Licence to Kill (song) | James Bond Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Licence to Kill (song) Share Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. Licence to Kill is the theme song of the Bond film of the same name. It was written by Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen, and Walter Afanasieff. The song was performed by the legendary "Empress of Soul", Gladys Knight . Lyrics I feel, I've got to hold on to your love, Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away, ohh, baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to stay? please don't bet that you'll ever escape me, once I get my sights on you. Got a license to kill, and you know I'm going straight for your heart, got a license to kill, anyone who tries to tear us apart, license to kill. Hey baby, think you need a friend to stand here by your side?

yes you do, ohh, baby, now you can depend on me to make things right, please don't bet that you'll ever escape me, once I get my sights on you. Got a license to kill, and you know I'm going straight for your heart, got a license to kill, anyone who tries to tear us apart. Say that somebody tries to make a move on you, In the blink of an eye, I will be there too, and they better know why I'm gonna make them 'em pay, till their dying day, Licence to Kill Theme Song - James Bond - YouTube Licence to Kill Theme Song - James Bond Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Oct 13, 2012 The theme tune to 007, Licence to Kill, performed by Gladys Knight. For entertainment purposes only, I do not claim ownership or rights of this production. Copyright is held by its respective owners, including EMI and MGM.

Category Sam Smith sings theme song for James Bond film 'Spectre' - CNN.com 1 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers English singer Matt Monro is best known for his hearty rendition of the theme tune for 1963's "From Russia with Love." (The first James Bond movie, "Dr.

No," had an instrumental title song.) Hide Caption 2 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Shirley Bassey, perhaps the most iconic Bond theme-song singer, sang the title theme to 1964's Goldfinger." Bassey brought her strong, distinctive voice back to the series in title tunes for 1971's "Diamonds Are Forever" and 1979's "Moonraker." Hide Caption 3 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Welsh singer Tom Jones, best known for hits like "What's New Pussycat" and "She's a Lady," sang the title tune for 1965's "Thunderball." Hide Caption 4 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers These boots were made for walking, but she was made for singing: Nancy Sinatra performed the theme to "You Only Live Twice" in 1967.

Hide Caption 5 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Jazz great Louis Armstrong sang "We Have All the Time in the World," the secondary musical theme from the 1969 Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." The song became a hit in the UK 25 years later when it was featured in a Guinness beer commercial. Hide Caption 6 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Paul and then-wife Linda McCartney and their pop group Wings performed the title number from 1973's "Live and Let Die," the first of the Bond movies to star Roger Moore as Agent 007. The song is still a staple of Paul McCartney's live concerts.

Hide Caption 7 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Scottish pop singer Lulu sang the title song for 1974's "The Man with the Golden Gun." Hide Caption 8 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Carly Simon scored a major radio hit with "Nobody Does it Better," the theme from the 1977 Bond film, "The Spy Who Loved Me." Hide Caption 9 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers After the band Blondie recorded another version that was rejected, Scottish pop star Sheena Easton was tapped to sing "For Your Eyes Only" for the 1981 Bond movie of the same name. The song reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard charts. Hide Caption Photos: James Bond theme song singers Rita Coolidge sang "All Time High," the theme from 1983's "Octopussy." Hide Caption 11 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers American singer Lani Hall, wife of bandleader Herb Alpert, sang the title song to 1983's "Never Say Never Again," which brought Sean Connery back for his final Bond role.

The film was made by a different production company from the other James Bond movies, so some fans don't consider it part of the official series. Hide Caption 12 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Singer Simon Le Bon and British pop group Duran Duran did the title song for 1985's "A View to a Kill." Hide Caption 13 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Norwegian pop band A-Ha recorded the title song for 1987's "The Living Daylights," the first of two films starring Timothy Dalton as Bond. It was the last theme written by longtime Bond composer John Barry. Hide Caption Photos: James Bond theme song singers Soul legend Gladys Knight sang the theme to "License to Kill" in 1989. Hide Caption 15 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers After a six-year hiatus, the Bond series rebooted with 1995's "GoldenEye" and Pierce Brosnan in the lead role. Tina Turner sang the theme song, which was written by U2's Bono and the Edge.

Hide Caption Photos: James Bond theme song singers Sheryl Crow performed the title song to 1997's "Tomorrow Never Dies." Hide Caption 17 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Garbage, led by Shirley Manson, did the title track to 1999's "The World is Not Enough." Hide Caption 18 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Pop icon Madonna finally did her first and only Bond theme song in 2002 for "Die Another Day." Hide Caption 19 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers One of the few men to sing a Bond theme, rocker Chris Cornell performed "You Know My Name" from 2006's "Casino Royale." It was the first film to feature Daniel Craig as Bond. Hide Caption 20 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Pop star Alicia Keys and blues rocker Jack White teamed up to sing "Another Way to Die," the theme from 2008's "Quantum of Solace." White also wrote the song.

