James Gunn has a thing for nostalgia. It isn't just about playing old songs; it’s about how those songs feel like a heartbeat for characters who are, frankly, a bit of a mess. When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hit theaters, the pressure was immense. How do you follow up on a soundtrack that literally went Platinum without featuring a single new song? You do it by digging deeper into the crate. The guardians of the galaxy volume 2 soundtrack list, officially titled Awesome Mix Vol. 2, isn't just a collection of radio hits from the '70s. It’s a narrative roadmap. It’s a script written in melody.
Honestly, the songs in this sequel are way more personal than the first movie. While the first film used music as a tether to Earth for Peter Quill, the second film uses it to explore his daddy issues. And his mommy issues. And his "I don't know how to talk to Gamora" issues. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s occasionally very weird.
The Tracks That Defined the Ego Era
The movie opens with "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra. This choice was deliberate. Gunn has mentioned in interviews that it’s the most "Guardians" song ever because it's so incredibly upbeat but hides a layer of complexity. Watching Baby Groot dance while a terrifying space monster tries to eat his friends in the background—that's the whole vibe of the franchise right there. It cost a fortune to get the rights, too. Jeff Lynne, the mastermind behind ELO, was famously protective of his catalog, but Gunn managed to seal the deal.
Then there’s "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac. If you want to talk about a song that carries the emotional weight of a film, this is it. It appears twice. The first time, it’s about the team falling apart. The second time, during the final showdown with Ego, it’s about them coming back together. That bass line? It’s iconic. It’s the sound of a family choosing each other over a god.
But it’s not all high-energy rock. "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass is arguably the most important song on the guardians of the galaxy volume 2 soundtrack list. It’s not just background noise; it’s a literal plot point. Kurt Russell’s Ego uses the lyrics to justify his narcissistic philosophy of leaving everything behind to pursue a "higher" purpose. It’s a "sea shanty" for a guy who thinks he’s the ocean. Pretty dark when you actually listen to the words, right?
A Weird Mix of Deep Cuts and Classics
Most people know "Fox on the Run" by Sweet, but here’s a fun fact: it wasn’t even in the movie. It was just in the trailer. People loved it so much that it became synonymous with the film anyway. That’s the power of the branding here.
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Contrast that with "Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang" by Silver. Almost nobody remembered that song before 2017. It was a one-hit wonder from a band that basically vanished. Gunn found it while digging through obscure 70s tracks, looking for something that had a specific "bubblegum" energy for the Sovereign battle scene. It’s catchy. It’s annoying. It’s perfect for a bunch of golden, ego-maniacal aliens flying remote-control spaceships.
We also have to talk about "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens. This song plays during Yondu’s funeral, and if it doesn't make you cry, you might be a robot. Or a Ravager with no soul. The song captures the exact tension between Peter and the man who actually raised him. It’s a quiet, devastating moment in a movie filled with explosions and talking raccoons.
Why the Sequencing Matters More Than the Songs
Music supervisors usually just look for "cool" tracks. James Gunn writes the songs into the script. That’s the difference. When you look at the guardians of the galaxy volume 2 soundtrack list, you’re looking at a sequence that mirrors Peter’s emotional state.
- "Mr. Blue Sky" – Innocence and the joy of being a "family."
- "Lake Shore Drive" – The literal journey into the unknown.
- "The Chain" – The fracturing of the group.
- "Bring It On Home To Me" – Peter and Gamora’s "unspoken" thing.
- "Southern Nights" – Rocket’s chaotic solo defense mission.
- "My Sweet Lord" – Arriving at Ego’s planet (the irony here is thick).
- "Brandy" – The revelation of Ego’s true nature.
- "Come A Little Bit Closer" – Yondu’s breakout scene (pure cinematic joy).
- "Surrender" – Cheap Trick brings the energy back for the finale.
- "Flash Light" – Parliament funk for the credits.
It’s not just a playlist; it’s a structural element. Without "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell, that forest fight scene with Rocket loses half its personality. The song is breezy and relaxed, which contrasts perfectly with Rocket setting off high-tech traps and blowing people into the sky.
The Original Tracks You Might Have Missed
While the 70s hits get all the glory, the score by Tyler Bates is actually pretty great. But the real standout "new" song is "Guardians Inferno." It’s a disco-pastiche featuring David Hasselhoff. Yes, the David Hasselhoff. It’s ridiculous. It’s campy. It’s 1970s kitsch at its absolute peak. The music video, which was included on the Blu-ray, features the entire cast in sequins and bell-bottoms. It’s the kind of thing that shouldn't work but somehow fits the Guardians' "we're all losers" aesthetic perfectly.
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The inclusion of George Harrison’s "My Sweet Lord" is another masterstroke. It plays when they first arrive on Ego’s planet. It feels peaceful, divine, and utopian. Given that Ego is basically a celestial being (a "god" with a small 'g'), the song works on a literal level. But as we find out, Ego isn't exactly the "Lord" George Harrison was singing about. It’s a clever use of subversion.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Mix
A lot of critics at the time thought the soundtrack was "too safe" or "too similar" to the first one. They’re wrong. The first movie was about the "hits." The second movie is about the "feeling."
Think about "Lake Shore Drive" by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah. It’s a very regional Chicago hit. Most people outside the Midwest had never heard it. But it has this specific "cruising" vibe that perfectly captures the feeling of a spaceship flying through a psychedelic nebula. It’s about the texture of the music, not just the name recognition of the artist.
Also, the guardians of the galaxy volume 2 soundtrack list is much more focused on lyrics. In the first film, songs like "Hooked on a Feeling" were used for atmosphere. In Vol. 2, the lyrics of "Surrender" by Cheap Trick—specifically the lines about parents being "a little bit weird"—are a direct nod to the theme of the movie. It’s meta. It’s smart. It’s James Gunn showing off his record collection in a way that actually helps the story.
The Legacy of the Sound
Before these movies, 70s pop was often relegated to "yacht rock" playlists or "oldies" stations. The Guardians franchise rebranded an entire era of music for a younger generation. Suddenly, kids were listening to Sam Cooke and Jay and the Americans.
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It changed how Marvel approached music, too. Before this, MCU movies had notoriously forgettable scores (except maybe the Avengers theme). After the success of Awesome Mix Vol. 2, we started seeing more personality in the soundtracks for movies like Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther. It proved that a movie’s sonic identity is just as important as its visual effects.
How to Experience the Soundtrack Today
If you really want to appreciate the guardians of the galaxy volume 2 soundtrack list, don't just shuffle it on Spotify. Listen to it in the order it appears in the film.
- Step 1: Get a decent pair of headphones. The production on these '70s tracks is actually very layered.
- Step 2: Pay attention to the transitions. Notice how "The Chain" builds tension before that final scream.
- Step 3: Watch the "Guardians Inferno" music video. It’s essential viewing for the full experience.
- Step 4: Look up the lyrics to "Brandy." It will change how you view the scenes with Ego.
The soundtrack is available on vinyl, and honestly, that’s the way to go. There’s something about the warmth of a record player that suits these songs better than a digital stream. It feels more tactile, more like something Peter Quill would have actually carried around in his ship.
The guardians of the galaxy volume 2 soundtrack list isn't just a marketing tool. It’s a testament to the idea that music is our strongest connection to the past. Whether you're a human from Earth or a blue-skinned Ravager, a good song is a good song. It survives the vacuum of space, the death of planets, and the betrayal of fathers. It’s the one thing that stays.
To get the most out of your next rewatch, try to identify every time a song is used as a "source" (meaning the characters hear it) versus when it’s just for the audience. You'll realize Peter is almost always the one controlling the vibe. He isn't just the leader of the Guardians; he's the DJ of the galaxy.