CHRIS CORNELL On His BOND Theme: 'I Wanted To Write A Song In Its Own Universe'

November 19, 2006

AUDIOSLAVE/ex-SOUNDGARDEN frontman Chris Cornell recently spoke to Danica Lo of the New York Post about his big-screen debut of sorts as the first man since Paul McCartney to sing a James Bond theme song.

His throaty, epic ode to 007, "You Know My Name", plays musical foil to Daniel Craig's Bond in "Casino Royale". Featuring soaring orchestrations and near-crooning vocals, the song is a departure from Cornell's signature sound.

"They wanted a voice that fit well with his persona," Cornell says. "They were looking for a singer who was unapologetically male, someone with introspection in his voice but not afraid to be masculine."

Cornell cites two of his predecessors as inspirations: McCartney, who wrote and performed the theme to "Live and Let Die" (1973),and Tom Jones, who sang the theme to "Thunderball" (1965).

"I decided that I was going to sing it like Tom Jones, in that crooning style. I wanted people to hear my voice," Cornell says. "And 'Live and Let Die' is a fantastic song. Paul McCartney wouldn't have written it if not for that movie. I [also] wanted to write a song in its own universe. I knew I'd never have it again — a big orchestra — so I wanted to have fun with it."

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