Hide Caption 21 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers British pop star Adele sang the title theme from "Skyfall" in 2012. Three years later, the world is still awaiting the singer's long-delayed new album. Hide Caption Check out Sam Smith's new James Bond theme - CNN.com 1 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers English singer Matt Monro is best known for his hearty rendition of the theme tune for 1963's "From Russia with Love." (The first James Bond movie, "Dr.

No," had an instrumental title song.) Hide Caption 2 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Shirley Bassey, perhaps the most iconic Bond theme-song singer, sang the title theme to 1964's Goldfinger." Bassey brought her strong, distinctive voice back to the series in title tunes for 1971's "Diamonds Are Forever" and 1979's "Moonraker." Hide Caption 3 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Welsh singer Tom Jones, best known for hits like "What's New Pussycat" and "She's a Lady," sang the title tune for 1965's "Thunderball." Hide Caption 4 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers These boots were made for walking, but she was made for singing: Nancy Sinatra performed the theme to "You Only Live Twice" in 1967.

Hide Caption 5 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Jazz great Louis Armstrong sang "We Have All the Time in the World," the secondary musical theme from the 1969 Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." The song became a hit in the UK 25 years later when it was featured in a Guinness beer commercial. Hide Caption 6 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Paul and then-wife Linda McCartney and their pop group Wings performed the title number from 1973's "Live and Let Die," the first of the Bond movies to star Roger Moore as Agent 007. The song is still a staple of Paul McCartney's live concerts.

Hide Caption 7 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Scottish pop singer Lulu sang the title song for 1974's "The Man with the Golden Gun." Hide Caption 8 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Carly Simon scored a major radio hit with "Nobody Does it Better," the theme from the 1977 Bond film, "The Spy Who Loved Me." Hide Caption 9 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers After the band Blondie recorded another version that was rejected, Scottish pop star Sheena Easton was tapped to sing "For Your Eyes Only" for the 1981 Bond movie of the same name. The song reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard charts. Hide Caption Photos: James Bond theme song singers Rita Coolidge sang "All Time High," the theme from 1983's "Octopussy." Hide Caption 11 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers American singer Lani Hall, wife of bandleader Herb Alpert, sang the title song to 1983's "Never Say Never Again," which brought Sean Connery back for his final Bond role.

The film was made by a different production company from the other James Bond movies, so some fans don't consider it part of the official series. Hide Caption 12 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Singer Simon Le Bon and British pop group Duran Duran did the title song for 1985's "A View to a Kill." Hide Caption 13 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Norwegian pop band A-Ha recorded the title song for 1987's "The Living Daylights," the first of two films starring Timothy Dalton as Bond. It was the last theme written by longtime Bond composer John Barry. Hide Caption Photos: James Bond theme song singers Soul legend Gladys Knight sang the theme to "License to Kill" in 1989. Hide Caption 15 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers After a six-year hiatus, the Bond series rebooted with 1995's "GoldenEye" and Pierce Brosnan in the lead role. Tina Turner sang the theme song, which was written by U2's Bono and the Edge.

Hide Caption Photos: James Bond theme song singers Sheryl Crow performed the title song to 1997's "Tomorrow Never Dies." Hide Caption 17 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Garbage, led by Shirley Manson, did the title track to 1999's "The World is Not Enough." Hide Caption 18 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Pop icon Madonna finally did her first and only Bond theme song in 2002 for "Die Another Day." Hide Caption 19 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers One of the few men to sing a Bond theme, rocker Chris Cornell performed "You Know My Name" from 2006's "Casino Royale." It was the first film to feature Daniel Craig as Bond. Hide Caption 20 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers Pop star Alicia Keys and blues rocker Jack White teamed up to sing "Another Way to Die," the theme from 2008's "Quantum of Solace." White also wrote the song.

Hide Caption 21 of 22 Photos: James Bond theme song singers British pop star Adele sang the title theme from "Skyfall" in 2012. Three years later, the world is still awaiting the singer's long-delayed new album. Hide Caption The Top 20 Best James Bond Theme Songs | The Huffington Post The Top 20 Best James Bond Theme Songs 10/18/2012 06:44 pm ET | Updated Dec 18, 2012 Xaque Gruber Writer 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of James Bond's cinematic debut, and is proving to be a banner year for the iconic franchise with the highly anticipated feature, Skyfall (November 9) as well as the release of Best of Bond, Capitol's expansive CD set spanning a half-century of remastered 007 music. As a Bond music fanatic, I've chosen to celebrate this anniversary by carefully re-listening to each showstopper. Here are my picks of the top 20 most compelling vocal productions in the James Bond pantheon of anthems... 1.

