Die Another Day (soundtrack)
Encyclopedia
The soundtrack
to Die Another Day, the 20th James Bond
film of the same name
, was released by Warner Bros. Records
on November 12, 2002. The soundtrack was composed by David Arnold
, his third outing as the composer for a James Bond movie. Frequent collaborator Nicholas Dodd orchestrated and conducted the score.
Arnold again made use of electronic rhythm elements in his score, and included two of the new themes he created for The World Is Not Enough
. The first, originally used as Renard's theme for the previous film, is heard during the mammoth "Antonov" cue on the recording, and is written for piano. The second new theme, most easily described as Bond's romance theme, is heard here on the "Going Down Together" track. There is also a second romance theme in "Die Another Day" which was previously used on the The World Is Not Enough soundtrack titled "Christmas in Turkey", and can be heard during the Moneypenny/Bond virtual reality sequence.
The title song for Die Another Day
was written and sung by Madonna
, who also had a small cameo in the movie as Verity, a fencing instructor.
's "London Calling
," proved controversial with some fans who felt the two pieces of music were inappropriate for a Bond movie. "London Calling" was used briefly in the film as Bond returns to England via British Airways
. At the time, the airline was using the song in American radio and television commercials.
Madonna's theme song was unusual in that it was presented in a credit sequence that directly moved the film's plot along (as opposed to all previous Bond film titles which are mostly standalone set pieces). The concept of the song/title sequence was that it represented Bond trying to keep his sanity during 14 months of torture at the hands of the North Koreans. The divided opinion over the "Die Another Day" theme is evidenced in that it was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song as well as for a Golden Raspberry Award
for Worst Original Song (2002)
. However in a MORI
poll for the Channel 4
programme "James Bond's Greatest Hits" it was voted 9th out of 22 and was voted an "overwhelming number one" by under-24 year olds.
Prior to Madonna's title song being chosen, Arnold, along with lyricist Don Black began work on their own title track titled "I Will Return". It was never finished. In one of the themes, it is possible to hear the beat of "Die Another Day" − this is the melody they were going to use. Also prior to the choosing of "Die Another Day", Madonna composed another song with Mirwais Ahmadzaï to serve as a possible Bond theme, called "Can't You See My Mind". The song remains unreleased.
in Vancouver, which Yu-Na went on to win the gold medal.
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to Die Another Day, the 20th James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film of the same name
Die Another Day
Die Another Day is the 20th spy film in the James Bond series, and the fourth and last film to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond; it is also the last Bond film of the original timeline with the series being rebooted with Casino Royale...
, was released by Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
on November 12, 2002. The soundtrack was composed by David Arnold
David Arnold
David Arnold is an English film composer best known for scoring five James Bond films, the 1994 film Stargate, the 1996 film Independence Day, and the television series Little Britain.-Film and television career:...
, his third outing as the composer for a James Bond movie. Frequent collaborator Nicholas Dodd orchestrated and conducted the score.
Arnold again made use of electronic rhythm elements in his score, and included two of the new themes he created for The World Is Not Enough
The World Is Not Enough
The World Is Not Enough is the nineteenth spy film in the James Bond film series, and the third to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was directed by Michael Apted, with the original story and screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Bruce Feirstein. It...
. The first, originally used as Renard's theme for the previous film, is heard during the mammoth "Antonov" cue on the recording, and is written for piano. The second new theme, most easily described as Bond's romance theme, is heard here on the "Going Down Together" track. There is also a second romance theme in "Die Another Day" which was previously used on the The World Is Not Enough soundtrack titled "Christmas in Turkey", and can be heard during the Moneypenny/Bond virtual reality sequence.
The title song for Die Another Day
Die Another Day (song)
"Die Another Day" is the theme to the James Bond film of the same name recorded by Madonna. The single was released in late 2002, marking Madonna's 20th career anniversary, and peaked at number eight in the United States and number three in the United Kingdom, selling 167,863 copies - making it the...
was written and sung by Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, who also had a small cameo in the movie as Verity, a fencing instructor.
