One of the key pieces of every new James Bond movie is its soundtrack. The opening theme composed by the British John Barry, and the songs made specifically for each of the spy’s cinematic installments, played by figures like Shirley Bassey or Paul McCartney in the 1970s, and by contemporary pop music figures such as Adele y Billie Eilish In recent years, they are a fundamental part of the film mythology of 007, which on September 30 returns to the screen (including that of Uruguay) with No time to die.
Dr No and the forgotten Monty Norman
The Bond footprint appears from the first film of the saga, Satanic Dr. No (1962), with an opening theme that oscillates between calm and adrenaline. “Without music, James Bond would not have reached the cult level that he has,” explains Cyril Roux, publisher of the Diggers Factory vinyl house.
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History recalls the name of the Briton John Barry, a five-time Oscar-winning composer for soundtracks such as those of Africa of mine and Dance with wolves. But the original sketch belongs to Monty Norman, a lesser-known author. The film’s producers asked Barry to touch up Norman’s work.
In total, Barry will sign the “James Bond theme” in twelve films (between 1962 and 1987). John Barry, who shares initials with James Bond, “is the musical basis of the saga”, sums up Stéphane Lerouge, who worked with the British maestro.
Triplete Shirley Bassey
A step further and a coup de grace was when the producers decided to put lyrics to the song of the film.
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007 against Goldfinger (1964) propelled the singer Shirley Bassey to the top of the sales list. The British is the only interpreter who has participated in three Bond films: in addition to 007 accountGoldfinger, Diamonds are eternal (1971) and Moonraker, space mission (1979).
For Barry, “Bassey fits perfectly with the style of Bond music.” On Goldfinger, the teacher asked him to keep the final grade as high as possible: “When we finished I thought I was going to die (laughs),” recalls Bassey, an effort that earned him his first success.
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On MoonrakerBassey wasn’t the first choice, but “I did it for John Barry,” he explained. The other candidates would never see the light.
Paul McCartney, new airs
After a first time under the baton of Barry, the destiny of Bond’s music will be linked to another “B”, along with the stars of the Beatles galaxy.
George Martin, historical producer of the Liverpool quartet, takes over from John Barry in Live and let die (1973) and Paul McCartney, with his wife and his new band, Wings, sign the title song.
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Live And Let Die, which would later be covered by Guns N ‘Roses, is a “caesura”, in the words of Stéphane Lerouge, because it represents the separation between the composer of the film’s opening theme and the main song.
A change that will forever close Barry’s presence in the saga (twelve films later). Barry had anticipated one last participation in The tomorrow Never Die (1997), but he jumped ship earlier “since he was not contractually guaranteed to do the main song,” says Lerouge.
The relay: Adele and Billie Eilish
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Entering the 21st century, British singer Adele caused a sensation with her soulful imprint on Operation Skyfall (2012), Oscar for best original song. “It was a shock,” emphasizes Cyril Roux. “I’m a fan of Daniel Craig, who has that animal side of Sean Connery, and this music suits him perfectly.”
“Barry forged the canons of Bond, his specter (pun on the name of 007’s enemy organization, SPECTER) flies over all music: the song Skyfall it is the best and most recent tribute, in a neo-Barriano style “, explains Stéphane Lerouge.
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And for Daniel Craig’s last appearance in No time to die (2021) —whose movies have also featured Chris Cornell songs (Casino Royale) y Sam Smith (Spectre) -, the producers chose Billie Eilish, one of the most outstanding young artists of the moment and who has just released her latest album, Happier than ever. She was also approved by Shirley Bassey: “she did a good job.”