"Goldfinger" -- Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger, 1964) When it comes to 007 themes, Goldfinger is the gold standard, setting the stage for every epic musical notion in the franchise to follow, and accomplishing this all in under two minutes and 50 seconds. Unlike most Bond themes, this is the antagonist's anthem, and it couldn't conquer in grander style. Opening with an inpenetrable wall of blaring horns to the ultimate climax: six glass smashing seconds of the word "gold" as torpedoed by Shirley Bassey's lethal weapon of a voice, the song is a movie unto itself. 2. "Nobody Does It Better" -- Carly Simon (The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977) A soaring love song about James, the man, and not about the movie storyline, Simon's Oscar-nominated powerhouse ballad broke the mold. Seamlessly building from the first tinkling of a piano key to one of pop history's most lusciously layered vocal finales, Simon belts it at her heartbreaking best, and the result was a timeless, larger than life smash that stretched beyond typical Bond territory. 3.

"Live & Let Die" -- Paul McCartney & Wings (Live & Let Die, 1973) McCartney reunited with Beatles producer George Martin and landed one of his biggest hits. Immense in scale, Live & Let Die, is a rocking pyrotechnic thrill ride that (like "Nobody Does It Better") peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's charts, and scored a Best Song Oscar nomination. 4. "A View to a Kill" -- Duran Duran (A View to a Kill, 1985) Featuring a 60 piece orchestra, this collaboration between the biggest British band of the 1980s and composer John Barry was the only Bond theme to reach No. 1. The song was also the last time the five original members of Duran Duran recorded together until they reunited 16 years later. 5. "Diamonds Are Forever" -- Shirley Bassey (Diamonds Are Forever, 1971) Miss Bassey returned to belt out the grandiose theme for Connery's final official Bond picture. Producer Harry Saltzman objected to the lyrics' sexual innuendo, but thankfully co-producer Cubby Broccoli insisted the song remain in the film.

In 2012, Bassey sang this gem for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. 6. "You Only Live Twice" -- Nancy Sinatra (You Only Live Twice, 1967) Scared to death of recording a Bond song, Sinatra was so nervous that composer John Barry said the final version used 25 different takes. The result: a lush, wistful ballad, famed for its striking (and widely sampled) velvety opening bars of high octave violins and French horn in an Oriental flavor. 7. "Skyfall" -- Adele (Skyfall, 2012) Just out of the starting gate and already an international chart hit, sultry Skyfall is one of Bond's best, co-written and recorded by Adele with a 77 piece orchestra. It's poised to become the first Bond song ever to collect an Academy Award for Best Song. 8. "Goldeneye" -- Tina Turner (Goldeneye, 1995) When Goldeneye was released, the Bond franchise had been dormant for six years, and this showstopper (written by U2's Bono and The Edge especially for Turner) was the shot in the arm it needed.

Turner and producer Nellee Hooper pulled out all the stops in Shirley Bassey-esque femme fatale grandeur. 9. "From Russia With Love" -- Matt Munro (From Russia With Love, 1963) One year before Bassey redefined the Bond anthem with Goldfinger, 007's first title vocal belonged to romantic crooner, Matt Munro. Sans histrionics and clever effects, this is the smoking jacket of Bond songs, and a classic that holds up beautifully, thank you very much. 10. "Thunderball" -- Tom Jones (Thunderball, 1965) Singing like his life depends upon it, Jones was recruited at the very last minute to record Thunderball after Shirley Bassey, Dionne Warwick and Johnny Cash, (who had all submitted songs for the film) were rejected. True to its name, this is a bold, campy recording that packs a walloping punch. 11.

"The World Is Not Enough" -- Garbage (The World Is Not Enough, 1999) With a sweeping chorus to rival the best of 007's themes, Shirley Manson and company's noir-ish contribution to the Bond music pantheon is a sexy, brooding, gorgeous marriage of electronic and orchestral. Garbage was an inspired choice that delivered. 12. "You Know My Name" -- Chris Cornell (Casino Royale, 2006) This hardest rocking of Bond themes found Cornell's energetic, growling vocal, the perfect, high-testosterone choice to capture the fresh, fiery spirit of the franchise's best Daniel Craig-era film. 13. "Another Way to Die" -- Jack White & Alicia Keys (Quantum of Solace, 2008) Pairing (two very different) recording artists paid off with a driving, innovative composition that many were quick to criticize, but purists be damned, Another Way to Die is a multi-layered, striking, bold piece of work. 14.

"Where Has Everybody Gone?" -- The Pretenders (The Living Daylights, 1987) Chrissie Hynde created two stellar (and vastly different) tracks to The Living Daylights soundtrack, including this blazing, brassy rocker -- which had more kick than the official theme (see No. 18). 15. "For Your Eyes Only" -- Sheena Easton (For Your Eyes Only, 1981) Big, and pop radio-ready, Easton's yearning delivery wrapped in shimmering Close Encounters-esque synth flourishes, snared Bond's last Best Song Oscar nom. 16. "If There Was a Man" -- The Pretenders (The Living Daylights, 1987) Chrissie Hynde's tender throwback to Bacharach, is one of Bond's warmest, and most underrated ballads. 17. "Surrender" -- k. d. lang (Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997) Originally supposed to open Tomorrow Never Dies, Lang's soaring, torchy aria was moved to the final credits in favor of Sheryl Crowe's anemic title contribution. 18.

