While Monty Norman’s Bond theme is arguably the world’s most recognisable, most iconic movie theme, no new Bond release would be complete without a new diva-driven power ballad. And this year, 18-year-old Billie Elish joins the ranks of Bassey, Adele, Madonna, Sam Smith, and Garbage’s Shirley Manson with her wistful, spectral No Time To Die.
No Time To Die will be the 25th Bond movie and marks Daniel Craig’s fifth appearance as James Bond.
Bond is such a big deal in terms of box-office receipts that the film was put on hold last year, so that
cinemas could reap the benefits once we were in a safer post-Covid environment. The UK’s new release date is 30th September, and Craig will be joined, for what has been mooted as his last outing in the iconic role, by Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Léa Seydoux, and Christoph Waltz. Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, and Ana de Armas also join the cast.
To accompany the release, Hans Zimmer’s official soundtrack will be available from 1st October and includes Billie Eilish’s electrifying title track, No Time To Die, co-written with brother Finneas O’Connell, which topped the Official UK Singles Chart in its first week of release.
Ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, is also the featured on the album. Since co-founding The Smiths, Marr has enjoyed a glittering international career working as a session musician and solo artist, and is a long-time collaborator with Hans Zimmer. Zimmer himself is no laggard, having scored more than 200 projects across all mediums which, and been honoured with an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, three Grammys, an American Music Award, and a Tony Award. And the Zimmer magic is very apparent here, with an unforgettable album for a new generation of fans to enjoy. As, the film’s director Cary Joji Fukunaga said: “The music of Bond has always been iconic and I’ve already witnessed Hans adding his touch of genius to the Bond legacy.”
James Bond Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “Hans and his team have delivered an exceptional and emotional score for No Time To Die. It has been a privilege to work with this legendary composer on one of the best Bond soundtracks ever. Billie and Finneas have created a powerful and moving title song for our 25th movie.”
No Time To Die – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is released via Decca Records on 1st October 2021 and is available for pre-order now.