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James Bond Theme Song Covers

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Because Everybody Wants to Be James Bond

Perhaps the best measure of how cool a character has become is how many different bands play your theme song. From the release of the first 007 movie, Dr. No, in 1962 the James Bond theme has captured the imaginations of musicians in every genre and era. Its reminder of the smooth and skillful spy has been renewed in every generation since.

For nearly fifty years, the suave James Bond theme has accompanied the actors playing the role, regardless of the relative success of each movie. While much debate (and court action) has revolved around whether Monty Norman wrote the original version of the song, John Barry's various arrangements of the James Bond theme accompany the super-spy in most of the first twenty-five years' worth of 007 films, each tailored to the theme and setting of the story.

Watch Videos of the James Bond Theme Song

The first video offers the rather wacky opening credits of Dr. No, while the second includes a bonus debate in the comments on who made the best Bond. All of these versions of the James Bond Theme keep the essential melody that makes the song so recognizable, regardless of the musical liberties that soloists take in their portions of the cover.
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Who Else Has Covered the James Bond Theme?

Find More Examples Here

While I wouldn't quite list The James Bond Theme as a standard, it has become one of the most instantly-recognizable songs in the US. Because the wiles and wit of 007 have caught the imagination of countless musicians (and their listeners), his theme song lures them to try making their own version. As you can see from the guitar tutorials below, some folks are more successful than others.

Count Basie and his orchestra recorded an entire album of James Bond Music, including a fabulous, brassy version of the James Bond Theme. Sadly, I couldn't find a video but you can listen to it and another 164 covers at Rhapsody.com for free. Among them, you'll find some great orchestral recordings and wackier gems like the electronica band Kraftwelt. You can also enjoy the tracks from John Barry, Brian Setzer, and Moby as included above.

James Bond - Sean Connery

Buy at AllPosters.com

Learn to Play the James Bond Theme Yourself

Try These Guitar Tutorials and Examples

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My Favorite Album of James Bond Songs

The James Bond Theme and So Much More

I'm a purist, so my favorite version of The James Bond Theme remains the original John Barry arrangement from Dr. No. The blaring of the horns is so well done in his version that most others area a pale imitation when it comes time for the big flourish.
Best of Bond James Bond

Best of Bond James Bond

Amazon Price: $5.59 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

This album contains John Barry's version as well as the Moby cover from Tomorrow Never Dies and the Parodi and Fair arrangement from Goldeneye. You also get theme songs from the likes of Louis Armstrong, Nancy Sinatra, Tina Turner, Duran Duran, and three from the incomparable Shirley Bassey.

Which James Bond Is Your Favorite

Who Fits the James Bond Theme Best?

Sean ConneryThe perfect actor to play James Bond has been a hotly contested issue for decades. Everyone seems to have a favorite, someone who best embodies the debonair and dashing James Bond Theme song. Share your vote for the best 007 ever. (I haven't included David Niven or Barry Nelson, as the spoof and television adaptations of Casino Royale don't really count, to me. You're more than welcome to post a dissenting opinion in the guest book at the bottom of the page, though.)

For the moment, Pierce Brosnan is winning this contest. Make your vote count and let me know in the comments below if a particular movie influenced your choice.

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Sample Dozens of James Bond Theme Songs

If You Just Can't Get Enough Bond

The distinctive James Bond theme song has been picked up and covered by artists in almost every genre. Here you can sample (and buy) versions from across the music world as well as the enjoying the original John Barry arrangement and others from the various 007 movies of the past forty-plus years.

Do You Love the James Bond Theme, Too?

Tell Me Your Favorite Memories of the Song

James Bond: Aston Martin
My children love James Bond, although we skip through the racier scenes. They often play the James Bond Theme and dodge around corners and sneak up on imaginary spies in our house and yard or keep a suspicious eye out for tails when we're in the car. We have half a dozen cover versions so that mom and dad don't get tired of hearing exactly the same song over and over while they play.

What from the 007 movies in general or about the James Bond Theme in particular fires your imagination?

  • Shadrosky May 28, 2012 @ 11:41 pm | delete
    Some of the most iconic music in cinema history. Well done!
  • cmoneyspinner Apr 14, 2012 @ 4:03 pm | delete
    As Leonard Nimoy is "the real Doctor Spock" per Angelina Jolie, so is Sean Connery, "the real James Bond" per me.
  • christopherwell Sep 22, 2011 @ 6:10 pm | delete
    Hello! Great idea for a lens. (And I *love* all the collage of classic movie posters!)

    I featured your lens at Guide To James Bond Songs -- please come visit!
  • Bond Obsessive May 8, 2011 @ 6:15 pm | delete
    oh yeah - these this lot of theme covers too:

    http://www.groovescooter.com/catalogue/refashioned007.html
  • Brandon_G Apr 3, 2011 @ 9:05 am | delete
    Great lens. Gotta love the theme songs. "View To A Kill" is my favorite.
  • KarateKatGraphics Feb 14, 2011 @ 12:16 pm | delete
    love the guitar tutorial! blessed :)
  • bwfree May 18, 2010 @ 6:12 pm | delete
    my favorite bond is Sean Conorery and if you like james bond you can come to my lense at http//:www.sqiudoo.com/jamesbondlense and and see from russia with love the game plus you can buy the game too
  • kimmanleyort Oct 5, 2009 @ 2:25 pm | delete
    This is great, Steve. So many to choose from.
  • Z_117A09 Sep 21, 2009 @ 1:45 pm | delete
    the origonal will allways be the best no matter hwo old it gets!!!
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It's all about music - my song recommendations blog, cover songs, lyrics, and artist profiles. I also write about jazz and blues standards and include... more »

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