"The Living Daylights" -- a-Ha (The Living Daylights, 1987) A-Ha's underappreciated contribution glides along a briskly paced, stylish, sophisticated arrangement blending Bond motifs with Morten Harket's lilting tenor to rousing 'Big 80s' effect. 19. "License to Kill" -- Gladys Knight (License to Kill, 1989) Knight's rich honeyed voice ranks as Bond's most soul-drenched, aided by the Goldfinger-esque embellishments that help the song rise above the some of the now dated-sounding late-'80s R&B production. 20. "All Time High" -- Rita Coolidge (Octopussy, 1983) While most Bond artists attempt to rip the roof off, Coolidge, bathed in sax and strings, took the opposite approach delivering the most relaxed vocal in 007 history to seductive, almost ethereal effect scoring the franchise a Top 40 hit in the process. Honorable mentions: "Mr.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," Dionne Warwick (Thunderball, 1965), "We Have All the Time in the World," Louis Armstrong (On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969) More: Licence to Kill (soundtrack) | James Bond Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Licence to Kill (soundtrack) Share Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you’ve made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. Film — Novelisation — Game — Soundtrack — Song — Characters The Licence to Kill soundtrack cover Initially Eric Clapton and Vic Flick were asked to write and perform the theme song to Licence to Kill. The theme was said to have been a new version based on the James Bond theme . The guitar riff heard in the original recording of the theme was played by Flick. The prospect, however, fell apart and Gladys Knight 's song and performance was chosen.

The music video of "Licence to Kill" was directed by Daniel Kleinman , who later took over the reins of title designer from Maurice Binder for the 1995 Bond film, GoldenEye . Notably, the end credits of the film feature " If You Asked Me To ", sung by Patti LaBelle ; In 1992 the song was covered and became a hit for singer Céline Dion. The soundtrack was composed by Michael Kamen , who is best known for composing the soundtrack for the first three Die Hard films (which the first film featured Andreas Wisniewski (who played Necros in previously film The Living Daylights ) in a brief role as the ill-fated terrorist and the main villian's right-hand man's younger brother Tony ) and all four Lethal Weapon films. Track listing You Only Sing 23 Times: The James Bond Theme Song Dossier | Tor.com You Only Sing 23 Times: The James Bond Theme Song Dossier Ryan Britt Mon Nov 12, 2012 6:00pm 16 comments Bombastic, kitsch, or catchy, there’s something unique about a James Bond theme song.

There are a few timeless classics, but most either represent a weird moment in the zeitgeist, or are downright embarassing. Uniquely, James Bond theme songs are often better than the films they kick off, though the reverse can occasionally be true, too. Now that Skyfall is out and we’ve all had a chance to enjoy Adele’s new theme song , it’s time to determine once and for all which 007 tunes are better than their respective films, which ones are worse, and which ones fit just right. Shake up a martini, and grab your headphones. The James Bond Theme Song Dossier is declassified! “Dr. No” (The James Bond Theme) written by Monty Norman. Performed by The John Barry Orchestra (1962) Though the Eric Rogers song “Under the Mango Tree” features heavily in this film (Bond even sings a few bars) the actual theme song for Dr. No is simply the slick famous instrumental James Bond theme, complete with horns and guitar. Every single real James Bond movie (the Peter Sellers Casino Royale and Connery’s Never Say Never Again don’t count) uses some arrangement of this theme. Does it fit with the movie? Well, really, how could it not?

Dr. No is a solid and entertaining James Bond film, but by no means the best. So, in this sense its theme song is better than the movie. It’s also possible that “The James Bond Theme” is better than all the James Bond movies combined. Verdict: Theme song is better. “From Russia With Love” written by Lionel Bart, performed by Matt Monro + “007” written by John Barry and performed by the The John Barry Orchestra (1963) I love this one. Several months ago I was waiting for a train on a New York City subway platform and a man was playing an instrumental version of this on a trumpet, which is awesome because the opening sequence of the film is also an instrumental version. (People singing at the start of James Bond movies doesn’t happen until Goldfinger.) This is one of those great classic crooner songs that just gets stuck in your head and makes you feel all dizzy and romantic. Like many James Bond themes, it’s actually more tender than the characters in the movie. From Russia With Love is up there with my favorite Connery movies, and this theme song does generally fit with the film.

