IO Interactive Promises the Full Bond Treatment
Since its announcement, IO Interactive has hinted that 007: First Light will deliver the complete Bond experience — with cinematic storytelling, an original score, and even a classic title-sequence moment featuring a dedicated song.
The confirmed composers, The Flight (Joe Henson & Alexis Smith), are known for their atmospheric and emotional soundscapes, setting the stage for a dramatic musical identity that evolves with Bond’s journey.
Given that ambition, it’s easy to imagine IOI bringing in a major recording artist to perform the signature track — and few would embody that moody, melancholic Bond energy better than Lana Del Rey.
A Database Clue Hints at Her Role in the Soundtrack
Fans of 007: First Light may have uncovered an intriguing lead: a recent entry in the ASCAP Repertory Database — the official registry of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers — lists a song titled “First Light” credited to Elizabeth Grant, the real name of Lana Del Rey.
At first glance, it’s easy to see why Bond fans are getting excited. The title perfectly mirrors IO Interactive’s upcoming origin story for James Bond — the first light of his career, the dawn of a new 00 agent.
What is the ASCAP Listing?
Every songwriter and composer who expects their work to be broadcast or used commercially must register it with a performing-rights organization such as ASCAP.
A database entry therefore only confirms that a song exists and is legally protected — it does not automatically confirm where or how it will appear. In this case, “First Light” is credited solely to Grant, Elizabeth, with Universal Music Corporation listed as publisher. No performer or production context is attached — at least not yet.
That doesn’t sound like much on its own, but in the context of Bond, it’s enough to set the fandom alight.
From “Video Games” to Bond? The Evolution of Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant on June 21, 1985, in Manhattan, New York. She grew up in Lake Placid, a small town in upstate New York, where she developed an early passion for singing and writing. After performing in her local church choir and at college events, she moved back to New York City to pursue a music career under her birth name Lizzy Grant.
Her breakthrough came in 2011 with the haunting viral hit “Video Games,” followed by the critically acclaimed album Born to Die (2012), which cemented her as one of the defining voices of her generation. Known for her cinematic soundscapes, nostalgic Americana imagery, and melancholic lyrics, Del Rey has since released several successful albums including Ultraviolence (2014), Norman Fing Rockwell!*** (2019), and Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023).
Over the years, she has earned multiple Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe nod, and widespread recognition as one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century — blending old-Hollywood elegance with modern emotional depth.
Lana Del Rey’s Long-Standing Bond Ambition
This isn’t the first time the American singer has circled the Bond franchise. Back in 2015, she revealed that she had submitted a demo titled “24” for Spectre, hoping it would become the film’s official theme (see above).
“I mean, how has that not happened yet?” — Lana Del Rey, Entertainment Weekly (2023)
She later admitted she was disappointed that her Bond song wasn’t chosen, calling it a missed opportunity.
Her cinematic, retro-orchestral style has long been considered a perfect match for Bond — languid, tragic, seductive — and perhaps now, the timing is finally right.
Final Thoughts
Lana Del Rey has long been on my shortlist of artists who’d make perfect sense for a 007: First Light title song. There’s no doubt she has the artistic depth to deliver a remarkable Bond theme. “24” didn’t quite convince me personally, but if she were to collaborate with The Flight, she might beautifully capture the emotional conflict within 007 — a man torn between duty, intuition, and that unshakable instinct to go his own way, yet still vulnerable to the pull of love.
For now, these clues remain just that — clues. There’s no confirmed link between Lana Del Rey and 007: First Light, and until official details surface, all we can do is connect the dots and wait.
As 007: First Light brings Bond’s story into the world of games, I can’t help but think about the broader musical legacy that has always shaped his cinematic persona. The last two film themes — by Sam Smith and Billie Eilish — leaned heavily into a softer, more introspective tone. Perhaps now, as the franchise evolves across mediums, it’s time for something with a bit more bite again.
Slow, melancholic ballads are an essential part of 007’s musical DNA, but they’re only one facet of it. This is a new generation: young, dynamic, and full of inner tension. I’d love to see that energy reflected musically — maybe in the spirit of Chris Cornell, Duran Duran, Paul McCartney & Wings, or even Jack White and Alicia Keys.
Call me crazy, but after The Emptiness Machine, I could even imagine Linkin Park delivering a bold, modern Bond anthem — a band reconnecting with its audience in a way not unlike the 007 franchise itself — and perhaps exactly the kind of boldness this new era could use.
With only a few months left until release, it will be fascinating to see who ultimately steps up to the microphone. Whether it’s Lana Del Rey or someone entirely unexpected, the voice behind 007: First Light will help define how this new era of Bond begins.
Image credit: Abaca Press / Alamy, IO Interactive.
