The 'Writing's On The Wall' Months Ago; Confirmed Today

After months of speculation wondering who would be singing the title song for the upcoming 007 film Spectre, it was announced today, with the singer himself providing a teaser yesterday, that Sam Smith would be crooning the theme song, titled "Writing's on the Wall."  Smith was selected for the project earlier this year, with the film's director confirming this summer that the theme song was already recorded and fans wouldn't have to wait too long for the official announcement.  British singer Smith had to stay tight-lipped about it when asked by the media.

 

"It was hard actually," Smith told Reuters of the ordeal.  "I think it was harder than normal because everyone kind of guessed at the beginning and said it was going to be me and I had to be really good at lying."

 

After Smith read the script, he said he was so inspired it only took about 20 minutes to write out the lyrics.  Smith collaborated with songwriter and record producer, Jimmy Napes, who has worked with Smith on his recent Grammy-winning tracks.  Regarding the song's sound as to whether it would be a stereotypical Bond song or be more influenced by his own style, Smith said, "I wanted to inject as much of me as I could into the song and then dress it in a Bond way if you know what I mean.  I sing love songs.  That's what I sing and that's what I wanted to do.  I wanted to write a huge love song."

 

Smith was the heavy favorite early in the rumor mill, but since that time others had become media darlings and fan favorites, including Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Lana del Rey, One Direction, and Adele, who recorded the previous Bond theme, Skyfall, which went on to win the Academy Award, Critics' Choice Award, Golden Globe, and Brit Award for Best Original Song or Single of the Year.  The theme song won the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

 

"Writing's on the Wall" will be available to purchase and stream on September 25, a month ahead of the UK release of Spectre.  It is the first Bond theme to be recorded by a British singer since 1965's Thunderball by Tom Jones.  While Paul McCartney is British and did record 1973's Live and Let Die, that is considered a group performance since it was with his band Wings.