However, I think it could have easily been a memorable movie even if it had a different theme song. But, the real cool one here is the introduction of the instrumental adventure theme “007.” This orchestral drum pounding romp is basically a chase scene in the form of strings, percussion, and brass. I love love love this. It’s more heroic than “The James Bond Theme,” and when it’s used in subsequent movies, I get chills. I’m really not sure why contemporary Bond composer David Arnold never brought it back for Dalton, Brosnan, or Craig-era films. Easily a better piece of music than the film where it originated. Verdict: “From Russia With Love” is probably as just as good as From Russia With Love. Meanwhile “007” beats them all and is perfect. “Goldfinger” written by John Barry, Anthony Newley, and Leslie Bricusse. Performed by Shirley Bassey (1964) Arguably, this is the best of all James Bond theme songs, introducing what is also arguably the best James Bond movie.

Like other early films, the song also incorporates part of “The James Bond Theme” into its arrangement, making the instrumental motifs of the song throughout the movie super-nuanced. There’s no getting around how great the movie is or how great this song still sounds. It’s sexy, flashy and memorable. This is also the first time of three times Shirley Bassey is singing for Bond! If I was backed against a wall by a man with a lethal hat and forced to pick between the song and the movie, I’d probably pick the song, by a very small margin. Verdict: Theme song is better, but only just barely. “Thunderball” written by John Barry and Don Black, performed by Tom Jones + “Mr. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” written by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, performed by Dionne Warwick. (1965) This one is full of all sorts of weird history. The original theme for this movie was supposed to be “Mr. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” but was changed at the last minute to “Thunderball.” Johnny Cash also sent these guys a song called “Thunderball” which ended up not being used.

Finally, Tom Jones apparently fainted after singing the last note of “Thunderball!” Weird. After “Goldfinger” we got another Bond theme song seemingly about the bad guy, rather than about Bond. Or is it about Bond? Tom Jones is fairly cool in this one, but there’s something about Thunderball the movie and the song that aren’t quite up to par for me. (Maybe it’s because they couldn’t make their minds up.) There’s a great underwater scuba-brawl which uses “007” again, but this is definitely one where the movie is slightly better than the song. Tom Jones is right for a James Bond song, but fails to be as memorable as some of the other big artists. “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” shows up on some Bond music compilation and is a little too tinny and silly for my tastes. James Bond movies sometimes have two legitimate theme songs, but I really don’t think “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” should count.

Verdict: The movie &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;i&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Thunderball&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/i&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; is slightly better than the song &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ldquo;Thunderball.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;rdquo; Verdict: Thunderball and “Thunderball” are both decent, with the movie being slightly better. “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is really hard to accept as being real. “You Only Live Twice” written by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, performed by Nancy Sinatra (1967) Like many of the early Bond songs, the arrangements of the melodies are a natural fit for the film’s score. I think the opening strings in this one are totally over-the-top cheesy-wonderful. The world seems to agree with me, since covers and samples of this song are everywhere! From Bjork to Coldplay to Robbie Williams to Cee-Lo, those opening strings are part of the human musical brain.

This one is a personal favorite and despite the various incarnations, I think Nancy Sinatra hits it out of the park. There’s also a stellar foot-chase sequence in where an aerial camera angle is accompanied by the orchestral version of the theme. Great movie moment. For me “You Only Live Twice” is a kooky and fun Bond movie, with a fitting saccharine theme song. But because of its deserved ubiquity, I think the song is winning. Verdict: Theme song is better! (Related viewing: the video for Robbie Williams “Millenium”which is is a full-on Connery and Moore era James Bond homage. Aston Martin! Voodoo guy! Gambling! Jet pack!) “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” Written by John Barry, performed by theJohn Barry Orchestra + “We Have All the Time in the World” Written by John Barry, performed by Louis Armstrong (1969) Oh no! The Connery era is pratically over! When Bond was rebooted with new actor George Lazenby, the opening titles were, again only instrumental.

“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is an awesome piece of music and so iconic that it was even sampled in the trailer for The Incredibles. The film itself is a little on the not very good side, though aspects are interesting. The song is certainly winning over the movie with this one. However, the other theme song for “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is the Louie Armstrong “We Have All the Time in the World,” a love song about James Bond and Tracy, I guess. The title is also the last thing Bond says to the audience while he’s holding Tracy’s dead body in his arms. Seriously, this movie is such a downer; it almost makes me love it for being so weird. Almost. “We Have All the Time in the World” is sweet enough, but not something I ever listen to when I’m in the mood for Bond OR Louie Armstrong. Verdict: Theme song—“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is way better than the movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Although “We Have All the Time in the World” is worse than On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

“Diamonds Are Forever” Written Don Black, performed by Shirley Bassey, (1971) With Connery returning to the role of Bond, it makes sense to play it safe and go with Shirley Bassey for the song, since she previously did the best Bond song ever with “Goldfinger.” Notably, this is the only time a performer was used again (Bassey recorded three in all) to do a Bond opening theme. However, it’s less than stellar. “Diamonds Are Forever” is slow, uninteresting and has creepy themes. Sort of like the movie! This is one everyone should skip. Hearing this song always reminds me of how bored Connery looked in this movie. The song and the movie certainly need each other, but they’re both just the worst. Then-Bond producer Harry Saltzman also hated the song. Verdict: Both are terrible. “Live And Let Die” written and performed by Paul McCartney and Wings (1973) The first Bond film to feature Roger Moore was also the first to not have John Barry composing the music. This time, Beatles producer George Martin was in charge, making ex-Beatles Paul McCartney a natural choice for the theme song.

