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The World’s Most Famous Secret Agent: UMe Releases ‘The Best Of Bond…James Bond’


Theme songs from all 25 official James Bond films with "No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish and Oscar-winning songs by Adele and Sam Smith

Published on September 27, 2021

UMe releases an updated version of The Best Of Bond…James Bond, available as a digital download and a 2CD set; on October 8, 3LP black vinyl will be released, plus a limited-edition gold vinyl will be available exclusively via uDiscover Music and Sound of Vinyl. Each compilation features celebrated theme songs from the longest-running film franchise and includes “No Time To Die” by Billie Eilish from No Time To Die, the 25th film in the series*. Also now included will be Adele’s “Skyfall” from Skyfall, the highest-grossing Bond film to date, and Sam Smith’s Spectre theme, “Writing’s On the Wall,” – Oscar winners for Best Song in 2013 and 2016, respectively.

In addition to Billie Eilish, Adele and Sam Smith, included is the signature instrumental “James Bond Theme” by The John Barry Orchestra, which remains one of the most recognizable themes from film. The collection also includes Dame Shirley Bassey (“Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Moonraker”). With “Goldfinger,” Bassey achieved her first Top 10 hit, reaching No. 8 on The Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Bassey made her Oscars debut at the 85th Academy Awards, where she performed a spectacular rendition of “Goldfinger” as part of the telecast’s James Bond 50th Anniversary tribute, which was celebrated by UMe with vinyl reissues of long-out-of-print soundtracks to Dr. No, Goldfinger and Live And Let Die.

Along with Louis Armstrong (“We Have All The Time In The World”), Nancy Sinatra (“You Only Live Twice”), Lulu (“The Man With The Golden Gun”), The Best Of Bond…James Bond also includes Paul McCartney & Wings (“Live And Let Die”). Written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, performed by Paul McCartney & Wings and produced by former Beatles producer George Martin, the title theme song hit No. 2 on the chart, and it was nominated for both a GRAMMY Award, for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) / Best Background Arrangement, and an Academy Award, for Best Original Song. The single “Live And Let Die” became the first Bond theme song to win a GRAMMY award (Best Pop Vocal Performance, 1973), and the song continues to be a highlight in McCartney’s live performances.

The Best Of Bond…James Bond also features Carly Simon (“Nobody Does It Better”), Tina Turner (“GoldenEye”), Duran Duran (“A View To A Kill”), Sheryl Crow (“Tomorrow Never Dies”), Madonna (“Die Another Day”), Garbage (“The World Is Not Enough”). With the release of “Skyfall,” Rolling Stone compiled its Top 10 James Bond Theme Songs, all 10 of which, of course, appear on this set, including Tom Jones (“Thunderball”) and Matt Monro (“From Russia With Love”).

All formats of The Best Of Bond…James Bond are available here.

Various Artists THE BEST OF BOND…JAMES BOND [2CD/DIGITAL AND 3LP]

DISC 1
1. James Bond Theme – The John Barry Orchestra
2. From Russia With Love – Matt Monro
3. Goldfinger – Shirley Bassey
4. Thunderball – Tom Jones
5. You Only Live Twice – Nancy Sinatra
6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – The John Barry Orchestra
7. We Have All The Time In The World – Louis Armstrong
8. Diamonds Are Forever – Shirley Bassey
9. Live And Let Die – Paul McCartney & Wings
10. The Man With The Golden Gun – Lulu
11. Nobody Does It Better – Carly Simon
12. Moonraker – Shirley Bassey
13. For Your Eyes Only – Sheena Easton
14. All Time High – Rita Coolidge

DISC 2
1. A View To A Kill – Duran Duran
2. The Living Daylights – A-Ha
3. License To Kill – Gladys Knight
4. GoldenEye – Tina Turner
5. Tomorrow Never Dies – Sheryl Crow
6. The World Is Not Enough – Garbage
7. Die Another Day – Madonna
8. You Know My Name – Chris Cornell
9. Another Way To Die – Jack White & Alicia Keys
10. Skyfall – Adele
11. Writing’s On The Wall – Sam Smith
12. No Time To Die – Billie Eilish

3LP

LP 1

Side A
1. James Bond Theme – The John Barry Orchestra
2. From Russia With Love – Matt Monro
3. Goldfinger – Shirley Bassey
4. Thunderball – Tom Jones
5. You Only Live Twice – Nancy Sinatra

Side B
1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – The John Barry Orchestra
2. We Have All The Time In The World – Louis Armstrong
3. Diamonds Are Forever – Shirley Bassey
4. Live And Let Die – Paul McCartney & Wings
5. The Man With The Golden Gun – Lulu

LP 2

Side A
1. Nobody Does It Better – Carly Simon
2. Moonraker – Shirley Bassey
3. For Your Eyes Only – Sheena Easton
4. All Time High – Rita Coolidge

Side B
1. A View To A Kill – Duran Duran
2. The Living Daylights – A-Ha
3. License To Kill – Gladys Knight
4. GoldenEye – Tina Turner

LP 3

Side A
1. Tomorrow Never Dies – Sheryl Crow
2. The World Is Not Enough – Garbage
3. Die Another Day – Madonna
4. You Know My Name – Chris Cornell

Side B
1. Another Way To Die – Jack White & Alicia Keys
2. Skyfall – Adele
3. Writing’s On The Wall – Sam Smith
4. No Time To Die – Billie Eilish

Senior Writer