The Last Panthers Theme Song Lyrics
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The theme song for The Last Panthers is a segment of the nearly 10-minute avant-garde masterpiece “Blackstar” by the legendary David Bowie. Director Johan Renck met with Bowie while the musician was in the final stages of his life; Bowie was so inspired by the show’s dark, gritty themes of jewel thieves and European corruption that he offered the track for the opening titles. It marked Bowie’s first contribution to a television or film project in over 20 years.
The lyrics used in the intro—”On the day of execution, only women kneel and smile”—perfectly mirror the show’s bleak atmosphere and the complex moral landscape of the Pink Panthers crime syndicate. The haunting vocal delivery and the fusion of jazz, rock, and electronic elements provide a sophisticated, cinematic opening for the limited series.
The series itself explores the fallout of a diamond heist gone wrong, spanning across Marseille, Belgrade, and London. Starring Samantha Morton and John Hurt, the show’s intense realism is amplified by Bowie’s soundscape, creating an immersive experience that feels both ancient and modern. “Blackstar” went on to be the title track of Bowie’s final album, released just two days before his passing in January 2016.