James Bond Music
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The Composers Throughout the James Bond film series, there have been numerous composers, who have put together the music for each Bond film. Here, is a bit of information about each of them : |
- Monty Norman
It is debatable who wrote the original James Bond Theme, with both Norman and John Barry claiming they wrote it. However, it first appeared in Dr No, which had it's score composed by Monty Norman. However, Monty Norman would never compose the score for a James Bond film again. This would fall to John Barry, who worked alongside him in the making of Dr No. Since Dr No, Norman has done numerous plays, and a very interesting write up on his work can be found here.
- John Barry
When talking about the music of James Bond, this man's name is instantly mentioned. From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man With The Golden Gun, Moonraker, Octopussy, A View To A Kill and The Living Daylights all had their scores written by John Barry. Barry was born in York, England in 1933, and grew up with a love of films, and music. This prompted him into a career as a film composer. In all, Barry did 11 Bond film scores, more than any other composer. All of his scores are good in a different way, with some standing above the rest. He injected an excellent diversity of music into the films, and matched the picture, with an excellent musical background. Barry has also written scores for epic movies such as Dances With Wolves, and also did the music for hit TV program The Pretenders. A true legend of the Jaes Bond films, Barry currently lives in New York. An interesting site on his work can be found here.
- George Martin
Georger Martin, who is famous for being the producer behind 'The Beatles', was asked to do the score for Live And Let Die. He did a sterling job, providing the film with a quirky score, and some memorable moments, including the excellent title track, by Paul McCartney and Wings. Martin's career is a prestigous one, with him producing songs for worldwide stars such as Elton John. An interesting, more extensive write up on his career can be found here.
- Marvin Hamlisch
Hamlisch was the man behind the score for the epic Bond blockbuster The Spy Who Loved Me. An excellent score, in the absense on Barry, Hamlisch provides the series with it's most popular song yet - 'Nobody Does It Better', sung by Carly Simon. This song earned an Oscar nomination, as did Hamlisch's score. I have had some trouble finding information on Hamlisch, so if you have any about his career etc..., please email me.
- Bill Conti
Bill Conti, born in 1942, was the man behind the For Your Eye's Only score. Conti prouded an excellent score, and another chart buster in Sheena Easton's 'For Your Eyes Only'. This song received an Oscar nomination, and was an inspired effort. Conti also wrote the score for Hollywood epic 'Rocky', and has also composed themes for TV shows such as 'Dallas', and 'Falcon Crest'.
- Michael Kamen
Kamen was asked to write the score for Licence To Kill, Timothy Dalton's second, but last Bond film. Kamen produced the goods, and wrote an excellent score for this film. The title song is one of my personal favourites (Gladys Knight - Licence To Kill), and the overall soundtrack is excellent. Kamen has had an illustrious career, and has worked with the likes of Pavarotti and Pink Floyd. Kamen has produced the scores for numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including all 4 Lethal Weapon films, Die Hard, 101 Dalmatians and many others. An extensive write up on his upbringing, and career can be found here.
- Eric Serra
The first Bond film of the 90's meant an obvious change in style. The man to implement this change was Eric Serra. However, Bond fans weren't impressed, as the soundtrack didn't really seem to fit into the Bond film feel. However, Serra did a sterling job, and is still writing scores for numerous different movies. An excellent site on the man himself can be found here.
- David Arnold
David Arnold is the new man behind the music of 007. Arnold has written the scores for both Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is Not Enough. It is highly likely he will write the score for the next Bond film. David Arnold has injected a bit of the old Barry magic, and the both scores have been excellent, accompanied by successful theme tunes. Amongst Arnold's other work are the epic Hollywood blockbusters Stargate and Independence Day. More information on Arnold can be found here.
Lyrics of each James Bond film title song :
Dr No ( Instrumental )
From Russia With Love by MATT MUNRO
From the Movie - FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
From Russia with love, I fly to you, Much wiser since my goodbye to you, I've traveled the world to learn, I must return from Russia with love.
I've seen places, faces, and smiled for a moment, But oh, you haunted me so. Still my tongue tied, young pride Would not let my love for you show In case you'd say no.
