View to a Kill is not the typical song I would present here, but I have always had a guilty pleasure for it. Sure, it reeks of brutal 80’s synths, however it still has swagger and some heavy power unlike some other Bond themes songs. I also liked it because it was the theme song from Roger Moore’s last James Bond movie. I had a penchant for his portrayals since that is Bond I grew up on and I don’t care who knows it. My personal connection is fleshed-out in another James Bond theme song – Sheena Easton’s For Your Eyes Only.
View to a Kill is the only James Bond theme song to have reached number one on the US Billboard; it also made it to number two for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart. The song was one of the band’s biggest hits. It was also the last song recorded by the English pop group before their split, until their reunion in 2001. The song was recorded at Maison Rouge Studio and CTS Studio in London with a 60-piece orchestra.
So the story goes – Duran Duran were chosen to do the song after bassist John Taylor (a lifelong Bond fan) approached producer Cubby Broccoli at a party and somewhat drunkenly asked, “If I give you a fiver, can I write a theme tune please.” The band was then introduced to Bond composer John Barry and they collaborated together rather harmoniously with Duran Duran left to the songwriting duties and Barry the final arrangement and orchestral parts.
[Verse 1]
Meeting you with a view to a kill
Face to face in secret places, feel the chill
Nightfall covers me, but you know the plans I’m making
Still overseas, could it be the whole Earth opening wide
A sacred why, a mystery gaping inside
A week is why, until we…
[Chorus]
Dance into the fire
That fatal kiss is all we need
Dance into the fire
To fatal sounds of broken dreams
Dance into the fire
That fatal kiss is all we need
Dance into the fire
[Verse 2]
The choice for you is the view to a kill
Between the shades assassination standing still
The first crystal tears fall as snowflakes on your body
First time in years to drench your skin in lover’s rosy stain
A chance to find the phoenix for the flame
A chance to die, but can we…
References:
1. A View to a Kill (song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
While “A View to a Kill” cannot deny its ’80s production, I’ve always liked it – both in general and as a Bond theme song. I think it would be among my top 5, together with the “Goldfinger”, “Live and Die”, “James Bond Theme” and “GoldenEye.”
Apart from ‘Live and let Die’, ‘For Your Eyes Only’ and ‘View to a Kill’, I couldn’t tell you what the other songs sound like, by title alone. I’m certain I’ve heard of nearly all of them, but by title – nope! I’m not doing myself any service admitting that. Hehe
My memory of song or album titles isn’t great, so I can totally sympathize with you!
I always liked this tune. I really Duran Duran when they first came out & then they got played to death & I was like, meh, & now I really like them again LOL
So you’ve had a topsy turvy ride with their music lol
I don’t think I’m familiar with a lot of their music, but I’m a big fan of ‘Ordinary World’. Cheers Polly.
This is one band I could never get into Matt. I did like Hungry Like The Wolf…and I liked this one because I heard it with the movie at the time…but I was in the minority! Most people loved them.
I believe this is my first listen to ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ but the ‘do do do do’ part rings a bell or am I confusing it with another song? I think so. It’s not too bad. I think my background with the group is not unlike yours and I remember also they were very popular. I really like ‘Ordinary World’ which I posted on recently.
BTW – Did you see Dylan?!
Oh Matt! Bob and Willie were great. Bob’s voice…was the best I’ve heard it in years. The croak sound is gone…he is singing like he did way back. Willie’s voice was a little lower but the same. Bob did The Times They are a Changing for the first time since 2010 according to reports…he opened up with it.
The opening band of Naniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats blew me away…great band.
Awesome! I’ve been watching recent audience videos of performances come out and Bob sounded pretty good. Since the Sinatra record and some surgery on his vocals (I think) he’s sounded a lot smoother. For instance, I was watching that 1991 Grammy performance of him sing ‘Masters of War’ and that tested my limits of tolerance. Gee it was ordinary. Haha.
That’s wonderful he did ‘The Times…’ for the first time since so far back! Epic. I’ll check out the opening band you mentioned. Also can I ask which concert you saw exactly so I can check out if videos are posted on it?
Well whatever he did…it worked! He played piano the entire time and the screens were turned off….he doesn’t like those at all and demands them be off I think.
