10 “Thunderball” — Johnny Cash
Thunderball (1965) saw Sean Connery stepping into his fourth 007 adventure, a film that had big shoes to fill after the monumental success of Goldfinger and its unforgettable title tune. The franchise was booming, and a flood of musicians queued up, eager to leave their sonic fingerprint on the series.
While most people picture Bond songs as languid, sweeping orchestral pieces sung by powerhouse vocalists like Shirley Bassey, the competition was wide‑open. Among the hopefuls, the biggest hat in the ring belonged to the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash, who didn’t shy away from his trademark twang.
Instead of diluting his country roots, Cash gave “Thunderball” a galloping beat and a stripped‑back acoustic vibe that narrated the film’s plot in true outlaw fashion. Although Shirley Bassey also laid down a demo, the final cut went to Tom Jones, whose Welsh‑born, robust delivery fit the classic Bond mold. Yet one can’t help but wonder if Cash’s gritty rendition might have become a lounge‑room favorite had it been chosen.
9 “You Only Live Twice” — Julie Rogers
You Only Live Twice (1967) was initially slated to be Connery’s farewell Bond outing, a tense period marked by friction between the star and producers Harry Saltzman and Cubby Broccoli. Enter Julie Rogers, a chart‑topping vocalist who was originally attached to the track, working hand‑in‑hand with composer John Barry and a full 50‑piece orchestra.
Rogers recorded her version, but after the tape was already in the can, the producers opted for a “bigger name” and brought in Nancy Sinatra to front the song. This late‑stage switch meant that only the lyrical hooks “You only live twice” and “you’ll pay the price” survived the overhaul, as Barry reshaped the arrangement to suit Sinatra’s vocal range.
Despite the shared involvement of Barry, the final Sinatra rendition bears little resemblance to Rogers’s take, highlighting how a change in star power can dramatically reshape a Bond theme’s character.
8 “Man with the Golden Gun” — Alice Cooper
Before Chris Cornell’s breakthrough “You Know My Name” for Casino Royale (2006), rock musicians were a rarity in the Bond catalog. Shock‑rock legend Alice Cooper stepped up to re‑imagine the 1974 Roger Moore classic, “Man with the Golden Gun.”
Cooper’s version eschews the polished, operatic style of traditional Bond singers, instead weaving in subdued orchestral layers and guitar riffs that echo Monty Norman’s original 007 motif. He even recruited the Pointer Sisters, Ronnie Spector, and Liza Minnelli for backing vocals, creating a rich, collaborative sound.
Unfortunately, Cooper’s submission arrived a day after Eon had already locked in Lulu’s more conventional track, meaning his daring take never saw the light of day in the opening credits.
7 “For Your Eyes Only” — Blondie
For Your Eyes Only (1981) marked Roger Moore’s fifth stint as 007 and ushered in a flashy, ’80s‑styled aesthetic. Bill Conti, the film’s composer, penned a piano‑heavy pop ballad for Sheena Easton, a track that felt very much of its era but lacked the spy‑film intrigue.
Meanwhile, American rock outfit Blondie had crafted their own “For Your Eyes Only,” a gritty, guitar‑driven anthem that better matched the movie’s tone. The band’s effort, however, was sidelined because producers originally approached Blondie only to secure Debbie Harry’s vocal contribution, leading to a miscommunication that left both Harry and the band out of the final credits.
Thus, Blondie’s version remained an intriguing “what‑could‑have‑been” for Bond fans.
6 “This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave” — Pet Shop Boys
When Roger Moore bowed out and The Living Daylights (1987) arrived, the franchise was searching for a fresh musical direction. While Timothy Dalton took over the role, the producers also eyed Pierce Brosnan, who was tied up with Remington Steele at the time.
During this period, the Pet Shop Boys penned an extravagantly titled “This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave,” aiming to be the film’s theme after hearing industry whispers that they were on the studio’s radar. However, the promised call never materialized, and the producers ultimately selected Norwegian synth‑pop trio a‑ha for the official song.
The Pet Shop Boys’ ambitious track remains a curious footnote in Bond history, showcasing a missed opportunity for the duo.
5 “The Juvenile” — Ace of Base
The 1990s saw Bond pivot back to a serious tone with Pierce Brosnan’s debut in GoldenEye (1995). The film’s opening sequence was paired with Tina Turner’s powerhouse anthem, cementing a grand, cinematic feel.
In parallel, Swedish pop group Ace of Base believed they were in contention for the title song, submitting a track originally titled “The Goldeneye,” later renamed “The Juvenile.” Their bubblegum‑pop sensibility captured the decade’s vibe, but label concerns about the film’s potential flop led Arista Records to pull the song from consideration.
Consequently, Ace of Base’s hopeful entry never graced the credits, leaving fans to imagine a more playful Bond soundtrack.
4 “Tomorrow Never Dies” — The Cardigans
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) was the first Bond film to openly invite multiple artists to submit theme songs, sparking a competitive rush that included Pulp, Saint Etienne, Swan Lee, and Duran Duran.
Among the lesser‑known submissions was The Cardigans’ “Tomorrow Never Dies.” The Swedish band, popular in the late ’90s, seemed a perfect match for the franchise’s youthful push. However, lead singer Nina Persson declined to submit the track, citing exhaustion from touring and writing, later regretting the missed chance.
Sheryl Crow’s version ultimately claimed the spotlight, while composer David Arnold added a secondary theme, “Surrender,” featuring k.d. lang on the end‑credits, giving audiences a double dose of music.
3 “Beyond the Ice” — Red Flag
Die Another Day (2002) marked the end of the Pierce Brosnan era, and the film’s soundtrack suffered from a confused tonal direction, highlighted by Madonna’s heavily produced title track.
Electronic duo Red Flag responded with “Beyond the Ice,” a modest‑budget effort that incorporated classic Bond motifs and lyrical nods to the franchise’s mythology. Whether they were officially approached or simply self‑promoted remains unclear, but the track ignited fan‑forum debates and even inspired speculation that “Beyond the Ice” could be a future film title.
Despite the buzz, the song never entered official contention, remaining a cult favorite among Bond enthusiasts.
2 “Quantum of Solace” — Amy Winehouse
Jack White and Alicia Keys ultimately delivered “Another Way to Die” for Quantum of Solace (2008), a polarizing choice that was not the producers’ first pick. Originally, the soulful Amy Winehouse was slated to front the theme for Daniel Craig’s second outing.
Unfortunately, Winehouse’s health and personal struggles, combined with a mismatch between her vocal tone and Barbara Broccoli’s vision, led to the partnership being scrapped. White and Keys were then brought in late in the process, granting White considerable creative freedom.
The resulting track feels crowded, with contrasting vocal styles battling rather than blending, and unexpected guitar flourishes adding to the chaotic vibe.
1 “Spectre” — Radiohead
Radiohead, known for their avant‑garde artistry, were approached in 2015 to craft a theme for Spectre. After their earlier song “Man of War” was rejected, the band paused work on their ninth album, A Moon Shaped Pool, to compose a fresh piece for the film.
The outcome was a moody, ethereal track featuring Thom Yorke’s soaring vocals over an off‑beat rhythm, delivering a uniquely dark Bond atmosphere. However, its somber tone and departure from traditional Bond musical structures made it a tough sell, and the producers ultimately chose Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall.”
While Radiohead’s “Spectre” never made the final cut, its ambitious vision remains a fascinating footnote in the franchise’s musical legacy.