You Know My Name

You Know My Name
Name	You Know My Name
Artist	Chris Cornell
Album	Carry On
Released	November 20, 2006
Genre	Alternative rock, hard rock
Length	4:01
Label	Interscope Records
Writer	Chris Cornell, David Arnold
Producer	David Arnold

You Know My Name is a hard rock song performed by American vocalist Chris Cornell, written for the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. It marked the first James Bond theme performed by a male solo artist since Duran Duran's "A View to a Kill" in 1985 and introduced a grittier, more guitar-driven sound to the franchise's musical canon. The song served as the lead single from Cornell's second solo studio album, Carry On, and was critically acclaimed for its powerful vocals and modern rock aesthetic.

Background and writing

The track was commissioned by the film's producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who sought a theme that reflected the rebooted, more visceral portrayal of James Bond by actor Daniel Craig. Composer David Arnold, who scored the film, collaborated directly with Chris Cornell after being impressed by his work with Soundgarden and Audioslave. The writing sessions took place at Abbey Road Studios in London, with Arnold crafting a symphonic rock arrangement that blended orchestral elements from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Cornell's signature guitar riffs. Lyrically, Cornell aimed to capture the internal conflict and moral ambiguity of the character, drawing inspiration from the novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming.

Release and promotion

"You Know My Name" was first released digitally on November 20, 2006, by Interscope Records, preceding the film's premiere in the United Kingdom and United States. A physical CD single was issued in select international markets, including Germany and Australia. The song was heavily promoted through television spots during major events like the NBA Finals and was featured in trailers for Casino Royale. Cornell performed the song live on several high-profile programs, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Later... with Jools Holland, and it was included on the film's official soundtrack album, Casino Royale.

Critical reception

Upon release, the song received widespread acclaim from music critics. Publications like Rolling Stone and NME praised its departure from the traditional John Barry-inspired Bond themes, highlighting Cornell's "raw, powerhouse vocals" and the track's "modern rock edge." Some reviewers from The Guardian compared it favorably to previous themes by Shirley Bassey and Paul McCartney, noting its successful fusion of orchestral grandeur with alternative rock. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media and won the World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song. The track is often cited as one of the strongest Bond themes of the 21st century.

Chart performance

The single achieved moderate commercial success, entering the UK Singles Chart at number seven, marking Cornell's highest-charting solo single in the United Kingdom. It reached the top ten in several European countries, including Switzerland and Norway, and peaked at number seventy-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song also performed well on rock-oriented charts, topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for two weeks and reaching number four on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. Its parent album, Carry On, debuted at number seventeen on the Billboard 200.

Music video

The music video, directed by Michael Haussman, premiered in November 2006 on channels like MTV and VH1. It intercuts footage of Chris Cornell performing with a live band in a stark, industrial setting with key scenes from Casino Royale, including sequences featuring Daniel Craig and Eva Green. Stylistically, the video employs rapid editing and monochromatic tones to mirror the film's tense atmosphere. Behind-the-scenes footage from the production at Pinewood Studios was also incorporated. The video received regular rotation on music television networks and has accumulated millions of views on platforms like YouTube.

Legacy and impact

"You Know My Name" is regarded as a pivotal entry in the James Bond theme repertoire, setting a new template for harder-edged, rock-oriented themes that influenced subsequent songs like "Another Way to Die" by Alicia Keys and Jack White. It significantly boosted the solo career of Chris Cornell, introducing his work to a broader, global audience. The song remains a staple in retrospectives on Bond music by institutions like the BBC and is frequently performed in tribute concerts following Cornell's passing in 2017. Its enduring popularity is evidenced by its inclusion in compilation albums such as The Best of Bond... James Bond and its continued use in promotional material for the James Bond film series.

Category:2006 songs Category:Chris Cornell songs Category:James Bond theme songs