For many, THE quintessential Bond theme. Certainly, it was the first song to play over the opening credits of a Bond film (From Russia With Love used an instrumental), and has had many imitators since, not least in the Bond theme of the following year: Tom Jones' Thunderball, which was basically a rewrite for a male vocalist. From its brassy call-and-response opening, to its outrageously contrived lyrics (which, of course, are a cautionary tale for Bond, warning him of the evils of Auric Goldfinger), and Shirley Bassey's sneering, dramatic vocals, this set the tone for Bond themes for the next forty years and beyond. And yet, arguably, none were as fresh or confident as this John Barry tune.

Best lyrics: "He's the man, the man with the midas touch/A spider's touch"