Top Ten James Bond Openings · 12:10am Oct 29th, 2015
With Specter coming out, I have to say something. I am a HUGE James Bond fan. I've been watching him since I was six with Goldeneye as the first ever James Bond Movie I ever saw, and then from there I was hooked. The guy is THE coolest spy ever. He may not be the most bad ass, or professional like some other spies and assassins, but you cannot deny that he is an all around martini drinking, womanizing, car driving, ass kicking, gun shooting, with one of the coolest code names ever, awesome cool guy. So for the next few days or so I'm going to list my favorite James Bond stuff.
Let's start off with the top ten openings. Now the opening to a James Bond film not only has to look good, mostly with images of the theme or story and hot women in it, but also sound good. So the song has to make sense and work well. I'm not judging these by what movies they were from, just the themes themselves. So let's get started.
Number 10
"On Her Majesty's Secret Service by the John Barry Orchestra"
I know this is a strange opening considering it's not a song, not to mention it's the title of the arguably the worst James Bond movie ever. But the reason I put this on the top ten is because it's one big shoutout to the previous James Bond films. You got cool symbolism of Martini's, women, and British flag. We see the previous Bond Girls, Villains, and other such scenes in this build up to what seems to be a great big adventure for James Bond (Which sadly wasn't). The reason its the lowest on the top ten because, while its nice shoutout to the series, it's not as great as some other ones plus its not a song. Just an orchestra.
Number 9
"You Only Live Twice" By Nancy Sinatra
Not only does this start in a dramatic way (with Bond seemingly killed), but there is a very cool opening with a big Japanese theme to it. Which makes sense, the film mainly stars in Japan. We got hot Japanese women, lava from volcanoes, waves of the ocean. It sounds very mystical and mixed between feeling romantic and sad, sort of how James's life is kinda. It sounds like a dream, which James could be having since he was somewhat killed anyway. As for the song, Nancy Sinatra does a very good job with the song and has a voice that makes you relaxed and almost hypnotic. I put it this low because while it is good with some great visuals, doesn't really strike me powerful enough for a James Bond Film.
Number 8
"Goldeneye by Tina Turner"
This film starts of with a huge bang! Literally. My eyes literately explode when I first saw this opening and I was amazed by it. The coloring is amazing with the mix of gold and black and we got sickles and hammers to symbolize the Soviet Union. A major player in the movie since this was made just when the Cold War was over and it was bringing one of the oldest enemies of of James Bond back for one last adventure before we moved on to Chinese, Koreans, and Women with Stockholm Syndrome. The visuals are just breath taking and the symbolism is amazing. And we got Tina Turner doing the song! So why is this eight of all things? It's the lyrics. I'm sorry, but I cannot for the life of me remember any of these lyrics for Goldeneye and lyrics are very important for a song. Especially when its sung by Tina Turner of all people. How do you mess that up?
Number 7
Skyfall by Adele
This is by no means a bad opening. It's got a dark mood, death is a very strong theme as well as ending, the way we see James get dragged into the water after he's been shot is also nice too. It's also building up the mystery of what "Skyfall" really is and when we learn of it it makes a lot of sense why it has a somber tone. Adele does a great job singing and I love the power she puts into it. But why only just seven? Well, its not the lyrics themselves (Well maybe a bit) but it mostly has to do with the fact that this is song and opening... is just depressing. I mean, when I think a James Bond film I don't really think depressing in my mind. Sometimes a dark and somber tone is a nice thing to have in a James Bond film, but they really went overboard on this one.
Number 6
A View To Kill by Duran Duran
One of the charming things about James Bond is that it knows when to get into what's popular in its time. Like for A View To Kill, this is all glorious eighties cheese. And as a fan of the eighties I love every moment of it. Duran Duran is a great band with a great song to play with this and I can easily remember the lyrics. We also got some nice choreography with the dancers and women, especially in the skiing moments while wearing glow in the dark make up. I also like it when the woman is dancing in the fire, its so hypnotic. And I like the combination of both Fire and Ice. The reason it doesn't rank higher is because it's a bit too eighties which I'm sure you'll see when you watch the vid.
Number 5
"The Man With The Golden Gun By Lulu
This is a very awesome rock song. Really, I find it amazing most Bond movies never did more rock and roll songs. But this really hits the cake with a great tune and good visuals. We naturally see the object of the said desire, The Golden Gun, while hearing about the villain himself who very well sounds like he is the evil version of James Bond. Some can say he even IS the perfect opposite of James Bond. I love songs that talk about their villains, we already know so much about James Bond, but talking about the antagonist really sets you up for the big clash these two will have at the end. The only reason this one is lower then the next rocking opening is due to the lyrics are better as well as sound better with electric guitar.
