Soul Bossa Nova was composed and recorded by Quincy Jones and released in 1962, long before it became famous as the Austin Powers theme. The first Austin Powers film, International Man of Mystery, used its bright, swinging groove in 1997 to send up 1960s spy movies, and the tune stayed with the sequels. Since then it has become shorthand for retro cool and playful espionage in edits, memes and introductions, instantly signalling a character who thinks they are far smoother than they really are.