Best James Bond Theme Songs, Ranked

The witches and wizards who work their magic behind the scenes for the hugely popular James Bond franchise have perfected a secret recipe that has stood the test of time. Suave British actors in debonair dress, high-tech gadgets and cars, international espionage, and the cherry on top: a hit song crafted just for the movie by the most popular musicians of the day. When these elements combine, some James Bond films achieve legendary acclaim, but often, the title song exists as its own separate pop culture item thanks to the fame of the musicians behind them.

Some James Bond title songs set the tone for sleek, high-stakes action, and others set the tone for sorrowful, elegiac drama. Some become associated with the best of the franchise’s entries, and some fade into obscurity with time. Here are ten of the best James Bond theme songs ranked.

Update November 30, 2023: This article has been updated with even more great themes from the James Bond franchise.

10 Tina Turner - 'GoldenEye' (GoldenEye)

When it came to crafting a theme song for Pierce Brosnan's debut outing as the world's most famous secret agent, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli called upon the help of U2 members Bono and The Edge. They came up with a sultry yet bold ballad reminiscent of Shirley Bassey's 'Goldfinger'. And with the inclusion of Tina Turner's powerful vocals, 'GoldenEye' was born.

What Makes it Great?

At the time of its release, the question of whether or not Bono and The Edge could fill the shoes of prolific Bond composer, John Barry, was deeply contested, and remains a point of discourse. The fact that the lyrics make very little sense in the context of the film does mark it down slightly. However, Tina Turner managed to pick up right where Shirley Bassey left off, showing off a confident, honed presence and powerful pipes, that helped to make this song, and the film, the ideal comeback after the franchise's six-year hiatus. By this point, the series had created a musical template to follow for its themes, and 'GoldenEye' simultaneously honors what came before while pushing the Bond sound in a new direction.

9 Shirley Bassey - 'Diamonds Are Forever' (Diamonds Are Forever)

Singing legend, Shirley Bassey was asked not once, not twice, but three times to perform a Bond theme, with 'Diamonds Are Forever' marking her sophomore appearance. One of John Barry's most famous compositions, the song has received lots of attention over the years for the sexually charged nature of the lyrics, with diamonds acting as an innuendo for the male sex organ. Like her previous entry, 1964's 'Goldfinger', this song is a brassy ballad with a big note at the end. However, it also features a 70s disco-style undercurrent.

What Makes it Great?

Bassey's experience shines through on this track, oscillating masterfully between big, bold choruses and smaller, subtler verses with the skill of a master vocalist. The lyrical content might not be the most sophisticated, but there's no doubt that 'Diamonds Are Forever' is a catchy tune that has rooted itself in collective memory, and can be remembered by all fans of the series who were lucky enough to watch it in theaters.

8 Nancy Sinatra - 'You Only Live Twice' (You Only Live Twice)

Accompanying the 1967 film of the same name, 'You Only Live Twice' was originally supposed to be performed by Frank Sinatra. However, old blue eyes turned it down, and instead suggested his daughter should sing it. The result is a rather haunting track with an iconic opening string section that has been sampled by various artists over the years.

What Makes it Great?

A departure from previous vocalists, Nancy Sinatra’s understated yet confident style defied the grandiose, show-stopper performances of previous artists to tackle Bond themes. Her less-is-more approach to the balance between vocals and instruments created a uniquely clear and affecting composition. Some elements like the bamboo xylophone pay homage to the film’s Japanese setting and make it all the more effective, while the opening bars ensure it is instantly recognizable. After 'Thunderball' had stuck closely to the sound of 'Goldfinger', 'You Only Lived Twice' and Nancy Sinatra demonstrated that a Bond song doesn't have to stick to a rigid formula.

7 Billie Eilish - 'No Time To Die' (No Time To Die)

Billie Eilish became the youngest artist ever to helm a Bond theme when she contributed 'No Time To Die' to the 2021 film of the same name. A collaboration with her own brother Fineas, as well as the film's composer, Hans Zimmer, the song became a UK number one single and won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy. Quieter and darker than previous entries, and containing lyrics that allude to betrayal and death, 'No Time To Die' proved to be a fitting addition to Daniel Craig's final outing as Bond.

What Makes it Great?

Some of the best Bond themes are the one that fuse the artist's own style with the classic Bond sound. 'No Time To Die' does this well, managing to serve Eilish's many fans, while also paying tribute to the legacy of the series. As a vocalist, Eilish follows the best instincts of previous performers with a soft, soulful touch that is elevated by beautiful production by her brother and Zimmer. Furthermore, a chilling guitar riff by The Smiths member Johnny Marr helps 'No Time To Die' to perfectly reflect the introspective and downtrodden tone of the film.

6 Duran Duran - 'A View To A Kill' (A View To A Kill)

Duran Duran's 1985 hit, 'A View To A Kill' is arguably the first pop song of the series. Up until this point, Bond songs had employed a range of genres, from big band, to rock, to disco, but with its electronic sound and iconic guitar riffs, the band introduced the best of 80s pop to the franchise. As a result, the song became an instant hit, reaching number 2 on the UK singles chart, and number 1 in the US, the only Bond song to have ever achieved this.

What Makes it Great?

Unlike the film it features in, 'A View To A Kill' is an exciting and explosive song with more energy than 007 at a vodka distillery. It's a very cool song that, despite being almost 40-years-old, hasn't lost its edge. With strong vocals from Simon Le Bon, who blasts out the chorus's iconic line 'dance into the fire' with everything he'sgot, catchy lyrics, and inspired production, it's the perfect accompaniment to Maurice Binder's stunning opening credits. It was a risk by the producers to mix up the formula by letting a new wave band handle the theme song, but the risk paid off, with Duran Duran's 'A View To A Kill' easily being the best thing about an otherwise disappointing film.

