Why an album of reworked Bond songs?

I grew up with and loved the films and I thought the songs were fantastic. At the time, Pierce Brosnan as the new Bond was becoming incredibly popular. They'd re-invented the genre and I thought if I don't do it someone else would. I thought perhaps there was a way of remaking these songs and having a bit of fun with them. I already had a strong idea of how I wanted them to sound, plus I wanted an excuse to work with some of the people I really liked.

Did you have a problem getting artists involved?

Everyone I asked loved the songs and had a favourite Bond song, so pretty much everyone I asked to do it, did it.

Were there any tracks that didn't make it onto the album?

"You Only Live Twice" by Björk. I thought it was an absolute genius record. She sang it so beautifully. But she wasn't happy with it, so it was withdrawn. And "Goldfinger" was going to be recorded by Debbie Harry and Skunk Anansie, but scheduling got in the way which would have put the album back two or three months, so we had to drop it. That was a shame.

How does it feel to be scoring the Bond movies?

There's a real sense of responsibility because so many people love Bond. It's been part of their lives and the music is an especially big part of that. Without Bond music, you haven't got a Bond film.

Find out David's Future Projects and how he came up with the music for Shaft in just two weeks.