Was Nobody Does It Better written for a movie?

The song was written by Marvin Hamlisch (music) and Carole Bayer Sager (lyrics). Carly Simon recorded for the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, which starred Roger Moore. Bond was famous and infamous for his work as a spy and as a lover. “Nobody Does it Better” was released on the soundtrack album for the film as well as a single. It had international charting success, rising to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks, #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box 100; #1 in Canada and Ireland; #5 in France and Norway; #7 in the U.K.; and #8 in Australia. The song sold more than one million copies and earned an RIAA gold record.

Carly Simon was born Carly Elisabeth Simon in The Bronx, New York and has been a highly successful singer-songwriter, musician, actress and writer. She is the former wife of singer-songwriter James Taylor, and their two children Sarah “Sally” Maria Taylor and benjamin “Ben” Simon Taylor are also musicians.  She continues to record, tour and perform

Here are the lyrics to “Nobody Does it Better” by Carly Simon:

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…[Repeat]

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"Nobody Does It Better" is a song composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. It was recorded by Carly Simon as the theme song for the 1977 James Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. It was the first Bond theme song to be titled differently from the name of the film since 'Dr. No', although the phrase "the spy who loved me" is included in the lyrics. The song was released as a single from the film's soundtrack album.

"Nobody Does It Better" became a major worldwide hit, spending three weeks at #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 but was kept out of the top spot by Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" and #1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. It also reached #7 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was certified Gold by the RIAA, signifying sales of one million copies in the US.

The song is Simon's longest-charting hit. Her earlier hit "You're So Vain" spent three weeks at #1; however, its chart run was two months shorter than that of "Nobody Does It Better." The title of the theme was later used for Simon's 1999 greatest hits compilation, 'The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better'.

“Nobody Does It Better” begins with Carly Simon showering praises and admiration on her significant other for being totally awesome to her while simultaneously feeling sorry for other women who are not fortunate enough to be blessed with a lover like hers.

She proceeds to reveal how she was actually not looking for love in the beginning yet was “found” by her lover. And even after being “found” by him, she still “tried to hide” from the light of his love.

All in all, we have a case of a young woman minding her own business and having no intentions whatsoever to find love but suddenly stumbles upon the addressee and succumbs to his charms.

Who is the Addressee?

Considering this song was written for the 1977 James Bond movie titled “The Spy Who Loved Me”, the addressee is none other than the iconic secret agent James Bond. And the narrator would presumably be a Bond girl. For those unaware of who a Bond girl is, she is basically Bond’s female companion who more often than not plays the role of his love interest.

The Takeaway

“Nobody Does It Better” is simply put a song that pays tribute to the fictional character James Bond.

The Bond girl narrator (who is beyond infatuated by him) not only admires him for being a great lover but also for being a fantastic secret agent.

Was Nobody Does It Better written for a movie?

Who wrote “Nobody Does It Better”?

This song was written by two noted songwriters. The lyrics were penned by American lyricist and singer Carole Bayer Sager. The music on the other hand was composed by the late American composer Marvin Hamlisch.

Was Nobody Does It Better written for a movie?

More Facts about “Nobody Does It Better”

This James Bond theme song was released in July of 1977. It met with so much success that it earned its makers multiple prestigious award nominations, including a Grammy.

At the 1978 version of the Grammys, it received two nominations, including one for “Song of the Year“.

That same year, it was nominated for an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe Award.

Chart-wise, “Nobody Does It Better” was also a huge success. For example, it was a number 1 hit in Ireland. It also made it to number 2 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart in the United States. On the UK Singles, it also did impressively well, peaking at the 7th position. This classic also fared very well in the countries below:

  • Argentina – #4
  • Australia – #8
  • Canada – #2
  • France – #5
  • Norway – #5

In the United States alone, “Nobody Does It Better” has sold over a million copies. Owing to this, it has been certified Gold by the RIAA.

Due to the song’s commercial as well as critical success many regard it as the one of the best Bond theme songs of all time.

Simon played no role in the composing of this song. By virtue of this, this classic remains the most successful song of Simon’s illustrious career that she did not compose herself. Only one other song (“You’re So Vain“) from Simon’s catalogue experienced almost the same amount of success as “Nobody Does It Better”.

Who played James Bond in Nobody Does It Better?

Timothy Dalton was the understated, broody Bond, a return to a grittier 007 who is more aligned with Fleming's character in the novels. He was also less of a cliché, more of a 21st century Bond than a Cold War throwback.

Who wrote the song Nobody Does It Better?

In the fall of 1977, Carly Simon's sultry rendition of “Nobody Does It Better” rose to No. 2 on Billboard's pop chart, casting James Bond in a new light. Written by Carole Bayer Sager (words) and Marvin Hamlisch (music) for “The Spy Who Loved Me,” the Bond theme was the first to be titled differently from the movie.

Who plays piano on Nobody Does It Better?

As 007 fans await “No Time to Die”—delayed until November but already teased with a theme by Billie Eilish—Ms. Bayer Sager, Ms. Simon, pianist Michael Omartian and arranger Richard Hewson revisited their hit.

What album is Nobody Does It Better on?

The Spy Who Loved Me