Why does James Bond sound like James Bond?

Across the entire franchise, there's still an unmistakable sound to the music of James Bond. So why does James Bond sound like James Bond? And how do you write a new Bond song?

For educational purposes only.

The James Bond theme is by Monty Norman, arranged by John Barry.

Film excerpts from all James Bond films are copyright EON and their respective owners.

Excerpts from
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Jay Roach, 1999
Johnny English, Peter Howitt, 2003.

All films, performances, and music owned by their respective rights holders and are used here only for educational purposes.

[gobblenater]

This is going to be one of those things I will notice for the rest of my life, isn't it?

[Brian]

The Bond films and music will always be timeless. Always.

[KlausSgroi]

Even though the James Bond theme is officially attributed to Monty Norman, most Bond fans I know (and even some film critics and musicians) agree that it was really John Barry (composer of 11 Bond soundtracks) who actually gave 007 his distinctive and instantly recognisable signature sound. In fact, this sequence of semitones that begins the theme and was later reused several times came from Barry's mind, not Norman's. Look for Poor Me, a song Barry co-composed in 1960, and prepare to be in awe.

[emanuel_soundtrack]

the key is the leading tone comming back after the chromatic step. The chromatic alteration means a highlight of a cadencial move that doesn’t come, thats why it makes suspense and sounds also very sensual

[Zveebo]

Excellent video, Dan – this is the first time I’ve seen the basis for the ‘Bond sound’ so clearly explained.

[concienda]

Brilliant. I absolutely love your work.

[hyalinamusic]

My favorite non-Bond Bond song is Supremacy by Muse. It sounds so much like a Bond theme, I'm surprised that they haven't written a Bond theme.

[BucketListBadass]

Even in their 2003 PS2 EA Games videogame, "Everything or Nothing" starring Pierce Brosnan (darn good game, too!), it had a typical sounding Bond style soundtrack. It was performed by Singer Mya, composed by Sean Callery orchestra. It's on YouTube if you've missed it.

[mads_in_zero]

I'd love to see someone analyze Metal Gear Solid 3's main theme *Snake Eater* since it (and the game as a whole) is a big shout-out to James Bond. Snake Eater is even designed to sound like a Bond Theme... but I wonder if it follows this chord pattern.

[jakubpociecha]

3:48 "It's no longer a spy creeping around..."
*SPAH CREEPIN' AROUND HERE!*

[vithormoraes]

And guess what? The three notes "motif" is also present in the intro of No Time To Die :P

[AquosFrost]

I first discovered this sound in the videogame, Rayman Legends, in the "20, 000 Lums Under the Sea" world.

[GLORYNEVADASMITH]

As to Spectre : There are hundreds of exciting pop songs with or without the Bond formula that could have been used .
If they are going to use Music Supervisors that are less qualified than the average fan...pick me .

[DavidRussell]

Love this video and the analysis!

WHY DIDN'T YOU END THE VIDEO WITH THE E69 STABS

[Dtwoo]

This video is a masterpiece. A true analysis of the Bond "DNA"

[blvnkq]

Thank you! This is super helpful. I’ve always loved how Bond themes intertwine a sense of triumph with tension, and I’m making a rock-infused-with-trip-hop project and I really wanted to find out what exactly it is that Bond themes use so that I could experiment in my own work!!

[grahambird]

How many times have you heard a song and thought WOW that would make a great Bond tune.

[smug]

i really hope they don't change that characterisic chord progression. i especially like it in craig's bond songs where at first listen you don't really notice that it's a bond song, but after a few repeats you started to hear that classic bond chord progression, i really like it.

[HerrJoehnke]

This is the video I was looking for and I was not disappointed. Brilliant explanation for a question that was on my mind for a longer time.

[GuidoGautsch]

Those piano chords over the Skyfall theme are epic! What are they? Oh, and great video, Dan!