James Bond: Soundtrack Stories

Original version

BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

BBC Radio 2

Radio 2

Music

Radio 2 celebrates the iconic music of the James Bond films.

Radio 2's resident movie critic James King explores the music of the James Bond films, from the 1960s to the present day, discovering the stories behind how these iconic songs were created.

James Bond: Soundtrack Stories: Part One: The Classic Years

Documentaries

Factual

Part One: The Classic Years

BBC Radio 2 - James Bond: Soundtrack Stories, Part One: The Classic YearsSearch BBC

James King celebrates the iconic music of the first four decades of the James Bond films.

James King celebrates the music of the James Bond films, starting with the first four decades of the film franchise. Featuring Duran Duran, Sheryl Crow, Barbara Broccoli and more.

As the latest instalment in the James Bond film franchise, No Time To Die, finally hits cinemas, Radio 2's resident movie critic James King celebrates the films' iconic theme songs in a two-part special. 

In this first part he goes through the first four decades of Bond theme tunes, starting with Bond’s beginnings in the 60s with suave Sean Connery through to the turn of the century and the Pierce Brosnan era.

James speaks to the film's producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson about how the tradition of the Bond theme came about and their memories of the early years when their father Cubby Broccoli was making the films. Composers Don Black and David Arnold talk about working with the legendary composer John Barry, whose sound helped define Bond, as well as some of the five Bond themes they've written between them. Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes discusses how they brought 80s glamour to Bond with View To A Kill and Sheryl Crow describes how difficult it can be to write a song with nothing but a title like Tomorrow Never Dies to work from.

In part two James celebrates the music of the Daniel Craig era of Bond, including an interview with the man himself as well as co-stars Rami Malek and Lashana Lynch, plus global sensation Billie Eilish.

A BBC Audio production.

Clips from James Bond movies are courtesy of Eon Productions and MGM © 2021 Danjaq & MGM. 007 and related James Bond Indicia © 1962-2021 Danjaq& MGM.  007 and related James Bond Trademarks TM Danjaq. All Rights Reserved.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Accessibility links

Programme Index

James Bond: Soundtrack Stories

Part One: The Classic Years

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 2

About BBC Radio 2