*Would 007 have been as successful without the music?

Doubtful. John Barry, the great film composer who died at the age of 77, clearly hit upon the right mix of sex, adventure, and elegance in composing many of the early Bond films, including the famous theme. The LAT's Randall Roberts has a sampling.

From Bruce Handy:

The thing about those themes, aside from how good they are and how iconic they've become, is how surprisingly mutty they are. Barry riffled through the musical larder, pulled out some odd scraps of big-band swing, Broadway, and rock 'n' roll, and then created something both timeless and so of-its-moment as to be quintessential. Really, is there a more perfect sonic evocation of mid-1960s adult culture than a balls-to-the-wall Shirley Bassey belting "GoldFINGah"? (Sorry, Frank, Dino, and Sammy.) And is there a movie theme from the era that promises as much revved-up fun? (Sorry, Henry Mancini and Pink Panther.)

*Readers point out that the Bond theme was composed by Monty Norman and arranged by Barry.