Editing Shirley Bassey (section)

==Career==

===1950s===
In 1953, Bassey signed her first professional contract, touring with the variety show ''Memories of Jolson'', a musical based on the life of [[Al Jolson]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Mears |first=Tyler |date=7 January 2017 |title=17 times Dame Shirley Bassey proved she's truly world class |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/17-times-dame-shirley-bassey-12413828 |access-date=12 February 2022 |website=[[WalesOnline]] |language=en}}</ref> On 17 December 1953, Bassey signed a contract with Columbia Productions for two performances at the salary of £10.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shirleybassey.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/shirley-basseys-25th-anniversary-1978/ |title=Shirley's 25th Anniversary |website=The Bassey Blog |date=7 June 2009 |access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref> Her next professional engagement was in the touring show ''Hot from Harlem'', in which she and other mixed-race Cardiff performers played [[African Americans|Black Americans]] in 1954.<ref name=":2">{{cite web| title=Shirley Bassey: from single mum to superstar| url=https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/shirley-bassey-from-single-mum-to-superstar/| access-date=12 February 2022| website=Radio Times| language=en}}</ref> A review of the show in March 1954 included: "Shirley Bassey, an attractive young singer, is an asset to the show."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Round the Halls |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001179/19540304/019/0005 |journal=[[The Stage]] |date=4 March 1954 |page=5 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Later that year, Bassey gave birth to her daughter Sharon, while staying with her sister Ella in London.<ref name=":2" />

While performing in Jersey, Bassey met her first manager, Mike Sullivan.<ref name=":2" /> In 1955, Bassey toured various theatres until she was noticed by the impresario [[Jack Hylton]] at the Astor Club in September 1955.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Bright Lights |first=Dick |last=Richards |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001860/19550907/024/0024 |journal=[[The Sketch]] |date=7 September 1955 |page=207}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| date=30 December 1961| title=Biographies| url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1961/CB-1961-12-30.pdf| journal=Cash Box| page=12}}</ref> He invited her to feature in [[Al Read]]'s ''Such Is Life'', which opened on 14 December 1955<ref>{{cite journal |title=Adelphi's Xmas Plans |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001179/19551124/015/0001 |journal=The Stage |date=24 November 1955 |page=1 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> at the [[Adelphi Theatre]] in London's [[West End theatre|West End]]. In the show, which ran until 3 November 1956,<ref>{{cite news |title=Entertainments Guide |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102238917/daily-herald/ |newspaper=Daily Herald |location=London |date=2 November 1956 |page=8 |access-date=20 May 2022 |quote=...Shirley Bassey. Lst 2 dys.}}</ref> she featured the song "[[Burn My Candle]]", leading one reviewer to say that she had nearly stopped the show with the song "which brought outraged mutters, then roars of shamefaced applause."<ref>{{cite journal |title=All this —but not enough of Al |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102239259/daily-herald/ |newspaper=Daily Herald |location=London |date=15 December 1955 |page=3 |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> During the show's run, [[Philips Records|Philips]] record producer [[Johnny Franz]] spotted her on television, was impressed, and offered her a recording deal. Bassey recorded her first single, "Burn My Candle", the song she had featured in ''Such is Life'', and this was released in February 1956. The cabaret-style song was banned by the [[BBC World Service|BBC]] because the lyrics were considered too suggestive.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stratton |first=Jon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Py8rDwAAQBAJ&dq=burn+my+candle+shirley+bassey+1956&pg=PA169 |title=Jews, Race and Popular Music |date=5 July 2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-56170-9 |page=61 |language=en}}</ref> More singles followed, and in February 1957, Bassey had her first [[hit record|hit]] with "[[The Banana Boat Song]]", which reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="officialcharts">{{cite web |title=Shirley Bassey |website=Official Charts Company |access-date=10 April 2016 |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4336/shirley-bassey/}}</ref>

