Who was the first artist to perform the theme song on-screen during the opening credits of a Bond film?

"For Your Eyes Only" is the soundtrack for the 12th James Bond film of the same name. The theme song was written by Bill Conti (music) and Michael Leeson (lyrics), and performed by Sheena Easton. The song was later nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe in 1982. Easton also made Bond film history as the first (and, to date, only) artist to perform the theme song on-screen during the opening title sequence.

Originally, the band Blondie was approached to write and perform the theme song for the film. They produced a song also called "For Your Eyes Only" that they turned in to the producers, however, this was rejected because the company wanted the Conti song and the band refused, and subsequently asked Easton to record an entirely new theme.

Sheena Shirley Easton (née Orr; born 27 April 1959) is a Scottish singer and songwriter. She is a dual British-American citizen. Easton came into the public eye in an episode of the first British musical reality television programme "The Big Time: Pop Singer", which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and her eventual signing with EMI Records.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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6 Comments

Jerry Edwards

Brenda Berkstresser, That's right. But she didn't appear in the opening sequence like the question asks.

Jerry Edwards

jcdangusa, Wrong! Matt Munro was the first singer to be credited for a James Bond movie theme. But Sheena Easton WAS the first singer to appear in the opening credits, as the question asks! RTFQ. (READ THE FLIPPIN' QUESTION)

Jerry Kimball

Hmmm, second Sheena Easton question today...please don't let this be the start of an avalanche of Sheena E questions!

Jerry Edwards

Another excellent question from SPG.

Jerry Edwards

Bernie Coletta, Which of the three movies (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever or Moonraker) that Shirley Bassey sang the theme to, included her in the opening credits? Ummm... None of them. Of course, had the question been "Who was the first singer of a James Bond movie theme?", it still wouldn't have been Bassey. That would have been Matt Munro for "From Russia With Love" (the 2nd JB movie). No one was credited for "Dr No" & "Goldfinger" was JB #3.