James Bond fans have welcomed Adele's theme for the latest 007 film after a short clip was leaked online.
She
has teamed up with Paul Epworth, who co-wrote and produced her massive
hit Rolling In The Deep, to write Skyfall for the new film of the same
name.
Fans were given a taste of the track when a 90-second clip
appeared on the Soundcloud website but it
was removed within hours. The
track, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with a 77-piece
orchestra, was not due to be given its premiere on Adele's website until
0.07am London time on Friday.
Ajay Chowdhury, from the James Bond
International Fan Club, said: "There are three types of Bond song - one
is bold, brassy and sexy like Goldfinger, another is reflective and
mournful like You Only Live Twice, and the third is anthemic and
adventurous like Live And Let Die.
"Adele's song is very
definitely reflective and mournful. Co-written by her and Paul Epworth,
with an arrangement by Epworth and JAC Redford, this 50th anniversary
theme is Bondian but very Adele too.
"It's a beautiful ballad that
promises to become a Bondian classic. I can imagine it in the film,
underlaid by Daniel Kleinman's titles - Bond fans are in for an aural
treat."
Adele has said she was "hesitant" about recording the song.
"There's a lot of instant spotlight and pressure when it comes to a Bond song," she said.
"But
I fell in love with the script and Paul had some great ideas for the
track and it ended up being a bit of a no-brainer to do it in the end.
"It was also a lot of fun writing to a brief, something I've never done, which made it exciting.
"When
we recorded the strings it was one of the proudest moments of my life.
I'll be backcombing my hair when I'm 60, telling people I was a Bond
girl back in the day, I'm sure."
The film is to be given its world
premiere on October 26, with star Daniel Craig to visit Australia ahead
of its local release on November 22.
Adele follows Jack White and
Alicia Keys, who provided the theme to Quantum Of Solace, while Chris
Cornell voiced Craig's first 007 performance, Casino Royale.
Other notable Bond theme singers include Lulu, Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey, as well as A-Ha and Duran Duran.