Spectre (2015) Opening Credits With Radiohead's 'Spectre'

Leading up to the release of the twenty-fourth Bond film Spectre, rumors circulated about who would be recording the theme song for the film. Lots of names were tossed around, and many hoped that Radiohead would be chosen to create a theme, perhaps a revamped version of fan favorite "Big Boots".

And though Sam Smith was ultimately chosen to perform the theme to "Spectre", James Bond and Radiohead fans were shocked when, on Christmas Morning, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke announced on Twitter that the band had, in fact, recorded a song for the film, but it was not selected. Yorke included a link to the song, also titled "Spectre".

To see what could have been, I took Radiohead's "Spectre" and edited the opening sequence to fit the track. There's a few rough bits (and, in the end, I did not remove Smith's credit), but I hope you enjoy!

[bakedinspiration]

Radiohead doesn’t make music for people going through it.

They make music for people in it.

[wolfstar]

This could have been one of the greatest Bond themes ever.

[RohannvanRensburg]

Man, it's amazing what it does to this scene.

Rather than a generic Bond intro, it's now about Bond's brokenness, his medicating with women and alcohol, his loneliness, the husk of his former self his job has turned him into.

[ilikenaps]

"hey siri, show me missed opportunity"

[mattmcglennon]

Its amazing how well Radiohead's version syncs with the opening credits, like it was purged last minute and redubbed with Sam Smith

[Megan-pnwy]

5 years later and I'm still salty about this song being snubbed

[ultrixsoma]

Radiohead song is a deep dive in Bond's mental state for what the song is depicting on the melody. It's such a fantastic song.

[aaronwilliams]

In an interview, Sam smith said he wrote the song in five minutes. I really don’t think he put much effort into it. James Bond producers should have gone with Radiohead

[alcidesprieto]

This sounds more Bondish than the other intro they went with.

[andresblanco]

It was a wise decision to go with Sam Smith’s Writings on the wall. A mediocre movie deserves an equally mediocre theme song. Radiohead’s Spectre is just fantastic

[raulp]

Way better intro with this song...this could have been a Bond classic instead of the forgotten "pop hit" we ended up with.

[Emily]

Lyrics yw: I'm lost, I'm a ghost
Dispossessed, taken host
My hunger burns a bullet hole
A spectre of my mortal soul
These rumors and suspicion
Anger is a poison
The only truth that I could see
Is when you put your lips to me
Future's tricked by the past
Spectre, how he laughs
Fear puts a spell on us
Always second-guessing love
My hunger burns a bullet hole
A spectre of my mortal soul
The only truth that I can see
Spectre has come for me

[beakahd]

The worse thing is someone would be watching spectre in 20/30 years and think what the hell is this. It would have been a introduction to radiohead. Such a crappy decision to replace it.

[MusicallyInclined]

It's uncanny how well this syncs up. I wonder if they made this part while still thinking Radiohead was the choice

[chriss]

Radioheas should have be rewarded for their "Spectre". Hauntingly beautiful.

[johnnystir]

This may be my favorite James Bond theme ever. It took me a couple of listens, but it's fantastic and fits the titles so well. Beautiful and haunting.

[josephpasquarella]

This song is too good for what Spectre was. My god radio head has always been majestic!

[victorviterbo]

It manages to top Adele’s Skyfall as far as bond intros go. Can’t believe they didn’t go with this

[Daavhimself]

WHY. WAS. THIS. NOT. USED.

side note - there was a guy who bet like 50 grand on Radiohead being the music act...

[militant_daisies]

it feels like the visuals match the Radiohead song perfectly. how the scenes change along with the song.