Ranking Every James Bond Theme Song

Jimmy Palmquist
18 hours ago
8 min read

Few things in cinema are as iconic as a James Bond opening sequence. The silhouettes, the guns, the martinis, and, of course, the music. From Shirley Bassey’s booming vocals to Billie Eilish’s haunting whispers, the Bond themes have defined not just the films, but the eras they came from. It's also of note here, I'm not in anyway, shape, or form ranking the movies. This ranking only focuses on the songs with little consideration of the quality of the movie.

So here it is: my definitive ranking of all the James Bond songs, from least favorite to absolute banger.

25. “Die Another Day” – Madonna (Die Another Day, 2002)

Madonna’s attempt to merge electro-pop with Bond glam feels more Matrix Reloaded than 007. The movie itself, Pierce Brosnan’s swan song, is a CGI-heavy fever dream featuring invisible cars and ice palaces—and the song matches that chaotic energy. A bold experiment, but one that aged about as well as early 2000s frosted tips. For some reason, of all the Bond songs, this one still haunts me like an evil earworm as this song attacks my sense out of the blue for no good reason.

24. “Thunderball” – Tom Jones (Thunderball, 1965)

Tom Jones nearly passed out hitting the final note, and it shows. This track is pure operatic bravado. The movie, full of underwater battles and Cold War flair, matches that same “go big or go home” attitude. It also does not help that this is my least favorite Bond film. I fully admit Tom Jones is a national treasure. BUT I hate this movie. It is by far my least favorite in the franchise. Which is ironic because it's the only one that holds the distinction of having a remake.

23. “Writing’s on the Wall” – Sam Smith (Spectre, 2015)

This song took home an Oscar. And I still have no clue why. Sam Smith’s falsetto is impressive but the song lacks bite. Spectre aimed for emotional depth but landed somewhere between melodrama and monotony, just like its theme. I also think it's too close in tone and lyrics to the hugely successful song and far better "Skyfall" by Adele.

22. “Tomorrow Never Dies” – Sheryl Crow (Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997)

I really wanted to like the song because I love Sheryl Crow. She does deliver a smoky, melancholic performance that fits the film’s media-manipulation theme, but it never quite takes off. It also doesn't help that the movie isn't very good either. Fun fact: K.D. Lang’s rejected track, “Surrender,” plays over the credits, and honestly, it might have been the better choice.

21. “The World Is Not Enough” – Garbage (The World Is Not Enough, 1999)

Garbage nails the late ’90s trip-hop-meets-glam sound, and Shirley Manson’s voice drips with menace and allure. The Brosnan film itself is uneven, but the theme is stylish, sleek, and appropriately dangerous. This is another one that I really wanted to like the song because I love the band, but it did not hit the mark.

20. “Another Way to Die” – Jack White & Alicia Keys (Quantum of Solace, 2008)

It’s the only Bond duet ever, and you can kind of hear why. Jack White’s grungy riffs clash with Alicia Keys’ soulful vocals in what feels like two songs battling for control. Much like the film itself, Daniel Craig’s most disjointed entry, it’s got style but no cohesion. It seems like a home run with two artists of that caliber working together, but they just didn't gel the way I imagined.

19. “A View to a Kill” – Duran Duran (A View to a Kill, 1985)

This one’s pure ’80s excess in the best possible way. Roger Moore’s final outing is absurd and over-the-top, and so is this synth-driven anthem. It’s flashy, fun, and the only Bond song to hit No. 1 on the U.S. charts. I have to admit, there is quite a bit of nostalgia for this entry in the franchise. But I was never a Duran Duran fan, so I just can't put them higher on the list.

18. “From Russia with Love” – Matt Monro (From Russia with Love, 1963)

A suave crooner tune from the early days of Bond. It perfectly captures Sean Connery’s cool sophistication without overcomplicating things. Classy, understated, and very much of its era. Although it's a beautiful song, I just don't find myself listening to it over and over again like I do a lot of the others.

17. “All Time High” – Rita Coolidge (Octopussy, 1983)

A love ballad that feels like it belongs in a soft-rock radio mix rather than a spy thriller. Roger Moore’s Octopussy is peak camp Bond, circus acts, fake mustaches, and Cold War antics, and the song captures the essence literally as an all time high. This is also one of the few Bond songs that will enter my brain out of nowhere, and unlike Madonna's entry, I enjoy this one.

16. “License to Kill” – Gladys Knight (License to Kill, 1989)

Knight channels classic Bond grandeur, delivering a power ballad that feels like a nod to Shirley Bassey’s era. The Timothy Dalton film it accompanies is darker and grittier than most of the franchise, making the lush song feel slightly mismatched but still memorable. I also have a soft spot for Gladys as she was a headliner at the Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas where I was a concierge in the early 2000s. I got to meet her and she was extremely sweet to me. Humble name drop brag over.

15. “The Living Daylights” – A-ha (The Living Daylights, 1987)

A-ha took their synth-pop magic and gave Bond a cool, Euro flavor. It’s catchy and mysterious, fitting for Timothy Dalton’s underrated first mission. Plus, it holds up surprisingly well today. I also hate to admit how long it took me to realize this is the same band that produced one of the greatest music videos of all time, "Take On Me."

14. “You Only Live Twice” – Nancy Sinatra (You Only Live Twice, 1967)

Sweeping strings and Sinatra’s delicate voice create something hypnotic. The song’s mysterious, melancholic tone perfectly complements Connery’s Japan-set adventure. It’s one of the most beautiful pieces in the entire Bond catalog. As much as I do appreciate the song, I do not like the movie. I hate to admit that this would probably be much higher if I liked it.

