Radiohead's 'Spectre' Song: A Haunting Beauty Destined for Top of the Charts?

The revelation of Radiohead's hauntingly beautiful song 'Spectre' has left many wondering whether the band was destined to top the charts with their contribution to the latest James Bond film. However, it seems that this wasn't meant to be, as Sam Smith ultimately took over as the official theme singer for the movie.

The story goes that Radiohead was approached to write a song for the movie Spectre, but unfortunately, their efforts 'didn't work out.' This has left many fans speculating about what could have been. One fan even decided to combine the discarded song with the backdrop used for Spectre's opening score, which would have made for a truly unforgettable Bond opening sequence.

The song itself is disorienting and almost nightmarish, opening on a haunting note with piano accompaniment that amplifies Thom Yorke's vocals. It's hard to imagine why it didn't work out, especially considering how well the song seems to fit with the movie's sequence.

Thanks to Radiohead's generosity, fans can now listen to the song below. While it may not have been intended as an official theme, it certainly feels like it was meant to be. The word 'Spectre' is said throughout the song, which only adds to its Bond-like quality.

It seems that movie runners may have wanted to give the impression they had always intended to go with Sam Smith, as rejected Bond themes are rarely discussed. Thom Yorke has since spoken out about the abandoned project, tweeting about his work on the song and even revealing that Radiohead was this close to having their music featured as the theme song for Spectre.

In a surprise move, Radiohead decided to reveal their songs to fans at absolutely no charge over Christmas, which meant that 'Spectre' would not have been known to exist had it not been for this unusual decision. So what happened? Well, Sam Smith happened, and it seems that Radiohead's contribution to the movie was ultimately discarded in favor of a more commercially viable option.

Despite not being used as the official theme song, 'Spectre' remains an intriguing piece of music that showcases Radiohead's unique sound. It's a haunting beauty that is definitely worth listening to, even if it didn't quite make the cut for Bond.

Radiohead spectre song