In 1965, James Bond was everywhere. The franchise had already established itself as a global phenomenon with Dr. No, From Russia With Love, and Goldfinger, and Sean Connery was the most recognisable face in cinema. The release of Thunderball marked Bond’s most ambitious outing yet, with its lavish underwater sequences, sweeping scope, and a record-breaking budget. To match the larger-than-life scale of the film, a theme song was needed that could embody Bond’s dangerous charm, the allure of the exotic, and the adrenaline of high-stakes espionage. Enter “Thunderball,” performed by Welsh crooner Tom Jones, a song that drips with the bombastic drama, seductive intrigue, and unrelenting energy that defines the Bond brand. Though often overshadowed by other iconic Bond themes, “Thunderball” remains a bold and unforgettable piece in the 007 musical canon.
The journey to creating “Thunderball” wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Originally, composer John Barry, who had already cemented his place as the maestro of Bond music with his work on Goldfinger, had written a theme titled “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” This title was based on an international nickname for Bond and captured the character’s seductive yet deadly nature. Barry’s original version, performed by Shirley Bassey, was lush and jazzy, while a second recording by Dionne Warwick added a sultry edge. However, producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman insisted that the theme song should feature the title of the film to ensure stronger branding. As a result, “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” was scrapped (though its melody still appears in the Thunderball score), and Barry had to write a new song—this time, with the title “Thunderball.”
To tackle the lyrics for this hastily conceived replacement, Barry teamed up with lyricist Don Black, marking their first collaboration on a Bond song. Black, who would later write lyrics for Diamonds Are Forever and The Man with the Golden Gun, created words that captured the essence of Bond’s new antagonist, Emilio Largo. The lyrics speak of a man who “strikes like thunderball” – a larger-than-life, dangerous figure who mirrors Bond in his ruthlessness and charisma. Black would later reflect on the rushed nature of the process, saying that Barry gave him just a weekend to write the lyrics. Despite this, the final product is a marvel of economy, brimming with power and menace.
With the song written, the next step was to find a performer who could deliver the vocal intensity the piece demanded. Tom Jones, a rising star at the time thanks to hits like “It’s Not Unusual,” was an obvious choice. His deep, commanding voice was perfectly suited to the song’s dramatic, almost operatic style. Jones himself later recalled being thrilled at the opportunity to record a Bond theme, though he was reportedly shocked by the song’s challenging vocal demands.
The recording of “Thunderball” was as dramatic as the song itself. In interviews, Tom Jones has described the moment he recorded the song’s climactic note—a soaring high note that lasts impossibly long. According to Jones, he nearly blacked out in the studio, giving everything he had to sustain the note and deliver the bombastic finale Barry’s composition required. It’s the kind of larger-than-life moment that encapsulates the essence of Bond: bold, audacious, and unforgettable.
Musically, “Thunderball” is pure John Barry, with its lush strings, bold brass, and ominous undertones. The opening bars, which feature a rising brass fanfare, immediately announce the film’s grandeur and danger. The melody is haunting yet exhilarating, capturing the duality of Bond’s world: seductive yet deadly. Barry’s arrangement makes full use of Jones’s powerhouse vocals, layering his voice over rich orchestration to create a song that feels larger than life.
In the film itself, “Thunderball” plays over Maurice Binder’s title sequence, which features silhouetted divers swimming through an underwater world of danger and beauty. The imagery, with its billowing bubbles and shadowy figures, perfectly complements the song’s atmosphere of mystery and menace. Binder’s sequences had already become a hallmark of the Bond films, and his work here is among his most iconic, setting the stage for the high-stakes adventure to come.
As for the film’s narrative, Thunderball sees Bond battling the villainous Largo, a high-ranking member of the criminal organisation SPECTRE, who has stolen two nuclear warheads and threatens global annihilation. The stakes are higher than ever, and the action takes place across stunning locations, from the Bahamas to London. The film’s underwater sequences, choreographed with incredible precision, were groundbreaking at the time and remain a highlight of the franchise. Sean Connery, as always, brings suave confidence and sharp wit to the role, though Thunderball begins to show signs of the excess that would later become a hallmark of the series.
When “Thunderball” was released, it was met with a mixed but generally positive reception. The song reached No. 35 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making it a modest success compared to its predecessor, “Goldfinger.” Critics at the time praised Tom Jones’s performance, though some felt the song lacked the instant iconic status of “Goldfinger.” Writing for The New York Times, Howard Taubman described the song as “a thunderous opening,” while Variety noted its “bold, brassy charm.” Retrospective reviews have been kinder, with many critics now recognising “Thunderball” as a classic in its own right. Writing for The Guardian, music critic Alexis Petridis called it “one of the most quintessentially Bond songs, full of swagger and drama.”
Comparing “Thunderball” to earlier Bond themes, it’s clear that the song builds on the blueprint established by “Goldfinger.” Both tracks share a bombastic orchestral style, dramatic lyrics, and powerhouse vocal performances. However, where “Goldfinger” has a sly, seductive quality, “Thunderball” leans more heavily into action and spectacle, reflecting the increasingly grandiose scale of the Bond films at the time. While it may not have the same immediate cultural impact as its predecessor, “Thunderball” stands out for its sheer intensity and theatricality.
Over time, “Thunderball” has earned its place in the Bond musical pantheon. Tom Jones’s performance is now regarded as one of the most impressive in the series, and John Barry’s composition remains a testament to his genius as a film composer. The song has also become a favourite among Bond fans, who appreciate its unapologetic grandeur and the way it captures the spirit of the franchise during its 1960s heyday.
Looking back, “Thunderball” is a song that perfectly embodies the larger-than-life spirit of James Bond. It’s bold, brash, and unrelentingly dramatic, much like the film it accompanies. While it may not have the same level of cultural recognition as “Goldfinger” or “Live and Let Die,” it remains an essential part of the Bond musical legacy. Tom Jones’s unforgettable performance, John Barry’s masterful arrangement, and Don Black’s evocative lyrics combine to create a theme that, much like Bond himself, strikes with precision and power. As the song declares, “He strikes... like Thunderball.”
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