LISTEN: Adele Debuts 'Skyfall' Bond Theme

by uInterviewOctober 8, 2012, 12:00 amNews >

The verdict is out on Adele's latest song since her hit 2011 album 21, "Skyfall," which debuts as the theme song to the eponymously titled Bond film out later this year. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond and Javier Bardem as villainous Raoul Silva, the Sam Mendes-directed sequel Skyfall will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Bond series, which began with Dr. No (1962) — and what better way to celebrate big than to attach Britain's biggest voice to the cover song? "Skyfall" features Adele's rasp and soulful vocals, but stays true — certainly more so than any of the songs in recent memory — to the Bond emblem with a slow build, a booming 77-piece orchestra and a nod of swagger. "[Adele] manages to imbue this filmic torch song with something of her own, a sense of personality and heart," said Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph.

What has perhaps pleased Bond fans the most of the new release is the score's faithful promise of a return to a more classic Bond, in the best of ways: sexy and cinematic. Adele's cavernous depths insert themselves flawlessly into the original "James Bond Theme," which despite a tempo change lurks recognizably in the background. "I was a little hesitant at first to be involved with the theme song for Skyfall. There’s a lot of instant spotlight and pressure when it comes to a Bond song. But I fell in love with the script and Paul had some great ideas for the track and it ended up being a bit of a no brainer to do it in the end," said Adele, referring to co-producer Paul Epworth. "It was also a lot of fun writing to a brief, something I’ve never done, which made it exciting. When we recorded the strings it was one of the proudest moments of my life. I’ll be back combing my hair when I’m 60 telling people I was a Bond girl back in the day I’m sure!"

Skyfall will be released Nov. 9 in the U.S. In the meantime, hear Adele's "Skyfall" theme in the latest trailer: