As far as iconic franchises go, the James Bond films have stood the test of time over half a century. From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, the films have seen many legendary actors portray the role of the stylish spy in the films. Another unique feature of the Bond films, has been the music that has perfectly complemented the ambience of the narratives.
In 2015, British pop star Sam Smith’s song Writing’s on the Wall that featured in Daniel Craig’s Spectre, went on to become one of the most popular title tracks in the franchise. According to unconfirmed rumors though, Radiohead, which was one of Craig’s favorite bands by the actor’s own admission, was originally approached to perform the title track, but missed out on the opportunity.
Was Radiohead Considered For This James Bond Title Track?
Apart from the slick action and a debonair protagonist, the James Bond franchise is also memorable for the title tracks that defined each of the films. Over the years, legendary singers like Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, and Adele have lent their voices for the films. In 2015’s Spectre starring Daniel Craig, British pop star Sam Smith landed the prestigious gig with their song Writing’s on the Wall going on to become one of the most popular tracks in the franchise.
But if rumors are to be believed, Smith may not have been the original choice for crooning the tune in the film. According to unconfirmed reports, the experimental rock band and Craig’s favourite band Radiohead, was in the reckoning to compose the title track. While one theory speculated that Radiohead submitted a demo for consideration that ultimately was rejected, other reports stated that the musicians did not enter into an agreement in the first place.
Furthermore, the band’s lead singer Thom Yorke stirred the pot a little more by taking to social media to state that the band had written a tune which could have been part of the film, but did not fit the band’s aesthetic. The fact remains that fans of Radiohead and the James Bond franchise would have loved to see this collaboration materialize and become stiff competition to gems like Skyfall by Adele.
Who Will Be The Next James Bond?
It has been two years since Daniel Craig hung up his boots as James Bond in No Time to Die. Since then, there have been many speculations floating around about who producer Barbara Brocccoli will pick to carry on 007’s legacy. With multiple names including Idris Elba and Henry Cavill in the mix, fans have been eagerly awaiting a confirmation, but Broccoli has been holding the cards close to her chest thus far. In an interview with Esquire, the producer said,
“I think these movies reflect the time they are in, and there’s a big, big road ahead reinventing it for the next chapter and we haven’t even begun with that.”
Broccoli did admit though, that the character of James Bond has evolved over the years from being a quintessential tough guy, to exploring more vulnerable shades. She hoped that whoever comes on board, would be able to develop on these nuances a bit more.
