How Radiohead Wrote the Perfect Bond Theme

Like every James Bond film that came before it, Spectre begins with a title sequence accompanied by a newly-written song. For this 24th installment in the franchise, Sam Smith provided 'Writing's On The Wall' for the opening, but they were not the first choice to provide a new song for the film. Radiohead were initally approached to write a new theme song, and what they delivered was, in my opinion, one of the greatest Bond themes ever written. In this video, I look at the musical components that make up a great Bond song, and consider what makes Radiohead's 'Spectre' so good.

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[Aaronies]

Imagine asking for Radiohead, then complaining when you get Radiohead

[natedogsturdikat]

The fact that they took time off of recording one of their best albums to make this incredible theme only for it to be scrapped is just atrocious.

[Lollovovisossa]

Me who knows absolutely no musical theory: "wow...sure sounds nice"

[edwardchan]

Radiohead songs are never understood or appreciated until you hear multiple times and realize the genius and beauty behind it. Spectre is a classic example of why Radiohead were never mainstream and still so revered.

[JayTemple]

In addition to all the sonic qualities, Radiohead gets bonus points for using the word "spectre" in the lyrics, and having it make sense!

[nb]

And they thought Radiohead's song was "too dark" for a bond movie. What a shame.

[prettyaverage]

I do not hate Writing's on the Wall -- in fact, I think it's a pretty solid Bond theme. But man, Radiohead's Spectre truly is a mesmerizing wonder of a theme. It fits Craig's Bond perfectly, talks about the character's internal struggle throughout the movies, and still has the flavour of the greatest Radiohead songs. I really hope they get another chance at Bond

[novemberraiinn]

I will never forgive them for rejecting this song. It is so perfect.

[NASkeywest]

As a Radiohead fan it’s super depressing that the song didn’t get used. As a Radiohead fan, I don’t have much more room
For more depression.

[joelkulesha]

Jesus the editing on this. This video must have taken forever! Mad respect!

[steezystudio]

Radiohead's Spectre just makes me want to move. So beautiful

[TheGothicHangman]

Casino Royales theme by Chris Cornell, You Know My Name is more what I prefer in a Bond theme. The playing card animation opening sequence is one of the best too. One can hardly go wrong with any 007 theme, we all have our favorites.

[Emgdnm]

YES. This is one of the best Radiohead songs. And it was CRIMINAL to cut it from the film.

[joewadsworth]

I'd read somewhere that they pulled the Radiohead version as late as after the animated opening credit sequence had been made, that's why the two fit together perfectly. You can find it on YouTube lined up with the exisiting title credits.

What a waste!

[luckyluke]

“...one of the greatest Bond themes ever written”

And this, my friend, is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen

[TheInfiniteSheldon]

"The World is Not Enough" is one of the best villain themes out there, and remains my favorite Bond theme.

[lockyp]

Radiohead for the win. Spectre is a slow motion, fatalist, whirlpool of seduction and deceit. Ticks all boxes. But probably Thom’ muffled vocals worked against them, in this world where everything has to be spelt out and obvious. New subscriber 👍

[fivewattworld]

Really well done man. Beautiful production.

[abbedurgut]

Imagine choosing the Sam Smith song over Radiohead.

Edit: 90% of the responses to this comment have been made by literal monkeys.

[MrDynamite]

absolute criminal shame that this wasnt used, was a big Radiohead fan and found out about this a few years after it happened and was awestruck, one of my favorites.