To Russia I flew, but there and then I suddenly knew you'd care again My running around is through, I fly to you from Russia with love
Goldfinger by SHIRLEY BASSEY
From the Movie - GOLDFINGER
Goldfinger He's the man, the man with the midas touch A spider's touch, Such a cold finger Beckons you to enter his web of sin, But don't go in
Golden words he will pour in your ear, But his lies can't disguise what you fear, For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her, It's the kiss of death from
Mister Goldfinger. Pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold This heart is cold
Golden words he will pour in your ear, But his lies can't disguise what you fear, For a golden girl knows when he's kissed her, It's the kiss of death from
Mister Goldfinger Pretty girl, beware of this heart of gold This heart is cold
He loves only gold
Only gold
He loves gold
Thunderball by TOM JONES
From the Movie - THUNDERBALL
He always runs while others walk He acts while other men just talk He looks at this world, and wants it all, So he strikes, like Thunderball
He knows the meaning of success His needs are more, so he gives less They call him the winner who takes all And he strikes, like Thunderball
Any woman he wants, he'll get He will break any heart without regret His days of asking are all gone His fight goes on and on and on
But he thinks that the fight is worth it all So he strikes like Thunderball
You Only Live Twice by NANCY SINATRA
From the Movie - YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
You only live twice, or so it seems, One life for yourself, and one for your dreams You drift through the years and life seems tame, Till one dream appears and love is its name
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on, Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone This dream is for you, so pay the price, Make one dream come true, you only live twice
And love is a stranger who'll beckon you on Don't think of the danger or the stranger is gone This dream is for you, so pay the price Make one dream come true, you only live twice
We Have All The Time In The World by LOUIS ARMSTRONG
From the Movie - ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
We have all the time in the world Time enough for life to unfold All the precious things love has in store We have all the love in the world If that's all we have, you will find We need nothing more
Every step of the way will find us With the cares of the world far behind us
We have all the time in the world, Just for love, Nothing more, nothing less, Only love
Every step of the way will find us With the cares of the world far behind us
We have all the time in the world Just for love, Nothing more, nothing less, Only love
Diamonds Are Forever by SHIRLEY BASSEY
From the Movie - DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
Diamonds are forever, They are all I need to please me, They can stimulate and tease me, They won't leave in the night, I've no fear that they might desert me
Diamonds are forever, Hold one up and then caress it, Touch it, stroke it and undress it, I can see every part, Nothing hides in the heart to hurt me.
I don't need love, For what good will love do me? Diamonds never lie to me, For when love's gone, They'll lustre on
Diamonds are forever, Sparkling round my little finger
Unlike men, the diamonds linger Men are mere mortals who Are not worth going to your grave for
I don't need love, For what good will love do me? Diamonds never lie to me For when love's gone They'll lustre on
Diamonds are forever, forever, forever Diamonds are forever, forever, forever Forever and ever
Live And Let Die by PAUL McCARTNEY AND WINGS
From the Movie - LIVE AND LET DIE
When you were young and your heart was an open book, You used to say live and let live, (You know you did, you know you did, you know you did) But if this ever changing world in which we live in Makes you give in and cry,
Say live and let die! Live and let die, Live and let die, Live and let die.
What does it matter to ya, When you've got a job to do you gotta do it well, You gotta give the other fellow hell!
You used to say live and let live, (You know you did, you know you did, you know you did) But if this ever changing world in which we live in Makes you give in and cry,
Say live and let die! Live and let die, Live and let die, Live and let die.
The Man With The Golden Gun by LULU
From the Movie - THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
He has a powerful weapon, He charges a million a shot An assassin that's second to none, The man with the golden gun
Lurking in some darkened doorway, Or crouched on a rooftop somewhere, In the next room, or this very one, The man with the golden gun.
Love is required, whenever he's hired, It comes just before the kill No one can catch him, no hitman can match him For his million dollar skill
One golden shot means another poor victim Has come to a glittering end For a price he'll erase anyone, The man with the golden gun
His eye may be on you or me, Who will he bang? We shall see.