Following a successful run at the [[Café de Paris, London]], Bassey made her American stage début in [[Las Vegas]] at [[El Rancho Vegas]] in February 1957.<ref>Williams, ''Miss Shirley Bassey'', 154.</ref> Following on from Las Vegas, Bassey opened at [[Ciro's]] on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood on 15 February 1957.<ref>{{cite news |title=Confidential File |first=Paul V. |last=Coates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102191893/los-angeles-mirror/ |newspaper=The Mirror-News |location=Los Angeles |date=21 February 1957 |page=10}}</ref> She also recorded under the direction of American producer [[Mitch Miller]] in New York City for the [[Columbia Records]] label (which at the time had a distribution deal with Philips), producing the single "If I Had a Needle and Thread" [[A-side and B-side|b/w]] "Tonight My Heart She Is Crying". On her return to the UK in April 1957, she starred in "[[Tonight at the London Palladium|Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]" for the first time on 28 April 1957.<ref>{{cite news |title=Week-end Broadcasting Programmes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102192043/the-daily-telegraph/ |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post |date=27 April 1957 |page=4 |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref>

In mid-1958, Bassey recorded two singles that would become classics in the Bassey catalogue. "As I Love You" was released as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] of another ballad, "Hands Across the Sea"; it did not sell well at first but, after another appearance at the [[London Palladium]] on 30 November,<ref>{{cite news |title=Tomorrow's Programmes |newspaper=[[Coventry Telegraph|Coventry Evening Telegraph]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102192173/coventry-evening-telegraph/ |date=29 November 1958 |page=2 |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref> sales began to pick up. In January 1959, "As I Love You" reached [[List of number-one singles from the 1950s (UK)|number-one]] and stayed there for four weeks; it was the first number-one single by a Welsh artist.<ref name="Bbc.co.uk"/> While "As I Love You" climbed the charts, so did Bassey's recording of "[[Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me]]" and both records would end up occupying the top 3 at the same time. Having been with [[Decca Records]] for four years, Bassey then signed to [[EMI]]'s [[Columbia Graphophone Company|Columbia]] label on 20 April 1959.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=25 April 1959 |title=Shirley Bassey signs with Columbia |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Melody-Maker/50s/Melody-Maker-1959-04-25-OCR.pdf |access-date=29 May 2024 |magazine=[[Melody Maker]] |page=10}}</ref> Her first album for Columbia, ''[[The Fabulous Shirley Bassey]]'', was later released and reached. No. 12 on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Martland |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yD8UAQAAIAAJ&q=shirley+bassey+columbia+records+1959 |title=Since Records Began: EMI, the First 100 Years |publisher=Batsford |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-7134-6207-4 |page=229 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Albums Chart Top 20 {{!}} 29 January 1961 - 4 February 1961 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19610129/7502/|access-date=14 February 2022 |website=Official Charts Company |language=en}}</ref>

===1960s===
Between 1960 and 1961, Bassey had four Top 10 hits in the UK.<ref name="officialcharts" /> Her 1960 recording of "[[As Long As He Needs Me]]" from [[Lionel Bart]]'s ''[[Oliver!]]'' peaked at No. 2,and had a chart run of 30 weeks.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> She made her American television début on 13 November 1960, when she performed on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''.<ref>Williams, ''Miss Shirley Bassey'', 219.</ref> In 1961, the double [[A-side and B-side|A-side]] "[[Reach for the Stars (Shirley Bassey song)|Reach for the Stars]]"/"[[Climb Ev'ry Mountain]]" reached number-one.<ref name="officialcharts" /> Bassey's version of "[[As Long as He Needs Me]]" reached No. 2.<ref name="officialcharts" /> Her single "[[I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You)|I'll Get By]]" peaked at No. 10.<ref name="officialcharts" /> Bassey's rendition of "You'll Never Know" was one of the UK's top hits in 1961, reaching No. 6 on the charts.<ref>{{cite journal |date=30 December 1962 |title=England's Top Hits of 1961 (Singles) |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1961/CB-1961-12-30.pdf |journal=Cash Box |page=17}}</ref><ref name="officialcharts" /> She began to gain recognition in the American market and signed to [[United Artists Records]] in August 1961.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=28 August 1961 |title=Shirley Bassey Inks United Artists Pact |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HiEEAAAAMBAJ&dq=shirley+bassey+billboard+1961&pg=PA10 |magazine=Billboard |page=10}}</ref> The following month she began a five-week engagement at the Persian Room inside New York's [[Plaza Hotel]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Grevatt |first=Ren |date=18 September 1961 |title=Shirley Is on Her Way |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aCAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=shirley+bassey+billboard+1961&pg=PA74 |magazine=Billboard |page=74}}</ref>

