Original `Never Say Never Again` theme song uncovered

Prior to the release of 'Never Say Never Again' in 1983, Stephen Forsyth and Jim Ryan wrote what was intended to be the film's theme song, but their tune was axed when Michel Legrand, who created the film's score, threatened to sue - reports Tim Lucas on his blog, Video WatchBlog.

In Forsyth's own words:

''During the filming of the James Bond movie NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, I co-wrote the title song for the movie with Jim Ryan. Warner Bros informed our attorney that the song was to be used as the title song in the picture. However, shortly before its release, Warner Bros informed us that the song could not be used because Michel Legrand, who wrote the score, threatened to sue them, claiming that contractually he had the right to the title song. So my song was never released.

''The legendary Phyllis Hyman was my first choice to sing the song and working with her is one of the highlights of my musical career. I personally auditioned and sang the song to her while she was having breakfast in her manager’s office. After agreeing to sing the song, she arrived at the studio and, without any rehearsal and only having heard the song sung once at the breakfast audition, sang the song in one perfect take.

''Phyllis sadly took her own life in the early nineties. The year before she died, she called me late one night and told me she felt that 'Never Say Never Again' was 'her best and favorite recording.' I have just now made the song available on the Internet (itunes, amazon, emusic, rhapsody, etc.) on an album of some of my early songs. I’d like to make the song available to Video WatchBlog readers to listen to. Enjoy.''

To download Phyllis Hyman's version of the 'Never Say Never Again' theme written by Stephen Forsyth and Jim Ryan, click here

Thanks to `Icebreaker` for the alert.

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