You Only Live Twice (3:29)

You Only Live Twice is the soundtrack for the 5th James Bond film of the same name. It was composed by Bond veteran, John Barry. At the time, this was his fourth credited Bond film. The theme song, “You Only Live Twice”, was sung by Nancy Sinatra, with music by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.

Alternative theme
An earlier recording of the theme song, with different lyrics and sung by an uncredited Julie Rogers, was included in the James Bond 30th Anniversary 2-CD boxed set, cited as a “demo. ” Rogers never thought it was a demo, but a finished version for the film. After this version was recorded, the producers sought out Nancy Sinatra for the vocal, and Barry re-orchestrated the song to suit her range.
An alternative example of the title song (also called “You Only Live Twice” and sung by Lorraine Chandler) was discovered in the vaults of RCA records in the 1990s. Possibly intended as a demo for consideration by the film’s producers, it can be found on compilations such as Rare, Collectable, and Soulful Vol. 2.
Little Anthony & The Imperials recorded a rendition of the song for United Artists Records as well. It appeared on their 1967 album, Movie Grabbers on the label’s Veep Records subsidiary that year, and was released as single from that album.