Last week, Adele’s theme for Skyfall, the 23rd film in the iconic James Bond series, was released online and immediately embraced by fans of the singer, the franchise, and uninitiated on both sides. Climbing to number one on iTunes in less than 24 hours, Skyfall is the first breakout musical sensation of the 007 series in many years, and one of the most warmly received in the franchise’s long, five-decade history.
It makes me even more excited for Skyfall than I was before – a level of anticipation I previously thought insurmountable – largely because I am eager to see how the film’s graphics department will visually depict Adele’s music. One of the great joys of any Bond film is the title sequence, the invigorating marriage of sound and imagery that (ideally) sets the adventure off on the right foot.
Will Adele’s opening take its place among the very best openings the franchise has had to offer? We won’t know until November, but for now, it seems like the perfect time to reflect on the best James Bond title sequences of the last fifty years. I have compiled a list of the ten best, judging them not just on strength of music or visuals, but on how well both work in harmony. There are plenty of good ones to choose from, but these are the ten I feel best represent what the Bond series is capable of.
So without further ado, let’s look at the Top Ten James Bond Title Sequences. Enjoy…
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