The next 007 film is hitting theatres in April, but Billie Eilish has unveiled its title song a couple of months early. Made alongside her brother and regular collaborator Finneas O’Connell (aka FINNEAS), Eilish’s four-minute track tastefully aligns with the grand tradition of Bond themes.
Fans have been hanging out for Eilish’s ‘No Time to Die’ since her involvement with the perennial film franchise was announced in January. There was much speculation about the extent to which Eilish’s idiosyncrasies would influence the song. The answers have now arrived in the form of a creeping ballad that comes to a soaring finale.
Listen: Billie Eilish – No Time To Die
The song’s final quarter sees Eilish reach for some magnificent high notes before stripping it back to the bare minimum for a whispered outro. The chorus lyrics are evocative, yet appropriately ambiguous. “Fool me once, fool me twice/Are you death or paradise?/Now you’ll never see me cry/There’s just no time to die.”
Being asked to pen a James Bond theme has become a real mark of approval for musicians. Carly Simon, Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney and Wings, Chris Cornell, Jack White & Alicia Keys, Sam Smith and Adele are just some of the artists who’ve previously had the honour.
Watch: Alicia Keys & Jack White – Another Way to Die
Eilish has spent the last few months topping the Hottest 100, winning six Grammys and seeing When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? lionised as one of the great pop debuts. However, her involvement with No Time To Die seems to confirm she’ll be around for a good while yet.
No Time To Die is due for cinematic release in April. Daniel Craig stars for the fifth time as James Bond. It’s Craig’s final film in the role, which he’s made his own sinc 2006’s Casino Royale. The distinct guitar playing of Johnny Marr will augment Hans Zimmer’s original score.
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