John Barry

1933–2011

The sound of James Bond

John Barry was born John Barry Prendergast in York, England, in 1933. His father owned a chain of cinemas, so he grew up watching films and noticing their music. After studying composition and serving in the army, he formed the John Barry Seven, a rock-and-roll instrumental group, and began arranging pop records, notably for singer Adam Faith.

In 1962 Barry was brought in to arrange the James Bond Theme for Dr. No, and he went on to score eleven Bond films. Goldfinger (1964) established the classic Bond sound: brassy, sensual and dangerous, with Shirley Bassey's title song at its center. You Only Live Twice (1967) showed his lusher side, its title song for Nancy Sinatra wrapping the Japanese settings in sweeping strings. His blend of jazz, big-band brass and romantic orchestration became the signature of the spy genre.

Barry's range went far beyond 007. He won two Academy Awards for Born Free (1966), for score and title song, and further Oscars for The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves, five in all. The Ipcress File, Midnight Cowboy and Somewhere in Time showed his gift for melancholy and atmosphere, often built on long, slowly unfolding melodies.

Although his best-known work came after 1960, Barry carried the grand romantic tradition of Golden Age scoring into a new era. He was appointed an OBE in 1999 and later made a Fellow of BAFTA. Barry died in New York in 2011.

THE ART

Music by John Barry

Art celebrating his film scores. Click any piece to view it larger.

THE FILMS

The Story and the Score

Goldfinger (1964)

The Story

James Bond investigates gold smuggler Auric Goldfinger and uncovers his audacious plan to attack the United States gold reserve at Fort Knox. Along the way he battles Goldfinger's deadly henchman, Oddjob, and meets the pilot Pussy Galore. Sean Connery stars in the third and perhaps most celebrated Bond film.

The Music

Barry's score defined the Bond sound, with brassy, dramatic themes and Shirley Bassey's powerful title song, which became a hit. His music adds excitement to the action and glamour to the spy's world, and it set the standard for the James Bond films that followed for decades.

You Only Live Twice (1967)

The Story

When American and Soviet spacecraft vanish in orbit, pushing the superpowers toward war, James Bond travels to Japan to find the culprit, the criminal organization SPECTRE. With help from Japan's secret service, he discovers a hidden rocket base inside a volcano. Sean Connery stars in the fifth Bond film.

The Music

Barry's score combines lush romantic writing with Japanese colors and suspenseful music for the space scenes. Nancy Sinatra's title song, wrapped in sweeping strings, became a classic. Barry's music gives the film its exotic atmosphere and grand sense of adventure, and it is often counted among his finest Bond scores.