News Digest

Sam Smith’s ‘Spectre’ Bond theme unveiled to mixed reviews

Sam Smith’s highly-anticipated theme song for the new James Bond film Spectre has been unveiled. However, opinion appeared to be split, with some hailing it a “classic” and others comparing it to M ichael Jackson’s Earth Song, which was panned by critics. Smith has admitted he was nervous about how Bond fans would react to Writing’s On The Wall. Former 007 Sir Roger Moore wrote that Smith had “delivered a very haunting and wonderfully orchestrated” song, but most opinion on social media appeared to be negative, with many making the Jackson comparison.

It’s a perfect combination of Sam meets Sam. Taking its cue from a moment in the film where Bond sees his name spray-painted on the Memorial Wall of the derelict MI6 HQ. It’s big and dramatic and showcases the full range of Sam Smith’s extraordinary voice.

Ajay Chowdhury, from the James Bond International Fan Club

The 23-year-old confirmed earlier this month that he was taking up the gauntlet from Adele after months of speculation and denials. The responsibility for producing the song has been weighing heavily on Smith, who tweeted on Thursday: “1 more day till Writing’s On The Wall #007 xx very scared, very nervous, very excited.” Writing’s On The Wall, co-written with Grammy winner Jimmy Napes, is the first Bond theme performed by a British male solo artist since 1965, when Tom Jones sang Thunderball. The track is the bookies’ favourite to reach number one and would be the first 007 theme to do this. Even Adele’s Skyfall fell shy of the top spot, although it did earn the Bond franchise its first Oscar in 47 years.