Elaine Masters, 54, from Bedfordshire, has spent five years campaigning to get her self-composed track, Burning Stars, selected as an official James Bond theme. The independent British composer's journey began in March 2021, when she sat down at a new piano given to her by her husband as a birthday gift.
Masters, then 49, had barely touched a piano since childhood, but quickly realised the melody she was picking out had an unmistakable cinematic edge — one that felt tailor-made for 007. She wrote the lyrics, placed an advert online seeking a music producer, and received a response from award-winning producer Sefi Carmel, who has worked with Ridley Scott and on Harry Potter. Together, they transformed her piano melody into a full, polished master recording with an epic, orchestral feel.
Grassroots campaign to reach Bond decision-makers
Since major film studios typically refuse unsolicited music submissions, Masters has initiated a grassroots movement to capture the attention of Amazon MGM Studios and EON Productions decision-makers. Her efforts have included auditioning on Channel 4's The Piano, featuring on BBC Three Counties Radio, and using an appearance with the Little Nellie gyrocopter at the BBC Antiques Roadshow to forge connections with Bond insiders.
Her determination has propelled her into official 007 networks. She received an invitation as a guest to the 007 First Light World Premiere at BAFTA. Her composition has also earned endorsement from leadership within the James Bond gaming franchise and secured a shortlist position for the 2026 Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA).
Inspiration behind the track
Asked what inspired her to compose a James Bond theme track, Masters said in an exclusive interview: "My husband bought me a little piano for my 49th birthday, I hadn't played the piano since I was about 11."
"I sat down with it and started working out different tunes and I just thought to myself, 'I'll write a Bond theme', then it just progressed from there."
Explaining why the track feels so ideally suited to James Bond, Masters said she "used all the little trills, chords and notes from the previous Bond songs". She said: "It just seemed so perfect. I was so passionate about it, I put out an advert on a music site if any producers could help me make it sound better - more epic and orchestral and Bond-like and someone answered."
"It turned out it was Sefi Carmel, who just turns out to be an award-winning music producer who's worked with Ridley Scott and on Harry Potter, I couldn't believe it at first."
Next steps for the 007 theme
Masters admits she has been "so excited" that her pursuit has taken her to Hollywood, onto BBC radio, to a BAFTA event and to an audition for Channel 4's The Piano. Nevertheless, she remains determined to achieve her ultimate ambition — securing it as the soundtrack for an actual Bond film.
Asked who could fill Daniel Craig's shoes as the next 007, Masters named Theo James. "Theo James, I'm really hoping it's him," she admitted. "After seeing him in The Gentleman, I think it'll be him, although he might be a little bit old at 41."
