James Bond soundtracks

2012 sees the 50th anniversary of the most enduring film franchise in cinema history.  By the golden anniversary of 1962’s Dr No, there will have been 23 James Bond adventures featuring six 007s, countless Bond villains, hundreds of beautiful Bond girls and almost two dozen of the most instantly recognisable theme songs in cinema history. [...]

After the excellent reaction to Daniel Craig’s first outing as 007 in Casino Royale, much was expected of the follow-up, Quantum of Solace.  An original story following on directly from the end of the previous instalment, the 22nd James Bond movie once again turned to an old hand to provide the soundtrack. Unlike the accelerated [...]

The James Bond franchise has seen regular changes in actors, style and direction over the years.  And, after Pierce Brosnan’s final appearance as 007 in Die Another Day, the series underwent arguably its greatest reinvention to date. Whilst being the 21st film in the series, Casino Royale took James Bond back to his roots, as [...]

Now firmly established as the James Bond franchise composer after his excellent scores for Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough, David Arnold returned for this third Bond outing on what would become Pierce Brosnan’s final appearance as 007. Initially, Arnold turned once again to lyricist Don Black with whom he had collaborated [...]

After the warm reception for his soundtrack to Tomorrow Never Dies, the producers had a relatively simple choice when deciding who to select to score the next instalment in the 007 series.  So, in September 1998, David Arnold became the first person to be invited to score a second Bond film since John Barry when [...]

After Eric Serra’s score for Goldeneye met with a less than positive response, the producers of the next instalment of the 007 series, Tomorrow Never Dies, once again had to search for a new composer.  And, thanks to a recommendation from the man whose name will forever be associated with the music for 007, an [...]

After a six year absence due to legal issues, it was once again all change for the James Bond series.  The end of the Cold War, a new Bond, a new, female M and the first Bond film not to take any story elements from Ian Fleming’s books, Goldeneye introduced 007 to a new generation. [...]

In the second part of his tribute to John Barry, Bond fan and professional musician Tim Mottershead takes an in depth look at Barry’s work for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. With Connery having filmed the first novel in the so-called Blofeld trilogy Thunderball, in 1965, the logical next step would have been to film [...]

As a tribute to the late John Barry, professional musician Tim Mottershead takes an in-depth look at John Barry’s contribution to the James Bond films.

The sixteenth Bond film was to be, in many ways, a watershed in the long running franchise.  Not only did it mark the end of Timothy Dalton’s brief tenure as 007 but it also marked the last contributions of actor Robert Brown (M), title designer Maurice Binder, producer Cubby Broccoli and director John Glen. Licence [...]