Sam Smith Insists He Is Not Doing The New Bond Theme, Tips Ellie Goulding
Sam Smith denied reports linking him with the twenty-fourth instalment in the Bond series, Spectre, which is being directed by Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig in his fourth outing as the British secret service agent.
Day 1. #SPECTRE pic.twitter.com/6bvgSTvCrO
— James Bond (@007) December 8, 2014
Dust to dust. #SPECTRE pic.twitter.com/OGv10abjDT
— James Bond (@007) June 28, 2015
Here is the official #SPECTRE teaser poster pic.twitter.com/3cn3iM6tf1
— James Bond (@007) March 17, 2015
It is widely believed that following the Oscar-winning performance by Adele in Skyfall, Sam Mendes has already set the yardstick high for his film. If, as rumors seemed to suggest earlier, Sam Smith is indeed Mendes’ choice, the talented English singer will join a list of luminaries who have sung for the Bond franchise, which includes names such as Paul McCartney, Madonna, Tina Turner, and Nancy Sinatra, among others.
According to various media reports, Sam Smith was tipped as the frontrunner to sing the new theme tune, ahead of performers such as Ed Sheeran, Lana del Rey, Rita Ora, and One Direction. Speaking to the Independent, Sheeran ruled himself out of the running in December last year when he jokingly suggested his voice lacked the deepness required to sing for Bond.
“I am a James Bond fan but I think the theme tune should be ballsy and I feel like if I was going to do it, it would sound a bit wet. The Hobbit song [“I See Fire”] was perfect for me to do as it’s folky and guitar-driven — a hairy short man should be singing that kind of song!”
It is also possible the rumors started when during the same interview, Ed Sheeran tipped Sam Smith as the perfect candidate to sing the Bond theme.
“I think Sam Smith would be perfect suited up with his strong voice. I’m backing Sam. Anyone from him to Paloma Faith who does the retro thing really f**king well should do it.”
Later, other singers came on board with the idea of Sam Smith taking the reins. Gladys Knight, who sang the Bond theme in 1989’s movie, License to Kill, told BBC that Sam Smith would be her preferred choice to sing Spectre‘s theme song.
“Sam has something in his voice – like it’s more than just a song. It’s a spirit that you have when you deliver your music. And to me, Sam Smith has that spirit. He’d be a good Bond theme [singer].”
However, for all the rumors and encouragement, Sam Smith conceded on Capital FM Radio that he has not been approached to sing the theme song.
“People seem to think I’m doing it but I have no idea what’s going on. I’m being deadly serious. I think I would know by now.”
Sam Smith might have laid the foundations for another rumor when he tipped Ellie Goulding for the job instead.
“I heard Ellie Goulding was going to do it.”
With Spectre scheduled for release on November 6 this year, it will not be long before we find out who the chosen one is. It is time Sam Smith found out the truth, too.
[Photo: Ian Gavan, Jason Merritt / Getty Images]
