Essentially a remake of Thunderball, the film is often cheesy to the max, and this extends to its title song, sung by Lani Hall. However, it has so many of the franchise’s trademarks (including Sean Connery back in the role) that it still bears some discussion in terms of Bond songs. Like Casino Royale with Peter Sellers, Never Say Never Againis not in the MGM Broccoli canon.

Its lyrics themed around forces of nature also better foreshadow the dangers that await 007 in Thunderball, a film where the eye-patched villain has a swimming pool filled with teeth-gnashing sharks. While some might argue that country doesn’t quite fit the classic Bond aesthetic, Cash ultimately delivers a memorable tune that you’re left humming hours after you’ve first heard it. Iconic country musician Johnny Cash struck a better balance, introducing country music sounds and his trademark bass-baritone to the franchise. But a merging is often best, and Jones’ “Thunderball” lays the former on thick. The Bond theme was arguably perfected by John Barry and Shirley Bassey for Goldfinger, but the road to Thunderball’s score was more tumultuous.īond songs tend to focus on either the man or the themes behind his latest adventure. However, this didn’t extend to the theme music. Thunderball cemented many of the franchise’s staples, including over-the-top evil lairs and zany action sequences. And we’re not just talking about how much better Radiohead’s version of the Spectre theme song is. But not all Bond songs are equal, and there have been instances where alternate tunes not chosen for the movies may have been the better choice. From absolute classics, such as Matt Monro’s “From Russia With Love” and Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger,” to more modern hits like Adele’s “Skyfall,” each new Bond song is as big an event as the movie itself.

This has meant consistent alterations to every aspect of the movies, as one star takes over for another, from ditching the overt sexism on Bonds past when Daniel Craig took over the role to embracing the absurd in the early years, namely the later Sean Connery films and the majority of the Roger Moore era.Įven the music has changed with each theatrical adventure. Sixty years of 007 have not only come with new takes on the secret agent himself but what the franchise should be for each generation of the character. The James Bond franchise is the gold standard for long-running film series.

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