Reaction
Although the Bond films have a long-standing connection with the pop music world, the choice of Madonna's song, coupled with the use of The ClashThe Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
's "London Calling
London Calling (song)
"London Calling" is a song by the British punk rock band The Clash. It was released as a single from the band's 1979 double album London Calling...
," proved controversial with some fans who felt the two pieces of music were inappropriate for a Bond movie. "London Calling" was used briefly in the film as Bond returns to England via British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
. At the time, the airline was using the song in American radio and television commercials.
Madonna's theme song was unusual in that it was presented in a credit sequence that directly moved the film's plot along (as opposed to all previous Bond film titles which are mostly standalone set pieces). The concept of the song/title sequence was that it represented Bond trying to keep his sanity during 14 months of torture at the hands of the North Koreans. The divided opinion over the "Die Another Day" theme is evidenced in that it was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song as well as for a Golden Raspberry Award
Golden Raspberry Awards
A Golden Raspberry Award, or Razzie for short, is an award presented in recognition of the worst in movies. Founded by American copywriter and publicist John J.B. Wilson in 1981, the annual Razzie Awards ceremony in Los Angeles precedes the corresponding Academy Awards ceremony by one day...
for Worst Original Song (2002)
2002 Golden Raspberry Awards
The 23rd Golden Raspberry Awards were held on March 22, 2003 at the Sheraton Hotel in Santa Monica, California to recognize the worst the movie industry had to offer in 2002. Pinocchio became the first foreign language film to be nominated for a Golden Raspberry for Worst Picture, and Madonna won...
. However in a MORI
MORI
Ipsos MORI is the second largest market research organisation in the United Kingdom, formed by a merger of Ipsos UK and MORI, two of the Britain's leading survey companies in October 2005...
poll for the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
programme "James Bond's Greatest Hits" it was voted 9th out of 22 and was voted an "overwhelming number one" by under-24 year olds.
Prior to Madonna's title song being chosen, Arnold, along with lyricist Don Black began work on their own title track titled "I Will Return". It was never finished. In one of the themes, it is possible to hear the beat of "Die Another Day" − this is the melody they were going to use. Also prior to the choosing of "Die Another Day", Madonna composed another song with Mirwais Ahmadzaï to serve as a possible Bond theme, called "Can't You See My Mind". The song remains unreleased.
Track listing
- "Die Another DayDie Another Day (song)"Die Another Day" is the theme to the James Bond film of the same name recorded by Madonna. The single was released in late 2002, marking Madonna's 20th career anniversary, and peaked at number eight in the United States and number three in the United Kingdom, selling 167,863 copies - making it the...
" – MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983... - "James Bond ThemeJames Bond ThemeThe "James Bond Theme" is the main signature theme of the James Bond films and has featured in every Eon Productions Bond film since Dr. No. The piece has been used as an accompanying fanfare to the gun barrel sequence in almost every James Bond film....
(Bond vs. OakenfoldPaul OakenfoldPaul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
)" – David ArnoldDavid ArnoldDavid Arnold is an English film composer best known for scoring five James Bond films, the 1994 film Stargate, the 1996 film Independence Day, and the television series Little Britain.-Film and television career:...
featuring Paul OakenfoldPaul OakenfoldPaul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew... - "On the Beach"
- "Hovercraft Chase"
- "Some Kind of Hero?"
- "Welcome to Cuba"
- "Jinx Jordan"
- "Jinx and James"
- "A Touch of Frost"
- "Icarus"
- "Laser Fight"
- "Whiteout"
- "Iced Inc."
- "Antonov"
- "Going Down Together"
In Popular Culture
Olympic Figure Skating Champion Kim Yu-Na used the track "Going Down Together" as part of her 'James Bond Medley' short program for the 2009-2010 season. The 'James Bond Medley' program was also used at the 2010 Winter Olympics2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in Vancouver, which Yu-Na went on to win the gold medal.