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DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (by Shirley Bassey: Best of Bond … James Bond, 2008 edition)

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 2:41 Min.

From the soundtrack of 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever starring Sean Connery, this James Bond tune was recorded by Welsh singer Shirley Bassey.  This song has since been re-released on some compilation albums, primarily multiple updates of the Best of Bond … James Bond  (which includes the franchise’s theme songs to date).   

Note: Best of Bond .. James Bond includes a 40th anniversary edition in 2002 and a subsequent update in 2008 for Chris Cornell’s “You Know My Name” from Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale.

REVIEW:

As the second in Shirley Bassey’s trilogy of Bond themes (1964’s “Goldfinger” and 1979’s “Moonraker”), “Diamonds Are Forever” is a wonderful showcase.  Working off an ideal melody, Bassey’s alluring vocals bring the song’s lyrics re: a lady’s love affair with diamonds wonderfully to life.  Yet, if one had to determine which of Bassey’s three Bond tunes is the least significant, then it’s this one. 

It doesn’t have quite the iconic panache of “Goldfinger. Though not by much, Bassey’s inspired effort salvaging “Moonraker” surpasses “Diamonds Are Forever,” as far as being an original pop tune – frankly, anyone who can make an analogy to a space shuttle work as an elegant love song deserves immortality.       

As for “Diamonds,” it’s still cheesy fun hearing this 60’s-ish song, but the tune doesn’t leave as much of a lasting impression as her other two themes do.  Nevertheless, Bassey’s contribution to “Diamonds Are Forever” slyly steals the thunder from Connery’s brief return to the Bond franchise following a four-year hiatus.  There’s no doubt that this tune is the best asset of perhaps the worst-ever Bond film.         

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

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BDC
October 2020