Bassey's collaboration with [[Nelson Riddle]] and his orchestra, the album ''[[Let's Face the Music]]'' (1962), reached No. 12 in the UK album chart; and the single, "[[What Now My Love (song)|What Now My Love]]" made it to No. 5 in 1962.<ref name="officialcharts" /> Her [[cover version]] of the [[Ben E. King]] hit "[[I (Who Have Nothing)]]" reached No. 6 in 1963.<ref name="officialcharts" /> In January 1963, Bassey performed at a gala commemorating the second anniversary of [[John F. Kennedy|President John F. Kennedy]]'s inauguration in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite journal |date=7 February 1963 |title=At JFK 2nd Anniversary Fete |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7LsDAAAAMBAJ&dq=President+Kennedy+shirley+bassey+1963&pg=PA9 |journal=Jet |page=9}}</ref><ref>Williams, ''Miss Shirley Bassey'', 247–248.</ref> In March 1963, she appeared on the cover of ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite journal |date=March 1963 |title=Shirley Bassey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u48FA0TY0MEC&q=bassey |journal=Ebony |pages=108–113}}</ref> Bassey made her [[Carnegie Hall]] debut on 15 February 1964.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=8 February 1964 |title=Bernstein Exits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2EQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Carnegie+Hall+shirley+bassey+1964&pg=PA6 |magazine=Billboard |page=6}}</ref> The complete concert recording was not released until it was included in the EMI compilation [[Bassey – The EMI/UA Years 1959–1979|''The EMI/UA Years 1959–1979'']] in 1994.

In 1965, Bassey enjoyed her only [[Top 40]] hit on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] with the [[Goldfinger (Shirley Bassey song)|title song]] of the James Bond film, ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]''. The single "[[Goldfinger (Shirley Bassey song)|Goldfinger]]" was released in the US in January 1965, peaking at No 8.<ref name=":3">{{cite magazine |title=Shirley Bassey |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shirley-bassey/ |access-date=14 February 2022 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Goldfinger (soundtrack)|original soundtrack]] for ''Goldfinger'' hit number-one in the US that year. The "Goldfinger" theme song had a lasting impact on her career. In the [[sleeve notes]] for Bassey's ''25th Anniversary Album'' (1978), [[Peter Clayton]] noted that: "Acceptance in America was considerably helped by the enormous popularity of ("Goldfinger")...But she had actually established herself there as early as 1961, in [[cabaret]] in New York. She was also a success in Las Vegas...'I suppose I should feel hurt that I've never been really big in America on record since "Goldfinger"...But, concertwise, I always sell out.'..."<ref>{{cite web |author=Roman |url=http://home.arcor.de/bassey/ |title=See sleeve notes by Peter Clayton, ''25th Anniversary Album'' |website=Arcor.de |date=6 May 2004 |access-date=28 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307101359/http://home.arcor.de/bassey/ |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}</ref>

Her live 1965 album ''[[Shirley Bassey at the Pigalle]]'', recorded during a sold-out run at the Pigalle in London, peaked at No. 15 on the UK album chart.<ref name="officialcharts" /> Also in 1965, she sang the title song for the James Bond spoof ''[[The Liquidator (1965 film)|The Liquidator]].''<ref>{{cite book |last=Mavis |first=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ehkcZFT8fMoC&dq=The+Liquidator+shirley+bassey&pg=PA178 |title=The Espionage Filmography: United States Releases, 1898 through 1999 |date=8 June 2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-0427-5 |page=178 |language=en}}</ref> Bassey recorded a song for the next Bond film, ''[[Thunderball (film)|Thunderball]]'' (1965). "[[Thunderball (film)#Music|Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]]" was not used in the movie, although the film's score follows its melodic theme. Written by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse, "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was re-recorded by American singer [[Dionne Warwick]], and then rejected in favor of a new song, "Thunderball", hastily written by Barry and given to Welsh singer [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] after the film's producers decided the song over the opening credits must feature the film's title.<ref>Williams, ''Miss Shirley Bassey'', 274–275.</ref>

In the aftermath of "Goldfinger" her UK sales started to falter as well: only two of her singles would enter the UK top 40 from 1966 to 1970. Her first album on United Artists, "[[I've Got a Song for You]]" (1966), spent one week on the chart. From 1966 to 1970, only two albums would chart, one of those a compilation. One of her best-known singles, "[[Big Spender]]" was released in 1967, charting just short of the UK top 20.<ref name=officialcharts/>

