‘The Sound Of 007’ Deep Dives Into The Music Of James Bond Scores And Theme Songs

Along with Chuck Berry’s intro to “Johnny B. Goode” and the opening chords of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the distinctive “dum di-di dum dum” of Monty Norman’s “James Bond Theme” ranks as one of the most famous guitar licks of all time. It is one of many unforgettable musical moments in the history of the 60-year-old film franchise which charts the adventures of the suave British secret agent. The new Prime Video documentary The Sound Of 007 explores the history of the movies and their iconic scores. 

Debuting in the 1953 spy novel Casino Royale, penned by former British Naval Intelligence officer Ian Fleming, James Bond made the move to the big screen with 1962’s Dr. No. It was the first of 27 films with Agent 007 being played by seven different actors, most recently Daniel Craig. From the start, music would play a central role in the films, both the scoring, which includes some of the most famous musical motifs in cinema, and the various theme songs which often became hits in their own right. Starting with Paul McCartney’s “Live and Live and Let Die” in 1973 and up to Billie Eilish’s “No Time To Die” in 2021, pop superstars have been recruited to create and perform the title songs, adding to the buzz around each new installment. 

Though Norman received the writing credit for the “James Bond Theme,” the guitar part being played by English session great Vic Flick, British composer and conductor John Barry is responsible for much of the sound of 007. The dramatic horn stabs, the mix of classical, jazz and rock flavorings and what DJ and producer LTJ Bukem calls their “melancholic reflective side,” all came from the score sheets of the straight talking Yorkshireman. Known for his candor and hard-nosed work ethic, Duran Duran’s John Taylor says, “He was a dick but he was an amazing guy.” For the record, he didn’t seem terribly impressed with Duran Duran either.  

James Bond arrived in movie theaters around the same time the Beatles began to storm the pop charts. Though the films were American productions, the Bond character embodied the new British cool of the 1960s. Like the British Invasion bands, he was quick witted, well dressed. Even a bit dangerous. Though part of 007’s oeuvre remains firmly planted in this past, music enabled the franchise to remain current, whether it be the rock and disco accents of the ‘70s soundtracks or the EDM influences of David Arnold’s more recent scores.  

Bond’s movie theme songs carry a heavy load. As British film critic Jason Solomons sums it up, “There’s sex, there’s death, there’s duty, there’s sacrifice, there’s a kiss, there’s a murder and it’s all got to be in a 3 1/2 minute pop song that intones the name of the film.” At the same time, lyricist Don Black, who looks like Austin Powers in old age and co-wrote several Bond themes, says there’s no rule book to writing them. Some are based on the title, some the plot, others a mood. Thankfully, no one ever wrote a song called Octopussy. 

In 1973, seeking a fresh start, Bond’s producers recruited a new 007 in Roger Moore and asked Paul McCartney to write the theme song for a new chapter. They didn’t actually want him to sing it, however, producer George Martin later having to tell film producer Harry Saltzman, “If he didn’t take Paul, he wouldn’t get the song.” It’s one of many fascinating behind the scenes tidbits we learn over the course of the documentary. Also incredible is the list of musicians who wrote songs for the franchise that were never used, including Alice Cooper, Blondie, and Radiohead. Most tragically, Amy Winehouse was originally intended to take part in the Quantum of Solace soundtrack but was unable to due to her ongoing health struggles.  

Given the commercial expectations and fanbase of the Bond franchise, not every musical move has been well received. Replacing Winehouse, Jack White and Alicia Keys’ “Another Way To Die” is the only duet in the Bond film cannon but was considered too radical a break from theme songs past. As White sardonically says, “The best thing about it being the only duet is strictly for pub quizzes in Britain. That’s its number one appeal.”

Though The Sound Of 007 is filled with intriguing factoids and compelling insights, it’s ultimately a less than perfect viewing experience. Broken into as many segments as there are Bond movies, it ultimately feels like you’re watching a playlist of three minute YouTube videos, making its 1 hour 20 minute run time feel twice as long. It plays more like a sizzle reel than a feature documentary but will certainly appeal to fans of the franchise and make others want to revisit the movies and their iconic scores.

Benjamin H. Smith is a New York based writer, producer and musician. Follow him on Twitter: @BHSmithNYC.