It’s official: Sam Smith will sing the James Bond theme
It was only last week he insisted he “definitely” wouldn’t be singing the theme song to new James Bond movie Spectre, but it turns out Sam Smith was having us on all along.
He’s finally confirmed speculation that he’s the one accompanying the new 007 movie’s opening titles, with the track Writing’s On The Wall, co-written with Grammy-winner Jimmy Napes. The song is set for release on September 25 on iTunes, CD and vinyl.
Writing on Twitter, he gushed: “This is one of the highlights of my career. I am honoured to finally announce that I will be singing the next Bond theme song.
“I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible line up of some of my biggest musical inspirations. I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed making it.”
In a statement, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli – the film’s producers – said: “Sam and Jimmy have written the most inspirational song for Spectre and with Sam’s extraordinary vocal performance, Writing’s On The Wall will surely be considered one of the greatest Bond songs of all time.”
Smith had long been one of the bookies’ frontrunners for the job, with Ellie Goulding and Radiohead also highly touted. Adele, who sang the title track from 2012’s Skyfall, was rumoured to have been approached as well.
The announcement makes Sam the first out gay man to sing a Bond theme – and with gay actors Ben Whishaw and Andrew Scott both landing supporting roles in Spectre, Bond has more of an LGBT flavour than ever before (even if the series’ longtime producer says there will never be a gay James Bond).
On Twitter, several people have been quick to point out Writing’s On The Wall‘s most obvious namesake:
https://twitter.com/melimOi/status/641169663406276608
Sam Smith covering an entire Destiny's Child album for Spectre. #Bond
— Robert Shore (@Robb0S) September 8, 2015
Love that Sam Smith's Bond theme title is such a transparent tribute to Destiny's Child. LeToya and Latavia – your legacy lives on.
— David Lim (@lovelimmy) September 8, 2015
Other artists to have recorded Bond themes include Jack White and Alicia Keys, Chris Cornell, Madonna, Garbage, Sheryl Crow, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Carly Simon and – perhaps most famously – Shirley Bassey.
Writing’s On The Wall will premiere on its release day later this month, while Spectre itself – featuring Daniel Craig as the iconic agent for the fourth time – is out on October 26.