30 The James Bond Theme debate
Description
This article is from the James Bond FAQ, by Michael Reed reed55@core.com with numerous contributions by others.
30 The James Bond Theme debate
Every Bond film credits Monty Norman as the composer for the "James Bond
Theme". But most people feel John Barry actually wrote it. What is the
truth? This one was still raging some thirty-nine years after the questions
began.
Monty Norman originally wrote a theme. However the producers were
dissatisfied with the piece and John Barry was hired to "arrange" it. The
resulting work bore little resemblance to the Norman's. This reworked theme
was featured in "Dr. No" and has appeared in every official Bond film since.
Due to contractual obligations, Monty Norman always receives credit whenever
the song is used in a Bond film.
Norman's original theme can be heard on the "Dr. No" soundtrack, but it is
not track number 17, titled "The James Bond Theme" on the label. Norman
himself said that the actual recording intended as the theme is "Dr. No's
Fantasy", Track 11. John Barry based some inspiration for what became known
as the Bond theme off the plucked guitar sound from one of his own
compositions, "Bees Knees". (Submitted by Geoff Leonard)
In March 2001, Norman won a libel suit against London's Sunday Times. They
claimed Barry had penned the theme alone and also made comments about
Norman's talent. Due in part to Barry stating he based the guitar riff
partly on a Norman composition called "Bad Sign, Good Sign", they sided with
Norman. Note that the court did not state that Norman wrote the theme
solely, as he maintains, just that he contributed to it.
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