I’ve always loved how Bond is talking smack about The Beatles in Goldfinger but less than 10 years later; a Beatle produces the best James Bond song since the song “Goldfinger.” As a big Beatles fan, this is never a Paul McCartney solo song I ever listen to, mostly just because it’s been a bit over-played. But I loved it as a kid. It’s great, it seems like a Bond movie, it’s really different from 60’s era stuff and the orchestral arrangements of it in the film are thrilling. Is it better than the movie it occupies? You bet. Live and Let Die is a disaster of movie. Sometimes racist, other times inappropriately slapsticky. This one is really hard to watch, even if Roger Moore’s 70’s suits look great and the alligator sequence rocks. The song will live on way beyond anyone’s knowledge of the film. Just don’t listen to that Gun N’ Roses version. Verdict: ”Live and Let Die“ is way better than Live and Let Die. “The Man With the Golden Gun” Written by John Barry and Don Black, performed by Lulu (1974) Oh the 70s.

I’m so confused by you. Why were there groups singers like Lulu in the 70s? Why did she do this song? Just how much does it suck? Almost as much as the oddly creepy movie? There’s a school of thought which claims James Bond was ruined over the years by too much self-parody in the writing of the scripts. The same might very well be true of the theme songs; with “The Man With the Golden Gun” being a big culprit. Full of sex/killing innuendos, this earworm is definitely one to skip. The movie is slightly better than its theme song, but only because Christopher Lee is in it and he has three nipples. Verdict: Movie is barely better. “Nobody Does It Better” Written by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, performed by Carly Simon (from The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977) I know this is going to be hard for everyone to believe but this is easily one of my favorite songs of all time, and my secret favorite among the good James Bond theme songs.

Carly Simon’s famous love letter to Bond has been covered by pretty much everyone, but the Aimee Mann version is easily the best and possibly better than the original. Of the various Bond songs which are corny love songs, this is the best. The movie isn’t bad either! Bond meets his match with agent XXX (not Vin Diesel), drives an underwater car, and shoots a dude while skiing. What more do want? It’s too bad the song is so memorable, because it would almost be a tie. But, really, this song could have gone with any Moore-era Bond movie. Verdict: Song is better. “Moonraker” written by John Barry and Hal David. Performed Shirley Bassey (1979) Not sure what they were thinking here. I suppose after a love song worked as the opening theme for The Spy Who Loved Me, the producers figured bringing back the singer of “Goldfinger” (again) was money in the bank. It’s so weird that both of these Shirley Bassey songs after “Goldfinger” are big old clunkers. She’s got a gorgeous voice and in theory this should work, but it’s just weird.

Why is this corny love song at the beginning of a movie about Bond flying space ships and shooting lasers? Is this a dream? Obviously because of the aforementioned lasers and the return of Jaws, the movie Moonraker is way better than the song “Moonraker.” Verdict: Movie is better. “For Your Eyes Only” by written by Bill Conti and Michael Leeson, performed by Sheena Easton (1981) I am a huge James Bond fan, but I’m not sure I can tell you what happens in this movie. Part of me is convinced it’s not actually anything more than a series of Bond clichés strung together. Here’s the snow scene! Look, here’s Bond in the casino! Now he’s underwater! I also recall Roger Moore wearing a windbreaker and looking like someone’s lame dad throughout. The theme song however is kind of sweet and is the only Bond opening sequence to actually feature the singer singing to you! The first time a character sings the theme song in a Bond movie is “Live And Let Die” but of course the person singing isn’t Paul McCartney. The only time a singer of the theme song is also a character in a Bond movie is when Madonna appears in Die Another Day.

“For Your Eyes Only” was also nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. Though I’m not crazy about the corny love-song marathon during the Roger Moore era, this one doesn’t really bug me. Though Blondie was originally going to do a song (bummer!) Sheena Easton is fantastic. There’s no question that this forgettable Bond movie is much worse than its sweet little theme song. Verdict: Song is way better, and actually kind of romantic. “All Time High” (From Octopussy) Written by John Barry and Tim Rice, performed by Rita Coolidge. (1983) Wow. This song is terrible. I remember being mortified by its crappiness even as a teenager. The Roger Moore-era is sort of at its worse in Octopussy. The saxophone outro of this song describes the crappiness of the movie and the song perfectly. Shockingly, Tim Rice wrote the lyrics to this cliché nonsense. I’d like to say Maud Adams saves this movie, but she doesn’t, no more than Tim Rice saves the song.

