A James Bond producer called ‘Goldfinger’ the “worst fucking song” he’d ever heard
Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger” theme was nearly removed from the 1964 James Bond film after producer Harry Saltzman reportedly called it the worst song he had heard. The story matters because the track became one of the franchise’s best-known musical moments and helped establish Bassey as a defining voice of the Bond films.
Bassey’s recording reached number 21 in the UK singles chart, while the soundtrack album topped the US pop album chart. Saltzman wanted the song replaced, but the article says limited time and budget made it impractical to find another singer or commission a new theme before the film’s release; Bassey later also performed themes for “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Moonraker”.
- Saltzman reportedly wanted “Goldfinger” removed.
- Time and budget constraints kept Bassey’s recording in the film.
- The theme became one of her signature songs.
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The "Goldfinger" theme song, performed by Shirley Bassey for the 1964 James Bond film, was nearly removed from the movie after the film's producer initially objected to it. Harry Saltzman, one of the producers responsible for bringing the Bond franchise to the screen, reportedly called the song the worst he had ever heard.
The song remained in the film despite Saltzman's reservations, partly because there was insufficient time and budget to commission a replacement theme and find another artist before the film's release. Bassey's recording of "Goldfinger" went on to reach number 21 in the UK singles chart, whilst the soundtrack album topped the US pop charts.
"Goldfinger" became one of the most recognisable musical moments associated with the James Bond franchise, and Bassey's distinctive voice came to define the sound of early Bond films. Bassey's success with the track led to her performing the themes for two subsequent Bond films, "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Moonraker".