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COLLECTING 007 – UK Records
WRITTEN & COMPILED BY KEVIN HARPER

Throughout the 1970s the James Bond title songs were released in the UK with plain covers, whereas the European releases often had picture sleeves making them more attractive to collectors as they actually tied-in with the film they were from. Although the title songs were popular in the UK at the time of their release, it was not until 1973 with ‘Live And Let Die’ by Wings, that a James Bond song made it into the top 10. The song would later be nominated for an Academy Award, and George Martin would win the 1974 GRAMMY^® for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists for ‘Live And Let Die’. Carly Simon's ‘Nobody Does It Better’ from The Spy Who Loved Me then fittingly reached number 007 in the UK chart in 1977. Although Shirley Bassey had made a memorable appearance singing ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ on the Morecambe & Wise show broadcast on BBC1 on Christmas Day 1971, her single only reached number 38 in the UK chart, despite her television performance being viewed by over half the population. John Barry's single version of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ was not released until March 1972, when it was issued as the B-side to his own re-recording of the theme for the 1971 film Mary, Queen of Scots which earned him his third Academy Award nomination for Best Original Dramatic Score. Shirley Bassey's third James Bond song ‘Moonraker’ failed to chart on either side of the Atlantic in 1979. Lulu's rendition of ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ also failed to make any impact on the UK chart despite being heavily promoted with posters featuring the eponymous weapon. Most of the European releases of the single did have picture sleeves showcasing the promotional poster artwork.

Starting with the release of Sheena Easton's ‘For Your Eyes Only’, the James Bond singles were issued in a picture sleeve in the UK. Easton's appearance in Maurice Binder's For Your Eyes Only main titles and their use on TV as a ‘pop video’ helped her single reach a respectable number 8 in the UK chart in 1981.

UK 45rpm 7" Singles 1971-1983

‘Pieces Of Dreams’ 45rpm single

‘Diamonds Are Forever’
Shirley Bassey
United Artists Records UP 35293

Released 19 November 1971. Highest UK chart position #38.
Paper sleeve only in UK
B-side ‘Pieces Of Dreams’

‘This Way Mary’ 45rpm single

‘Diamonds Are Forever’
John Barry
Polydor Records 2058-216 [B-side]

Released 24 March 1972.
Paper sleeve only in UK
A-side ‘This Way Mary’ John Barry's own recording of
his theme from the film Mary, Queen of Scots (1971)

‘I Lie Around’ 45rpm single

‘Live And Let Die’
Wings
Apple Records R5987

Released 1 June 1973. Highest UK chart position #9.
Paper sleeve only in UK
B-side ‘I Lie Around’

‘Live And Let Die’ B.J Arnau 45rpm single

‘In One Night’ 45rpm single

‘Live And Let Die’
B. J. Arnau
RCA Victor Records RCA 2365

Released 1 June 1973
Paper sleeve only in UK
B-side ‘In One Night’

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ 45rpm single

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ promotional poster/European 45rpm single

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’
Lulu
Chelsea Records 2005 015

Released 22 November 1974.
Paper sleeve only in UK [Picture sleeve in Europe]
B-side ‘A Boy Like You’

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), the title track sung by Lulu is being released on 12" picture disc vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day 2024. The annual event began in 2008, and is the one day of the year when over 270 independent record shops all across the UK come together to celebrate their unique culture. Record Store Day releases are only available in-store, through participating RSD shops from the date of the event, which in 2024 took place on April 20th.

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ 12" picture disc 2024

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ 12" picture disc Record Store Day

‘The Man With The Golden Gun’
Lulu
Demon Records DEMREC1192

Released 20 April 2024
12" picture disc featuring the Robert McGinnis poster artwork
B-side ‘A Boy Like You’

‘After The Storm’ 45rpm single

‘Nobody Does It Better’
Carly Simon
Elektra Records K 12261

Released 1 July 1977. Highest UK chart position #7.
Paper sleeve only in UK
B-side ‘After The Storm’

‘Bond '77 - The James Bond Theme’ 45rpm single

‘Ride To Atlantis’ 45rpm single

‘Bond '77 - The James Bond Theme’
Marvin Hamlisch
United Artists Records UP 36301
Single has opening vocal and is shorter than the
version appearing on the original soundtrack album

Released 16 September 1977
Paper sleeve only in UK
B-side ‘Ride To Atlantis’