The title song is a key aspect of every Bond film, on par with the cars, the gadgets, and the female leads. They’re reflective of their time, and yet they also attempt to sell both Bond overall and the individual picture. They’re required for every movie even though almost no other action franchise has them. They’re almost archaic, and yet that’s part of their charm, and the charm of the franchise overall.
I went back and listened to all 25 James Bond title songs and re-ranked them from worst to best. Please note that this isn’t a ranking on the film overall, but just the song itself. Also, for simplicity’s sake, I’ve kept this list to the song they used for the opening titles even though some Bond movies have more than one song.
Without further ado, let’s start off with James Bond and the audience getting tortured:
25. Die Another Day – “Die Another Day” by Madonna
I like that this song just alerts you up front that things you liked in the past are going to be terrible now. “You remember how you used to like Madonna? Well we’ve auto-tuned her to death. You remember how you used to like Bond? You’re in for a bad Bond movie. If you go to the box office now, you might be able to get your money back or at least a ticket to a different movie.”
24. For Your Eyes Only – “For Your Eyes Only” by Sheena Easton
This song is so, so bad. It feels like something that plays on parody of a couple having a lovely walk on the beach with the sunlight glistening off the ocean waves.
23. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - “Opening Titles” by The John Barry Orchestra
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is such a weird film, and the opening title song is one reason why. In addition to providing a new Bond (George Lazenbyin his only turn as the character), the music that plays over the opening credits is totally forgettable, unlike the secondary theme, “We Have All the Time in the World”, which is tremendous. It may not be in the classic mold of a Bond “theme”, but it’s a lovely tune.
22. The Living Daylights – “The Living Daylights” by A-ha
I have to give this one points for being so different than any other Bond theme and then take away those points for being so painfully 80s that it hurts. Yes, almost every Bond theme is a product of its times, but some feel more devoted to capturing Bond and others feel like “Here’s a leftover song from our last album. Use it for your movie.”
21. The Man with the Golden Gun - “The Man with the Golden Gun” by Lulu
Again, this feels like off-brand “Goldfinger” but even more so becauseLuluis far cry from Bassey and Jones. It’s not surprising that history has left this one by the wayside.
20. Moonraker – “Moonraker” by Shirley Bassey
It’s like all the verve and power of Bassey’s previous two Bond songs were surgically removed, and they came back with the sleepy “Moonraker”, which threatens to tuck the audience in and kiss them goodnight before the movie even really begins.
19. A View to a Kill – “A View to a Kill” by Duran Duran
Here it is: the only Bond song to ever hit #1 on the U.S. charts, and it’s…fine, I guess. It’s peak 80s new wave, and yet not particularly good for its genre, for its band, or for Bond.
18. Spectre - “Writing’s on the Wall” by Sam Smith
I don’t hate this song as much as others do (although its Oscar win is ridiculous), and I like the use of strings, but there’s something a bit whiny to it. Perhaps that’s partly Smith’s vocals, but this aching love ballad doesn’t scream Bond to me even if it’s of a piece where Craig’s Bond is emotionally in his movies.
17. The Spy Who Loved Me – “Nobody Does It Better” by Carly Simon
It’s a great tune for a movie that doesn’t have James Bond. It would be perfect for a romantic film, but it feels like there was a comical mix-up on the backlot andThe Spy Who Loved Megot “Nobody Does It Better” and a James Bond theme song went to aSally Fieldmovie.
16. Thunderball – “Thunderball” by Tom Jones
It feels like composerJohn Barrywas chasing the success of “Goldfinger”, but “Thunderball” feels like an off-brand version of the classic theme he co-wrote withLeslie BricusseandAnthony Newley. It’s not a “bad” song, but it’s instantly forgettable.
