David Arnold (born February 27, 1962 in Luton in Bedfordshire, England) is a British film composer.

Arnold was a Bond fan from an early age and also a fan of Bond composer John Barry. In 1997 Arnold produced Shaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project, an album featuring new versions of the themes from various James Bond films. The album featured a variety of contemporary artists including Jarvis Cocker, Chrissie Hynde, k.d. lang and Iggy Pop; a version of “You Only Live Twice” by Bjork was recorded but not included on the album.

Barry, the composer of many of the themes on the album, was complimentary about Arnold’s interpretation of his work; “He was very faithful to the melodic and harmonic content, but he’s added a whole other rhythmic freshness and some interesting casting in terms of the artists chosen to do the songs. I think it’s a terrific album. I’m very flattered.” Barry contacted Barbara Broccoli, producer of the then-upcoming Tomorrow Never Dies, to recommend Arnold as the film’s composer.

Arnold was hired to score the installment, and he has since scored the four subsequent films; The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace. Arnold also co-wrote the main theme songs for The World Is Not Enough (“The World Is Not Enough” by Garbage) and Casino Royale (“You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell) as well as “Surrender” by k.d. lang which appears during the end credits of Tomorrow Never Dies.

See also: