Who will perform the next James Bond theme song?
With all the time in the world to speculate about the next 007 feature, we analyse who might step up to the hallowed mic
The years have fast ticked past since the release of No Time to Die, and it feels as though we’re nowhere close to the next Bond feature. There have been relentless rumours as to who will play 007 – Tom Hardy and Idris Elba were the early contenders, but have since been usurped by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and the younger generation – and we’ve also made a few guesses over which director might steer the vision.
So, while we wait for Amazon MGM Studios – who’ve now gained creative control – to confirm details on Bond’s next outing, we thought we might as well have a punt on who will lend the film its marquee track. Past winners include Shirley Bassey and Tina Turner, and the back catalogue has largely consisted of either artists of the zeitgeist (Duran Duran) or classic, timeless voices (Adele). As to who’s next? Here are a few names that spring to mind…
Lana Del Rey
Image: Getty
The sultry voice, the golden-era looks, the sad, melancholic storytelling – Lana Del Rey feels like a throwback to the Bond releases of old. As such, it’s easy to imagine her dreamy and baroque styles fitting seamlessly into a slow-paced title track similar to Billie Eilish’s. At the time of first publication, she’s a shortlisted contender among the bookies.
Chappell Roan
Image: Getty
Though perhaps a bit too young for the older Bond enthusiasts to really appreciate and understand, Chappell Roan has proved her chops by scooping a Grammy earlier this year. Moreover, we acknowledge that she only has one studio album under her belt, but with a Bond release years away, she has time to build out her oeuvre. Her early-2000s flavour could lend the film an alternative feel.
Beyoncé
Image: Getty
This would be a real juggernaut of a statement, and as an established artist who, somehow, always feels fresh, she’d be a perfect person to represent a heritage franchise that’s trying to look forward. Her ability to move between genres (from R&B to country, hip-hop and dance) suggests that she’d find no issue with handling a potentially iconic cinematic piece. The appointment could be likened to that of Madonna for Die Another Day – an upper-echelon icon that spans the decades.
Adele
Image: Getty
They’ve called upon Shirley Bassey three times before, so what should prevent the franchise from leaning on Adele again, given that ‘Skyfall’ is often cited as the best Bond theme in history? Her ability to sync you seamlessly into a spread of emotions makes her an evergreen classic and a universally appealing option.
Billie Eilish
Image: Getty
The ‘Birds of a Feather’ singer is the most recent artist to take on the 007 mic, and though only in her early twenties, you get the feeling that she’s a ‘forever artist’ – someone who, if they were to disappear for a few years, would still be relevant and welcomed back on return. Again, a great bridge between the previous stage of Bond and the next instalment.
Hans Zimmer
Image: Getty
The No.1 favourite for the director’s chair is Christopher Nolan – and, very often, he calls upon the work of Hans Zimmer, who’s admired for creating big, epic scores. So, though the composer won’t sing, we’d guess that he’ll have a hand in the musical aspects were Nolan to be appointed.
Kendrick Lamar
Image: Getty
On one occasion when she spoke about the next Bond, producer Barbara Broccoli said she wants a reinvention of the franchise. (We imagine Amazon MGM Studios wants the same.) Kendrick Lamar, widely considered one of the greatest of rap, wouldn’t just bring something new to the instrumentals, he’d absolutely upend everything with his progressive, punchy presence and stinging lyrics. An outsider’s bet, but one worth considering.
Dua Lipa
Image: Getty
Perhaps the current lodestar of the British music scene, Dua Lipa’s status has grown from uni-club hero to a giant fixture, a position cemented by her Glastonbury headliner last summer. Her powerful vocals, mixed with her current popularity (which we’d safely assume will continue for years), make her a pretty obvious selection.
Florence + The Machine
Image: Getty
This suggestion definitely falls into the Adele category, in that Florence Welch’s profile and singing style are immune to fashions and trends. She has a knack for powerful and catchy choruses (‘You’ve Got The Love’; ‘Shake It Out’), which bodes well in this case as that’s what Bond tunes are known for – and there’s a certain old-school romance about her that makes her a great fit.
Want more Bond speculation? Here’s who may take on the role of 007…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
