Monty Norman wrote the James Bond theme. Here's why.

I've been listening to a lot of spy themes lately - it was a particular part of big band jazz history that I kind of love. As part of this, I unearthed the kind of fascinating history about the James Bond theme, which hopefully you'll find fascinating.

I'm Tim Beau Bennett, and I'm making videos about jazz history. Sometimes I talk about jazz musicians, sometimes the songs, and sometimes about genres. I play jazz guitar, though I would call myself a keen amateur, rather than a professional. These videos are a work in progress, but there are many more to come - so please subscribe and let me know what you'd like to see in the comments!

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[davidhyslop]

the injustice is that saltzman and Brocollie treated Barry like a tool, they could have given both men writing credit

[longgrayline]

The James Bond theme and the Ennio Merricone and the Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns are truly my top movie scores. I hear them and they immediately take my mind to the movies.

[bipcress]

Monty Norman wrote a cute little ditty - an odd, Indian-flavored song for an unproduced musical. John Barry did not merely "arrange" what Norman created. John Barry completely reformulated and drastically altered the substance and character of the simple seed of Norman's song - transforming a simple seed into a dynamic and immortal engine of International pop-cultural influence. Barry's "James Bond Theme" has very little to do with Monty Norman. It is correct that Norman's credit is technically / legally appropriate, but Barry being denied credit for what he did is an outrage.

[nathanbrummel]

Can’t believe algorithm hasn’t caught up to you. You make amazing videos man.

[robertroberto]

All John Barry Soundtracks Had Monty Norman With Credit As Collaboration. Monty Norman Did Not Give Any Consideration At All.

[SnapCracklePapa]

I'm disappointed you didn't bring up the most important element of this song: that iconic guitar riff and the timber of the notes. THAT, more than anything, is what sells the song, and it would appear that is all John Barry's doing, as evidenced by he being the one that brought in his friend Vic Flick to play guitar, for a big band arrangement, no less, which was very rare at the time.

[robertroberto]

RIP.John Barry!Monty Norman, He Needed To Have Some Help From Barry, Determine X Factor To Add Q Notes To Arrange Composition.

[robertroberto]

Monty Norman Lied Acknowledged Goldfinger Orchestration As His Theme.

[robertroberto]

Peter Hunt Editor Saw John Barry Variation Workings Of Theme.Monty Norman Copied John Barry's Arrangement As His Own.

[davidhyslop]

additional composition, more like 95 % .Bond 62 uncle 64 i spy 65 mission 66

[ethansumner]

Great video! I always like to see more appreciation for David W. Collins.

[kqqpdhl]

But ! Monty nicked the theme from a 1954 Cuban song sung by Cilia Cruz/
Pelagria La troye

[elchico]

Think of Ron Grainer and Doctor Who...

[johnny]

You can hear Monty play his original version of the theme on his piano. It is not very good, and he is not even an average pianist.
John Barry did for Monty Norman what Fat Boy Slim did for Cornershop and Brimful of Asha.