Goldfinger (soundtrack)
Encyclopedia
Goldfinger is the soundtrack for the 3rd James Bond
film of the same name
.
This is the first of three James Bond films with a theme song sung by Shirley Bassey
, whose forceful, dramatic style became a trademark of the series (she would go on to sing Diamonds Are Forever
and Moonraker
). "Goldfinger
" was composed by John Barry
, with lyrics by Anthony Newley
and Leslie Bricusse
and is widely acknowledged as a classic of its genre. Famously, co-producer Harry Saltzman
hated the song and only agreed to use it when persuaded by Cubby Broccoli.
Originally, Newley recorded a version of the theme song, but it was later re-recorded with Bassey's voice for the film and soundtrack album. In 1992, Newley's version was released for the 30th Anniversary of James Bond on film, in the compilation collectors edition The Best of Bond...James Bond
.
The score was composed by John Barry, making this his second, credited Bond score.
The score makes regular use of instrumental arrangements of the title theme, as well as the Bond theme from Dr. No
used in the gun barrel sequence . The score makes heavy use of brass. The distinctive music for Goldfinger's henchman, Oddjob, makes use of repeated strokes on a metallic anvil. Metallic chimes are also heard in many scenes associated with Oddjob or gold, notably that in which the dead golden girl is discovered. The very effective use of music and various sound effects in the film won it an academy award for sound editing. The album reached #1 on the Billboard 200
, and spent a total of 70 weeks on the chart, but for reasons that remain unclear, received no RIAA certification
.
Much of the music from the final reel of the film was unreleased on the original soundtrack. In 2003, a remastered Goldfinger soundtrack album was released which contained four tracks that had previously been available on only the British soundtrack album. The US soundtrack album did not have these tracks but featured a John Barry guitar cover version of the main theme that did not appear in the film. Barry also used the theme on his 1965 John Barry Plays Goldfinger album that featured Robert Brownjohn
artwork.
Side Two
Bonus tracks only on the 2003 remastered Goldfinger Soundtrack CD
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film of the same name
Goldfinger (film)
Goldfinger is the third spy film in the James Bond series and the third to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Released in 1964, it is based on the novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. The film also stars Honor Blackman as Bond girl Pussy Galore and Gert Fröbe as the title...
.
This is the first of three James Bond films with a theme song sung by Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
, whose forceful, dramatic style became a trademark of the series (she would go on to sing Diamonds Are Forever
Diamonds Are Forever (film)
Diamonds Are Forever is the seventh spy film in the Eon Productions James Bond series, and the sixth and final Eon Productions film to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film is based on Ian Fleming's 1956 novel of the same name, and is the second of four James Bond films...
and Moonraker
Moonraker (film)
Moonraker is the eleventh spy film in the James Bond series, and the fourth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The third and final film in the series to be directed by Lewis Gilbert, it co-stars Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale, Corinne Clery, and Richard Kiel...
). "Goldfinger
Goldfinger (song)
"Goldfinger" was the title song from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Composed by John Barry and with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the song was performed by Shirley Bassey for the film's opening and closing title sequences, as well as the soundtrack album release...
" was composed by John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
, with lyrics by Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
and Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
and is widely acknowledged as a classic of its genre. Famously, co-producer Harry Saltzman
Harry Saltzman
Harry Saltzman was a Canadian theatre and film producer best known for his mega-gamble which resulted in his co-producing the James Bond film series with Albert R...
hated the song and only agreed to use it when persuaded by Cubby Broccoli.
Originally, Newley recorded a version of the theme song, but it was later re-recorded with Bassey's voice for the film and soundtrack album. In 1992, Newley's version was released for the 30th Anniversary of James Bond on film, in the compilation collectors edition The Best of Bond...James Bond
The Best of Bond...James Bond
The Best of Bond...James Bond is a title used more than once for a compilation album of the soundtracks to the James Bond made at the time. It was originally released in 1992 as The Best of James Bond, as a one-disc compilation and a two-disc 30th Anniversary Limited Edition compilation with songs...
.
The score was composed by John Barry, making this his second, credited Bond score.
The score makes regular use of instrumental arrangements of the title theme, as well as the Bond theme from Dr. No
Dr. No (film)
Dr. No is a 1962 spy film, starring Sean Connery; it is the first James Bond film. Based on the 1958 Ian Fleming novel of the same name, it was adapted by Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, and Berkely Mather and was directed by Terence Young. The film was produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R...
used in the gun barrel sequence . The score makes heavy use of brass. The distinctive music for Goldfinger's henchman, Oddjob, makes use of repeated strokes on a metallic anvil. Metallic chimes are also heard in many scenes associated with Oddjob or gold, notably that in which the dead golden girl is discovered. The very effective use of music and various sound effects in the film won it an academy award for sound editing. The album reached #1 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, and spent a total of 70 weeks on the chart, but for reasons that remain unclear, received no RIAA certification
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
.
Much of the music from the final reel of the film was unreleased on the original soundtrack. In 2003, a remastered Goldfinger soundtrack album was released which contained four tracks that had previously been available on only the British soundtrack album. The US soundtrack album did not have these tracks but featured a John Barry guitar cover version of the main theme that did not appear in the film. Barry also used the theme on his 1965 John Barry Plays Goldfinger album that featured Robert Brownjohn
Robert Brownjohn
Robert Brownjohn was a graphic designer known for blending formal graphic design concepts with wit and sixties pop culture...
artwork.
Track listing
Side One- "Main Title - Into Miami- GoldfingerGoldfinger (song)"Goldfinger" was the title song from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Composed by John Barry and with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the song was performed by Shirley Bassey for the film's opening and closing title sequences, as well as the soundtrack album release...
" – Shirley BasseyShirley BasseyDame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"... - "Alpine Drive - Auric's Factory"
- "Oddjob's Pressing Engagement"
- "Bond Back in Action Again"
- "Teasing the Korean"
- "Gassing the Gangsters"
Side Two
- "Goldfinger (Instrumental Version)"
- "Dawn Raid on Fort Knox"
- "The Arrival of the Bomb and Count Down"
- "The Death of Goldfinger - End Titles"
Bonus tracks only on the 2003 remastered Goldfinger Soundtrack CD
- "Golden Girl"
- "Death of Tilly"
- "The Laser Beam"
- "Pussy Galore's Flying Circus"
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Billboard Pop Albums (Billboard 200) | 1 |