In terms of the song/movie competition, it’s slightly close because they’re both so bad, but I’ll have to give it to the movie, if only for the audacious title. Verdict: Movie is better, I guess? “A View To A Kill” written by John Barry and Duran Duran and peformed by Duran Duran. (1985) Boom! Bond is back! In terms of charts and sales, this is still the most popular James Bond theme song, ever. That’s right, Duran Duran beat Paul McCartney! Apparently it was also Duran Duran’s idea to do a James Bond theme song, after the bassist John Taylor asserted that nobody decent ever does the theme songs. Is the movie any good? Well, it’s got Christopher Walken, Patrick Macnee, AND Grace Jones, so it’s watchable as hell. But, Roger Moore looks terrible in it and the film has a general suckiness to it. Overall, it’s super fun. However, the contest between song and movie is pretty obvious in this one. Verdict: Song is WAY better.

“The Living Daylights” written by John Barry and Ah-ha, performed by A-ha (Also “If There Was a Man” by the Pretenders, 1987) After over a decade of Roger Moore as Bond, Timothy Dalton stepped into the role for what was a slightly more serious version of the famous agent. This was the last Bond film scored by John Barry, and featured an upbeat opening track by A-ha. It’s funny how the successful Bond theme songs sometimes would create a trend of other very similar types of songs. After “Nobody Does It Better” became a success, all Bond movies had saccharine love songs. After “A View To A Kill” killed it, the producers seemed to have ordered a pop-replacement in the form of “The Living Daylights.” For being a poor man’s “A View To A Kill,” “The Living Daylights” isn’t all that bad. For novelty reasons only, I sometimes prefer it to “A View To A Kill.” The movie isn’t half bad either. Though, on balance, everything here is just okay.

And because the song really is a poor man’s “A View To A Kill,” and the movie has a scene in which Bond rides a cello case like a sled, the movie wins by a small margin. Oddly, this is an instance in a Bond movie where there’s randomly another song sung over the closing credits. It’s called “If There Was a Man” and it’s by The Pretenders. I guess they were trying to make a big deal out of Dalton’s debut by giving him two songs? This one doesn’t have any impact on me at all, and there was a man, but so what? Verdict: The movie is a little better. Though I really irrationally love this song. “License To Kill” written by Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen and Walter Afanasieff. Performed by Gladys Knight and “If You Asked Me To” written and performed by Patti LaBelle. (1989) I feel like with this song the Bond franchise is splitting the difference.

On the one hand this is a sort of old school love song from the Roger Moore era, but on the other hand it’s kind of got some throwbacks to “Goldfinger.” (It even uses some of the horn line from that one.) I actually quite like this song and I think there’s something slightly more romantic about it than it lets on. Like the previous Bond film, this one also has a second song sung over the end credits; the Patti LaBelle song “If You Asked Me To” which was covered by Celine Dion years later. It’s pretty obvious why Celine took it; it’s a belter of a big epic love song. Totally great. Weird that it’s in this James Bond movie. The movie is sort of just okay. Though I’m always bonkers for the “Bond goes rogue” premise, this one has a lot of third act problems which really bury the movie in a confusing mess filled with semi-trucks and missile launchers. If you have to choose between the two, I think the Gladys Knight music video is sort of genius. Verdict: The song is better and Gladys Knight looks great in a tux.

“GoldenEye” written by Bono and the The Edge, performed by Tina Turner (1995) Despite some corny hacker stuff, GoldenEye holds up as being a really great Bond movie and easily remains the best of the four Pierce Brosnan outings. And the theme song is awesome! Written by Bono and The Edge of U2, this one feel like a classic era Bond song, but is somehow new and catchy every time you hear it. The opening title sequence was really hot and the music video with Tina is great. I’m sort of bummed out she’s not in the movie playing some awesome MI6 inventor or something. Not since Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome has a movie needed Tina Turner more. Further, considering how long Bond had been away, they needed some big guns like Tina. Verdict: The song is better. Come on. It’s Tina Turner. Why did it take them so long to get her to do one of these anyway? “Tomorrow Never Dies” written and performed by Sheryl Crow and “Surrender” written by k.d. lang and David Arnold and perfromed by k.d. lang.

(1997) The 1990s are a weird time for James Bond movies, and the choice of Sheryl Crow for this one seems super arbitrary. I actually don’t mind Sheryl Crow at all, but this is not one of her better offerings. I mean that “Steve McQueen” song of hers is better than this. Tomorrow Never Dies the film is also a huge step backwards after GoldenEye and the feeble attempt the song is making to be catchy parallels the feeling you get from the movie: it’s just trying a little too hard. Oddly, there’s again another theme song in this movie which is much better called “Surrender”written with new Bond composer David Arnold and performed by k.d lang. This song is totally awesome, sounds like a Bond theme, and was relagated to end-credtis status by the producers. Bummer! (But here’s a fan-edit with the good k.d.

