Other than his recognizable charm and endless womanizing antics, James Bond films have another trait that remains memorable from film to film: the music. The opening credits have been performed by a variety of artists over the years (some more successful than others) and always remain the undeniable stamp that sets up each film.
Read on for the Top 7 Bond opening credit songs.
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![The film: "Goldfinger" (1964)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: Performed by Shirley BasseyWhy we love it: Shirley Bassey remains the best Bond theme voices of all time. Her sultry sound remained a figure to live up to and model after for most themes after her introduction into the franchise. What sets "Goldfinger" apart is the fact that it starts with the reprisal of the original Bond theme and merges seamlessly into the theme song. It is a fantastic setup for the film.Best lyrics: "It's the kiss of death from Mister Goldfinger/Pretty girl beware of his heart of gold/This heart is cold""Goldfinger" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/50/f6/1362414518_5342_goldfinger.jpg?itok=b-frcRIP "The film: "Goldfinger" (1964)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: Performed by Shirley BasseyWhy we love it: Shirley Bassey remains the best Bond theme voices of all time. Her sultry sound remained a figure to live up to and model after for most themes after her introduction into the franchise. What sets "Goldfinger" apart is the fact that it starts with the reprisal of the original Bond theme and merges seamlessly into the theme song. It is a fantastic setup for the film.Best lyrics: "It's the kiss of death from Mister Goldfinger/Pretty girl beware of his heart of gold/This heart is cold""Goldfinger" theme")
![Film: "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997)The Bond: Pierce BrosnanThe music: Performed by Sheryl CrowWhy we love it: You mean, besides Sheryl Crow singing something other than country and rocking at it? How about the fact that she is the only woman to have written a Bond theme. Sure, she co-wrote it with a man, but that's beside the point. The sultry goodness of this tune mixed with her voice adds a mysteriously haunting sound to this theme that is probably the only memorable thing about this film.Best lyrics: "But you bet your life every night/While you're chasing them on the knife/You're not the only spy out there""Tomorrow Never Dies" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/a0/03/a003d09cab22ec99f476b7e8fa925892.jpg?itok=8fp3AzbB "Film: "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997)The Bond: Pierce BrosnanThe music: Performed by Sheryl CrowWhy we love it: You mean, besides Sheryl Crow singing something other than country and rocking at it? How about the fact that she is the only woman to have written a Bond theme. Sure, she co-wrote it with a man, but that's beside the point. The sultry goodness of this tune mixed with her voice adds a mysteriously haunting sound to this theme that is probably the only memorable thing about this film.Best lyrics: "But you bet your life every night/While you're chasing them on the knife/You're not the only spy out there""Tomorrow Never Dies" theme")
![Film: "From Russia With Love" (1963)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: composed by John Barry, Lionel Bart, and Monty NormanWhy we love it: This is actually the only Bond song that doesn't play over the opening credits of the film. It's also one of the few that doesn't boast a vocal performance. Despite this, it still has a cinematic element that defines the Bond era and, even more importantly, the Sean Connery era."From Russia With Love" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/ad/b6/adb682cab04b78f005195456200d889d.jpg?itok=OjEdo8LV "Film: "From Russia With Love" (1963)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: composed by John Barry, Lionel Bart, and Monty NormanWhy we love it: This is actually the only Bond song that doesn't play over the opening credits of the film. It's also one of the few that doesn't boast a vocal performance. Despite this, it still has a cinematic element that defines the Bond era and, even more importantly, the Sean Connery era."From Russia With Love" theme")
![Film: "From Russia With Love" (1963)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: composed by John Barry, Lionel Bart, and Monty NormanWhy we love it: This is actually the only Bond song that doesn't play over the opening credits of the film. It's also one of the few that doesn't boast a vocal performance. Despite this, it still has a cinematic element that defines the Bond era and, even more importantly, the Sean Connery era."From Russia With Love" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/12/0d/120d43aeb3e759911fd9d6180dba42d7.jpg?itok=1unRBDE3 "Film: "From Russia With Love" (1963)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: composed by John Barry, Lionel Bart, and Monty NormanWhy we love it: This is actually the only Bond song that doesn't play over the opening credits of the film. It's also one of the few that doesn't boast a vocal performance. Despite this, it still has a cinematic element that defines the Bond era and, even more importantly, the Sean Connery era."From Russia With Love" theme")
