The Tomorrow Never Dies Theme

While the soundtrack’s composer David Arnold had written a theme tune for 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies to be performed by k. d. lang, a decision was ultimately made to go with Sheryl Crow’s “Tomorrow Never Dies,” co-written by Mitchell Froom.

 

 

Although reviews were critical of Crow’s song, claiming lang’s version, which was eventually moved to the end credits of the film and renamed “Surrender,” was a superior theme song for the film, “Tomorrow Never Dies” found its way into the Top 20 of several European music charts, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Finland, Poland, and Switzerland.  However, the song failed to make it on the Billboard chart in the U.S.  Despite the lack of radio interest in the United States, “Tomorrow Never Dies” did receive Golden Globe and Grammy nominations, but lost out to Titanic’s “My Heart Will Go On” both times.

 

The melody of “Surrender” can still be heard in Arnold’s score for Tomorrow Never Dies.  The full song can be heard here.

Mitchell Froom is an American musician and record producer and was born June 29, 1953.  Froom’s musical career started as a keyboardist in a few bands throughout California.  His first producing credits were for the first three Crowded House albums, which led to work with Richard Thompson, Los Lobos, American Music Club, and Suzanne Vega, whom he married in 1995.

 

Froom has produced more than 60 albums since the early 1980s.  While partnered with engineer Tchad Blake, Froom worked with artists that included Paul McCartney, the Bangles, Elvis Costello, the Corrs, Indigo Girls, Randy Newman, Pearl Jam, and Bonnie Raitt.  Froom’s Grammy nominations include Record of the Year and Producer of the Year.  His song “Noodletown,” from one of his two solo albums, won an Emmy when it was used as the theme song for PBS’ Sessions at West 54th.

 

Having been married three times, Froom has three children, one from each marriage.  He is currently married to singer Vonda Shepard, most famously known for her regular performances on Ally McBeal.

Sheryl Suzanne Crow, born February 11, 1962, is an American singer and guitarist, whose songs incorporate elements of pop, rock, folk, country, and blues.  With the release of eight studio albums, two compilations, a live album, and numerous contributions to soundtracks, Crow has sold more than 17 million records in the United States and 50 million worldwide and had seven number one hit singles.

 

Prior to becoming a full-time singer, Crow worked as a music teacher in Missouri.  Her teaching job during the day gave her the time on weekends to sing in various bands.  She also started out by performing backing vocals for Tina Turner, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, and Bob Dylan.

 

Winning nine Grammy Awards, out of 32 nominations, Crow has worked with the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Prince, Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti, Willie Nelson, B. B. King, George Strait, Tony Bennett, Kid Rock, Sting, Loretta Lynn, and Miranda Lambert.  In 2012, VH1 included Crow at 25 on its list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.

 

Crow has appeared on television, including 30 Rock, Cougar Town, Hannah Montana, and One Tree Hill.  Her music has been featured in films that include Boys on the Side, Big Daddy, Cars, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and Alfie.  She also wrote the theme song for Katie Couric’s talk show, Katie, which won a Daytime Emmy Award.

 

While Crow has never been married, she has been romantically involved with actor Owen Wilson and cyclist Lance Armstrong.  Crow has adopted two children and the family lives on a 154-acre ranch outside of Nashville.