"It just had to feel like Bond."

The 2 October edition of Rolling Stone goes inside the production of the latest James Bond theme song, Quantum of Solace‘s “Another Way To Die”.

Jack White

“I didn’t want to imitate anything or be retro … It just had to feel like Bond,” said Jack White, of his collaboration with Alicia Keys.

According to the magazine, White used to listen to John Barry’s James Bond soundtracks in between early White Stripes gigs. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service‘s instrumental theme song – one of Barry’s finest contributions to the 007 canon – was a particular favourite.

So, White is perfectly aware of the footsteps he is following in. “You’re definitely taking on a responsibility – there’s a tradition of powerful music in all these films … But that’s why I’m involved creatively with music – for challenges like this. That’s what I live for.”

White recorded the track with Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence before having Keys record her vocals. Keys also plays the track’s piano, while White features on the drums.

White mixed the track while watching main title sequences from past James Bond films.

Alicia Keys

Both White and Keys clearly enjoyed the collaboration. Says White, “I like that [Alicia] sneaks odd-sounding things into pop music that shouldn’t be there.” Keys was similarly admiring: “I love Jack and the White Stripes, the rawness of their style. ‘Seven Nation Army’ obviously is crazy. And ‘Icky Thump’ – the intro to that is off the chain.”

The duo have already shot the song’s music video and plan to perform it live on several occassions, including, potentially, at the Quantum of Solace premiere.

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