Licence revoked – the other lost 007 tracks

DIONNE WARWICK/SHIRLEY BASSEY – Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Inspired by the Italian nickname for

James Bond, John Barry enlisted Leslie Bricusse to pen lyrics for his jaunty tune for the film Thunderball. Both Dionne Warwick and Shirley Bassey recorded versions. However, it was decided a track titled Thunderball was required to promote the film more effectively. Tom Jones nearly fainted recording it. An angry Bassey, who had already sang Goldfinger for the 1964 film, ended up suing but returned to record a further two Bond songs.

ERIC CLAPTON – Licence To Kill

Composer Michael Kamen and lyricist B A Robertson wrote and recorded Eric Clapton’s unused effort for the 1989 film. It featured the original 1962 James Bond theme guitarist, Vic Flick. Bond producer Michael G Wilson was reticent.

PULP – Tomorrow Never Lies

For the 1997 Pierce Brosnan film, Tomorrow Never Dies, a number of artists were invited to present Wry Britpop band Pulp, fronted by Jarvis Cocker, submitted a quirky number reflecting the movie’s original title, later changed to ‘Dies’.

SCOTT WALKER – Only Myself To Blame

David Arnold and veteran Bond lyricist Don Black wrote this ballad for 1999’s The World Is Not Enough. Cut from the same cloth as We Have All The Time In The World, legendary troubadour Scott Walker was coaxed from retirement to perform it. The song was replaced with a new version of Monty Norman’s James Bond theme. ● From Some Kind Of Hero; The Remarkable Story Of The James Bond Films by Matthew Field and Ajay Chowdhury