Diane Warren Pens Title Song for Mark Wahlberg’s ‘By Any Means’

Prolific, record-shattering songwriter Diane Warren has announced her latest cinematic contribution, “By Any Means”—the evocative title track for the upcoming 1960s civil rights thriller. The stirring, midtempo soul ballad unites two distinct musical generations: breakout singer-songwriter David Kushner and legendary R&B trailblazers The Isley Brothers.

Warren, whose storied career includes an unprecedented 17 Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song, holds the record as the most nominated woman in the category’s history. Earlier this year, she achieved a historic milestone as the first songwriter ever to secure nominations across nine consecutive years. While a competitive Oscar has remained elusive, the Academy honored her enduring legacy in 2022 with an Honorary Governor’s Award in recognition of her profound influence on film scoring.

A Gritty Historical Narrative

Helmed by director Elegance Bratton with a screenplay by Sascha Penn, By Any Means draws inspiration from true historical events during the turbulent 1960s. The film follows a determined Black FBI agent, portrayed by Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, dispatched to Mississippi to investigate a spate of gruesome murders targeting civil rights figures. His mission forces an unlikely and volatile alliance with notorious underworld enforcer Greg Scarpa, played by Mark Wahlberg.

The project aligns seamlessly with Warren’s thematic history of scoring historic civil rights milestones. She previously garnered Oscar nominations for “Stand Up for Something” (co-penned with Common for the 2017 Thurgood Marshall biopic Marshall) and “The Journey” from 2024’s The Six Triple Eight, chronicling the trailblazing, all-Black female postal unit of World War II.

Bridging Musical Eras

Discussing the inspiration behind the track, Warren emphasized her desire to create a sonic tapestry that mirrors the film’s moral gravity and timeless urgency:

“I set out to craft a piece that embodies the resilience of individuals willing to defy convention to pursue justice. My vision was to bridge the past and present by uniting an authentic voice of that era with a contemporary artist. Partnering with the incomparable Isley Brothers was a profound honor—their presence lends undeniable authenticity. David Kushner brings a haunting, vintage resonance well beyond his years. Together, their dynamic creates an enduring, transcendent composition.”

Lead vocalist Ronald Isley underscored the personal weight of the record: “Having lived through the Civil Rights movement, this narrative hits extraordinarily close to home. We witnessed the unyielding bravery and sacrifice required to push progress forward. Diane’s writing captures that spirit with deep reverence, and Ernie and I are proud to lend our voices to a project that keeps this pivotal history alive for future generations.”

Kushner, whose breakout track “Daylight” achieved global chart success, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity: “Contributing to such a potent cinematic narrative is deeply humbling. Collaborating alongside a master songwriter like Diane Warren and living legends like The Isley Brothers has been an unforgettable milestone in my artistic journey.”

Release & Soundtrack Schedule

The single version of “By Any Means” is produced by Jacob Olofsson, with PooBear helming Ronald Isley’s vocal production. Veteran music supervisor Bonnie Greenberg steered the project as executive music producer.

• August 21: Official digital single release across all streaming platforms.
• August 28: Premiere of the official music video.
• September 4: By Any Means theatrical premiere, distributed nationwide by Paramount Pictures.
• September 18: Full soundtrack album release via AB Records/The Orchard, featuring two distinct versions of the title track.

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