Composed by Monty Norman and arranged by John Barry, the iconic Bond theme is one of the most recognisable pieces of classical music. Evolving with each era, but staying true to its roots, this piece has stood the test of time.

The film series is peppered with classics, but it’s the opening credit song — which changes with every movie — that strikes a chord with audiences and has inspired concerts around the world (like this one coming up in Perth). These songs set the tone of the entire film from the very beginning. Sometimes, the song is released long before the movie, hinting at the viewing experience ahead.

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“The opening title songs have become truly memorable set pieces and give a real lift to the opening of Bond films,” Hollywood-based British film composer David Buckley told BBC. “Our expectations are for something big, seductive and classy. Monty Norman, John Barry and later David Arnold and Thomas Newman, along with a plethora of legendary singers, have established a musical language that is unmistakably Bond.”

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Every opening credit song, except two, made it into the US Music Charts Top 100. But, numbers aren’t everything — despite being two of the most memorable songs in Bond theme history, Diamonds Are Forever and Goldfinger (by Shirley Bassey) didn’t even make the Top 10. On the other hand, Madonna’s Die Another Day came in at number 3 and stayed in the Top 100 for 17 weeks, even though it’s considered average by many. Although there have been some misses, overall, opening songs are put on repeat and enjoyed for years after the film’s production.

So, why are we so obsessed with almost every opening Bond track?

1. Big names

It’s become an honour to be chosen for a Bond song, and according to University of Huddersfield music lecturer Catherine Haworth, “a chance to be part of a cultural phenomenon”. It’s no mistake that film producers pick big names and big voices. Over more than 60 years, the movies have seen Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, Madonna, Adele, Sam Smith, and many more. The soon-to-be-released film No Time To Die  features Billie Eilish as the opening track — one of the most celebrated names in modern-day music.

By strategically selecting adored (and let’s not forget, extremely talented) artists, the music is well-positioned for success, purely based on reputation. It gives the movie a publicity and marketing boost. Plus, even if someone isn’t a Bond fan, they’ll likely still listen to the track because they appreciate the artist.

2. Musical genius

The challenge for composers, music producers, and artists, is to capture the individually of the film in question, whilst still reflecting the franchise as a whole. They have to set the scene for the action ahead, and stay true to the magic of the Bond history. That’s no easy feat…

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“I don’t think there’s a formula”, says cultural critic and Bond music enthusiast Scott Meslow, “but I think there are a few things that work. You should aim for a measure of timelessness, without being afraid to embrace the musical trends of your era. And you should forge your own trail; trying to replicate what other artists have done has never really worked.” 

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A flick through the Bond music archives shows us that the film’s greatest hits have something in common — even when they’re a completely different genre. Somehow, they’re effortlessly classic, but still capture the contemporary world of the film. This kind of musical genius is something we all appreciate, even if we aren’t consciously aware that we’re appreciating it!

3. Emotionally-captivating

Old or new, our favourite Bond songs evoke an emotional response — that’s why we love them. They utilise masterful, dramatic orchestral scores that capture our attention, and hold it. Whether it’s Paul McCartney’s upbeat melody in Live and Let Die, Adele’s soulful voice in Skyfall, or Shirley Bassey’s bold and brassy Goldfinger, the music is experiential. Because they conjure an emotional response — whether it’s elation, sorrow, reflection, or something in-between, we play them again and again. Why? We’re human, and we just love to feel.



Hear for yourself

To celebrate the new Bond film, Illuminated Classics is proud to present a limited time musical experience — Bond Classics. Landing at the Perth Town Hall for two evenings only, this exclusive classical music isn’t just reserved for Bond fanatics. Learn more here!