13. “Goldfinger” – Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger, 1964)

The gold standard (pun intended). Bassey’s voice, the blaring brass, the dramatic pause, it defined what a Bond theme is. She's also the only performer to have multiple songs in the franchise. Not one. Not two. But three! I'm sure this is not anyone else's choice to be least favorite of them. I truly like her other ones better despite the popularity of the films.

12. “GoldenEye” – Tina Turner (GoldenEye, 1995)

Written by Bono and The Edge, performed by Tina Turner, it’s pure gold. Turner’s powerhouse vocals give Pierce Brosnan’s debut the dramatic punch it deserved, even if the movie’s ’90s tech plot feels a bit quaint now. Plus, I'm a huge sucker for Tina Turner, both as a singer and actress (I'm looking at you Auntie Entity).

11. “No Time to Die” – Billie Eilish (No Time to Die, 2021)

Haunting, minimalist, and dripping with melancholy, Billie Eilish’s take on Bond is a fitting farewell for Daniel Craig’s run. The slow build mirrors the film’s emotional finale, quiet devastation with a hint of explosive payoff. To me, this is where the rubber meets the road. The margin of victory from here on out is paper thin and could easily fluctuate given my mood any given day.

10. “Live and Let Die” – Paul McCartney & Wings (Live and Let Die, 1973)

Explosive, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable. McCartney brought rock energy to Bond, and the result is a genre-bending masterpiece that still tears up live shows 50 years later. The film may be divisive, but the song? Timeless. It was also a fantastic way to introduce the newest version of James Bond as Roger Moore took over the 007.

9. “The Man with the Golden Gun” – Lulu (The Man with the Golden Gun, 1974)

Lulu gives it her all in this brassy tune, but the song is more chaotic than catchy. The movie, starring Christopher Lee as the assassin Scaramanga, gets what he deserves, an anthem all unto himself as the villain. I know, I know. No one would put this in the top ten, but I love the song and the movie. Plus it's got Knick Knack!

8. “Moonraker” – Shirley Bassey (Moonraker, 1979)

Speaking of hating James Bond movies, this entry is typically seen as one of the weakest in in the franchise. I disagree. I love the goofy campiness and Bassey’s voice conveys the grandeur of space travel in the late '70s as all the studios were trying to snag some of the magic created by Star Wars. Yes, there is a lot of nostalgia involved in this pick, but as I stated, it's my list!

7. “Diamonds Are Forever” – Shirley Bassey (Diamonds Are Forever, 1971)

And my favorite Bassey entry goes to Sean Connery's last official turn as James Bond. Her voice is sultry and luxurious, exactly what you’d expect from a film about jewel smuggling and revenge. It’s glamorous, dangerous, and endlessly quotable. It also helps that I thoroughly love the film.

6. “You Know My Name” – Chris Cornell (Casino Royale, 2006)

When Bond rebooted, so did the music. Cornell’s gritty, rock-driven theme screamed “this isn’t your dad’s 007.” It’s raw, modern, and full of attitude, just like Daniel Craig’s breakout debut. Every time I hear this one, I enjoy it more and more. It's also impressive how the film and the song overcame the negative press of a Daniel Craig led Bond film before it was even released. I also find it very reminiscent of the rock anthem introduction Roger Moore got with "Live and Let Die."

5. “Nobody Does It Better” – Carly Simon (The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977)

A love song that doubles as a character statement for Bond himself. Simon’s tender vocals make this one of the franchise’s most heartfelt themes. The Roger Moore era rarely got emotional, but this one hits all the right notes. This song would stick with me as a classic even if it had no connection to the Bond franchise.

4. “For Your Eyes Only” – Sheena Easton (For Your Eyes Only, 1981)

The early ’80s synth vibes are undeniable, which is perfect for the soft-focus romance for a Bond film. Is the film worthy of such a great song, not in the least. It's also admirable that the producers stayed away from the disco tone that sadly saturated the film itself. It’s also notable for being the first theme where the singer actually appears in the opening credits.

3. “We Have All the Time in the World” – Louis Armstrong (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969)

Tender and tragic, this song is unique in Bond history. It’s not the main theme, but its emotional impact is unmatched. Armstrong’s voice, paired with the film’s heartbreaking ending, gives it eternal weight. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Most people hate this single entry by George Lazenby in the Bond franchise. But not me! I love the movie and this song captures the tragedy of the twist we witness at the end.

2. “Skyfall” – Adele (Skyfall, 2012)

Yes, Skyfall takes the top spot. It bridges classic Bond elegance with modern emotional storytelling. Adele channels Shirley Bassey while giving the song her own powerhouse soul. It’s cinematic, haunting, and tied to one of the franchise’s best films. The perfect marriage of sound and story. And despite what I said in the opening paragraph, it does help that it's in one of the best James Bond movies made to date.

1. “James Bond Theme” – John Barry Orchestra (Dr. No, 1962)

It's pretty amazing to me that the James Bond theme song debuted in the very first film in 1962 and nailed it! I find myself humming this tune all the time. Why? Because it really is the perfect theme for the original international man of mystery. This song plays, you know exactly what it's from. And I'd wager that when you hear it, you automatically think of a specific Bond that you grew up with. I know I do.

From bombastic brass to minimalist melancholy, the James Bond theme songs chart not just the history of 007, but the evolution of pop music itself. Whether you’re sipping a martini (shaken, not stirred) or dodging laser beams, there’s a Bond song for every mood, and that’s why we keep coming back for more.

Which songs are your favorites! Let us know!