Two years ago, I ranked the 24 best covers of James Bond theme songs for the 24 movies to date. The original plan was to include one cover of every song, but that quickly became untenable. There were a million good covers of “You Only Live Twice,” and zero of Chris Cornell’s “You Know My Name” (and I haven’t seen anyone pick up the mantle since his death either).
If only I’d waited.
A new Bond tribute album came out earlier this month, and it includes a cover of every single Bond theme. Yes, including the ones from Sheryl Crow, Madonna, and of course Cornell. It’s called Songs. Bond Songs: The Music Of 007 and, in honor of Roger Moore’s passing today, we thought we’d post all the new covers of the themes from Moore’s seven movies.
Moore was a divisive Bond, playing the role during a period where the franchise grew increasingly campy. But what cannot be debated is that some of his movie theme songs are, ahem, all-time highs.
He actually might have the best group of Bond themes of any of the actors. I mean, imagine having your very first Bond movie kick off with Paul McCartney wailing “Live and Let Die.” Then you’ve got Shirley Bassey’s return for “Moonraker.” Duran Duran scoring a huge hit with “A View To A Kill.” Hell, Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better” is in the running for the best Bond theme ever.
So, from the new tribute album Songs. Bond Songs: The Music Of 007, here are covers of all seven Roger Moore theme songs. Listen below, then buy the full album at Bandcamp.
