While attending a Sixth Form College in Luton, Arnold became friends with director Danny Cannon. Cannon initially created short films for which Arnold was asked to write the music. The two made their respective major film debuts with The Young Americans. "Play Dead", a song from the film with singer Björk, charted #12 in the UK. The following year he scored Stargate and Last of the Dogmen, with excerpts from the former ranking third in the most commonly used soundtrack cues for film trailers.
Arnold then composed music for Stargate director Roland Emmerich's next two movies, Independence Day and Godzilla, as well as four movies for director John Singleton. In addition, he has scored various comedies, dramas, and nineteenth-century period pieces, as well as providing music for several British television shows including the 2000 remake of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Little Britain. During film production, his compositions are conducted by Nicholas Dodd. In 2010, he composed the music for Come Fly With Me, a British television series from the producers of Little Britain.
He is a member of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA). On Thursday 29 November 2012, Arnold received an honorary degree from University of West London. Now a university honorary, he will work closely with the University in particular London College of Music, a faculty within the institute. In 2014, he appeared as himself in The Life of Rock with Brian Pern.
He has collaborated with such musical acts as Cast, Kaiser Chiefs, Massive Attack, and Pulp, and solo artists Natasha Bedingfield, Melanie C, Björk, Chris Cornell, Shirley Manson, Mark Morriss, Nina Persson and in 2009 produced Shirley Bassey's album The Performance.
In 2001, he provided a new arrangement of Ron Grainer's Doctor Who theme music for the Eighth Doctor audio dramas from Big Finish Productions. His version was used as the Eighth Doctor theme starting with 2001's Storm Warning until 2008, when it was replaced with a new version arranged by Nicholas Briggs starting with Dead London. Arnold's theme returned to the Eighth Doctor releases with the 2012 box set, Dark Eyes.
Arnold is the second cousin of Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice, and is an ambassador for aid agency CARE International in the UK. He has made minor appearances in two different episodes of Little Britain as separate characters.
In February 2011, it was announced that he was appointed Musical Director for the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
In May 2011, he was part of the United Kingdom's jury for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011.
Arnold took part in a tribute to John Barry on 20 June 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, singing a song that was composed by Barry and playing the guitar part of the James Bond theme.
In 2014, Arnold teamed up with Richard Thomas, to write the music and lyrics for the new West End musical Made in Dagenham.
In October 2015 he collaborated with Lethal Bizzle and Sinead Harnett to create a song combining orchestral, grime and soul elements. The song, 'Come This Far', was performed live at a special event at One Mayfair, as part of Bulmers Cider's LiveColourful LIVE promotion, and made available as a free download from Bulmers' website. He and Sherlock co-composer Michael Price also composed the music for ITV's Jekyll and Hyde television series which premiered in October 2015.
In September 2016 the Royal Albert Hall hosted an orchestral performance of Independence Day with the score performed live to picture, David Arnold gave a pre-show talk.
The World Is Not Enough
David Arnold Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know how to heal
I know what to show
And what to conceal
I know when to talk
And I know when to touch
No one ever died from wanting too much
The world is not enough
But it is such a perfect place to start, my love
And if you're strong enough
Together we can take the world apart, my love
People like us
Know how to survive
There's no point in living
If you can't feel the life
We know when to kiss
And we know when to kill
If we can't have it all
Then nobody will
The world is not enough
But it is such a perfect place to start, my love
And if you're strong enough
Together we can take the world apart, my love
I feel sick
I feel scared
I feel ready
And yet unprepared
The world is not enough
But it is such a perfect place to start, my love And if you're strong enough
Together we can take the world apart, my love
The world is not enough
The world is not enough
No, nowhere near enough
The world is not enough
The lyrics of David Arnold's "The World Is Not Enough" are both powerful and thought-provoking. The singer of the song appears to be someone who is confident in their abilities to navigate the world, especially in the matters of love and survival. They know when to show vulnerability and when to hide it, when to speak and when to touch. They are not afraid of wanting too much, as they believe no one has ever died from that. This person is convinced that the world is not enough, and they are right because they want it all.
The singer believes that they are strong enough to take on the world, but they cannot do it alone. They are always looking for a partner in crime, someone who is equally strong and willing to take risks. People like them survive because they know how to live life to the fullest, and they don't waste their time on anything that doesn't make them feel alive. This person is confident in their abilities to kiss and kill, and they are not afraid to use those skills if necessary. They are not willing to settle for anything less than everything the world has to offer.
The last verse of the song shows that the singer is feeling both sick and scared, yet ready and unprepared. This can imply that they are about to embark on a mission that is both exhilarating and terrifying. However, they are confident that they can handle anything that comes their way, as long as they have the right partner by their side.
Line by Line Meaning
I know how to hurt
I have the ability to cause emotional or physical pain to others
I know how to heal
I also have the ability to alleviate or remedy pain in others
I know what to show
I have the knowledge of what to display to the world or others depending on the circumstance
And what to conceal
I understand what information should be kept hidden or not shown to certain individuals or the public
I know when to talk
I have the ability to determine when it is appropriate to engage in conversation or share information
And I know when to touch
I am aware of when it is appropriate to engage in a physical touch or contact
No one ever died from wanting too much
No one has ever passed away from the desire to want or have more things in life
The world is not enough
The world and all its offerings are not sufficient or fulfilling
But it is such a perfect place to start, my love
However, the world serves as an opportune beginning point, especially for two people in love
And if you're strong enough
If you possess the strength and fortitude required
Together we can take the world apart, my love
Together, we can deconstruct and reshape the world to our liking and desire, my love
People like us
Individuals who are similar to us or share our characteristics
Know how to survive
Understand the techniques and strategies that are required to live and make it through difficult situations
There's no point in living
Life is meaningless or lacks purpose
If you can't feel the life
If one is unable to experience or embrace the essence of living
We know when to kiss
We understand when it is appropriate to engage in physical intimacy, such as a kiss
And we know when to kill
We are cognizant of when it may be necessary to end a life or engage in violent activities
If we can't have it all
If we are unable to obtain or possess everything we want
Then nobody will
We will prevent anyone else from having what we deem valuable or necessary
I feel sick
I am experiencing a state of physical and/or mental discomfort or unease
I feel scared
I am experiencing a sensation of fear, worry or anxiety
I feel ready
I am prepared or in a state of readiness
And yet unprepared
However, despite feeling ready, there may still be an unprepared or inexperienced aspect to the situation
No, nowhere near enough
Absolutely not sufficient or far from satisfactory
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind