CULTURAL FEATURE
James Bond: Predicting the Next Theme Song
If the rumours are to be believed, we finally have a new James Bond. Whilst that is exciting, we at LC Music Beat have our sights set on who will be given the – arguably more important – task of performing the theme song.
What is essentially a straight shot to a massive hit, artists who bag this gig will go down in history and propel their careers to legendary status – if they weren’t there already - but producing a Bond theme is no easy feat. So much is required from one track: suspense, depth, mystery, power, to name a few must-haves. With previous artists including Paul McCartney and Wings, Carly Simon, Shirley Bassey, Adele, and most recently Billie Eilish, the next lucky talent will be joining an elite club. That’s why we at LC Music Beat want to get our bets in early and put our fantasy predictions out into the universe.
Whilst these are our best guesses for what’s to come, we’ve also put together our very own Bond themed playlist: 'Double-Oh-Heaven,' bringing together songs that have the unmistakable Bond vibe with a modern twist. Get hyped for the upcoming movie and listen to the playlist here.
NO.1 PREDICTION
Having independently released their debut album My 21st Century Blues last year, which has gone on to win 6 BRITS, RAYE is our no.1 pick. Success aside, RAYE has incredible range with a tone that can effortlessly teeter between a soulful depth to a clipped edge, making them an excellent choice for delivering a track that needs to offer so much to its audience. Before releasing their own album, RAYE has proven their song writing prowess having written for artists such as Beyoncé and Rihanna. Above all else, with RAYE at the helm, the theme would be unlike anything we’ve heard before – a genre bending, R'n'B infused, moody masterpiece.
THE OBVIOUS CHOICE
It’s almost unbelievable that Lady Gaga is yet to have done a Bond theme and that’s why they’re our obvious pick. Having written for and sung on soundtracks before - think A Star is Born and Top Gun: Maverick - it seems like a sensible bet that Gaga could pull it out the bag for the next Bond, bringing vocal power and of course superstar status. Gaga has proven that they can pull-off any genre and style, so what's stopping them from pulling off a Bond theme? The only question is, is this just too obvious?
THE FAN FAVOURITE
There’s no denying that the whole world is mad for Harry and imagine the hype if they were announced as the next Bond artist – it would be pure mayhem. Styles certainly would be a smart marketing move, ushering in a new era of Bond with the UK’s no.1 sweetheart and bringing a whole new audience to the franchise. Yet, Styles doesn’t have the typical markers of a Bond artist like those who have gone before – the big belting moment that typically signals the climax of the track may be lacking. Yet, we can’t help but think that Styles would an interesting – if slightly obvious – choice, bringing a quirky twist to the theme.
THE SAFE BET
Olivia Rodrigo began their career on the path to becoming a pop princess. But, with the release of latest album Guts (spilled), they’ve proven they have a darker, moodier side, making them a safe bet for the Bond theme. Unlike some of our predictions, Rodrigo offers the full package: status, depth, range, and power, yet it feels like they would offer an additional edge to previous artists, with their unique twist surely giving the theme a modern and updated vibe. Whilst a safe bet, we’d certainly look forward to a Bond theme by Rodrigo!
THE WILDCARD
Canadian born Madalen Duke is our wildcard prediction for the next Bond film. Whilst they are yet to reach the levels of huge success as the other artists predicted, we can’t help but think they’d make an excellent Bond theme. Like RAYE and Rodrigo, Duke would bring a level of moodiness to the theme, playing on the darker side of Bond. However, what Duke could bring that our other predictions may not, is a touch of the electronic/dance genre which could be a very interesting twist for Bond. Whilst it would have to be handled well, we think Duke would be the perfect wildcard choice to bring to the table to keep the Bond theme updated and relevant, whilst maintaining the signature sonic style we all love.
©Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.