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Extreme Ways

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"Extreme Ways"
Single by Moby
from the album 18
B-side
  • "Love of Strings"
  • "Life's So Sweet"
ReleasedJune 24, 2002 (2002-06-24)
GenrePost-punk[1]
Length
  • 3:57 (album version)
  • 3:32 (single version)
LabelV2
SongwriterMoby
ProducerMoby
Moby singles chronology
"We Are All Made of Stars"
(2002)		 "Extreme Ways"
(2002)		 "In This World"
(2002)
Music videos

"Extreme Ways" is a song by American electronica musician Moby. It was released as the second single from his sixth studio album 18 on June 24, 2002. The track is known for its usage at the conclusion of all five Bourne films. New versions of the song were recorded for the third, fourth, and fifth films of the series: The Bourne Ultimatum,[2] The Bourne Legacy,[3][4] and Jason Bourne[5] respectively. In 2024, Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren and Moby released a reimagined version of the song as a single through Armada Music.[6]

Composition

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"Extreme Ways" samples the strings notes from Hugo Winterhalter's cover of "Everybody's Talkin'", and the drum beats of Melvin Bliss's "Synthetic Substitution".[7]

Music videos

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Two music videos was made for the song were directed by Wayne Isham, both the original and The Bourne Identity (2002) film version, which was later included on Moby's 18 B Sides + DVD compilation and the film's "Explosive Extended Edition" DVD.

Bourne versions

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For the first two Bourne films in the series, The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, the original version of the song was used during the closing credits. In the first film, it was chosen by director Doug Liman, and in the second it reappeared because the producers could not commission a new song due to time constraints.[8] The franchise's producer, Frank Marshall, declared that "when we first heard 'Extreme Ways', we loved it because the rhythm and lyrics embodied all the characteristics we were going for in the movie."[2] Regarding the return, Kathy Nelson, the president of film music for Universal Pictures, stated that the line of thought was "There's no better song. It's still the perfect lyric, perfect attitude, and perfect energy, so why not let this be Jason Bourne's theme?"[9]

For the third film in the series, The Bourne Ultimatum, a new version, "Extreme Ways (Bourne's Ultimatum)", was recorded and released both on that film's soundtrack on July 31, 2007, and as a one-track CD single on September 17, 2007.[2]

For the fourth film in the series, The Bourne Legacy, another version, "Extreme Ways (Bourne's Legacy)", was recorded and released on that film's soundtrack on August 7, 2012. This version was recorded partly at Moby's home studio in Los Angeles and partly at Sony Pictures Studios. At Sony, Moby worked with a 110 piece orchestra with the help of composer James Newton Howard, who scored the film, and composer Joseph Trapanese.[4] In addition to the lyrical track, the group also recorded a purely orchestral version of the song.[10] Both versions were released as singles for digital download on July 31, 2012.[11]

For the fifth film in the series, Jason Bourne, Moby recorded another version, "Extreme Ways (Jason Bourne)", that was released on that film's soundtrack on July 29, 2016.[12]

Armin van Buuren and Moby version

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In 2024, Dutch DJ and record producer Armin van Buuren and Moby released a new version of "Extreme Ways". It was released on November 22, 2024, through Armada Music.[6][13]

The version was first used by van Buuren as the opening track of his set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami and later featured in his 2024 live sets, including at Tomorrowland.[14] The version combines piano-led builds with a dance-oriented drop.[15] Van Buuren said that he had long wanted to work with Moby and was inspired to make the version after rewatching the Bourne film series, while Moby said that he approved of the new version after hearing van Buuren's production and seeing footage of it being used to open live sets.[14]

An official visualizer for the version was released on van Buuren's YouTube channel.[16] The song was later included on the track listing of van Buuren's 2025 album Breathe.[17]

Track listings

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Charts

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Original version

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Chart (2002) Peak
position
Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[18]27
France (SNEP)[19]53
Italy (FIMI)[20]27
Scotland Singles (Official Charts)[21]29
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22]91
UK Singles (Official Charts)[23]39
UK Dance (Official Charts)[24]7
UK Indie (Official Charts)[25]5
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[26]12

"Bourne's Ultimatum" version

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Chart (2007) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[27]48
UK Singles (Official Charts)[28]45

Certifications

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Certifications for "Extreme Ways (Bourne's Ultimatum)"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[29]
"Extreme Ways (Bourne's Ultimatum)" 		Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States June 24, 2002 Alternative radio V2 [30]
Australia July 29, 2002 CD [31]
Japan August 17, 2002 V2 [32]
United Kingdom August 19, 2002
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 Mute [33][34]
September 9, 2002 Limited-edition 12-inch vinyl [35]

References

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  1. ↑ Bein, Kat (July 25, 2017). "Moby's 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 27, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2025. Extreme Ways" is a perfect Moby post-punk song: It's dirty and steamy, like going out and looking good, even though your skin is trapped under a layer of grime.
  2. 1 2 3 "News: Press Release – extreme ways (bourne's ultimatum) released on 17th september (available as digital download now)". Moby.com. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Moby records new version of 'Extreme' closing theme for upcoming 'Bourne Legacy'". New York Daily News. August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Moby (July 30, 2012). "i've recorded a new version of 'extreme ways' for the bourne legacy". Moby.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Moby Releases Updated Jason Bourne Theme Song, 'Extreme Ways'". Radio.com. July 26, 2016. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Extreme Ways by Armin van Buuren & Moby". Qobuz. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Blackard, Cap (February 26, 2018). "Moby's Top 10 Songs". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Moby | Extreme Ways". Archived from the original on April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  9. ↑ Power Players, Billboard
  10. ↑ Moby (July 31, 2012). "brand new orchestral version of 'extreme ways', listen here". Moby.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  11. ↑ Matthews, Cameron (July 31, 2012). "Moby Remixes 'Extreme Ways' for 'The Bourne Legacy' -- Exclusive Video". Spinner. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Jason Bourne Soundtrack (2016)". Soundtrack.Net. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Extreme Ways - Single by Armin van Buuren & Moby". Apple Music. November 22, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Armin van Buuren and Moby Release Huge Remake of 2002 Classic 'Extreme Ways'". Armada Music. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on January 23, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Armin van Buuren & Moby – Extreme Ways". Armin van Buuren. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  16. ↑ Armin van Buuren & Moby - Extreme Ways (Official Visualizer). YouTube. Armin van Buuren. Archived from the original on March 7, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Out Now - Armin van Buuren - Breathe". Armin van Buuren. June 27, 2025. Archived from the original on January 17, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Moby – Extreme Ways" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Moby – Extreme Ways" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Moby – Extreme Ways". Top Digital Download. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 31/8/2002 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Moby – Extreme Ways". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 31/8/2002 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart on 31/8/2002 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart on 31/8/2002 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Moby Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 35, 2007". Irish Singles Chart. Archived from the original. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 1/9/2007 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  29. ↑ "British single certifications – Moby – Extreme Ways (Bourne's Ultimatum)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 22, 2023. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Extreme Ways (Bourne's Ultimatum) Moby in the "Search:" field.
  30. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1458. June 21, 2002. p. 33. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  31. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 29th July 2002" (PDF). ARIA. July 29, 2002. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2002. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  32. ↑ "エクストリーム・ウェイズ 来日記念盤 | モービー" [Extreme Ways Commemorative Edition | Moby] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  33. ↑ Hubner, Miriam (August 3, 2002). "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 32. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  34. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 19 August 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. August 17, 2002. p. 31. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  35. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 9 September 2002: Singles". Music Week. September 7, 2002. p. 23.
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