![Film: "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997)The Bond: Pierce BrosnanThe music: Performed by Sheryl CrowWhy we love it: You mean, besides Sheryl Crow singing something other than country and rocking at it? How about the fact that she is the only woman to have written a Bond theme. Sure, she co-wrote it with a man, but that's beside the point. The sultry goodness of this tune mixed with her voice adds a mysteriously haunting sound to this theme that is probably the only memorable thing about this film.Best lyrics: "But you bet your life every night/While you're chasing them on the knife/You're not the only spy out there""Tomorrow Never Dies" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/06/22/0622cfd7fc3c0e1173d0d1c6936544ee.jpg?itok=Vgy4-1g9 "Film: "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997)The Bond: Pierce BrosnanThe music: Performed by Sheryl CrowWhy we love it: You mean, besides Sheryl Crow singing something other than country and rocking at it? How about the fact that she is the only woman to have written a Bond theme. Sure, she co-wrote it with a man, but that's beside the point. The sultry goodness of this tune mixed with her voice adds a mysteriously haunting sound to this theme that is probably the only memorable thing about this film.Best lyrics: "But you bet your life every night/While you're chasing them on the knife/You're not the only spy out there""Tomorrow Never Dies" theme")
![The film: "Goldfinger" (1964)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: Performed by Shirley BasseyWhy we love it: Shirley Bassey remains the best Bond theme voices of all time. Her sultry sound remained a figure to live up to and model after for most themes after her introduction into the franchise. What sets "Goldfinger" apart is the fact that it starts with the reprisal of the original Bond theme and merges seamlessly into the theme song. It is a fantastic setup for the film.Best lyrics: "It's the kiss of death from Mister Goldfinger/Pretty girl beware of his heart of gold/This heart is cold""Goldfinger" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/50/f6/1362414518_5342_goldfinger.jpg?itok=fi0Ceoq9 "The film: "Goldfinger" (1964)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: Performed by Shirley BasseyWhy we love it: Shirley Bassey remains the best Bond theme voices of all time. Her sultry sound remained a figure to live up to and model after for most themes after her introduction into the franchise. What sets "Goldfinger" apart is the fact that it starts with the reprisal of the original Bond theme and merges seamlessly into the theme song. It is a fantastic setup for the film.Best lyrics: "It's the kiss of death from Mister Goldfinger/Pretty girl beware of his heart of gold/This heart is cold""Goldfinger" theme")
![The film: "Casino Royale" (2006)The Bond: Daniel CraigThe music: Performed by Chris CornellWhy we love it: When Bond announced plans to make a return, I'm sure the composers looked at each other and felt a large amount of pressure to create a Bond theme that was not only faithful to the franchise, but fresh, new and original. They hit a homerun with "You Know My Name," performed by Chris Cornell. It opens with a rockier, edgier version of the main title before merging into the up-tempo theme.Best lyrics: "I've seen diamonds cut through harder men/Than yourself/But if you must pretend/You may meet your end""Casino Royale" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/d5/a9/d5a969702b60778722e0e8c6e95ab2cf.jpg?itok=mHqGIR8Z "The film: "Casino Royale" (2006)The Bond: Daniel CraigThe music: Performed by Chris CornellWhy we love it: When Bond announced plans to make a return, I'm sure the composers looked at each other and felt a large amount of pressure to create a Bond theme that was not only faithful to the franchise, but fresh, new and original. They hit a homerun with "You Know My Name," performed by Chris Cornell. It opens with a rockier, edgier version of the main title before merging into the up-tempo theme.Best lyrics: "I've seen diamonds cut through harder men/Than yourself/But if you must pretend/You may meet your end""Casino Royale" theme")