Bassey began to live as a [[tax exile]] in 1968, during [[History of taxation in the United Kingdom|a period of very high income tax]], and was unable to work in Britain for almost two years.<ref name=minute-she-walked-in-the-joint>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3594141/The-minute-she-walked-in-the-joint.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3594141/The-minute-she-walked-in-the-joint.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=The minute she walked in the joint |first=Nigel |last=Farndale |date=9 May 2003 |access-date=23 May 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Roman |url=http://home.arcor.de/bassey/ |title=See CD sleeve notes by Chris White, ''Something'' album |website=Arcor.de |date=6 May 2004 |access-date=28 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307101359/http://home.arcor.de/bassey/ |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}</ref> In 1969, she appeared in [[NBC]]'s ''The Spring Thing,'' a musical television special hosted by [[Bobbie Gentry]] and [[Noel Harrison]]. Guests included were [[Goldie Hawn]], [[Meredith MacRae]], Irwin C. Watson, [[Rod McKuen]], and [[Harpers Bizarre]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Of0QAAAAQBAJ&q=david+winters+variety&pg=PA343 |title=Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936–2012 |edition=2d |last=Terrace |first=Vincent |date=6 June 2013 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-1240-9 |language=en}}</ref>

===1970s===
[[File:Shirley Bassey à Munster ( Allemagne ) début des années 70.jpeg|right|thumb|upright=0.8|Bassey performing in [[West Germany]] in 1973]]
Bassey's UK comeback came in 1970 leading to one of the most successful periods of her career. Starting the year with a BBC Television 'Special', ''[[Dougie Squires|The Young Generation]] Meet Shirley Bassey'', recorded in Sweden and shown on [[BBC1]] on 18 March.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/3a3321e9515f451283f407c6059d126d |title=The Young Generation meet Shirley Bassey – BBC One London |date=18 March 1970 |website=BBC Genome |access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref> She returned to the UK with a record-breaking run of performances at the [[Talk of the Town (nightclub)|Talk of the Town]] nightclub. Also that year, her album ''[[Something (Shirley Bassey album)|Something]]'' was released, and showcased a new Bassey style, a shift from [[traditional pop]] to more contemporary songs and arrangements (the eponymous single was more successful in the UK charts than the original recording by [[The Beatles]]) – although Bassey would never completely abandon that which had been her forte: standards, [[show tunes]], and [[torch songs]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Her song "[[Something (Beatles song)|Something]]" was also a top 10 US hit on the [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|Adult Contemporary]] chart. Other singles of this period included the hit "[[Grande grande grande|Never Never Never]]", an English version of the Italian "Grande grande grande", reaching the top 10 in the US Adult Contemporary Chart, the UK top 10 and number one in Australia and South Africa.

Returning to the James Bond franchise, she recorded the theme song for ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (soundtrack)|Diamonds Are Forever]]'' (1971). Bassey appeared on the ''[[Morecambe and Wise]] Christmas Show'', broadcast on Christmas Day in 1971.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1181838/ |title=1971 Christmas Show |date=25 December 1971 |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref>

Bassey was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' on two occasions: firstly, in November 1972 when she was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] at [[Heathrow Airport]],{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} and then in January 1993, when [[Michael Aspel]] surprised her at the curtain call of a sell-out concert at the [[Royal Albert Hall]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Bassey recorded a series of successful albums on the United Artists label, including: ''[[Something Else (Shirley Bassey album)|Something Else]]'' (1971); ''[[And I Love You So (Shirley Bassey album)|And I Love You So]]'' (1972); ''[[I Capricorn]]'' (1972); ''[[Never Never Never]]'' (1973); ''[[Good, Bad but Beautiful]]'' (1975); ''[[Love, Life and Feelings]]'' (1976); ''[[You Take My Heart Away (album)|You Take My Heart Away]]'' (1977) and ''Yesterdays'' (1978). Additionally, two of Bassey's earlier LPs also entered the charts in the '70s: ''[[And We Were Lovers]]'' (1967, re-issued as ''Big Spender''), and ''[[Let's Face the Music]]'' (1962, re-issued as ''What Now My Love''). Two compilations, ''[[The Shirley Bassey Singles Album]]'' (1975) and ''[[25th Anniversary Album (Shirley Bassey album)|25th Anniversary Album]]'' (1978), both made the top three of the UK charts: ''[[The Shirley Bassey Singles Album]]'', her highest-charting album, reached number two and earned a [[British Phonographic Industry#Certifications|gold disc]], and the ''25th Anniversary Album'' eventually went platinum.<ref name="officialcharts" /><ref name="BPI">{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx |title=BPI Database (must manually enter Shirley Bassey) |website=British Phonographic Industry |access-date=10 April 2016 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124005813/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Between 1970 and 1979, Bassey had 18 hit albums in the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums" /> Her album ''The Magic Is You'' (1979) featured a portrait by the photographer [[Francesco Scavullo]]. In 1973, her sold-out concerts at New York's [[Carnegie Hall]] were recorded and released as a two-LP set, ''Shirley Bassey: Live at Carnegie Hall''; this album reached No. 20 on the Billboard R&B album chart.<ref name=":3" />

