The only James Bond theme songs to win an Oscar

Adele is one of the greatest singers of her generation. In addition to being one of the world's best-selling musicians, she has won 16 Grammys, 18 Billboard Music Awards, 12 Brit Awards, five American Music Awards, and her theme song “Skyfall” won James Bond an Oscar.

The James Bond movies have a winning formula that has kept 007 on the screen for over 60 years, and that formula lives up to a few trademarks: beautiful women, super-villain capes with death traps, lots of guns, terrible puns, etc. the adventure really begins, however Bond films must have a rich title sequence with a specially composed song.

The first two Bond films, Dr. No and From Russia With Love, actually used instrumental openings. Then for the third (and some say the best) Bond film, Goldfinger the theme song had lyrics written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricus and sung by Shirley Bassey. The song “Goldfinger” is a lot like the movie “Goldfinger”: it may not be high art, but it sure is catchy. (“Goldfinger… beckons to enter his web of sin… But don't go in!”)

After that, “Golden Finger” started tradition of lyrical James Bond theme songswhich then made its way into every new film, prompting the celebrity musician to write the theme song. Bond songwriters/singers include big names like Paul McCartney (“Live and Let Die”), Tina Turner (“GoldenEye”) and Madonna (“Die Another Day”).

Even before Adele, Daniel Craig's Bond run recruited some particularly impressive musicians: Chris Cornell (“Casino Royale”) and then Jack White. and Alicia Keys (“Quantum of Solace”). For Skyfall, Sony Pictures Music's Lia Wollak wanted a classic Bond theme like the one Bassey had sung. She concluded that Adele was the woman for the job: “Adele has this soulful, haunting, evocative quality, and she's a great writer. Stylistically, it felt right to bring back that classic Shirley Bassey feel that you associate with those early Bond films.”

Mixed with the film's stylish water titleAdele's “Skyfall” became a widely recognized hit. The only other original movie song I can remember that has had a similar impact in the modern era is “Shallow” from 2018's A Star Is Born. So it's no surprise that “Skyfall” (song) was named Best Original Song at the 85th Academy Awards, winning along with Skyfall (film) composer Thomas Newman for Best Original Score. But did Skyfall's good will carry such Bond themes?