Bond Theme Announced

Chris Cornell of Audioslave has been tapped to perform the theme song for the next James Bond film, Casino Royale, out this November. The track, "You Know My Name," will be a collaboration with the movie's composer, David Arnold, who has composed the score for the last three Bond Films.

"You Know My Name" will be the first Bond theme since 1983's "All Time High" (from "Octopussy") not to share the name of the film. It's really no surprise to me, as I never expected anyone to sing a song called "Casino Royale." Chris Cornell is a surprise however, as Bond hasn't had a hard rocker singer yet. I was really hoping Goldfrapp would do it, as their sound is perfect for a Bond theme. They were even rumored to be doing it at one point. Maybe for the 22nd Bond film.

While we're on the subject, why not run down my favorite Bond themes? I've been on a real Bond kick lately, and this is probably the best chance I have to write about it in my popular music blog.

Best Bond Themes:

1. We Have All the Time in the World (From "On Her Majesty's Secret Service")" - Louis Armstrong

This is an elegant, arresting song, that works perfectly in the film to underscore the rarely seen tender side of James Bond as he--for the first and only time--fell in love. It's a beautiful song with gentle acoustic guitar and lush strings.

2. Moonraker - Shirley Bassey

"Goldfinger" is more famous, but too over the top. This more restrained vocal showcases Bassey's voice better, and she sounds lovely in this lush, mysterious opening credits sequence song.

3. You Only Live Twice - Nancy Sinatra

A beautiful credits-sequence song, with a underlying Asian influence that perfectly compliments the Japanese setting of the film. The memorable string refrain was later famously sampled in Robbie Williams' #1 hit "Millennium."

4. Nobody Does it Better (From "The Spy Who Loved Me") - Carly Simon

The retro/bassnova/jazzy spy sound is usually a requirement to deliver a good Bond theme. Simon avoids that in favor of a more traditional piano/strings/band composition, that turns out to be quite effective and memorable.

5. The World is Not Enough - Garbage

Easily the best Bond theme from the Brosnan era, Garbage's track is a dramatic, dark, and swirling affair that delivers a sexy, epic sound without going over the top (for that, see Sheryl Crow's "Tomorrow Never Dies").

Also Good: For Your Eyes Only (Sheena Easton), Goldfinger (Shirley Bassey), Diamonds Are Forever (Shirley Bassey), Live and let Die (Paul McCartney & Wings), and A View to a Kill (Duran Duran).

Not so Good:

Thunderball - Tom Jones

This sounds too much like a male take on "Goldfinger," which was the first Bond theme to gain massive popularity. It was also a last minute replacement for "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," which much of the film's score had been based upon. Apparently Tom Jones passed out from hitting the song's final high note.

The Man with the Golden Gun - Lulu

The film is often regarded as the worst Bond movie, and this uninspired theme matches it just right. The '70s electric guitars just don't match the attempt to emulate the '60s spy movie sound established by the earlier films. Lulu doesn't sound that interested in what's going either, and who could blame her?

Goldeneye - Tina Turner

Don't get me wrong--Tina Turner is a fabulous singer, but this composition just missed the mark. It's kind of boring for a Bond theme, especially for such an exciting movie as Goldeneye was.

Tomorrow Never Dies - Sheryl Crow

If "Goldeneye" was too restrained, then "Tomorrow Never Dies" was too over the top. It starts off with a cacaphonous bang that sounds like bombs dropping, before Sheryl Crow starts in with her usually lovely voice, but then she goes too far for the screeching chorus, which is almost painful to listen to. Kind of a mess.

Die Another Day - Madonna

I am, of course, a die hard Madonna fan, and I do love this song. So why's it on my "worst of" Bond list? Because it doesn't sound like a Bond theme! It sounds like a Madonna song, which is fine, but she seemed unwilling to abandon her Mirwais-electro schtick to actually attempt something Bondian. Bond doesn't dance in Euro clubs. He stalks around exotic international locals with beautiful women, martinis, and a baretta. I just don't get any of that from this song.