The Living Daylights (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Living Daylights" is the song performed by A-ha
for the James Bond
film of the same name
. It was co-written by guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy
and Bond composer John Barry
.
. Not surprisingly, the band prefers their version of the song to Barry's.
When interviewed on a late-night show in 1987, Barry said that he found working with the band exhausting secondary to the band's insistence on using their own version of the song for release. In an interview with Hotrod Magazine, keyboardist Magne Furuholmen
said that "[the band's] fight with Barry left a rather unpleasant aftertaste. Apparently he compared us to Hitlerjugend
in a newspaper interview." Waaktaar-Savoy claims that Barry never contributed to the creative process, and should not have his name on the credits.
, but it charted in the United Kingdom where it peaked at number five. It also remains a favourite with Bond fans.
The song remains one of a-ha
's most played songs in live concerts and has often been extended into a sing-along with the audience, as featured on the live album How Can I Sleep with Your Voice in My Head
. In live performances, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy often included the James Bond Theme
in his guitar solo.
Evan Cater of Allmusic said the song was "a strong sample of Seven and the Ragged Tiger
-influenced Europop, enhanced by Morten Harket
's powerhouse falsetto vocals."
The single sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
, was shot at the 007 Stage
in London, which was built specifically for the Bond franchise.
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
for the 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
The Living Daylights
The Living Daylights is the fifteenth entry in the James Bond series and the first to star Timothy Dalton as the fictional MI6 agent 007. The film's title is taken from Ian Fleming's short story, "The Living Daylights"...
. It was co-written by guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy
Paul Waaktaar-Savoy
Paul Waaktaar-Savoy is a Norwegian musician and songwriter. He is best known for his work as guitarist in the Norwegian pop band A-ha...
and Bond composer John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
.
Origin and recording
Barry was listed on the credits as co-writer and producer, and the initial release of the song was his version. A second version of the song, re-worked by A-ha in 1988, later appeared on their third album, Stay on These RoadsStay on These Roads
Stay on These Roads is the third full-length album by the rock band A-ha. It was released on 3 May 1988 through Warner Bros. Records.-Recording:...
. Not surprisingly, the band prefers their version of the song to Barry's.
When interviewed on a late-night show in 1987, Barry said that he found working with the band exhausting secondary to the band's insistence on using their own version of the song for release. In an interview with Hotrod Magazine, keyboardist Magne Furuholmen
Magne Furuholmen
Magne 'Mags' Furuholmen is a Norwegian musician. He is best known as the guitarist and keyboardist of the pop band A-ha.-A-ha:Furuholmen has been the keyboardist with A-ha since their formation in 1982, though he also plays guitar...
said that "[the band's] fight with Barry left a rather unpleasant aftertaste. Apparently he compared us to Hitlerjugend
Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945. The HJ was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded one year after its adult counterpart, the Sturmabteilung...
in a newspaper interview." Waaktaar-Savoy claims that Barry never contributed to the creative process, and should not have his name on the credits.
Release and reception
"The Living Daylights" was released in the summer of 1987. The song didn't chart on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, but it charted in the United Kingdom where it peaked at number five. It also remains a favourite with Bond fans.
The song remains one of a-ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
's most played songs in live concerts and has often been extended into a sing-along with the audience, as featured on the live album How Can I Sleep with Your Voice in My Head
How Can I Sleep With Your Voice In My Head
How Can I Sleep with Your Voice in My Head is a live album released in 2003 by Norwegian band A-ha.-Track listing:#"Forever Not Yours" — 4:33#"Minor Earth Major Sky" — 5:41#"Manhattan Skyline" — 5:50#"I've Been Losing You" — 4:09...
. In live performances, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy often included the James Bond Theme
James Bond Theme
The "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....
in his guitar solo.
Evan Cater of Allmusic said the song was "a strong sample of Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Seven and the Ragged Tiger is the third studio album by English pop rock band Duran Duran, released globally in November 1983. It would prove to be the last studio album for the band's original lineup until 2004's Astronaut....
-influenced Europop, enhanced by Morten Harket
Morten Harket
Morten Harket is a Norwegian musician, best known as the lead singer of the Norwegian synthpop/rock band A-ha, which released nine studio albums and topped the charts in several countries after their breakthrough hit "Take on Me" in 1985. A-ha disbanded in 2010. Harket has also released four solo...
's powerhouse falsetto vocals."
The single sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
Music video
The music video, which was directed by Steve BarronSteve Barron
Steven "Steve" Barron is a director and producer, best known for directing the films Coneheads , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the innovative music videos for a-ha's "Take on Me" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"....
, was shot at the 007 Stage
007 Stage
The Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage is one of the largest silent stages in the world. It is located at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, and named after the famous James Bond film producer Albert R...
in London, which was built specifically for the Bond franchise.
Chart performance
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 29 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 18 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 35 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
9 |
| French Singles Chart | 21 |
| German Singles Chart | 8 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 2 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 3 |
| Japanese Singles Chart | 42 |
| Polish Singles Chart | 3 |
| South African Singles Chart | 5 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 30 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 3 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 8 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
5 |