Composer David Arnold has revealed the creative process behind 'First Light,' his new James Bond theme song with Lana Del Rey. The track serves as the anthem for the upcoming video game '007 First Light,' an origin story for the iconic spy. Arnold shared insights into their remote collaboration and the song's ties to Bond's legacy.
David Arnold, a veteran James Bond composer known for scores on films like Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace, teamed up with Lana Del Rey for 'First Light.' The ballad introduces a new era for 007 in the action-adventure game developed by IO Interactive. Audio director Dominic Vega emphasized the theme's importance: “Getting the theme song right was really important to the soul of the project.” The game, which features actor Patrick Gibson as a young Bond following Daniel Craig's era, is set for release on May 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. 007 producer Barbara Broccoli pitched the project to Arnold in a detailed briefing, where he agreed immediately for the chance to craft an official Bond theme. Arnold drew inspiration from concept art, scripts, and Ian Fleming's books to capture Bond's evolution. “The idea of charging towards an exploding sun seemed to sum up who Bond is [in First Light],” he said, describing it as a metaphor for the unknown and dangerous. Lana Del Rey, a longtime Bond fan who once pitched a song for Spectre, topped the list of singers. The pair collaborated over Zoom amid her busy schedule post-2023's 'Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.' Arnold praised her: “Her voice is extraordinary and is always unmistakably her.” Vega noted the song hints at the game's story, with themes earned as players progress, much like in Casino Royale.