In 1976, Bassey starred in the six-episode ''[[Shirley Bassey (TV series)|Shirley Bassey]]'' show, the first of her television programmes for the BBC, followed by a second series of six episodes in 1979. The final show of the first series was nominated for the [[Golden Rose of Montreux]] in 1977. The series featured guests including [[Neil Diamond]], [[Michel Legrand]], [[The Three Degrees]] and [[Dusty Springfield]] and featured Bassey in various international locations as well as in the television studio. In 1978, Bassey pleaded guilty to being [[Public intoxication|drunk and disorderly]] "after shouting abuse in the street and pushing a policeman".<ref name="GuardInt"/> In 1979, Bassey recorded the title theme song for the Bond film, ''[[Moonraker (film)|Moonraker]]''.

===1980s===
Throughout most of the 1980s, Bassey focused on charitable work and performing occasional concert tours throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States. She had ended her contract with United Artists, whose former record division was now part of EMI, and began what she referred to as "semi-retirement". Bassey recorded an album entitled ''[[All by Myself (Shirley Bassey album)|All by Myself]]'' (1982) and made a TV special for [[Thames Television]] called ''A Special Lady'' with guest [[Robert Goulet]]. Around this time she recorded a duet with the French film actor [[Alain Delon]], "Thought I'd Ring You" (1983). Bassey was now recording far less often but an album of her most famous songs, ''[[I Am What I Am (Shirley Bassey album)|I Am What I Am]]'' (1984), was recorded with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] (LSO) conducted by [[Carl Davis]]. This was followed by a single and video to support the [[London Tourist Board]], "[[There's No Place Like London]]" (1986), which was co-written by [[Lynsey de Paul]] and [[Gerard Kenny]]. She recorded an album of James Bond themes, ''[[The Bond Collection]]'' in 1987, but was apparently unhappy with the results so she declined to release it. (Five years later it was released anyway, Bassey sued in court, and all unsold copies were withdrawn.)<ref>Bassey v. Icon Entertainment plc (1995) EMLR 596.</ref>

Bassey provided vocals for Swiss artists [[Yello]] on "[[The Rhythm Divine]]" (1987), a song co-written by Scottish singer [[Billy Mackenzie]].<ref name=a/> An album sung entirely in Spanish, ''[[La Mujer]]'' was released in 1989.

===1990s===
Bassey had started working with a vocal coach, a former opera singer, and her album ''[[Keep the Music Playing]]'' (1991) displayed a grand, [[operatic pop]] style on several songs (perhaps also influenced by her album with the LSO seven years earlier).

EMI released the five-CD box set ''[[Bassey – The EMI/UA Years 1959 – 1979|Bassey – The EMI/UA Years 1959–1979]]'' in 1994. The accompanying booklet opened with a poem by [[Marc Almond]]. Bassey collaborated with [[Chris Rea]] in the film ''[[La Passione (1996 film)|La Passione]]'' (1996), appearing in the film as herself and releasing the single "[['Disco' La Passione]]". The [[remix]] of this single charted just outside the [[UK singles chart|UK]] top 40.<ref name=officialcharts/> Bassey's "[[History Repeating (song)|History Repeating]]" (1997), written for her by the [[Propellerheads]], reached number one on the [[UK Dance Chart]], and number 10 on the [[Hot Dance Club Songs|US Dance Chart]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=propellerheads|chart=Dance/Club Play Songs}} |title=History Repeating |magazine=Billboard |access-date=28 January 2011}}</ref> The [[liner note]]s of the Propellerheads' album ''[[Decksandrumsandrockandroll]]'' included the lines: "We would like to extend our maximum respect to Shirley Bassey for honouring us with her performance. We are still in shock...." Bassey celebrated her 60th birthday in 1997 with two open-air concerts, at [[Castle Howard]] and [[Althorp]] Park, and another TV special. The resulting live album ''The Birthday Concert'' received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album|Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/1999-grammy-awards.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831065812/http://www.metrolyrics.com/1999-grammy-awards.html|archive-date=31 August 2009|url-status=unfit |title=1999 Grammy Awards |website=Metrolyrics.com |date=25 February 1999 |access-date=28 January 2011}}</ref> On 7 October 1998 in Egypt, Bassey performed for a benefit at an open-air concert close to the [[Great Sphinx of Giza|Sphinx]] and the [[Great Pyramid of Giza|Great Pyramid]]. Bassey played the Friday night at [[Henley Festival]] in 1984.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Bassey was sued in a breach of contract case in 1998 by her former personal assistant, who also accused Bassey of hitting her and making an ethnic slur. Bassey won the case.<ref name=GuardInt/> The episode was lampooned by [[Alexander Baron]] in his one-act play ''The Trial of Shirley Bassey''. The following year, she performed the official song for the rugby World Cup, "[[World In Union (song)|World in Union]]", with [[Bryn Terfel]] at the opening ceremony at The [[Millennium Stadium]], Cardiff, wearing a gown based on the [[Welsh flag]]. Their single made the top 40, and Bassey contributed two more songs to the official album ''Land of My Fathers'', which reached number one on the UK compilations chart, and went silver.<ref name=BPI/><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Compilations Chart Top 100 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-compilations-chart/19991017/7503/ |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=14 May 2020 |date=17 October 1999}}</ref>

===2000s===
[[File:Shirley Bassey Wembley 2006.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.75|Bassey at [[Wembley Arena]] in 2006]]
Bassey continued to perform at various high profile events. In 2001, she was principal artiste at the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]]'s 80th birthday celebration. On 3 June 2002, she was one of a line-up of artists including [[Elton John]], [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] who performed at the [[Party at the Palace|Queen's 50th Jubilee Party]] at Buckingham Palace.

Bassey celebrated 50 years in show business in 2003 with the release of the CD ''[[Thank You for the Years]]'', which was another top 20 album. A gala charity auction of her stage costumes at [[Christie's]], "Dame Shirley Bassey: 50 Years of Glittering Gowns", raised £250,000 (US$500,000) for the Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at the [[Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama]] and the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital Appeal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/629-shirley-bassey |title=Shirley Bassey's Charity Work, Events and Causes |website=Looktothestars.org |access-date=3 September 2010}}</ref> Bassey topped the bill at the 2005 [[Royal Variety Performance]], introducing her new song "[[The Living Tree (song)|The Living Tree]]".{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Two popular ''Audiences with Shirley Bassey'' have aired on British television: one in 1995, which attracted more than 10 million viewers in the UK, and a second, broadcast in 2006. Bassey returned to perform in five arenas around the UK in June the same year, culminating at [[Wembley Arena|Wembley]]. She also performed a concert in front of 10,000 people at the [[Bryn Terfel]] [[Faenol Festival]] in [[North Wales]] broadcast by [[BBC Wales]]. [[Marks & Spencer]] signed her for their Christmas 2006 James Bond–style television advertising campaign. Bassey was seen in a glamorous ice palace singing a [[cover version]] of [[Pink (singer)|Pink]]'s song "[[Get the Party Started]]", wearing an [[Marks & Spencer|M&S]] gown.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Dame Shirley Bassey Is M&S Special Guest This Christmas |url=http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press-releases/archive/2006/06112006_dameshirleybasseyismsspecialguestthischristmas |access-date=18 April 2022 |date=6 November 2006 |website=Marks & Spencer |language=en}}</ref>

