Entertainment
Every James Bond Rock Theme Song, Ranked
Just like the character, James Bond theme songs are always shrouded in mystery, danger, glamour, power and death. The song plays a pivotal role setting the stage for Bond’s adventures and normally plays during the title sequence after the opening scene. The list of iconic artists that have performed Bond theme songs includes Shirley Bassey, Carly Simon, Sheena Easton, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Adele, Sam Smith and Billie Eilish, to name a few.
Many Bond theme songs are sweeping orchestral ballads, but others run the gamut between straight-up rock to a more pop-forward rock sound on some of the themes from the 80s. For the sake of this list, most ballads and soft rock songs have been eliminated, unless guitar is prominently featured. For instance, Sheryl Crow’s guitar forward anthem “Tomorrow Never Dies” is on the list below, but the Carly Simon, Sheena Easton and Tina Turner 007 themes will not appear because of a lack of rock-and-roll sound. While some of these songs lean heavily into the pop category, they all feature prominent guitar work and have some aspects of a rock-and-roll sensibility and attitude. Ranked by sound, legacy and purely how much it rocks, here is every James Bond rock theme song, ranked.
8
“Another Way to Die” by Jack White and Alicia Keys From ‘Quantum of Solace’ (2008)
Jack White and Alicia Keys teamed up for the first and only Bond duet on the bombastic “Another Way to Die,” The song was written, produced and mixed by White for 2008’s Quantum of Solace, and features him on vocals, guitar and drums. Jack White plays his signature pitch-shifting guitar sounds, while Alicia Keys balances out the song with her vocals and intricate harmonies.
Jack White used the opening of the theme of the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as inspiration in creating the intro riff. The mash-up between garage rock, soul and R&B is quite divisive among aficionados, and the song did not get much attention given the star power behind it. However, it does stand out as one of the more unique Bond themes.
7
“The Man with The Golden Gun” by Lulu From ‘The Man with The Golden Gun’ (1974)
Lulu’s 1975 cabaret-styled “The Man with The Golden Gun” is a wild Bond theme. Pulsing with glam rock attitude, theatrics and blazing guitar work, the song has a distinct sound tied to the mid-70s. The short tune is full of all the hallmarks of a Bond theme, with a huge brass section, strings and powerful vocals. The song has several key changes and time signature shifts, giving it a unique feel and a fusion vibe that was inescapable at the time.
The noisy and borderline chaotic song is delivered with conviction, which reflects Christopher Lee‘s brilliant role as marksman and famed assassin Francisco Scaramanga. Lulu’s vocal performance also reflects Roger Moore’s campy side of 007. It’s dripping with attitude and aggression and has a punk spirit while staying in a funky lane.
6
“Tomorrow Never Dies” by Sheryl Crow From ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ (1997)
“Tomorrow Never Dies” by Sheryl Crow is an oft-forgotten and underappreciated Bond theme. The orchestral ballad prominently features guitar leading the way with a swinging 6/8 time signature and Crow’s mysterious and seductive vocals. It blends the sophistication of Pierce Brosnan’s Bond with a smoky and stylish dark 90s pop vibe.
The lyrics reveal the themes of the film: betrayal, danger, manipulation and a doomed romance. k.d. Lang was originally tapped to record the theme, but producers opted to use Crow’s song for the theme, placing Lang’s orchestral song, “Surrender,” during the end credits of the movie. “Tomorrow Never Dies” was nominated for a Grammy Award and Golden Globe but lost out to Celine Dion‘s “My Heart WIll Go On,” from Titanic.
5
“The World is Not Enough” by Garbage From ‘The World is Not Enough’ (1999)
“The World is Not Enough” is a brooding Bond theme that encapsulates the sounds of late 90s alternative rock. The song is equal parts a 007 theme and a Garbage song that fits right in with the group’s catalog of alt-rock classics. The electro-alternative track brings Bond into the digital era with a trip-hop vibe and moody guitar-driven energy.
