Licence to Kill (song)

"Licence to Kill"
"Licence to Kill"
	Standard international artwork (vinyl edition pictured)
Single by Gladys Knight
from the album Licence to Kill soundtrack
B-side	"Pam"
Released	May 30, 1989
Recorded	1989
Studio	Tarpan (San Rafael, California); Shakiji Inc. (Las Vegas, Nevada);
Length	5:15
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Jeffrey Cohen; Narada Michael Walden; Walter Afanasieff;
Producer(s)	Narada Michael Walden; Walter Afanasieff (asso.);
Gladys Knight singles chronology
James Bond theme singles chronology

"Licence to Kill" is a 1989 song by American singer Gladys Knight, written and recorded for the James Bond film Licence to Kill, also from 1989. It was written by Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen and Walter Afanasieff. Released as a single on May 30, 1989, the song became a top-ten hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number six and becoming Knight's last charting solo single there. The song charted well in Europe, peaking atop the Swedish Singles Chart for eight weeks (four chart periods at the time) and reaching the top five in seven other European countries. It also peaked at number 79 on Canada's RPM Top Singles chart but did not appear on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Track listings[]

7-inch single^[2]

A. "Licence to Kill" – 4:11

B. "Pam" (performed by Michael Kamen and the National Philharmonic Orchestra)

12-inch single^[3]

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)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[4]	3
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[5]	79
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[6]	27
Denmark (IFPI)^[7]	2
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[8]	2
France (SNEP)^[9]	28
Germany (Official German Charts)^[10]	3
Ireland (IRMA)^[11]	4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[12]	2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[13]	2
Norway (VG-lista)^[14]	2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[15]	1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[16]	2
UK Singles (OCC)^[17]	6
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[18]	18
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[19]	69

Year-end charts[]

Chart (1989)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop)^[20]	23
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[21]	32
Germany (Official German Charts)^[22]	54
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[23]	12
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[24]	47
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[25]	11

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.^[26]

References[]

^ http://www.007collector.com/126116-2/
^ Licence to Kill (UK 7-inch vinyl disc). Gladys Knight. MCA Records. 1989. MCA 1339.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Licence to Kill (UK 12-inch vinyl disc). Gladys Knight. MCA Records. 1989. MCAT 1339.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Ultratop.be – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6429." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6457." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 35. September 2, 1989. p. VII. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 35. September 2, 1989. p. IV. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
^ "Lescharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Licence to Kill". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 29, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill". VG-lista. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
^ "Gladys Knight and the Pips Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
^ "Gladys Knight and the Pips Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6. Retrieved 17 January 2020 – via World Radio History.
^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1989" (in German). Retrieved October 24, 2018.
^ "Songs, Bond Songs: The Music of 007"

External links[]

Gladys Knight - Licence To Kill on Discogs

[1] ttp://www.007collector.com/126116-2/

[2] Licence to Kill (UK 7-inch vinyl disc). Gladys Knight. MCA Records. 1989. MCA 1339.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[3] Licence to Kill (UK 12-inch vinyl disc). Gladys Knight. MCA Records. 1989. MCAT 1339.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[sc_Flanders_Gladys_Knight-4] "Ultratop.be – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-5] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6429." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_-6] "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6457." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[7] "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 35. September 2, 1989. p. VII. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

[8] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 35. September 2, 1989. p. IV. Retrieved July 7, 2020.

[sc_France_Gladys_Knight-9] "Lescharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Germany_Gladys_Knight-10] "Offiziellecharts.de – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Ireland2_-11] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Licence to Kill". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Dutch40_-12] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 29, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Dutch100_Gladys_Knight-13] "Dutchcharts.nl – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Norway_Gladys_Knight-14] "Norwegiancharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill". VG-lista. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Sweden_Gladys_Knight-15] "Swedishcharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Switzerland_Gladys_Knight-16] "Swisscharts.com – Gladys Knight – Licence to Kill". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_UK_-17] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 4, 2018.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Gladys_Knight_and_the_Pips-18] "Gladys Knight and the Pips Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2019.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Gladys_Knight_and_the_Pips-19] "Gladys Knight and the Pips Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2019.

[20] "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved October 24, 2018.

[21] "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6. Retrieved 17 January 2020 – via World Radio History.

[22] "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 24, 2018.

[23] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2021.

[24] "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved October 24, 2018.

[25] "Swiss Year-End Charts 1989" (in German). Retrieved October 24, 2018.

[26] "Songs, Bond Songs: The Music of 007"

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show v t Licence to Kill
Actors	Timothy Dalton Carey Lowell Robert Davi Talisa Soto Anthony Zerbe
Music	"Licence to Kill" "If You Asked Me To" soundtrack
Tie-ins	007: Licence to Kill

show v t James Bond music
Themes	"James Bond Theme" (Monty Norman) "James Bond Is Back" (John Barry) "007 Theme" (John Barry) "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (John Barry) "Bond 77" (Marvin Hamlisch) "James Bond Theme" (Moby)
Soundtracks	Dr. No From Russia with Love Goldfinger Thunderball Casino Royale (1967) You Only Live Twice On Her Majesty's Secret Service Diamonds Are Forever Live and Let Die The Man with the Golden Gun The Spy Who Loved Me Moonraker For Your Eyes Only Octopussy Never Say Never Again A View to a Kill The Living Daylights Licence to Kill GoldenEye Tomorrow Never Dies The World Is Not Enough Die Another Day Casino Royale (2006) Quantum of Solace Skyfall Spectre
Composers	Monty Norman John Barry George Martin Marvin Hamlisch Bill Conti Michael Kamen Éric Serra David Arnold Thomas Newman Hans Zimmer
Eon themes	"Kingston Calypso" "From Russia with Love" "Goldfinger" "Thunderball" "You Only Live Twice" "We Have All the Time in the World" "Diamonds Are Forever" "Live and Let Die" "The Man with the Golden Gun" "Nobody Does It Better" "Moonraker" "For Your Eyes Only" "All Time High" "A View to a Kill" "The Living Daylights" "Where Has Everybody Gone?" "Licence to Kill" "If You Asked Me To" "GoldenEye" "Tomorrow Never Dies" "The World Is Not Enough" "Die Another Day" "You Know My Name" "Another Way to Die" "Skyfall" "Writing's on the Wall" "No Time to Die"
Non-Eon themes	"Casino Royale" "The Look of Love" "Never Say Never Again"
Unused themes	"Man of War" "Spectre"
Compilations	Shaken and Stirred The Incredible World of James Bond The Best of Bond...James Bond
Related articles	Eon films secondary songs Non-Eon films secondary songs "Everything or Nothing"

show v t Gladys Knight
Discography
Studio albums	Miss Gladys Knight (1978) Gladys Knight (1979) Good Woman (1991) Just for You (1994) Many Different Roads (1998) At Last (2000) One Voice (with Saints Unified Voices) (2005) A Christmas Celebration (2006) Before Me (2006) Where My Heart Belongs (2014)
Singles	"When a Child Is Born" "That's What Friends Are For" "Licence to Kill" "Superwoman" "End of the Road Medley" "Missing You" "I (Who Have Nothing)"
Related topics	Gladys Knight & the Pips Merald "Bubba" Knight (brother) William Guest (cousin) Edward Patten (cousin)