“Nobody Does It Better,” the iconic power ballad and theme song from the 1977 James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” remains a standout in both Carly Simon’s career and the Bond franchise. Composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and produced by Richard Perry, the song became an instant global sensation upon its release.
Unlike previous Bond theme songs, “Nobody Does It Better” marked a departure by not sharing its title with the film it accompanied, a tradition since “Dr. No” (1962). Despite this, the song seamlessly weaves in the film’s essence with lyrics that reference “the spy who loved me.” Its commercial success was resounding, reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Easy Listening chart for seven weeks. It earned a Gold certification from the RIAA for selling over a million copies in the US alone, while in the UK, it peaked at No. 7 and received a Silver certification from the BPI.
At the awards circuit, “Nobody Does It Better” garnered Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song in 1978, although it faced stiff competition from “You Light Up My Life.” The song’s enduring popularity has been underscored by its continued acclaim across decades. In 2004, the American Film Institute ranked it the 67th greatest film song, while Rolling Stone placed it as the third-greatest James Bond theme song in 2012. Billboard even ranked it as the second-greatest Bond theme. In a 2021 poll by USA Today, it was crowned the greatest James Bond theme song of all time.
Carly Simon’s interpretation of the song has been hailed for its emotive power and the way it encapsulates Bond’s allure and charisma. Critics have noted Simon’s delivery as both confident and seductive, fitting the Bond motif perfectly. The song’s composition, described as inventive and bombastic, complements Simon’s vocal performance, which Billboard praised for its sincerity in portraying Bond’s legendary love prowess.
Beyond its cinematic ties, “Nobody Does It Better” remains a highlight of Carly Simon’s career, marking her longest-charting hit and one of her most successful singles. Its impact extends beyond the charts, influencing artists like Radiohead, whose lead singer Thom Yorke dubbed it the “sexiest song ever written.”
In conclusion, “Nobody Does It Better” stands as a definitive piece in both Carly Simon’s catalog and the James Bond soundtrack legacy, embodying the essence of 007’s charm and romance while securing its place as a timeless classic in popular music history.
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Lyrics
Nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, you’re the best
I wasn’t lookin’ but somehow you found me
I tried to hide from your love light
But like heaven above me
The spy who loved me
Is keepin’ all my secrets safe tonight
And nobody does it better
Though sometimes I wish someone could
Nobody does it quite the way you do
Why’d you have to be so good?
The way that you hold me
Whenever you hold me
There’s some kind of magic inside you
That keeps me from runnin’
But just keep it comin’
How’d you learn to do the things you do?
And nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, baby
Darlin’, you’re the best
Baby, you’re the best
Baby, you’re the best
Sweet baby, you’re the best
Darlin’, you’re the best
Darlin’, you’re the best
Sweet baby, you’re the best
Baby, you’re the best
Sweet baby
