15 Things That Will Make You (Even More) Obsessed With Shirley Bassey

Here’s a look at Bassey’s early career — from the mid-’50s to the ’70s — and her unbelievably glamorous moments.

1. Bassey was born in 1937, and grew up in Cardiff Bay, Wales.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

2. She is of Welsh, English, and Nigerian descent. Here she is in 1955, the year her career began to take off.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

3. Bassey’s first hit, “The Banana Boat Song” (1957)

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=m1X-lK0TISU.

4. Shirley in 1959, “preparing” a meal in her fancy new London home. She had her first child, Sharon, at age 17 in 1954

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

5. Bassey looking ridiculously glamorous in 1960. She’s only 23-years-old here.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

6. In this 1960 portrait, Bassey shows off a pretty freaking amazing champagne colored gown.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

7. 1962: Here, Bassey models a dress she might wear for President Kennedy’s inauguration anniversary celebrations, where she was invited to sing.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

8. Shirley in 1964 with her second child, Samantha. (Sadly, Samantha died at age 21.)

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

9. Singing “Goldfinger” in 1965.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

10. Performing at the London Palladium in 1965.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

11. Shirley in 1967, the coolest grown-up lady to have stuffed animals ever.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

12. Shirley Bassey’s cover of the Beatles’ “Something,” (1970) became a huge U.K. hit.

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=AvWTYnc9vf0.

13. Another career milestone: “Diamonds Are Forever,” the theme song of the 1971 “James Bond” movie.

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rrnNN5G8Lgg.

14. Performing on German TV in 1972.

Image by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

15. And of course, “Goldfinger.” Here she is performing the song live at Royal Albert Hall in 1974 and FOR REAL, THIS WILL MAKE YOU SHIVER.

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EnseiOJ2jGQ.