Love is required whenever he's hired It comes just before the kill No one can catch him, no hitman can match him For his million dollar skill
One golden shot means another poor victim Has come to a glittering end If you want to get rid of someone The man with the golden gun Will get it done He'll shoot anyone With his golden gun.
Nobody Does It Better by CARLY SIMON
From the Movie - THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
Nobody does it better Makes me feel sad for the rest Nobody does it half as good as you Baby, you're the best I wasn't looking but somehow you found me I tried to hide from your love light But like heaven above me the spy who loved me Is keepin' all my secrets safe tonight
And nobody does it better Though sometimes I wish someone could Nobody does it quite the way you do Why'd you have to be so good?
The way that you hold me, whenever you hold me There's some kind of magic inside you That keeps me from runnin' but just keep it comin' How'd you learn to do the things you do?
And nobody does it better Makes me feel sad for the rest Nobody does it half as good as you Baby, baby, darlin' you're the best
Baby you're the best
Baby you're the best
Baby you're the best
Darlin' you're the best
Darlin' you're the best
Baby you're the best
Baby you're the best
Moonraker by SHIRLEY BASSEY
From the Movie - MOONRAKER
Where are you? Why do you hide? Where is that moonlight trail that leads to your side? Just like the Moonraker goes in search of his dream of gold, I search for love, for someone to have and hold,
I've seen your smile in a thousand dreams, Felt your touch and it always seems You love me, You love me.
Where are you? When will we meet? Take my unfinished life and make it complete Just like the Moonraker knows his dream will come true someday I know that you are only a kiss away
I've seen your smile in a thousand dreams, Felt your touch and it always seems You love me, You love me.
For Your Eyes Only by SHEENA EASTON
From the Movie - FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
For your eyes only, can see me through the night. For your eyes only, I never need to hide. You can see so much in me, so much in me that's new. I never felt until I looked at you. For your eyes only, only for you.
You'll see what no one else can see, and now I'm breaking free. For your eyes only, only for you. The love I know you need in me, the fantasy you've freed in me. Only for you, only for you.
For your eyes only, the nights are never cold. You really know me, that's all I need to know. Maybe I'm an open book because I know you're mine, But you won't need to read between the lines.
For your eyes only, only for you. You see what no one else can see, and now I'm breaking free. For your eyes only, only for you. The passions that collide in me, the wild, abandoned side of me. Only for you, for your eyes only.
All Time High by RITA COOLIDGE
From the Movie - OCTOPUSSY
All I wanted was a sweet distraction for an hour or two. Had no intention to do the things we've done. Funny how it always goes with love, when you don't look, you find. But then we're two of a kind, we move as one.
We're an all time high, We'll change all that's gone before. Doing so much more than falling in love. On an all time high, We'll take on the world that way. So hold on tight, let the flight begin.
I don't want to waste a waking moment I don't want to sleep. I'm in so strong and so deep, and so are you. In my time i've said these words before, but now I realize My heart was telling me lies, for you they're true.
We're an all time high, We'll change all that's gone before. Doing so much more than falling in love. On an all time high, We'll take on the world that way So hold on tight, let the flight begin. So hold on tight, let the flight begin, We're an all time high.
A View To A Kill by DURAN DURAN
From the Movie - A VIEW TO A KILL
Meeting you with a view to a kill Face to faces in secret places; feel the chill Nightfall covers me But you know the plans I'm making Still overseas Could it be the whole earth opening wide A sacred why? A mystery caping inside The weekends; why? Until we...
Dance into the fire That fatal kiss is all we need Dance into the fire To fatal sounds of broken dreams Dance into the fire< That fatal kiss is all we need Dance into the fire
The choice for you is the view to a kill Between the shades,it's assassination standing still The first crystal tears Fall as snowflakes on your body First time in years To drench your skin with lover's rosy stain A chance to find a phoenix for the flame A chance to die but can we
Dance into the fire That fatal kiss is all we need Dance into the fire To fatal sounds of broken dreams Dance into the fire That fatal kiss is all we need Dance into the fire When all we see is a view to a kill
The Living Daylights by A-HA
From the Movie - THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS
Hey driver where we going? I swear, my nerves are showing Set my hopes up way too high The living's in the way we die
Comes the morning and the headlights fade in rain Hundred thousand people, I'm the one they frame I've been waiting long for one of us to say To save the darkness and let it never fade away
In the living daylights
In the living daylights (the living daylights)
Alright hold on tighter now It's down, down to the wire Set your hopes up way too high The living's in the way we die
Comes the morning and the headlights fade in rain Hundred thousand changes, everything's the same I've been waiting long for one of us to say Save the darkness and let it never fade away.
