7 James Bond song maestros – from Shirley Bassey to Sam Smith – reveal their picks for best Bond song

Ahead of the BBC Proms' Bond and Beyond night, we look at some of the best 007 songs as chosen by those who have worked on the iconic franchise's music.

From Dame Shirley Bassey and Sam Smith, to composer David Arnold and lyricist Don Black, what are the stars' favourite James Bond tracks?

Recorded three official James Bond theme songs: Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Moonraker (1979)

“I enjoy listening to We Have All the Time in the World by Louis Armstrong from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). It’s a beautiful, soft song and I love his voice.”

Simon Le Bon, Duran Duran

The band recorded the title track for A View to a Kill (1985)

“Live and Let Die (1973) by Paul McCartney and Wings is a full-on magnum opus. I compare it to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. I love the four distinct musical sections: the philosophical piano bit; the rock opera orchestral bit; then the weird, sort of, well... James Bondy bit; which is followed by the sort of cod-reggae-ish ‘give the other fella hell!’ bit. Every one of these would seem bonkers on their own, but put ’em together and what do you get? Sheer genius. I love it!”

Sam Smith

Recorded Spectre’s 2015 theme song, Writing's on the Wall

“My favourite Bond theme is Die Another Day (2002). It’s such an exciting record. I love that Madonna brought electronica into the world of James Bond. She is the mother of all.”

Pål Waaktaar Savoy, a-ha

The band recorded The Living Daylights theme song in 1987

“I’d pick For Your Eyes Only (1981), sung by Sheena Easton and produced by Chris Neil, who also produced our fourth album, East of the Sun. I’m a sucker for an aquatic, dreamy, underwater soundscape, and he really nailed it here. That piano sound is unique and brings so much colour, along with some really hooky playing. I always associate those underwater action sequences with James Bond, and I think Chris really used that atmosphere well to colour his production.”

Sheena Easton

Recorded 1981’s For Your Eyes Only theme song

“The ultimate Bond theme is any sung by Shirley Bassey, but Goldfinger reigns supreme. This song, its production and performance, captures the essence of the Bond franchise. Like the movie, it embodies excitement, mystery and drama, and from the first few bars it is unmistakably a spy thriller we are about to watch. It does its job, as every good theme song should, by encapsulating the essence of the film we are about to see. Goldfinger, and its iconic vocal performance by Shirley Bassey, is pure James Bond.”

David Arnold

Composer of five official James Bond scores: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008)

“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) has the best Bond theme. It’s an absolute killer tune, and there’s so much great stuff in it. My favourite song is You Only Live Twice (1967) by Nancy Sinatra, just because that was the first Bond film I saw. I think everyone has a soft spot for their first one. It’s the first time you get the gun barrel and you get the song. And once you’re in the Bond world, you’re in. It’s unforgettable, that first experience of something that a lot of people take with them for their whole lives.”

Don Black

Lyricist for five Bond theme songs: Thunderball (1965), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and The World Is Not Enough (1999)

“Because I was there with Lionel Bart when it was more or less written: From Russia with Love (1963). I managed Matt Monro at that time, and I negotiated his deal from the Bond people. The fee wasn’t much: £250 or something. But I remember spending time with Lionel, bless him, and he was so thrilled about his ‘tongue-tied/young pride’ [rhyme]. It’s a marvellous line.”

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BBC Proms: Bond and Beyond takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 25 August.

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