You only need to listen to one second of this song to figure out Sam Smith‘s latest release is a Bond theme. The British crooner has taken his sweeping vocals to cinematic new heights with “The Writing’s on the Wall”, his contribution to the new Daniel Craig-led 007 flick, released on Friday morning. And if we can intuit anything from the official Spectre theme song, it’s that we’re heading back to a simpler time.
Big band jazz and sumptuous strings to boot, “The Writing’s on the Wall” is decidedly old-school in its approach and orchestration: this is Smith’s attempt at the diva-ry of the 40s and 50s, where distilled, understated glamour was the pinnacle of class. This isn’t to say there’s not that seemingly classic-and-required Shirley Bassey businessâthere’s definitely hints and nods to thatâbut it’s most certainly a departure from Adele’s bangarang “Skyfall.” Where Adele’s tune was bombastic, Smith’s has a lighter touch to his grandeur: could this mean we’re in for a different sort of Bond film? Could James Bond actually feel a bit insecure this go-around? “If I risk it all / Could you break our fall? / How do I live? How do I breathe? / When you’re not here I’m suffocating. / I wanna feel love / Run through my blood / Tell me is this where I give it all up?”
Is this where Craig gives it all up? Or are weâmore likely than notâreading way too much into a song?
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Image: Columbia Pictures
Alicia Lutes is the Associate Editor of The Nerdist. Find her on Twitter @alicialutes.