintessential James Bond theme song—one song is better.
Eon Productions, Goldfinger (1964)
1: Live And Let Die (Paul McCartney And Wings)
We wouldn't be angry at anyone who has "Goldfinger" at the top of their list—but for us, it has to be "Live and Let Die". Not only is it a great Bond theme—it surpasses Bassey's "Goldfinger" on our list because "Live and Let Die" is a truly great song. Bond theme or not, it's Paul McCartney at the top of his game (which, for a former Beatle, is saying a whole lot).