lang song for the opening credits.) Verdict: The movie Tomorrow Never Dies is slightly better than the song “Tomorrow Never Dies” BUT, the k.d lang song “Surrender” is way better than Tomorrow Never Dies and “Tomorrow Never Dies.” “The World is Not Enough” written by David Arnold and Don Black, performed by Garbage. (1999) I really like this one. It’s got something really old-fashioned about it, but it also rocks. I think Garbage is great. (I mean really, who hasn’t jammed out to “I’m Only Happy When it Rains?”) The movie is sort of a mixed bag. It’s pretty hard not to be offended by the presence of Denise Richards, but the rest of the story is actually not bad. I like the way Bond gets screwed over in this one and the way M is in on the action. But, really, you could hear the song and never care about the movie one bit. Apparently David Arnold really wanted this one to sound like a John Barry-era song. It worked and Shirley Manson sounds like she’s time-traveled straight from 1963. Verdict: The song is way, way better than the movie.

“Die Another Day” written and perfromed by Madonna (2002) It’s shocking no one thought to get Madonna to do a Bond theme before this one. With Die Another Day the franchise was pulling out all the stops because, at the time, it was the 40th anniversary of the Bond film franchise. In terms of a movie, I think Die Another Day is probably the worst James Bond movie of all time, if only because it’s such a cynical mess. (Though it does have a great pre-title sequence) It’s hard to believe this is the same James Bond from GoldenEye. However, I think Madonna’s theme song is a great techno-dance track and totally belongs in a James Bond movie. It’s rad. This music video in which she fights herself contains probably more James Bond references than the actual movie. It’s also sort of the best anyone could hope for in terms of being entertained by the weird medium of music videos based on songs written for movies. It should feel cynical, but it doesn’t. Verdict: The song is way better. “You Know My Name” (From Casino Royale, 2006) written by David Arnold and Chris Cornell. Performed by Chris Cornell.

Initially, I wasn’t crazy about this one mostly because I couldn’t get behind Chris Cornell’s voice. But as I’ve watched Casino Royale several times since, the song has really grown on me. I think it really hits me in an early scene when Bond is driving a fork lift and the awesome orchestra version of the theme sort of blasts through. It’s a great touch. Now, obviously Casino Royale is awesome and a nearly perfect Bond movie. I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s also the most faithful to the novels, which gives it huge points in my book. Verdict: The movie is way better by virtue of being maybe the best James Bond movie ever. “Another Way to Die” (From Quantum of Solace, 2008) written by Jack White. Perfomed by Jack White and Alicia Keyes. Still loving Daniel Craig as Bond even though Quantum of Solace is totally terrible feels weird. What is even happening in this movie? I know D. Craig is supposed to be the dark, brooding Bond, but the complete lack of humor in this movie is shocking. There’s something almost depressing about the movie’s lack of thematic focus. However, the song by Jack White and Alicia Keyes is excellent.

Not since Tina Turner, Bono and The Edge have the Bond songs had such talented musicans around. What a waste to use them on this odd duck of a James Bond movie. They’re the only duo in Bond song history thus far! The song is catchy and hot and this music video with them is even cooler than the Madonna ”Die Another Day“ entry. Verdict: The song is way better, if only because Jack White had the good sense to avoid using the word “quantum” in the lyrics. “Skyfall” for Skyfall (2012) Written by Adele and Paul Epworth. Performed by Adele The last time a Bond theme song was actually written and performed by someone from the U.K. was Duran Duran’s A View to a Kill. And though there’s been some quality ones since then, Adele’s “Skyfall” is absolutely beautiful. This one is a kind of crossroads between an old-school “Goldfinger” style theme (insofar as it incorporates the James Bond Theme) and a contemporary song written by a cool contemporary artist. The song is lush and gorgeous and is made all the better by the excellent title sequence.

I’d heard “Skyfall” before I saw the film, but the music gave me shivers in the theatre. Adele is also the first woman to feature by herself as a vocalist since Madonna’s Die Another Day. Unlike that one, Adele’s cool song opens up an awesome James Bond movie. Verdict: The movie is really great, and the song is too. Likely they’ll be remembered together. Though, unlike “Live and Let Die” or a “A View to a Kill, “I can’t see myself putting “Skyfall” on the jukebox. Then again, Skyfall the movie isn’t exactly casual viewing. There you have it readers/listeners. The history of James Bond theme songs is long and strange. If there’s one overall pattern I’ve noticed it’s this: when the film’s composer is not writing the theme song, and instead total creative control is left to that artist, the songs tend to be better and more memorable. But, without John Barry, and now David Arnold (who also now scores Sherlock), we certainly wouldn’t know what Bond sounds like in general, meaning their influence can’t be stressed enough.

Now, dear readers, tell me which theme songs you loved, which movies you thought were better than their songs and vice versa. Let’s shake things up 007 style! Ryan Britt is a staff writer for Tor.com. If you see him walking around lip-synching to his iPod, the chances of the song being “For Your Eyes Only” are really high.

Question: Who sang the title song for the Bond film License To Kill?
Answer: Gladys Knight