Shirley Bassey

Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer known for her powerful voice and for performing the theme songs of three James Bond films.

Goldfinger (song): The 1964 James Bond theme song performed by Shirley Bassey for the film Goldfinger. Its brass-led opening and forceful vocal became Bassey’s defining Bond performance.
Anthony Newley: An English actor, singer, and songwriter who co-wrote “Goldfinger” with Leslie Bricusse and John Barry. His songwriting helped create the theme that became Bassey’s best-known recording.
Tiger Bay: A historic dockland district of Cardiff, Wales, now largely incorporated into Cardiff Bay. Bassey grew up in the Cardiff area, whose working-class setting shaped her early biography.
James Bond music: The songs and scores written for the James Bond film series. Bassey’s three title performances became defining examples of the series’ vocal themes.
Diamonds Are Forever (song): The 1971 James Bond theme song performed by Shirley Bassey for the film Diamonds Are Forever. Bassey returned to Bond with a more intimate, suggestive vocal style.
Leslie Bricusse: An English lyricist and composer whose songs include the James Bond theme “Goldfinger.” He wrote the lyric Bassey delivered in her landmark Bond performance.
Cardiff: The capital and largest city of Wales, situated on the country’s south coast. Bassey was born and raised in Cardiff before beginning her singing career.
Welsh music: Music made in Wales or associated with Welsh performers and traditions. Her international success made her one of Wales’s most prominent popular singers.
Moonraker (song): The 1979 James Bond theme song performed by Shirley Bassey for the film Moonraker. This was her third Bond title song, distinguished by its sweeping ballad arrangement.
John Barry: An English composer and conductor who wrote music for eleven James Bond films. His orchestration and arrangement defined the Bond sound behind several Bassey themes.

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Music of the James Bond seriesRelated: Her powerful performances helped establish the dramatic vocal style of the series’ title songs.