Rocks In The Attic #143: John Barry - ‘From Russia With Love (O.S.T.)’ (1963)

The second Bond film, and John Barry’s first full soundtrack (he had only arranged and conducted the James Bond Theme for Dr. No), this is where the music starts to become a key part in the Bond story. Barry’s brass-laden scores are an integral component of the Bond ‘sound’ and this comes fully formed here, ready for the global spotlight that would be cast on the series during the release of the next film, Goldfinger, one year later.

From Russia With Love is clearly one of the better Bond films, if the not the best one outright, and the soundtrack is notable for the first appearance of the instrumental theme 007, which scores the gypsy camp fight scene in the film. Considered to be the ‘secondary’ James Bond theme, this pops up in several films during Sean Connery’s tenure; and only once since, in 1979’s Moonraker starring Roger Moore.

The vocal version of the film’s title song, sung by Matt Munro, is one of my favourite Bond songs - and it always amuses me to change the word ‘Russia’ to ‘Rusholme’, changing the tone of the song quite considerably from the subject matter of espionage, to a simple love song about a man bringing a curry home for his wife.

Hit: From Russia With Love - Matt Munro

Hidden Gem: 007