Shirley Manson‘s breathy and seductive vocals are emotionally guarded and powerful. The band created a beautifully cold and elegant sound on the track that matches the themes of the Pierce Brosnan film: betrayal, control and exploitation. “The World is Not Enough” is a great theme from a chiefly forgettable Bond movie.
4
“The Living Daylights” by A-ha From ‘The Living Daylights’ (1987)
“The Living Daylights” is an underrated Bond theme for an underappreciated picture. The song kicked off the short-lived Timothy Dalton era, which had more of a gritty edge and anger issues compared to Sir Roger Moore‘s 007. The song is more synth-pop than rock, but it has a groove and A-ha proved they were more than just an MTV one-hit wonder with their signature hit “Take on Me.”
A-ha worked with John Barry on the song to keep the Bond grandeur while adding their signature 80s synths and dramatic strings. It set the tone for the colder and more serious Bond, a far cry from some of the tongue-in-cheek moments found in later Roger Moore films. The Norwegian band help create a sophisticated yet chilly vibe in the song reflective of Bond’s uneasiness as he romps through Eastern Europe in The Living Daylights.
3
“A View to a Kill” by Duran Duran From ‘A View to a Kill (1985)
Worlds collided in 1985 when Duran Duran was tapped to write the theme song for what would be Roger Moore’s final time playing the iconic character. Released at the height of their popularity, the song is peak 80s and combines the grandeur of Bond with Duran Duran’s swagger and New Wave pop sensibility. “A View to a Kill” has many hallmarks of the mid-80s MTV heyday, including gated snare, stabbing synths and a studio sheen that makes it unmistakably of its era.
As with most Duran Duran songs, John Taylor‘s pulsating and complex bass playing is a highlight, along with its well-layered sounds with just enough guitar to give it attitude. Simon LeBon’s vocals are mysterious and cinematic as he sings: “Dance into the fire / that fatal kiss is all we need.” “A View to a Kill” is still the only Bond theme to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It marked the final time Sir Roger Moore played 007 as he faced off against Christopher Walken‘s Max Zorin in a memorable fight in a hot air balloon tangled up high on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
2
“Live and Let Die” by Wings From ‘Live and Let Die’ (1973)
Paul McCartney and Wings shattered the mold of Bond theme songs with 1973’s “Live and Let Die.” The first rock theme song in Bond history ushered in the Roger Moore era of seven films over a dozen years with a bang. Prior to Live and Let Die, Bond themes were jazzy and orchestral or a straight-up ballad. McCartney and Wings created an explosively experimental track that still resounds today.
The song was written by Paul and Linda McCartney and produced by George Martin, longtime collaborator with The Beatles. The progressive track features multiple different sections, including a slow piano intro, orchestral suspense, reggae-inspired verses and hard rock explosiveness with McCarney’s signature vocals. “Live and Let “Die” was a post-Beatles hit for Macca and created the blueprint for future rock Bond themes and inspired a slate of rockers to enter the world of 007. The song was famously covered by Guns N’ Roses on their 1991 album Use Your Illusion 1, turning the classic track onto a new generation.
1
“You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell From ‘Casino Royale’ (2006)
Chris Cornell‘s fist-pumping rock song helped introduce the world to Daniel Craig as 007 in Casino Royale. The late singer co-wrote “You Know My Name” with David Arnold, which is the best rock song in the James Bond theme catalog. Far from an orchestral ballad, the driving track is fueled by Chris Cornell’s gritty and powerful vocals and is a powerful statement that Bond is back and better than ever.
Musically, the song has several old-school musical nods to John Barry‘s original 007 theme. The former Soundgarden and Audioslave vocalist set the stage for Craig’s brooding take on James Bond that pulses with energy, danger and swagger. You can feel the masculine 007 energy in the performance. “You Know My Name” is a powerful statement marking 007’s return and rocks more than any other Bond theme song.
Casino Royale
- Release Date
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November 17, 2006
- Runtime
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144 minutes
- Director
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Martin Campbell
- Writers
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Neal Purvis, Paul Haggis, Robert Wade, Ian Fleming
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