GoldenEye (song)

"GoldenEye" is a song written by Bono and the Edge and performed by Tina Turner that served as the theme song for the 1995 "James Bond" film "GoldenEye". Released as a single in November 1995, the song was a chart hit in Europe, topping the Hungarian Singles Chart and reaching the top five in Austria, Finland, France, Italy, and Switzerland, and the top ten in Belgium, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It was less successful outside the continent, reaching number 43 in Canada, number 63 in Australia, and number two on the US "Billboard" Bubbling Under Hot 100.
Background and release.
The song was written by Bono and the Edge of Irish rock band U2 for Tina Turner, after they learned that she had been invited to sing the theme song to the upcoming "James Bond" movie. The track was produced and mixed by British producer/remixer/composer Nellee Hooper, best known for his work with Massive Attack, Madonna, U2 and Björk. The track reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-five hit in several European countries.
"GoldenEye" was first released on the original motion picture soundtrack and the following year it was included on Turner's album "Wildest Dreams". The song has been covered by Nicole Scherzinger for the 2010 remake of the "GoldenEye 007" video game.
Critical reception.
Larry Flick from "Billboard" described "GoldenEye" as a "gloriously over-the-top James Bond theme" and a "tingly, feline performance" by Turner. He stated that producer Nellee Hooper "captures the essence of the movie, wrapping the track in sweeping strings and horns that are fondly reminiscent" of the 1964 movie "Goldfinger", and added that U2's Bono and the Edge "get in on the fun, writing a tune that's fraught with cryptic lyrical twists and romantic intrigue." Nisid Hajari from "Entertainment Weekly" said that the James Bond myth "certainly allows for the trinity of Sex, Danger, and Elegance to verge on melodrama." He noted the song's "self-conscious vocals and maudlin horns and strings", and added that it "blithely crosses the line". British newspaper "Liverpool Echo" commented that Turner "manages to sound like Shirley Bassey". David Cook from "The Michigan Daily" wrote that "it's amazing how similar this song sounds to other opening songs from previous James Bond movies — there must be some magic formula to making all of the sound so Bondlike." Pan-European magazine "Music & Media" deemed it a "perfect candidate" for the soundtrack of 007's "latest adventure", adding that Turner "and her raw R&B power easily fit in the Shirley Bassey tradition." They also noted that the composers "stayed close to the traditional James Bond sound". "Music Week" rated the song 5/5 and stated that "Turner's voice soars above a swirling orchestra in this powerful single with a classic Bond feel." Jeff Farance from "The News-Journal", while reviewing the movie, said that the title sequence is "pure Bond, with Tina Turner belting out the title song in the grand tradition of magnificent music for 007."
Music video.
The music video for "GoldenEye" was directed by English film director Jake Scott and made its debut at the end of October 1995. It features Sudanese model Alek Wek.
Alternate rejected theme song.
Like many Bond themes before it, Tina Turner's version was not the only recorded song for the film. Swedish pop band, Ace of Base also recorded a song that was optioned to the studio. Ace of Base's "The GoldenEye" was later reworked into "The Juvenile" which appeared on their "Da Capo" album in 2002.