James Bond music legend explains why Lana Del Rey was the perfect fit for 007 First Light – and talks her previous Bond song attempt

by

After a 14-year gap, a new James Bond video game, 007 First Light, is coming soon! The developers, IO Interactive, have gone all-out, and popular singer Lana Del Rey will be performing the game’s theme song.

Lana Del Rey’s new song was released last week and has been well-received by both critics and listeners. Notably, David Arnold, the composer of five James Bond film scores (from 1997 to 2008), helped write the song.

Grammy-winning producer Arnold told TopMob that Lana Del Rey’s unique and classic style—blending nostalgic American sounds with a touch of sad, modern pop—makes her an ideal choice for the James Bond franchise, which has a long and lasting history.

Arnold explained that what he admires about the artist is her timeless quality. He believes she could fit into any era of the past eighty years and still maintain her unique identity, consistently staying true to herself regardless of current trends.

I’ve always admired how artists – especially those I’ve worked with – are so genuinely and confidently themselves. You can always expect their work to be authentic, carefully considered, and honest, making it truly believable and credible.

Lana Del Rey shared that she once offered her song ’24’ (from her 2015 album, Honeymoon) as a candidate for the theme song of the James Bond film Spectre. However, Sam Smith’s song, ‘Writing’s on the Wall,’ was ultimately chosen instead.

Arnold explained that Billie Eilish is a huge fan of Bond themes – she’d even submitted a song for ‘Spectre’ – so she was really enthusiastic about creating one for a film. He was thrilled she agreed, noting that she has a unique quality that goes beyond typical expectations for a Bond theme artist. She’s naturally authentic, and that’s what makes her the perfect fit.

Okay, so the new song really nails that classic Bond vibe, but with a touch of sadness thanks to Billie Eilish. It feels like a Bond song, you know? Honestly, I can’t even put my finger on exactly what makes a Bond song a Bond song, but you just… know it when you hear it. And this one definitely feels right.

Even after many years, Arnold admits he’s still unsure what exactly defines a James Bond theme song. He notes that while each song sounds very different from the others, they all share a certain common feeling or essence.

“I think people can spot a fake a mile away and if you’re committed to it, then it’ll work.”

Want to see this content?

This page includes videos from YouTube. Before they appear, we need your permission because YouTube uses cookies and similar technologies. Click ‘Accept and continue’ to watch the videos and allow YouTube to function as needed.

007 First Light offers a brand-new beginning for James Bond, telling the story of his early days as a trainee in MI6. Developed by IO Interactive, the game shows a young Bond as a talented but headstrong recruit. Before he earns the 007 designation, he’s a former Navy airman who impresses the agency with his bravery and natural combat skills, landing him a spot in the newly reformed 00 section.

IO Interactive has revealed the actors who will play key roles alongside James Bond. Patrick Gibson will star as the young 007, with Priyanga Burford as M, Alastair Mackenzie as Q, and Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny. The cast also includes Lennie James as Bond’s mentor, John Greenway, Noemie Nakai as Miss Roth, and Lenny Kravitz playing the villain, Bawma.

  • How 007 First Light can learn lessons from James Bond novels and films to tackle the hero’s origins
  • Why James Bond’s biggest ‘failure’ was actually a trailblazing moment for the 007 franchise

007 First Light releases on 27 May 2026 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

Authors

Morgan JefferyDigital Editor

Morgan Jeffery leads the editorial content for TopMob across all its digital platforms as Digital Editor. Before joining TopMob, he worked as TV Editor at Digital Spy and has appeared as a television commentator on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Sky Atlantic.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-04-23 12:36