5 Chris Cornell - 'You Know My Name' (Casino Royale)

Bond themes serve to do many things, but one of their biggest roles is to hype the film up. These movies are high-budget, explosive spectacles for a reason, and Chris Cornell’s 'You Know My Name' served as the perfect introduction for a youthful, effective but messy new Bond played by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. The producers wanted a strong male singer who could reflect Craig's naive and brutal portrayal of the character and, with his powerful husky voice and rock background, Cornell was the ideal choice.

What Makes it Great?

'You Know My Name' is just as grand and exciting as previous Bond themes, but Cornell’s instincts for rousing a crowd and delivering punch after punch in his music made this one of the most thrilling Bond themes to hear in a theater. Like Paul McCartney's 'Live and Let Die', it is Bond meets rock, with slower, quieter verses giving way to a quick-paced and bombastic chorus. Like others on this list, Cornell effectively manages to infuse the song with his own unique style, while still allowing it to retain a distinctive element of Bond-ness. Exhilarating, gritty, and muscular, 'You Know My Name' was exactly the type of song Crag's debut film required. It's just a shame Cornell's untimely passing means we'll never get another Bond song from him again.

4 Carly Simon - 'Nobody Does It Better' (The Spy Who Loved Me)

On paper, Carly Simon's 'Nobody Does It Better' shouldn't work. An unashamedly romantic power ballad with lyrics from the perspective of a woman infatuated with James Bond himself, a jazzy melody, and a title that doesn't contain the name of the film it features in; it was a surefire miss. Yet, the song, which accompanies Roger Moore's third outing as Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me, proved to be a hit with both fans and critics, and is still considered one of the best of the bunch.

What Makes it Great?

Like so many on this list, what separates 'Nobody Does It Better' is the fact that it's not afraid to bend the rules of what makes a Bond song. Each and every reason why the track shouldn't have worked is exactly why it did. The strikingly transparent lyrics about love, obsession, and vulnerability, are refreshingly honest and raw, with the heart-on-the-sleeve approach making a nice change from John Barry's innuendo-filled musings. Equally, the jazzy tone provides something new, while also still managing to sound like a Bond theme. Additionally, Carly Simon's beautifully powerful vocals sell the emotion of the piece, and help to make this one of the most pleasant sounding themes in the franchise.

3 Paul McCartney and Wings - 'Live and Let Die' (Live and Let Die)

Two titans of British pop culture collided when a Beatle was brought in to do a Bond theme. 'Live and Let Die', the theme to the film of the same name starring Roger Moore in his first outing as 007, was a joint effort by Paul McCartney, his band Wings, his wife at the time, Linda McCartney, and legendary producer George Martin. The result is a rock song with a killer hook that was very different to any Bond song that had come before it.

What Makes it Great?

Epic, energetic, and brilliantly over-the-top, 'Live and Let Die' is a rapid-fire race through a handful of different genres, from orchestral to rock to reggae. The mishmash of styles should be jarring and, perhaps to some, it is. However, to most, the song's musical nuttiness and nonsensical lyrics are part of its charm. 'Live and Let Die' was the first Bond theme to receive an Oscar nomination, and it's not hard to see why. It's a magnificent and original track that manages to capture the danger and excitement of the Bond films, while also being one of the catchiest songs in any film full stop.

2 Shirley Bassey - 'Goldfinger' (Goldfinger)

In many ways, 'Goldfinger' is where it all started. Though it wasn't technically the first Bond theme song, it was the first one to really make an impression and establish the famous Bond sound. After the themes for Dr. No and From Russia With Love had been rather low-key affairs, the Bond producers wanted the theme for Sean Connery's third Bond film, Goldfinger to be a bigger deal. John Barry, therefore, composed the famous song with lyrics that describe the eponymous villain. To perform the song, Barry turned to Shirley Bassey who, upon recording the track's final note, almost passed out. Thankfully, it was worth it though, because Bassey went on to become heavily associated with the franchise.

What Makes it Great?

'Goldfinger' was the template for all Bond songs that came after it. Without it, none of the other songs on this list would exist, so for that alone, it is worthy of huge praise. The fact that it also happens to be a splendidly loud, brass-filled anthem with tremendously powerful vocals from Bassey makes it all the more deserving of such a high spot. Bassey and Bond go together better than the ingredients of a vodka martini, and here she displays what an amazing range and, indeed, lung capacity she has. For a long time, 'Goldfinger' was THE best Bond song, but now that crown belongs to another...

1 Adele - 'Skyfall' (Skyfall)

To paraphrase Carly Simon; nobody's done it better. In sixty-plus years of Bond music, this is the best theme song. Featuring in the film of the same name, Adele's 'Skyfall' marked a return to the classic Bond sound. While ones before had moved away from the formula, some of them so much so that they were barely recognizable as Bond songs (the less said about Madonna's 'Die Another Day' the better), 'Skyfall' embraced the bold, symphonic nature of earlier themes, such as 'Goldfinger' and 'Diamonds Are Forever', and managed to better them.

What Makes it Great?

Adele was an obvious choice for a Bond theme singer, what with her impressive vocal range and star quality. Along with her regular collaborator, Paul Epworth, she created a Bond song that was perfect for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Adele’s title song doesn’t just match the tone of the movie - it sets it, and in doing so, becomes inseparable from the experience of the movie. Slow, stylish meditations on death followed by long, pained melodies put forth the story of the returning gentleman spy in all its beautiful color. And if views are any indicator, this is one of the most listened to Bond songs of all time, currently sitting at 460,000,000 views on YouTube. This is a Bond song that will leave you shaken AND stirred.