Jack White irritated at Bond song's Coke affiliation

Those of you who followed 007-gate earlier this summer will remember the nail-biting tension as we waited to discover who would be singing the first duet in Bond theme song history for the upcoming film Quantum of Solace. Jack White, enigmatic frontman of the White Stripes, and singer-songwriter Alicia Keys ended up being the winning duo. Details are sketchy at this point, but it looks like the song, titled "Another Way to Die", has escaped from its holding facility deep underneath MGM studios (thanks to a potpourri of lethal gadgets disguised as suitcases and pens) and found its way into a Coke advertisement. The song's instrumental track is already TV-bound, and Mr. White is none too pleased about it.

White's management released a statement that he "was commissioned by Sony Pictures to write a theme song for the James Bond Film Quantum of Solace, not for Coca-Cola. Any other use of the song is based on decisions made by others, not by Jack White. We are disappointed that you first heard the song in a co-promotion for Coke Zero, rather than in its entirety."

Whoa there, tiger. Any more outrage and next thing you know we'll be seeing a sternly-worded letter to Coke's customer-service desk. Then again, White really can't get too upset, because he and Coke certainly have had a mutually beneficial relationship in the past, whether or not this particular ditty was intended for the cola manufacturer. Consider it a cautionary tale in licensing your work: you get what you're paid for.

Related links:
Cover Story: The White Stripes Play Us a Little Number
News: Jack White pens poem for Detroit
WhiteStripes.com

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