With the release of Sam Smith’s Writing’s on the Wall, the somewhat anaemic theme song to the upcoming S.P.E.C.T.R.E movie, I thought it appropriate to compile a list of the best James Bond themes.

I mean, if you’re going to indulge yourself in a fetishised depiction of imperialist British-ness and pumped up masculinity you may as well do it to good music.





5. Live and Let Die - Paul McCartney & Wings

Soft build-up to booming orchestrals, driving beat and sudden injections of inappropriate and unmistakeable McCartneyisms… it’s a good, memorable tune and somehow it works.





4. A View to a Kill - Duran Duran



Bloody hell, it’s all gone a bit ‘80s. Cracking song, shame about the movie. Preposterously melodramatic lyrics set over synthesised versions of the traditional Bond sounds and it’s catchy throughout. Job done.







3. Tomorrow Never Dies - Sheryl Crow

Some people don’t like this one. Those people are mugs and they’re wrong. It’s not much of a pop song but it has everything you should want in a Bond theme: Crow’s sensual vocals, sinuous guitar, and a brash, bombastic orchestral chorus. Bonus points for having video where a cruise missile explodes between Sheryl’s catsuit’d legs - no symbolism going on there, not at all.







2. Diamonds are Forever - Shirley Bassey

Self-explanatory, really. It’s the template and standard against which all other Bond themes are to be judged.







1. Gangsta’s Paradise - Coolio

It’s indisputable. Coolio’s masterpiece has all the hallmarks of a great Bond theme: memorable chorus, poignant lyrics, orchestral notes… it manages to be soulful, haunting and a catchy anthem to boot. Coolio, you nailed it.







Honourable Mention: Quantum of Solace - Joe Cornish

Click here because Tumblr won’t let me use more than five youtube links in one post.

Kids, don’t try this at home. Listening to all the Bond songs in one big session has made me feel a bit crazy.