How Paul McCartney landed the title theme for a James Bond film

“Live And Let Die” marked some important firsts for the James Bond film franchise. It was the first 007 film to star Roger Moore as James Bond, and when it came to the music, it had a little help from some key players with Beatles pedigrees. Paul McCartney’s title theme was the first rock song ever for a Bond film, and the entire score was created by producer Sir George Martin, the fifth Beatle. Find out how it all came together in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo

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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.

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[_clauscarstensen]

Fresh from the start:
What a joy it is to listen to a voice that is NOT AI and NOT falling over itself trying to be übercool or something else. You have a great voice, and you are wonderfully understandable, speaking from the POV of a German.
And the story about McCartney and Martin creating this masterpiece is well crafted, too. So I immediately subscribed.

[PaulFormentos]

Bravo Billy, you have served the "Paul" role very well, and thanks for the great music, bleep your agenda

[andrewbarton]

Interestingly in the US, one of the songs keeping Live and Let Die off No.1 was The Morning After by Maureen McGovern.

This was a version of a song that had appeared in the movie The Poseidon Adventure, performed by Carol Lynley's character. (Carol does not actually sing though, as she is lipsynching to vocals by Renee Armand).

[beatlesfansam]

Great breakdown, Janda. I was aware of some but not all of the backstory. As big a fan of McCartney as I am, when it comes to Bond theme songs I'm still partial to Shirley Bassey's Goldfinger (perhaps in part due to that being my favorite Bond movie, but I also thought her vocals combined with the orchestration were phenomenal).

[DonJoyce]

And here I was just wondering when the next Janda story was coming out! Another great episode!!

[katk]

Good Episode! Not the biggest Paul Fan, but this is my favorite. Thanks for the insight to it. Second favorite to Goldfiner.

[PianoMatronNeeNee]

Who knew! You’re the best ❤Thanks for sharing. Much love from Miami.

[FinnBjerke]

I love what you do. This is wonderfull info....

[raresaturn]

"The other fellow" a sly nod to the line by the previous Bond Lazenby

[akfreed]

I started going to James Bond movies when Sir Roger Moore started HIS era of the series . I always thought this era was made a little more family friendly .

[simonsimon]

I like to make it even worse by singing 'but in this ever-changing world in which we live in'.

[guessundheit]

I was no fan of McCartney or the Beatless (not a typo). But give credit, it's the second best "Bond" song.