On this day in 1981, the 12th James Bond film, For Your Eyes Only, had its premier in London. It once again starred Roger Moore as Agent 007.
The theme song for the film was written by Bill Conti, who will be forever remembered for writing the theme to the Rocky Movies. When he wrote it he had originally thought about Dusty Springfield of Donna Summer to sing it. He felt that they fit into the “style” of the Bond films. The studio suggested Sheena Easton, who had just had a huge hit with “Morning Train.” Bill listened to her album and was not impressed, so he met with her. After that meeting, he decided to work with her on the song.
Believe it or not, the band Blondie was originally approached to write a title song for the film. The producers of the film rejected their song in favor of Conti’s song. (Blondie’s recording of a completely different song, also called “For Your Eyes Only”, appeared on their 1982 album The Hunter). Conti’s lyricist, Mick Leeson, had originally used the line “for your eyes only” as the final line of the song. That didn’t match up with the film’s title reveal in the opening credits, so the two rewrote the song with the phrase as the first line of the song.
Sheena Easton is the only artist (to date) to be seen singing the theme song to a Bond movie during its opening title. Her seductive appearance in these clips was, according to the star, Roger Moore, “sexier than any of the Bond girls.” Sheena, however, says that the filming process was very unglamorous. Anyone who has seen the credits, would argue that she looks amazing in the film.
The song was released as a single in June 1981, just a couple weeks prior to the movie’s release and it became a world wide hit for Easton. She was only 22 years old when she released “For Your Eyes Only,” making her the youngest person ever to perform a Bond song. She held that record until 2020 when 18-year-old Billie Eilish recorded the theme tune for No Time to Die.
Here are those opening credits …
For Your Eyes Only
For your eyes only, can see me through the night
For your eyes only, I never need to hide
You can see so much in me
So much in me that’s new
I never felt, until I looked at you
[Chorus]
For your eyes only, only for you
You see what no one else can see
Now I’m breaking free
For your eyes only, only for you
The love I know you need in me
The fantasy you freed in me
Only for you, only for you
For your eyes only, the nights are never cold
You really know me, that’s all I need to know
Maybe I’m an open book
Because I know you’re mine
But you won’t need to read between the lines
[Chorus]
For your eyes only, only for you
You see what no one else can see
Now I’m breaking free
For your eyes only, only for you
The passions that collide in me
The wild abandoned side of me
Only for you, for your eyes only
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 
So interesting to know the backstory
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I can’t imagine anyone else doing this song
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Shenna did an amazing job on this and it was interesting to know the story and that she’s the only one to appear singing in a Bond opening. Blondie was news to be also, not a bad choice but the result of course would not be the same.
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that’s good trivia about her being the only one onscreen. Blondie might have done a good job but would have taken it in a different direction… chances are good their personalities ixnayed that. a lot of producers met them and only wanted to work with them once, if that.
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I always thought the Blondie song of that name was their attempt at a Bond theme. It does sound like one, and I do prefer it to Sheena Easton’s theme.
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