![The film: "Thunderball" (1965)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: This song definitely went through its share of changes. It was originally recorded with the title "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" with Shirley Bassey as the vocalists, and later with Dionne Warwick (both of those recordings were released in the 1990s). When neither theme worked, John Barry wrote "Thunderball" in a hurry and quickly picked up Tom Jones as the vocalist. The most memorable thing about this tune (besides Tom Jones' sultry crooning) is the jazzy overture that ends in a beautiful, long note by Jones. Fun fact: Jones fainted in the recording booth after holding out that note. "I closed my eyes and I held the note for so long when I opened my eyes the room was spinning."Best lyrics: "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""Thunderball" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/33/f3/1362414518_4646_thunderball.jpg?itok=CJyGGxGj "The film: "Thunderball" (1965)The Bond: Sean ConneryThe music: This song definitely went through its share of changes. It was originally recorded with the title "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" with Shirley Bassey as the vocalists, and later with Dionne Warwick (both of those recordings were released in the 1990s). When neither theme worked, John Barry wrote "Thunderball" in a hurry and quickly picked up Tom Jones as the vocalist. The most memorable thing about this tune (besides Tom Jones' sultry crooning) is the jazzy overture that ends in a beautiful, long note by Jones. Fun fact: Jones fainted in the recording booth after holding out that note. "I closed my eyes and I held the note for so long when I opened my eyes the room was spinning."Best lyrics: "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""Thunderball" theme")
![The film: "GoldenEye" (1995)The Bond: Pierce BrosnanThe music: Performed by Tina TurnerWhy we love it: When Tina Turner was offered the opportunity to sing the new Bond theme to introduce Pierce Brosnan as the '90s James Bond, Bono and The Edge (of U2) jumped all over the opportunity to write the tune specifically for Turner. It merges motifs from the original themes, the sultriness of Turner's voice, and a modern rock/R&B feel to the theme. It remains one of Turner's highest-charting singles and one of the Bond franchise's most memorable themes.Best lyrics: "See him move through smoke and mirrors/Feel his presence in the crowd/Other girls they gather around him/If I had him I wouldn't let him out""GoldenEye" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/35/8f/1362414518_8632_goldeneye.jpg?itok=Mj8LXTuj "The film: "GoldenEye" (1995)The Bond: Pierce BrosnanThe music: Performed by Tina TurnerWhy we love it: When Tina Turner was offered the opportunity to sing the new Bond theme to introduce Pierce Brosnan as the '90s James Bond, Bono and The Edge (of U2) jumped all over the opportunity to write the tune specifically for Turner. It merges motifs from the original themes, the sultriness of Turner's voice, and a modern rock/R&B feel to the theme. It remains one of Turner's highest-charting singles and one of the Bond franchise's most memorable themes.Best lyrics: "See him move through smoke and mirrors/Feel his presence in the crowd/Other girls they gather around him/If I had him I wouldn't let him out""GoldenEye" theme")
![The film: "Skyfall" (2012)The Bond: Daniel CraigThe music: Performed by AdeleWhy we love it: This song, written and performed by Adele, was the first Bond theme to win the Academy Award for Best Song since 1982's "For Your Eyes Only." The track is beautifully orchestrated and not only stands apart in its originality but boasts motifs that pay homage to the original theme. It's expressive, lyrical, and everything that encompasses the film as well as the franchise.Best lyrics: "You may have my number/You can take my name/But you'll never have my heart""Skyfall" theme](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/f5/d3/1362414538_1974_Skyfall.jpg?itok=B_RtyKJs "The film: "Skyfall" (2012)The Bond: Daniel CraigThe music: Performed by AdeleWhy we love it: This song, written and performed by Adele, was the first Bond theme to win the Academy Award for Best Song since 1982's "For Your Eyes Only." The track is beautifully orchestrated and not only stands apart in its originality but boasts motifs that pay homage to the original theme. It's expressive, lyrical, and everything that encompasses the film as well as the franchise.Best lyrics: "You may have my number/You can take my name/But you'll never have my heart""Skyfall" theme")
![What do you think? Were there tunes that should've made this list? Were there tunes that weren't worthy to make the Top 7?Stay tuned for more "Best Of" lists.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/19/e9/19e92e2affad392dc1243059ca506761.jpg?itok=PBLzbg0M "What do you think? Were there tunes that should've made this list? Were there tunes that weren't worthy to make the Top 7?Stay tuned for more "Best Of" lists.")
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