Another Way to Die

With Amy Winehouse long out of commission, Alicia Keys has signed on to lend her sultry, soulful pipes to the new theme song being readied for the upcoming James Bond installment, Quantum of Solace, by alt-rocker Jack White.

The male half of the White Stripes, who wrote and produced the tune, called "Another Way to Die," will also play drums. The film's soundtrack is due out Oct. 28, while the movie itself, the second 007 flick featuring hunky blond Bond Daniel Craig, hits theaters Nov. 7.

White and Keys' collaboration marks the first time a duo have tackled the Bond song, which hopefully will be more "Thunderball" (Tom Jones = suave and sophisticated) than "Die Another Day" (Madonna = Pierce Brosnan getting his ass kicked in a Korean prison).

The tradition of having a specialized theme harkens back to English cabaret star Matt Monro's treatment of the title song from 1963's From Russia With Love.

Hitmakers who have lent their vocals for the use of her majesty's secret service over the years include Paul McCartney and Wings ("Live and Let Die"), Carly Simon ("Nobody Does It Better" originated on The Spy Who Loved Me soundtrack), Sheena Easton ("For Your Eyes Only"), a-ha (the purveyors of "The Living Daylights" as well as '80s favorite "Take on Me"), Duran Duran ("A View to a Kill"), Gladys Knight ("License to Kill"), Tina Turner ("GoldenEye"), Garbage ("The World Is Not Enough") and, most recently, Chris Cornell, who crooned "You Know My Name" for Casino Royale.

U.K. pop stars Leona Lewis and Duffy were also rumored to be in contention for Quantum of Solace honors before the job was handed over to White and Keys, who are sure to add a certain "that sounds like a marimba!" je ne sais quoi to the 22nd Bond adventure.