Ironically and fittingly in the week that Sky Diver Felix Baumgartner broke the world record by falling 24 miles to Earth, Adele’s new James Bond theme song “Skyfall” equalled the record of being the highest charting James Bond film theme song.

After entering the Chart at No4 last week, Adele’s “Skyfall” only climbed two places to No2, matching Duran Duran’s Bond film theme “A View To A Kill” which reached No2 in 1985. There is of course plenty of time for Adele’s “Skyfall” to yet reach No1 and by doing so become the first James Bond film theme to reach the summit of the charts!!

Over the last 50 years, James Bond film theme songs have had mixed results in terms of chart success, especially in the 1960s and early 1970s when classic tunes like Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger” and “Diamonds are Forever” peaked outside the Top 20 and Tom Jones’ “Thunderball” fared no better. In my opinion these are three of the best Bond theme songs. However it wasn’t until 1973, and the eighth Bond film, that a theme song broke into the Top 10 – Paul McCartney & Wing’s “Live & Let Die” took this honour, which was richly deserved as it is surely one of the best Bond theme songs?!!

James Bond film theme songs have fared much better since the mid 1980s and to prove it MyFirstRecord.co.uk have compiled the Top 20 Best Selling James Bond Film Theme Songs, based on their UK Chart positions –

Top 20 Best Selling James Bond Film Theme Songs ( with chart position & year of release )

1= Adele – Skyfall ( Chart position No2 / 2012 )

1= Duran Duran – A View To A Kill ( CP No2 / 1985 )

3 Madonna – Die Another Day (CP No3 / 2002 )

4 A-ha – The Living Daylights ( CP No5 / 1987 )

5 Gladys Knight – Licence To Kill ( CP No6 / 1989 )

6= Paul McCartney & Wings – Live & Let Die ( CP No7 / 1973 )

6= Carly Simon – Nobody Does it Better ( Spy Who Loved Me CP No7 / 1977 )

6= Chris Cornell – You Know My Name ( Casino Royale CP No7 / 2006 )

9 Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only ( CP No8 / 1981 )

10 Jack White / Alicia Keys – Another Way To Die ( Quantum of Solace CP No9 / 2008 )

11 Tina Turner – Golden Eye ( CP No10 / 1995 )

12= Nancy Sinatra – You Only Live Twice ( CP No11 / 1967 )

12= Garbage – The World Is Not Enough ( CP No11 / 1999 )

14 Matt Monro – From Russia With Love ( CP No20 / 1963 )

15 Shirley Bassey – Goldfinger ( CP No21 / 1964 )

16 Tom Jones – Thunderball ( CP No35 / 1965 )

17 Shirley Bassey – Diamonds Are Forever ( CP No38 / 1971 )

18 Rita Coolidge – All Time High ( Octopussy CP No75 / 1983 )

19= Lulu – The Man With The Golden Gun ( CP Non Hit / 1974 )

19= Shirley Bassey – Moonraker ( CP Non Hit / 1979 )

 

Which are your favourite James Bond film theme songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

 

Celebrate the landmark of the 50th Anniversary of the release of the first James Bond film “Dr No”, by immortalising the institution of James Bond  in your own home or office, by ordering your favourite Bond film theme song ( as listed above ) in a vinyl or CD single format; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved 007 plaque…… 

ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Also available – the DVD of your favourite James Bond film, framed with a personalised  engraved plaque……. ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, CDs and DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!