"Licence to Kill" is a song by American singer Gladys Knight, written and recorded for the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill, taken from the soundtrack of the film's same name. The song was written by Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen and Walter Afanasieff, and produced by Walden and associate production helmed by Afanasieff.
"Licence to Kill" was released as the soundtrack's lead single on May 30, 1989, by MCA Records.The song became a top-10 hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number six and becoming Knight's last charting solo single there. In Europe, the song peaked atop the Swedish Singles Chart for eight weeks (four chart periods at the time) and reached the top five in seven other countries. It also peaked at number 79 on Canada's RPM 100 Singles chart but did not appear on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Critical reception Jerry Smith from Music Week wrote, "Gladys Knight beats all-comers for the dubious pleasure of singing the theme to the latest Bond movie, written and produced by Narada Michael Walden, and basically a pastiche of the best of the previous themes. It can't really fail." Pat Sharp for Smash Hits felt "Licence to Kill" "sounds very dramatic and James Bond-y".
Track listings 7-inch single A. "Licence to Kill" – 4:11 B. "Pam" (performed by Michael Kamen and the National Philharmonic Orchestra)
12-inch single A1. "Licence to Kill" (extended version) B1. "Pam" (performed by Michael Kamen and the National Philharmonic Orchestra) B2. "Licence to Kill"
Personnel Gladys Knight – vocals Narada Michael Walden – songwriter, producer, arranger Walter Afanasieff – songwriter, associate producer, arranger, orchestrator, keyboards, drum programming, percussion, Moog bass, synthesizer Jeffrey Cohen – songwriter Michael Kamen – orchestrator Gary Grant, Jerry Hey – horns Greg "Gigi" Gonaway – Paiste cymbals Ren Klyce – Fairlight synthesizer programming Claytoven Richardson, Jeanie Tracy, Karen "Kitty Beethoven" Brewington, Melisa Kary, Sandy Griffith, Skyler Jett – background vocals
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1989)PeakpositionDenmark (IFPI)2Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)2Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)12Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 3
Year-end charts Chart (1989)PositionBelgium (Ultratop)23Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)32Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)12Netherlands (Single Top 100)47Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)11UK Singles (OCC)87West Germany (Media Control)54
Cover versions In 2017, musician and producer Fernando Perdomo collaborated with former Pink Floyd backing vocalist and Blue Pearl lead singer Durga McBroom recording the song for the multi-artist compilation album Songs, Bond Songs: The Music of 007."Songs, Bond Songs: The Music of 007"
References
External links Gladys Knight - Licence To Kill on Discogs