Mike’s Favorite Original Songs of the Decade: #17 – “Writing’s On the Wall,” from Spectre

17. “Writing’s On the Wall,” from Spectre

Honestly, the only negative thing I can say here is that it’s a shame we’ve only had a chance at two Bond songs this decade. But man, that franchise always delivers (well, Madonna…).

Sam Smith was a great choice for this, because his voice fits with the tradition of the opening songs. And even if you had any doubts, once it starts, with those strings and those unmistakably ‘Bond’ chord progressions, you know it’s gonna be good. I love the way they wrote this one, with an almost two part chorus. That first part where it builds and crescendos, and then the second half, where he’s coming back down. It’s really well done. This holds up among the great opening credits songs that are a part of this franchise’s history, and that’s not easy to do.