Since the release date for the film had been pre-determined and filming had finished close to that date, John Barry received some edits directly from the cutting room floor, rather than as a finished edit, and scored some sequences from the rough initial prints. Barry described his work in Goldfinger as a favourite of his, saying it was “the first time I had complete control, writing the score and the song”. The musical tracks, in keeping with the film’s theme of gold and metal, make heavy use of brass, and also metallic chimes. The film’s score is described as “brassy and raunchy” with “a sassy sexiness to it”.

Goldfinger began the tradition of Bond theme songs introduced over the opening title sequence, the style of the song from the pop genre and using popular artists. Although the title song, sung by Matt Monro, in From Russia with Love was introduced in a few phrases on Bond’s first appearance, a full rendition on the sound track only commenced for the final scene on the waters at Venice and through the following end titles.Shirley Bassey established the opening title tradition giving her distinguished style to “Goldfinger”, and would sing the theme songs for two future Bond films, Diamonds are Forever and Moonraker. The song Goldfinger was composed by John Barry, with lyrics by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. These lyrics were described in one contemporary newspaper as “puerile”, but what remained undisturbed was the Shirley Bassey interpretation world impact. Like the score, the arrangement makes heavy use of brass, meeting well Miss Bassey’s signature belting, and incorporates the Bond theme from Dr. No. Newley recorded the early versions, which were even considered for inclusion in the film. The soundtrack album topped the Billboard 200 chart, and reached the 14th place in the UK Albums Chart. The single for “Goldfinger” was also successful, reaching 8th in the Billboard Hot 100 and 21st in the UK charts.

“6 Underground”, a song by the English band Sneaker Pimps from their 1996 studio album Becoming X, uses the harp melody at the beginning of the track “Golden Girl” from Goldfinger. (“Golden Girl” plays during a scene when Bond discovers the corpse of Jill Masterson covered in gold paint).