Music is basically the heartbeat of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but James Gunn took it to a whole different level with the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 soundtrack. Honestly, sequels usually fail to live up to the hype of a legendary first installment. We’ve seen it a million times in cinema. Yet, the "Awesome Mix Vol. 2" didn't just show up; it deepened the entire narrative of Peter Quill's journey. It’s not just a collection of old hits. It is a script requirement.
Director James Gunn actually wrote the songs into the screenplay before filming even started. Think about that. Most directors pick songs in post-production when they realize a scene feels a bit dry. Not here. On the set of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the actors wore earpieces playing the specific tracks while they performed. When you see Chris Pratt or Zoe Saldaña moving to a certain rhythm, they aren't faking it. They’re hearing exactly what you’re hearing.
The Narrative Weight of Awesome Mix Vol. 2
Most people treat movie soundtracks like background noise. With the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 soundtrack, that’s a massive mistake. The music is Peter’s literal connection to his mother, Meredith Quill, and by extension, his Earthly heritage. While the first film’s mix was about a mother introducing her son to the world, the second one is much more personal. It’s mature. It’s "older" music in many ways, reflecting the complicated relationship between Peter and his two "fathers," Yondu and Ego.
Take "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. On the surface, it’s a catchy 1972 pop song. But in the context of the film, it’s a terrifyingly accurate metaphor for Ego’s character. Ego literally quotes the lyrics to justify his god-like narcissism and his abandonment of Meredith. He sees himself as the sailor, and his "life, his lover, his lady is the sea"—or in his case, the expansion of his own essence across the universe. It’s chilling.
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Then you have "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens. This isn't just a song played during a funeral; it's the resolution of the entire movie’s emotional arc. It plays while Peter finally accepts Yondu as his real dad while Groot sits on his lap. It’s a passing of the torch. It’s a realization that family isn't about biology; it’s about who showed up. The song choice is painfully on the nose, yet it works perfectly because the movie has earned that emotional payoff.
Breaking Down the Deep Cuts
Gunn is famous for digging through the Billboard charts of the 60s and 70s to find "forgotten" gems. "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac is arguably the standout track here. Interestingly, it’s one of the few songs where all five members of Fleetwood Mac are credited as songwriters. It represents a literal "chain" of the team staying together despite the internal friction. The way the bass line kicks in when Peter finally taps into his celestial power to fight Ego? Pure cinema.
- "Mr. Blue Sky" by ELO: This track opens the movie during that chaotic battle with the Abilisk. Gunn wanted a song that was "the most joyful song I could think of" to contrast with the extreme violence and Baby Groot’s dancing.
- "Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang" by Silver: This was a weirdly obscure choice. Silver was a country-rock band that basically disappeared. Gunn found it and thought it fit the quirky, high-energy vibe of the Sovereign chase scene.
- "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell: This brings a weird, psychedelic Americana feel to the scene where Yondu takes out a whole crew of ravagers.
Why the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Soundtrack Hits Different
The technical production of this album is actually quite fascinating. Most soundtracks are just a licensed "Greatest Hits" compilation. But the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 soundtrack was curated to tell a story. Gunn reportedly listened to hundreds of songs from the era to ensure he wasn't just picking the "obvious" ones. He wanted songs that felt like they belonged on a cassette tape owned by a specific woman from the Midwest in the late 70s.
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There is a psychological element called "neural nostalgia." It’s why people in their 30s and 40s felt such a visceral reaction to this music. Even if you didn't grow up in the 70s, the film uses these tracks to anchor sci-fi absurdity in human emotion. You’re looking at a talking raccoon and a golden priestess, but you’re hearing George Harrison’s "My Sweet Lord." It grounds the "cosmic" in the "common."
A lot of fans argue over which mix is better. The first one has "Hooked on a Feeling," which is iconic. But the second one has more sophisticated songwriting. It’s less "pop-chart-toppers" and more "AM Radio Gold." It feels lived-in.
The Inclusion of "Guardians Inferno"
We have to talk about the original track. "Guardians Inferno" features David Hasselhoff. It’s a disco-infused parody/tribute that feels like it was ripped straight out of 1977. In Peter Quill’s world, Hasselhoff was the hero he pretended was his father. Having "The Hoff" actually record a rap for the soundtrack is a meta-commentary that only a director like Gunn could pull off without it feeling incredibly cheesy. Okay, it is cheesy, but it’s intentional.
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Marketing and Cultural Impact
When the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 soundtrack dropped, it debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. It eventually hit number one on the US Top Soundtracks chart. That’s rare for a compilation of old songs. It proved that there was a massive market for "curated" nostalgia. It also gave a huge streaming boost to artists like Looking Glass and Silver, who hadn't seen that kind of relevance in decades.
Streaming services saw a massive spike in "70s Dad Rock" playlists immediately following the film’s release. It changed how Marvel approached music in subsequent films like Thor: Ragnarok (which used Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" to great effect) and Black Panther. The soundtrack became a character.
What You Can Learn from the Awesome Mix Strategy
If you're a creator or a storyteller, there is a lesson here. Music shouldn't be an afterthought. It should be baked into the DNA of the project. Gunn showed that if you pick the right "vibe," you can make an audience feel deeply for a CG tree or a blue-skinned alien. It's about resonance.
Actionable Steps for Music Discovery:
- Listen to the lyrics, not just the melody. In the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 soundtrack, the lyrics often foreshadow the plot or explain a character's internal monologue.
- Explore the "B-Sides." Don't just listen to the hits. Check out the lesser-known tracks from the artists on the soundtrack, like Fleetwood Mac’s deeper catalog or early George Harrison solo work.
- Create your own "Awesome Mix." Use the concept of a "legacy playlist." What songs define your relationship with your family or your past? Build a 12-track list that tells that story.
- Watch the film with a focus on audio cues. Notice how the music fades or swells based on Peter’s proximity to his Walkman or the speakers in a room. It's a masterclass in diegetic sound design.
The legacy of this soundtrack is its ability to bridge the gap between generations. You’ve got kids discovering ELO and grandparents remembering their first car while watching a Marvel movie. That’s a rare feat in modern entertainment. It isn't just a playlist; it’s a narrative device that made the MCU feel a little more human.