In the living daylights
In the living daylights (the living daylights)
In the living daylights (the living daylights)
Comes the morning and the headlights fade away Hundred thousand people, I'm the one they frame
In the living daylights
In the living daylights (the living daylights)
Licence To Kill by GLADYS KNIGHT
From the Movie - LICENCE TO KILL
Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away. Oh, baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to stay? Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me Once I get my sights on you,
Got a licence to kill And you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a licence to kill) Got a licence to kill Anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a licence to kill) Licence to kill.
Hey baby, think you need a friend to stand here by your side? Yes you do (your side). Oh baby, now you can depend on me to make things right (things right) Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me Once I get my sights on you,
Got a licence to kill And you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a licence to kill) Got a licence to kill Anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a licence to kill)
Say that somebody tries to make a move on you In the blink of an eye, I'll be there too. And they better know why I'm gonna make them pay
Till their dying day
Till their dying day
Till their dying day
Got a licence to kill And you know I'm going straight for your heart.
(Got a licence to kill)
Got a licence to kill Anyone who tries to tear us apart.
(Got a licence to kill)
Goldeneye by TINA TURNER
From the Movie - GOLDEN EYE
See reflections on the water, More than darkness in the depths, See him surface but never a shadow, On the wind I feel his breath.
Goldeneye, I've found his weakness, Goldeneye, you'll do what I please. Goldeneye, no time for sweetness. But a bitter kiss will bring him to his knees.
You'll never know how I watched you from the shadows as a child, You'll never know how it feels to be the one who's left behind, You'll never know the days, the nights, the tears, the tears i've cried, But now my time has come, And time, time is not on your side.
See him move through smoke and mirrors, Feel his presence in the crowd. Other girls they gather round him, If I had him I wouldn't let him out.
Goldeneye, not lace or leather, Golden chains take him to the spot, Goldeneye, I'll show him forever, It'll take forever to see what I got,
You'll never know how I watched you from the shadows as a child, You'll never know how it feels to get so close and be denied, It's a gold and honey trap I've got for you tonight Revenge, it's a kiss, This time I won't miss, Now I've got you in my sights...
With a Goldeneye.
Golden, Goldeneye.
Goldeneye!
Tomorrow Never Dies by SHERYL CROW
From the movie TOMORROW NEVER DIES
Darling, I'm killed. I'm in a puddle on the floor Waiting for you to return. Oh, what a thrill... Fascinations galore; How you tease, how you leave me to burn.
It's so deadly, my dear, The power of having you near.
Until that day, Until the world goes away, Until you say there'll be no more good-bye's. See it in your eyes: Tomorrow never dies.
Darling you've won, it's no fun. Martini's, girls and guns, It's murder on our love affair. It's you, it's your life every night While your chasing the morning light. You're not the only star out there.
It's so deadly, my dear, The power of wanting you near.
Until that day, Until the world goes away, Until you say there'll be no more good-bye's. See it in your eyes: Tomorrow never dies.
Until that day, Until the world goes away, Until you say there'll be no more good-bye's. See it in your eyes. Until that day, Until that day, Until that day.
The World Is Not Enough by GARBAGE
From the movie THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
I know how to hurt I know how to kill I know what to show And what to conceal I know when to talk And I know when to touch No one ever died from wanting too much
The world is not enough But it is such a perfect place to start, my love And if you're strong enough Together we can take the world apart, my love
People like us Know how to survive There's no point in living If you can't feel the life We know when to kiss And we know when to kill If we can't have it all Then nobody will
I... I feel sick I... I feel scared I... I feel ready And yet unprepared
The world is not enough The world is not enough
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