JAMES BOND
FACT FILES

The first four James Bond films also had 45rpm 7" Extended Play records released featuring excerpts from the original soundtrack. The first three titles were issued in November 1965, with Thunderball following in July 1966. The EPs were only issued in mono and did not include the main title song, using instead the instrumental version of the theme. 45rpm 7" singles of the main title song/theme were issued separately by the recording artistes own record label, and the sleeves (sometimes issued in a plain paper cover) did not always tie the song in with the film it was recorded for. The single versions often used a different recording to the one featured on the soundtrack LP (and that heard in the film). The single recording of Shirley Bassey's iconic ‘Goldfinger’ used a different take of the song from the same session; and was produced by George Martin who would later score Roger Moore's debut film as 007 Live And Let Die (1973). The record sleeves for the title song singles rarely had James Bond themed covers and generally featured a photo of the recording artiste. The EP record sleeves were identical to the original UK LP version with the exception of Goldfinger which removed the title song credits. The recording of the Goldfinger main theme featured on the EP was actually John Barry's jazz instrumental which was omitted from the British LP, but did appear on the US version of the soundtrack album. EPs could hold a maximum of 7½ minutes of music on each side; therefore due to the length of ‘Dawn Raid on Fort Knox’, this was the only track to appear on side two.

The first UK James Bond compilation LP entitled ‘The Best of Bond’ was issued by United Artists records in 1969 and featured a collection of tracks from the first five films of the series. The compilation included the ‘James Bond Theme’ and the opening titles of From Russia With Love, but no vocal recordings were featured except ‘Kingston Calypso’ and ‘Under The Mango Tree’ from Dr. No. For the 10th anniversary of James Bond in the cinema, United Artists records issued a special edition double-LP featuring tracks from all films up to and including Diamonds Are Forever (1971). This time the compilation did include the main title vocal tracks with the curious omission of ‘Thunderball’ sung by Tom Jones and Nancy Sinatra's ‘You Only Live Twice’. Several tracks were the same as on ‘The Best of Bond’ compilation and featured John Barry's jazz instrumental version of ‘Goldfinger’ (not actually featured in the film and missing from the original UK soundtrack album) in addition to Shirley Bassey's title song version. Side four includes an unusual edited composite of the two tracks ‘Journey To Blofeld's Hideaway’ and ‘This Never Happened To The Other Feller’ [spelled ‘Fella’ on the original LP]. The two tracks were presumably shortened and combined for timing purposes, as they both appear on the original On Her Majesty's Secret Service LP in longer separate versions. The two LPs were housed in a glossy gatefold sleeve which also included a four-page booklet showing poster artwork and stills alongside the release dates of each film. It should be noted that the booklet incorrectly states that From Russia With Love premiered at the London Pavilion on 10th October 1963, when in fact the film actually opened at the ODEON Leicester Square. This error was subsequently repeated in many publications in following years. The UK opening date of You Only Live Twice is also incorrectly stated as 11th April 1967, when in fact the premiere actually took place on 12th June.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of James Bond in the cinema EMI released a single compilation LP featuring 19 tracks, including all title songs for the 16 films that had thus far been released. This vinyl record was issued in relatively small numbers as the CD format was now the dominant medium for music distribution worldwide. The LP included Dionne Warwick's version of ‘Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ recorded as the original title song for Thunderball (1965), marking the first time this track had been commercially released. In addition to the single LP, a Limited Edition Double-CD was also issued simultaneously. CD1 contained the 16 title songs restored to their original release order; whilst CD2 contained all manner of 007 rarities including the original version of ‘Goldfinger’ sung by Anthony Newley, who also wrote the song in collaboration with Leslie Bricusse, and the film's composer John Barry. Newley's jazz version was, however, replaced by Shirley Bassey's iconic rendition of the song for the film in 1964. Dionne Warwick's recording of ‘Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (also included on CD2) was originally intended as the title song for Thunderball and predates the Shirley Bassey rendition also included on the CD. The song was ultimately replaced with the Tom Jones rendition of ‘Thunderball’ after a decision by the producers that the title theme should feature the name of the film. Shirley Bassey subsequently sued EON Productions for not featuring her song in the film and sought an injunction to hold up the release of Thunderball. The High Court came down on the side of the producers, although the case did slightly delay the UK release of Thunderball, which was already behind schedule during the editing stage, resulting in the film missing its original October 1965 premiere slot at London's ODEON Leicester Square. Thunderball opened on December 9th in Japan, three weeks before the UK double premiere on December 29, 1965 at the London Pavilion, Piccadilly Circus and Rialto Cinema, Coventry Street.

With the growing interest in vinyl in recent years there have been several limited edition reissues of James Bond soundtracks on long playing record aimed at the collectors market.

In 2020 the soundtrack for the 25th James Bond film No Time To Die by Hans Zimmer was originally scheduled to go on sale in April, but this was subsequently changed to November to match the revised worldwide release date. In October 2020 it was then announced that No Time To Die would be delayed once more due to the global Coronavirus pandemic. The soundtrack album was postponed accordingly, and finally issued on the same day as the CD to coincide with the cinema release on September 30, 2021. The vinyl edition was issued as a gatefold Double-LP, and marked the first time since Quantum of Solace (2008) that the title song will also feature on the album; which like ‘Another Time To Die’ by Jack White and Alicia Keys appears as the last track of the album. ‘No Time To Die’ sung by Billie Eilish was originally released in February 2020 and topped the UK single chart with a digital only release. A 7" single on translucent vinyl was issued in November 2020 to coincide with the anticipated release of the film. In addition to its appearance on the Hans Zimmer soundtrack album ‘No Time To Die’ by Billie Eilish also appears on ‘The Best of Bond... James Bond’ - a compilation of the title songs from all 25 official James Bond films. Also included are Adele’s ‘Skyfall’, Sam Smith’s Spectre theme, ‘Writing’s On the Wall’ - both Oscar winners for Best Song in 2013 and 2016 respectively, and missing from the original soundtrack album for those films. The latest version of ‘The Best of Bond... James Bond’ is available as a Double-CD, and Triple-LP editions in both black and gold vinyl.

‘The Best of Bond... James Bond’ is effectively the same concept as the 1982 collection ‘James Bond Greatest Hits’, and the single disc edition of ‘The Best of JAMES BOND 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION’ which compiled all the title songs released to date onto one album. The 2021 edition marks the fifth compilation of title tracks, and the first to be released as a limited edition vinyl collection. The four earlier releases were issued exclusively on compact disc, with an expanded double-CD in 2012, featuring 27 further tracks of selected incidental music and songs from the original soundtracks up to and including Quantum of Solace (2008).

Singles and extended versions

FACT FILES INDEX

UK & US Records (Cover Versions)

FACT FILES The James Bond Films