Ed Sheeran says he felt “hurt” when he was replaced by Billie Eilish for James Bond theme
Ed Sheeran opens up about one of his recent career disappointments where he was offered a dream job and then taken away.
At a performance on This Peter Crouch podcast, The pop star revealed he had been tapped to write and perform the theme song for Daniel Craig’s latest James Bond film No Time To Die when he was abruptly replaced by Billie Eilish.
“I’m not going to pretend that not doing it didn’t hurt,” the singer admitted to Crouch.
Heartbreak: Ed Sheeran announced he had been tapped to write and perform a theme song for the latest Bond film No Time To Die, but was eventually replaced by Billie Eilish
The opportunity first arose in 2017 when Sheeran met with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who had expressed interest in him composing and performing a Bond theme song Rolling Stone.
While eagerly writing the subject, Sheeran was told by his manager, Stuart Camp, that music is often the last thing done on a film.
But between the production delays of COVID-19 and the process of making music at the end of the creative process, the door was left open for another artist to slip in.
It turns out Danny Boyle, who worked with Sheeran on the romantic comedy Yesterday (2019), is stepping down as director of No Time To Die due to “creative differences” and has been replaced by Cary Joji Fukunaga.
Ultimately, the No Time To Die theme went to Billie Eilish, who had great success with her version of the song.
The creative process had already begun: Sheeran admitted “I had started writing it” when he learned that Eilish was replacing him
‘It hurt’: With a pang of disappointment in his voice, the ‘How would you feel’ star admitted on the ‘That Peter Crouch’ podcast, ‘I’m not going to pretend it didn’t hurt not to ‘, a nod to the Losing Bond theme song No Time To Die
Beginning of the end: And then they changed directors, changed scripts and that was it,” said Halifax, West Yorkshire, England native Danny Boyle, who will direct No Time To Die due to “creative differences.” dropped out.
When asked if he’d done a Crouch Bond song before, Sheeran smiled widely and admitted, “I was close to doing one,” with a hint of heartbreak in his voice.
“But then they changed directors, changed scripts and that was it,” explained the 31-year-old native of Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, before adding, “We had all the meetings done, I had started writing it. “
Despite the heartbreak of missing the opportunity to join the long list of top-notch musicians to write and perform a Bond theme song, Sheeran made it clear he still hopes he gets another chance.
“But yeah, of course if they came back I’d say yes, yes,” he said when asked if it’s still something he enjoys doing.
Still a dream gig: Despite the heartbreak of missing out on an opportunity to join the long list of top-notch musicians to write and perform a James Bond theme song, Sheeran made it clear he still has hope he can pull it off will have another chance
“But yeah, of course if they came back I’d say yes, yes,” Sheeran said when asked if a Bond theme song was still something he enjoys doing
Bucket List: Sheeran still sees a James Bond theme song as a goal he’ll achieve in the near future
Aside from Eilish’s No Time To Die, the rich and varied history of James Bond theme tunes over the years includes the likes of Paul McCartney & Wings (Live and Let Die, 1973), Chris Cornell (You Know My Name, 2006), Tina Turner (GoldenEye, 1995), Tina Turner (GoldenEye, 1995), Duran Duran (A View To A Kill, 1985), Nancy Sinatra (You Only Live Twice, 1967) and Madonna (Die Another Day, 2002).
Some of the other artists are Alicia Keys and Jack White (Another Way To Die, 2008), Sheena Easton (For Your Eyes Only, 1981), Gladys Knight – License To Kill, 1989), Carly Simon (Nobody Does It Better (1977) . ), Sheryl Crow (Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997) and Shirley Bassey (Diamonds are Forever, 1971), among others.
Considering the success Eilish had with No Time To Die, some would argue that the decision to switch from Sheeran to then-teen pop star was a good and profitable decision.
Massive Success: Eilish’s No Time To Die peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart and the Irish Singles Chart, and led to numerous accolades including a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media; She is pictured at the March 2021 ceremony
Eilish’s song debuted at the top of the UK Singles Chart and the Irish Singles Chart while peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
It also became Eilish’s first number one single in the UK, making her the first artist born in the 21st century to top the charts. The song is also only the second Bond theme to ever top the UK charts.
Eventually, the song, which Eilish co-wrote with her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell, won numerous awards. including the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media and the Academy Award for Best Original Song,
Other awards: Eilish, who wrote No Time To Die with her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell, also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for No Time To Die; They are pictured during the ceremony in Los Angeles in March 2022
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11342467/Ed-Sheeran-says-felt-hurt-replaced-Billie-Eilish-James-Bond-theme.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 Ed Sheeran says he felt “hurt” when he was replaced by Billie Eilish for James Bond theme
