Honestly, the pressure on James Gunn back in 2017 must have been suffocating. How do you follow up a cultural reset? The first movie didn't just give us a talking raccoon; it basically revived the concept of the "needle drop" in modern cinema. People weren't just buying tickets; they were buying cassette tapes again. When the guardians of the galaxy vol 2 soundtrack—officially titled Awesome Mix Vol. 2—finally dropped, the vibe was different. It wasn't just a collection of catchy 70s radio hits anymore. It felt personal. It felt like a diary.
Music is the soul of these movies. Without it, they're just colorful space operas with too many jokes. But with that specific blend of ELO, Fleetwood Mac, and Sam Cooke? They become something else entirely.
The Narrative Weight of Awesome Mix Vol. 2
Most sequels try to go "bigger and louder," but Gunn went internal. He's gone on record saying that the guardians of the galaxy vol 2 soundtrack was written into the script from day one. That’s a huge distinction. Most directors finish a scene and then find a song that fits the "mood" in post-production. Not here. The actors actually listened to these tracks on set through earpieces while filming to get the rhythm of the scene right.
Take "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra. It opens the movie. While a literal god-monster is being sliced apart in the background, the camera focuses entirely on a toddler tree dancing. It’s a bold, weird choice that tells the audience exactly what kind of movie they’re watching. It isn't an action movie. It’s a family comedy that happens to have a high body count.
Then you have "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac. It’s arguably the most important song in the entire franchise. It plays twice. The first time, it’s a cool background track. The second time? It’s the emotional climax where Peter Quill finally taps into his celestial power to fight his father, Ego. The lyrics "Chain, keep us together" aren't just there because they sound cool. They represent the literal bond of the team. It’s heavy stuff for a movie about a guy nicknamed Star-Lord.
Why This Tracklist Hits Different
The first soundtrack was a party. The second one is a therapy session. You’ve got "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass acting as a literal plot point. Kurt Russell’s character, Ego, uses the lyrics of a one-hit wonder from 1972 to justify his genocidal cosmic expansion. It’s brilliant and kind of terrifying. It turns a lighthearted pop song into something sinister.
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Here is the thing about the tracklist:
- "Lake Shore Drive" by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah adds that specific 70s regional flavor that feels grounded.
- "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell provides this bizarre, breezy backdrop to a scene where Rocket Raccoon is systematically dismantling a group of Ravagers in the woods.
- "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens. If you didn’t cry when this played during Yondu’s funeral, you might be a robot.
- "Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang" by Silver. It’s the kind of deep cut that only a music nerd like Gunn would dig up, yet it fits the chaotic energy of the final battle perfectly.
Many people complain that Vol. 2 doesn't have a "Hooked on a Feeling" or a "Spirit in the Sky." They’re right. It doesn't. Instead, it has a cohesive emotional arc. The songs are more obscure, sure, but they’re more meaningful.
The George Harrison Connection and Production Hurdles
Getting the rights to these songs isn't cheap or easy. Marvel has deep pockets, but even they have limits. James Gunn famously fought to get "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison. It’s a song about a literal spiritual connection, which fits the theme of Peter meeting his "god" father perfectly.
But it’s also about the irony. Peter thinks he’s found his "Sweet Lord," but Ego is anything but.
There were also rumors about "She's Gone" by Daryl Hall & John Oates being considered, but it didn't make the final cut. The selection process is brutal. Gunn has mentioned in interviews that he has a "master list" of hundreds of songs that fit the "Meredith Quill" vibe, but only a dozen or so make the cut. Every song has to earn its place.
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The Controversy of the "Guardians Inferno"
We have to talk about the original track. "Guardians Inferno" by The Sneepers featuring David Hasselhoff. It’s a disco-infused fever dream. It’s technically the only "new" song on the guardians of the galaxy vol 2 soundtrack. While it serves as a fun end-credits gag, it also highlights the film's obsession with 80s pop culture icons. Hasselhoff was the "father figure" Peter imagined for himself as a kid because he didn't have a real one. Including him on the soundtrack is a meta-joke that actually has a lot of heart.
Technical Mastery in Sound Mixing
If you listen to the album on a high-end system or through good headphones, you’ll notice the mastering is incredibly crisp. They didn't just take the original 70s masters and slap them on a CD. They balanced them to compete with modern cinematic sound effects.
Think about the "Bring It On Home to Me" scene with Sam Cooke. The music starts as "diegetic"—meaning the characters are actually hearing it from a speaker—and then it swells into the "non-diegetic" score. The transition is seamless. It makes the world feel lived-in. Peter’s Zune isn't just a prop; it’s his lifeline to Earth.
Misconceptions About the Sales Numbers
People often think the second soundtrack "flopped" compared to the first. That’s factually incorrect. While the first Awesome Mix was a diamond-certified juggernaut, the guardians of the galaxy vol 2 soundtrack still debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and hit number one on the US Top Soundtracks chart. It was certified Gold within months.
The impact wasn't just in sales, though. It was in the "Spotify effect." Songs like "Mr. Blue Sky" saw massive surges in streaming numbers decades after their release. It introduced a generation of Gen Z kids to the ELO discography. That’s a legacy that transcends box office numbers.
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How to Build Your Own "Awesome Mix"
If you’re looking to capture that specific feeling of the guardians of the galaxy vol 2 soundtrack for your own playlists, you have to follow the Meredith Quill rules. It’s not just about "old songs." It’s about a very specific window of time—roughly 1968 to 1979.
The songs need to have a certain "warmth" to them. Think analog recordings, heavy bass lines, and soulful vocals. Avoid the overly processed synth-pop of the late 80s. You want songs that feel like they could be played in a station wagon on a summer night in Missouri.
Next Steps for Music Lovers:
- Listen to the full album in order. Don't shuffle. The sequence of tracks is designed to mirror the emotional highs and lows of the film, ending with the somber, reflective "Father and Son."
- Explore the "Extended" Universe. Check out James Gunn’s personal Spotify playlists. He often shares "Meredith Quill’s Complete Collection," which includes songs that were almost in the movies.
- Watch the "Guardians Inferno" music video. It’s on YouTube. It’s peak 70s kitsch and features the entire cast in disco outfits. It’s a necessary piece of the puzzle.
- Analyze the lyrics of "The Chain." Next time you watch the movie, pay attention to the instrumental breakdown during the final fight. The bass line syncs up with Peter’s heartbeat. It’s a masterclass in sound design.
The real magic of the guardians of the galaxy vol 2 soundtrack is that it doesn't just provide background noise. It acts as a narrator. It tells the story of a boy who lost his mom, found a family of losers, and finally learned that "father" and "dad" aren't the same thing. It’s a masterpiece of curation. If you haven't revisited it lately, put on some headphones and let the 70s nostalgia take over. It’s worth it.