Number 4
To be honest between, this one and The Man With The Golden Gun, I didn't know which one would be ahead. This is one of the most rocking James Bond themes ever. In fact, it's the best one of the Daniel Craig Movies. Not only are the visuals symbolic and play well with the theme of a casino and everything, with playing cards and spades as bullets. But we also have Chris Cornell with some of the best lyrics that speak about who James Bond is. At least this version of James Bond. Yeah, while James Bond has been a cold blooded killer sometimes and is an assassin with a License To Kill, this James Bond is much different. He's more cold, more serious and less funny, he's cool but more of the "don't fuck with me" cool then the usual suave cool. While that's okay and he warmed up to me, it's the classic James Bond I love so much more. So while this is on my top list, sadly this doesn't represent James Bond the best in my opinion. Still a great song though.
Number 3
"Live And Let Die By Paul McCartney and Wings
First off I didn't choose this as three because I am a Beatles fan... okay mostly. But just watch to the point where you see that woman's head on fire and then explode into a fricken skull! Holy shit! James Bond vs Voodoo bitches! Not only was it nice to see James Bond face an entire different culture that hadn't been seen on the big screen that often, but it was also very mystical in a sense. This is actually the first James Bond to have him battle a supernatural (debatable) element in his bad guys. It was very dark, very scary, yet the song is just so awesome you feel pumped up like your about to go into Mortal Kombat! There is so much wonderfulness in this opening that you cannot help but consider it one of the best openings ever.
Number 2
"Tomorrow Never Dies By Sheryl Crow"
I really really wanted to make this number one. I loved everything about this opening when I first saw it. It's fast, exciting, seductive, violent, and mysterious. All that you want is a great James Bond film. Tomorrow Never Dies in its own way actually also represents the media both was it was growing and what it has become even today. You see all the sex, guns, fast pace information and such. It does represent what media has become and it does play a role in the story. Sheryl Crow is absolutely fabulous with her high notes and the song is just awesome with drama and power. This song is just perfect... but there is one more song that is more perfect.
Number 1
"Goldfinger by Shirley Bassey"
Remember when I said that songs about the villians are awesome? Well there is no better one then Goldfinger. Not only is the music and lyrics chilling about how dangerous of a man this is, but the sight of the gold ladies who stand there with lifeless eyes makes you shiver in your spine. The music is powerful and sense of danger lies ahead, just the name Goldfinger is scary alone even though it shouldn't be. Plus, the lyrics. Oh my god you will remember these lyrics so perfectly. These are like placed in your mind from the very start and you will not forget them any time soon. They also make a great sing a long game.
Which are your top ten? Agree with my decision or not? LEt me know in the comments below.
Pretty good list, but I would've included the opening to The Spy Who Loved Me for it's wonderful song and interesting imagery. As well as For Your Eyes Only and The World Is Not Enough for the song, and what they included. The former was the first one to feature the singer appearing in person in the opening credits, and the other was the first time Bond was seen transtioning into the credits.
And Number 1 will for me is likely either Goldfinger because of Shirely Bassey's vocals and the scene displays in gold, or Goldeneye because of how well it used CGI to breath new life into the visual effects, and how well it transitioned the story from the cold war to the 1990's.
3503771
Your Eyes Only is a good song, but not really a James Bond song. And The World Is Not Enough is not a good song, but a good opening. I liked it at first, but it hasn't aged well and it sounds like she is trying to hard
3503782 Well, to each their own. I would've mentioned "All Time High" from Octopussy, but the visual effects were starting to lose their appeal at that point, and the music video for it was just the singer standing on a set piece while clips from the movie played. There's also "The Living Daylights" by A-ha!, which had good visual effects, but the best parts of the song don't get included because of the opening's short length. And I like the offical movie version slightly better than the A-ha! album version, John Barry added a lot to what would be his final title song.
aww yes James bond I may have a few years on you on this as I am 51 and I remember sitting with my father watching it in black and white on TV.
but I think you may have forgot 2 rather good them songs.
yes you do have live and let die but I found the original opening version
lets go old school for the last one or should I say the vary first one I ever watched.
One I have always liked was die another day. I like how the visuals match the idea of James being tortured and the broken way it is sung is symbolic to his mind breaking.
No "The Living Daylights"? Freaking love the song and intro.
Having recently seen the opening of spectre I would have it say I find it to be quite weak and in general one of the poorer ones.