"[[The Living Tree (song)|The Living Tree]]", written, produced, and originally recorded by the group [[Never the Bride]], was released as a single on 23 April 2007, marking Bassey's 50th anniversary in the UK Singles Chart, and the record for the longest span of top-40 hits in UK chart history.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> Bassey performed a 45-minute set at the 2007 [[Glastonbury Festival]] wearing a pink [[Julien Macdonald]] dress, and customised [[Wellington boots]].<ref>{{cite web |first=James |last=McLaren |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/04/shirley-bassey-glastonbury-portrait-venetia-dearden.shtml |title=Wales Music: Shirley Bassey's Glasto remembered in portrait |website=BBC |date=9 April 2010|access-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> A new album, ''[[Get the Party Started (album)|Get the Party Started]]'', was subsequently released on 25 June 2007 and entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number six.<ref name=officialcharts/> The single of the title song reached number 3 on the [[US Dance Chart]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shirley bassey|chart=all}} |title=Get the Party Started – Shirley Bassey |magazine=Billboard |access-date=10 November 2012}}</ref> The same year, Bassey performed "Big Spender" with [[Elton John]] at his annual White Tie and Tiara Ball to raise money for [[The Elton John AIDS Foundation]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2007/06/29/efwhite129.xml |first=Hilary |last=Alexander |title=White tie and tiara ball |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011164114/http://telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=%2Ffashion%2F2007%2F06%2F29%2Fefwhite129.xml |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |archive-date=11 October 2007 |access-date=30 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2007, Bassey performed in ''Fashion Rocks'' in aid of The [[Prince's Trust]] at the [[Royal Albert Hall]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

[[File:Shirley Elton Sting Debbie Gaga Bruce.jpg|left|thumb|From left to right: [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Debbie Harry]], [[Lady Gaga]], [[Elton John]], Bassey and [[Bruce Springsteen]] at [[Carnegie Hall]] in 2010]]
Bassey was rushed to hospital in Monaco on 23 May 2008 to have an emergency operation on her stomach after complaining of abdominal pains. She was forced to pull out of the [[Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute]] concert because of her illness.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7421811.stm |title=Bassey 'recovering' after surgery|date=27 May 2008|website=BBC News|access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref> A biography of Bassey, ''Diamond Diva'', was published in 2008.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hogan |first1=Peter |title=Shirley Bassey: Diamond Diva |year=2008 |publisher=Andre Deutsch Ltd. |location=London |isbn=978-0-2330-0238-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/shirleybasseydia0000hoga |access-date=23 May 2022 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

Bassey recorded the album ''[[The Performance]]'' (2009), with James Bond composer [[David Arnold]] as producer. A number of artists wrote songs expressly for her, including [[Manic Street Preachers]], [[Gary Barlow]], [[Tom Baxter]], [[KT Tunstall]], [[Pet Shop Boys]], [[Nick Hodgson]] of the [[Kaiser Chiefs]], [[John Barry (composer)|John Barry]] and [[Don Black (lyricist)|Don Black]]. Bassey headlined at the [[BBC Electric Proms]] on 23 October 2009, in her only full live set of 2009.<ref name=GuardInt/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2009/artists/shirleybassey/ |title=Electric Proms – Dame Shirley Bassey |publisher=BBC |access-date=3 September 2010}}</ref> She performed several of the new songs from ''The Performance'' in November 2009 on various TV shows: ''[[The Graham Norton Show]]'', ''[[The Paul O'Grady Show]]'' and as the guest singer on ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]''.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

===2010s===
Bassey performed at a gala celebrating the 80th birthday of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] on 30 March 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Warwick |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-31/sharon-stone-schwarzenegger-salute-gorbachev-at-birthday-marathon-review.html |title=Sharon Stone, Schwarzenegger Salute Gorbachev at Gala Marathon |website=Bloomberg |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> She also performed at the [[Classical Brit Awards]] in 2011, singing "Goldfinger" in tribute to [[John Barry (composer)|John Barry]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McWatt |first=Julia |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/05/13/dame-shirley-and-katherine-jenkins-steal-the-show-at-classic-brits-91466-28686723/ |title=Dame Shirley and Katherine Jenkins steal the show at Classic Brits |website=WalesOnline |date=13 May 2011 |access-date=20 July 2011}}</ref>

