Licence To Kill Title Sequence
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Title sequence created by Maurice Binder
'Licence To Kill' performed by Gladys Knight, written by Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen, Walter 'Baby Love' Afanasieff, John Barry, L.Bricusse and A.Newley. 'If You Asked Me To' performed by Patti LaBelle, written by Diane Warren
Featured in Licence To Kill (1989)
Visuals
Licence To Kill marks the final time in the Bond series where long-term designer Maurice Binder would design the title sequence. By this point Binder had perfected many of his techniques that he had developed over the years, including embracing the new technologies that were being released at the time.
There is a photo theme running through most of the title sequence, with an Olympus camera being used to start, and end the sequence. Many of the old favourites return, such as the silhouetted female forms, water ripples and girls with guns, but this time executed in a sharper, crisper format. However if you have watched a few other Binder title sequences, then there isn't probably anything new here.
Theme
After the success of the theme in A View To A Kill, and the mixed opinions on The Living Daylights title, producers initially looked to Eric Clapton and Vic Flick to write and perform the song for Licence To Kill. However this fell through, and it was eventually decided to bring famous 70's soul diva Gladys Knight in on the act and sing the Licence To Kill title theme ». Continuing on a new tradition from The Living Daylights, Patti LaBelle sings 'If You Asked Me To' » for the closing credits. Similarly from this point onwards a different song would be chosen for the ending of the film until The World Is Not Enough.
The song comes almost in two parts. On one hand there is the boldness featured in Goldfinger, as it is actually based on the 'horn line' from the film. On the other hand there are romantic overtones similar to that heard in the Roger Moore era. Fans are equally divided. Some like the late 80's synth and Knight's voice is unmistakable, yet in the other camp there are complaints about the songs cheesiness and it being very generic.
The song reached number 6 in the UK charts at its highest position, but did not come anywhere of note in the US.
Lyrics
Oh. I need, I need, I've got to hold on to your love.
[Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away. Oh, baby. Wasn't I the one who made you want to stay? Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me. Once I get my sights on you.
I got a licence to kill (to kill). And you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a licence to kill). Got a licence to kill (to kill), anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a licence to kill). Licence to kill.]
Hey babe, think you need a friend to stand up by your side? Yes you do (your side). Oh baby, now you can depend on me to make things right (things right). Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me. Once I get my sights on you.
I got a licence to kill (to kill). And you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a licence to kill). Got a licence to kill (to kill), anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a licence to kill). [Got a licence to kill (to kill), and you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a licence to kill). Got a licence to kill, (to kill), anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a licence to kill)]
Say that somebody tries to make a move on you. In the blink of an eye, I'll be there too. And they better know why, I'm gonna make 'em pay. Till their dying day. Till their dying day. Till their dying day. Oh!
Got a licence to kill (to kill). And you know, I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a licence to kill). Got a licence to kill (to kill), anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a licence to kill). [I got a licence to kill (to kill), and you know I'm going straight for your heart. (Got a licence to kill) Got a licence to kill, (to kill), anyone who tries to tear us apart. (Got a licence to kill). Oh.] Licence to kill. Gotta hold onto your loving. Licence to kill. Kill, kill, kill.
[ ] Not heard in the title sequence. §
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