The World Is Not Enough Theme

Don Black returned after more than 25 years to write lyrics for the theme song to The World Is Not Enough, which had the same title.  David Arnold composed “The World Is Not Enough” and it was performed by Garbage, which also produced the theme song with Arnold.  The lyrics were written from Bond girl Elektra King’s point of view, played by Sophie Marceau in the film.

 

 

“The World Is Not Enough” was well received by critics and found its way into the top 40 of 10 singles charts and the top 10 of another four charts, with it reaching number one in Iceland.  Although Garbage’s album tracks vary across several genres and are produced in a post-modern style, the film’s theme song was written to fit the series’ traditional design.  Ultimately it appeared in two “Best of 1999” polls, at 87 on Canadian radio 89X’s “Top 89 Songs of 1999” and Illinois’ Q101 “Top 101 of 1999” at 100.  In 2012, sports and pop-culture blog Grantland listed it as the second best Bond theme song behind “Goldfinger.”

 

Following release of the film, two song-writers sued Eon, MGM, Universal Music, and Universal Studios for copyright infringement regarding a four-note sequence found in “The World Is Not Enough,” claiming it was a derivative of their song “This Game We Play.”  The accusers went so far that they posed as employees of composer James Horner in an attempt to catch Don Black and Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson on tape revealing when he had composed the film’s theme song to strengthen their case.  Ultimately it was decided those involved in writing and recording “The World Is Not Enough” had no prior knowledge of “This Game We Play” and the court rejected the plaintiffs’ claim.

 

Don Black had previously written lyrics for “Thunderball,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” and “The Man with the Golden Gun.”  His full biography can be found here.

David Arnold, born January 23, 1962, oversaw the composition of five James Bond soundtracks on a row, starting from Tomorrow Never Dies and going to Quantum of Solace.  Other major Hollywood soundtracks he has written include Stargate, Independence Day, Godzilla, Shaft, Zoolander, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Hot Fuzz.  Television credits include British television’s Little Britain and Sherlock.

 

Arnold started composing while working with director Danny Cannon, who initially created short films for which Arnold was asked to contribute music toward.  Shortly following his major film debut, he was hired for Stargate, which excerpts from the soundtrack are the third most commonly used for film trailers.

 

It was the producing of Arnold’s fan-inspired album “Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project” that led to his hiring for Tomorrow Never Dies.  Original 007 music man John Barry was complimentary of the work and recommended Arnold to Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.  His other credit to the Bond series is contributing to the main themes for Activision’s GoldenEye 007 video game.

 

Work outside of film includes being appointed Musical Director for the 2012 Olympic Games and 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

 

Arnold has collaborated with Pulp, Natasha Bedingfield, Melanie C, Bjork, Chris Cornell, and Shirley Bassey.  He is a member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and has received an honorary degree from University of West London.  His awards include Grammy, Ivor Novello, BBC Radio, and Creative Arts Emmy wins and a BAFTA nomination.

 

With a Scottish lead singer, many believe Garbage is a band formed in the United Kingdom, however, in actuality it was started in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1993.  The other three members of the band, bassist Duke Erikson, guitarist Steve Marker, and drummer Butch Vig are American musicians.  All four members are involved in the songwriting and producing process.

 

 

The band’s musical style has varied over the years, including genres ranging from trip hop, grunge, and 1980s rock to techno, power pop, and shoegazing.  According to record producer Steve Marker, Garbage has attempted to "take pop music and make it as horrible sounding as we can."

 

Through some tumultuous times and a few breakups, the band has released five studio albums and sold more than 17 million units worldwide, with its debut album being a surprise hit, being certified double platinum in the UK, United States, and Australia.  The group has received seven Grammy nominations, two BRIT nominations, 16 MTV Video Music Award and MTV Europe Music Award nominations, with an additional two wins, two Broadcast Music, Inc. award wins, and three Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award wins and an additional nomination.