The BBC broadcast a 70-minute drama entitled ''Shirley'' on 29 September 2011, depicting Bassey's early life and career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2005341/plotsummary |title=''Shirley'' plot summary |website=IMDb}}</ref> [[Ruth Negga]] played the title role. Bassey was one of the line-up of artists on 4 June 2012 who performed at the [[Diamond Jubilee Concert|Queen's 60th Jubilee Party]] at [[Buckingham Palace]], singing "Diamonds Are Forever".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/jun/04/queen-diamond-jubilee-concert?newsfeed=true |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |title=The Queen's diamond jubilee concert |date=4 June 2012 |access-date=4 June 2012 |first=Tim |last=Jonze}}</ref> She performed at the [[85th Academy Awards|2013 Academy Awards]] on 24 February 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond movie franchise. It was her first appearance at an Oscars ceremony as a performer.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/music/la-et-ms-oscars-2013-shirley-bassey-to-make-first-appearance-at-the-academy-awards-20130208,0,6226350.story |title=Oscars 2013: Shirley Bassey to make first appearance at the Academy Awards |date=8 February 2013 |first=Gerrick D. |last=Kennedy |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> She sang "Goldfinger" to a standing ovation.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-oscars-bond/shirley-bassey-leads-oscars-50th-birthday-tribute-to-james-bond-idUSBRE91O04820130225 |title=Shirley Bassey leads Oscars 50th birthday tribute to James Bond |date=24 February 2013|first1=Piya |last1=Sinha-Roy |last2=Reid |first2=Tim |website=Reuters |access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref>

Bassey performed "I'm Still Here" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" on 13 November 2014 at the Royal Variety Performance in the presence of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-12-08 |title=Dame Shirley's Royal Variety cape was flawess |url=https://metro.co.uk/2014/12/08/shirley-bassey-wore-a-cape-at-the-royal-variety-performance-and-it-was-flawless-4979638/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cerasaro |first=Pat |title=Shirley Bassey Performs Sondheim & Rodgers At 2014 Royal Variety Performance |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Shirley-Bassey-Performs-Sondheim-Rodgers-At-2014-Royal-Variety-Performance-20141208 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>

Bassey released another album, ''Hello Like Before'', on 17 November 2014. It included a 50th-anniversary re-recording of "Goldfinger" (recreating the original orchestration) and a duet of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" with [[Paloma Faith]], produced and conducted by Stuart Barr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a605189/shirley-bassey-announces-new-album-with-sting-and-the-beatles-covers.html |title=Shirley Bassey announces new album with Sting and The Beatles covers |website=Digital Spy |first=Amy |last=Davidson |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>

In December 2016, Bassey starred in a 60-minute BBC broadcast hosted by [[David Walliams]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/shirley-bassey |website=BBC Media Centre |title=David Walliams celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey on BBC One |date=21 October 2016}}</ref>

On 11 March 2018, Bassey performed "Almost Like Being In Love" in a tribute to [[Bruce Forsyth]] at the London Palladium. At a gala for [[AmfAR]] (The Foundation for Aids Research) in Los Angeles on 18 October 2018, Bassey sang "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Almost Like Being In Love" and "I Am What I Am".{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

On 9 August 2019, Bassey performed at UNICEF's Summer Gala in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, singing "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever" and "S'Wonderful". Bassey appeared on the Ball & Boe TV Christmas Special on Friday 20 December 2019, singing "[[Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas]]" with Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

===2020s===
In 2020, with the release of her most recent album, ''[[I Owe It All to You (album)|I Owe It All To You]]'', Bassey became the first female artist to chart an album in the top 40 of the [[UK Albums Chart]] in seven consecutive decades.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Shirley Bassey's final album sets huge Official Chart record |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/shirley-bassey-goes-out-with-a-bang-as-her-final-album-i-owe-it-all-to-you-sets-official-chart-record__31619/ |access-date=4 May 2021 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Sound007RAH041022 (6 of 69) (52406452728) (cropped).jpg|200px|thumb|right|Bassey at ''The Sound of 007'' in October 2022]] On 13 March 2022 Bassey opened the BAFTA Film Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall with a performance of "Diamonds Are Forever". She performed again at the same venue on 4 October 2022 in ''The Sound of 007: Live from the Royal Albert Hall''; both performances celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the James Bond films. In the latter she sang the two opening songs, "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Goldfinger". In 2023, Dame Shirley was awarded The Order of Saint Charles by Prince Albert II of Monaco.

In May, 2024, Bassey announced the [[charity auction]] of her 80 pieces [[jewellery]] and watches, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels including an [[Elton John]] diamond ring at the October 10 [[Sotheby]]’s Fine Jewels sale, Nikita Binani, Head of Jewellery said.<ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Shirley Bassey to auction jewellery including diamond ring from Elton John|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/may/09/shirley-bassey-jewellery-sothebys-london-auction-elton-john-diamond-ring |accessdate=May 25, 2024 |work= [[The Guardian]]|date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>