Well he didn’t open with it…he opened with Gotta Serve Somebody but here it is…at FirstBank Amphitheater, Franklin, TN, USA
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bob-dylan/2025/firstbank-amphitheater-franklin-tn-3b5adcb4.html
Here is that band…I talk a little about the concert but not as much as I should have.
Well, you have made my afternoon. I’ll check it all out and get back to ya. Thanks.
Thanks Matt!
Wish you could have been there!
Always there in spirit.
I told my kids you were going and that got them revved up. It’s impressive how crazy they are for Bob and I don’t think it’s just to satisfy me lol
Yea Bailey bought our tickets months ago. He is a huge Dylan fan.
You have to give it to Bailey. I’m still impressed how he met Chalamet in person. And the article you wrote about you guys meeting Lennon’s photographer muse is right up there.
The boy has good taste lol. I didn’t push him either because that is the sure way for them to reject it…but he found most of them on his own….like me Matt…he found artists after he go into the Beatles…one thing led to another…Dylan though is his top artist….he wants to see him again.
I think the first song I put my kids onto as infants by Bob was ‘Million Dollar Bash’ and it was love at first listen, then ‘Subterranean..’ and the rest is history. My son’s favourite song by Dylan is the unreleased ‘Caribbean Wind’ lol
That’s good you didn’t push Bailey and let him find his own path. Dylan being his top artist just got him son Brownie points here just north of the equator.
Yes you were subtle about it…that is the way I was as well….and he caught on.
LOL I bet it does…if he had to pick anyone…that is a great one to pick!
Matt….I have to say…Willie was a fun to watch as well…a different vibe. Probably the first country set I’ve ever been to by a big name.
Yes, you could choose worse favourite artists. Hehe.
Speaking of favourite artists such as your’s, we are just listening to the Beatles ‘We Can Work It Out’. Love that song!
Re. Willie, I’m not across his music except the big ones – ‘Always on my Mind’ etc. His duet with Bob ‘Pancho and Lefty’ – Townes Van Zandt is great.
I’m surprised Willie is the first big Country name you have seen live. I’m glad you liked his set.
I like that one as well…I like how John and Paul split it up between them and it shows the difference in them…McCartney positive and Lennon more realistic lol.
Don’t forget “On The Road Again”…. I’m posting a funny one by him on July 4.
I have to say on almost all Beatles tracks I prefer Lennon singing, but this is one where I have to give McCartney the kudos.
Lennon has this grit in his singing which I’m most fond of.
‘On the Road Again’, I must say I’m not a big fan of. It’s too go-easy Country and voice for my liking. But hey..what do I know… it was a killer success.
I think with Willie …. it’s the vibe at his concerts…kinda like a Jimmy Buffet concert in that way.
Well you know Lennon is and will always be my favorite
I grew up on Lennon’s solo records big time and if his life hadn’t been cut short – who knows? But only in my latter years did I get into George’s output (thanks to you guys) and if I had to say ‘now’ who is my favourite, it’s probably George (post Beatles).
I’ve heard that a lot through blogs. George has come off great in recent years. One thing that did happen…when Lennon was murdered he was a saint and McCartney was awful to some people…which wasn’t fair at all…Lennon or anyone else is no saint lol.
I couldn’t get into McCartney solo nearly at all, but Christian posted of his fairly recent song ‘I Don’t Know’ which I really liked. I see what you mean about noone was a Saint.
Yea…I liked McCartney in the mid seventies and early eighties…but most of the 80s I didn’t like…the thing is…they worked so well together. They kept each other in check.
You are way more attuned with his music than me, so I’m almost reluctant to have an opinion on it.
What I liked most about that ‘I Don’t Know’ is how it just feels free to explore just like what Christina Perri did after her big albums just after Paul.
Like ‘F/ck it’ and see where this takes me. I resonate with that looseness in the music more than the commercial stuff. No one else likes it, but I don’t care.
Oh I remember I Dont’ Know now! It’s on Egytian Station…I like that one. I like that one as well. No complaint here lol
On another tangent , just watched Ohtani’s 2 innings pitching over 100mph. That guy is a monster.
His greatest of history day against Toronto, is nothing I’ve ever come close to seeing. I’m speechless.
It’s great seeing him pitch! Today he was on it…I can’t wait till he can start pitching at least 6 innings again. As long as he is ready by the All Star break
Yes, it will be great to see him get back to where he was. I just hope his body can hold out doing both and he can be around for many years to come.