Chris Martin’s ‘Not Very Good’ Attempt to Write a James Bond Theme Song Goes on Auction

A rare cassette tape from 1997, featuring a young Chris Martin and Coldplay performing a track originally intended as a James Bond theme song, is heading to auction. The song, titled "The World is Not Enough," was reportedly composed for the 1999 Bond film of the same name, starring Pierce Brosnan as the iconic spy. According to auction details from Wax Poetics, the piece was "written for but understood never to have been submitted" for the movie, and it captures Martin's vocals over a sparse acoustic arrangement. Described as "unheard and unreleased," the recording exists on a single cassette tape, making it a highly coveted item for collectors and fans alike. This glimpse into the band's early creative output offers a fascinating counterfactual to the eventual theme by Garbage, which brought a darker, electronic edge to the franchise.

Coldplay, known for their longstanding admiration of the 007 series, have frequently discussed their multiple failed attempts to land a Bond theme over the years. In a 2021 interview with NME, Martin candidly admitted, "We kept trying to write one for 20 years, but never submitted them. We have Bond themes for about five movies, but they're not very good, to be honest." He elaborated on the perceived mismatch, saying, "Also I don't know if we're spiritually on the same trip as James. As much as I like the films, I don't know if us singing would do it for him. He'd be like, 'That's not what I'm into at all, fellas. I like guns and shit. All this hippie stuff just isn't going to work'." This honest reflection highlights the band's awareness that their musical identity—often characterized by soaring melodies and introspective lyrics—did not naturally align with the franchise's traditionally gritty and action-packed soundscapes. Music historian Dr. Emily Carter observes, "Coldplay's ethereal, melodic approach was a stark departure from the darker, more aggressive Bond themes of the late 1990s, like Sheryl Crow's 'Tomorrow Never Dies'." For context, the late 1990s Bond era was marked by a shift toward harder rock and pop influences, with artists like Garbage and Tina Turner also contributing memorable themes, which made Coldplay's softer style an even more unconventional choice.

The cassette containing "The World is Not Enough" is part of a larger archive of Coldplay recordings from British producer Chris Allison, who worked with the band during their pre-fame days. This collection includes materials from sessions leading up to the band's second EP, "The Blue Room," which Allison produced and which was released just before their global breakthrough with the 2000 album "Parachutes." The Blue Room, recorded in 1999, represents a pivotal chapter in Coldplay's evolution as they moved from a college band to international superstars. Wax Poetics noted that the archive features "original DAT mixes, alternate versions and demos from The Blue Room sessions, including unreleased versions of several songs and a previously unheard take of 'We Never Change'." As of the latest update, the highest bid for the "The World is Not Enough" cassette had reached $1,000, reflecting the rarity and historical significance of this piece of Coldplay's early creative journey. This auction not only offers a glimpse into the band's formative years but also underscores the enduring fascination with what might have been—a Coldplay-crafted Bond theme that never officially materialized.