Honestly, the pressure on James Gunn was ridiculous. When Guardians of the Galaxy dropped in 2014, the "Awesome Mix Vol. 1" didn't just sell records; it changed how movies were marketed. Suddenly, every action trailer was trying to find its own "Hooked on a Feeling." So, by the time 2017 rolled around, the expectation for the soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 was almost impossible to meet. People weren't just looking for good background music. They wanted a narrative soul.
And he delivered.
But here’s the thing—Awesome Mix Vol. 2 is a much weirder, more emotional beast than the first one. While the original was a collection of catchy "hey, I remember that!" hits, the sequel’s music is deeply woven into the daddy issues and trauma of the characters. It’s less of a party playlist and more of a therapy session disguised as a 70s rock concert.
The High Cost of "Mr. Blue Sky"
You might not know this, but getting the rights to the opening track was a nightmare. James Gunn has gone on record saying that "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) was the hardest song to get for the entire franchise. He had to personally appeal to Jeff Lynne. Lynne had apparently turned down the first movie, but after seeing what Gunn did with the music, he relented.
It was worth every penny.
Watching Baby Groot dance to that upbeat, sunshine-soaked track while a terrifying interdimensional monster is being hacked to pieces in the background is peak cinema. It sets the tone immediately. We aren't just watching a sci-fi flick; we are watching a family dynamic play out through the lens of Peter Quill’s walkman. That contrast between the chaotic violence and the bubbly ELO harmonies is what makes the soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 feel so distinct.
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Why "The Chain" is the real heart of the movie
If you ask most fans what the standout moment is, they’ll point to Fleetwood Mac. "The Chain" isn't just a cool song that plays during a fight. It’s a literal representation of the Guardians themselves. Think about the lyrics. “Chain, keep us together.” Gunn used this song twice, which is a rare move for him. He usually likes to keep the tracks fresh. But "The Chain" serves as the connective tissue for the team’s fracturing and eventual reunion. When that iconic bass line kicks in during Peter's final stand against Ego, it’s not just hype. It’s a payoff. It’s the moment Peter realizes that his "family" isn't the biological god-man trying to restart the universe, but the group of losers he’s been traveling with.
Interestingly, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is an album famous for being made by people who absolutely hated each other at the time. The band was falling apart, yet they stayed together to create something legendary. It’s a perfect parallel for the Guardians. They fight, they scream, they almost kill each other, but they are the "chain" that stays together.
Digging into the deep cuts: Silver and Looking Glass
Most blockbuster soundtracks play it safe. They pick the songs everyone already knows. But the soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 went for some genuinely obscure choices that confused people at first.
Take "Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang" by Silver.
Nobody was talking about Silver in 2017. They were a one-hit-wonder band from the 70s that had largely been forgotten by time. Gunn found the track and realized it fit the upbeat, slightly campy vibe of the Sovereign chase scene perfectly. It’s catchy, it’s strange, and it feels like a song a kid in the 80s would have actually had on a hand-recorded cassette.
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Then there’s "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. This isn't just background noise; it’s a plot point. Ego uses the lyrics of the song to justify his own narcissism and his abandonment of Peter’s mother. He frames himself as the "sailor" whose life and love is the sea (or in his case, the expansion of himself across the galaxy). It’s a brilliant bit of writing because it takes a relatively lighthearted pop song and turns it into something sinister. It changes how you hear the song forever. You can’t listen to "Brandy" now without thinking about a celestial being planting a brain tumor in someone’s head. Talk about ruining a vibe.
The emotional gut-punch of Cat Stevens
We have to talk about "Father and Son."
The ending of Guardians 2 is heavy. Rocket's realization that Yondu was more of a father to Peter than Ego ever was, followed by the Ravager funeral, is arguably the most emotional moment in the MCU. And "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) is the only song that could have closed that loop.
The song features a dialogue between a father who doesn't understand and a son who needs to move on. In the context of the movie, it plays while Peter finally starts listening to the Zune that Yondu gave him. It represents the transition from the "Awesome Mix" (his mother’s influence) to the Zune (his surrogate father’s influence). It’s a masterpiece of music supervision.
A different kind of energy: Sam Cooke and Parliament
The soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 also leans harder into soul and funk than the first one did. "Bring It On Home to Me" by Sam Cooke is used for the quiet, tender moment between Peter and Gamora. It highlights their "unspoken thing."
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Then you’ve got "Flash Light" by Parliament. It’s pure, unadulterated funk. Placing that over the end credits was a stroke of genius because it reminded the audience that despite the tears they just shed over Yondu, this is still a franchise about having a good time. It cleanses the palate.
The Full Tracklist (For those who want to relive it)
- "Mr. Blue Sky" – Electric Light Orchestra
- "Fox on the Run" – Sweet (This was in the trailer, not the film itself, but it’s iconic)
- "Lake Shore Drive" – Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah
- "The Chain" – Fleetwood Mac
- "Bring It On Home to Me" – Sam Cooke
- "Southern Nights" – Glen Campbell
- "My Sweet Lord" – George Harrison
- "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" – Looking Glass
- "Come a Little Bit Closer" – Jay & the Americans
- "Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang" – Silver
- "Surrender" – Cheap Trick
- "Father and Son" – Cat Stevens
- "Flash Light" – Parliament
- "Guardians Inferno" – The Sneepers feat. David Hasselhoff
The Hasselhoff Factor
We can't ignore "Guardians Inferno." This was an original song written by James Gunn and score composer Tyler Bates. It’s a disco-infused fever dream featuring David Hasselhoff rapping.
It sounds like a joke. It is a joke, mostly. But it also reflects Peter Quill’s childhood obsession with Knight Rider and his need for a heroic father figure. Hasselhoff was the icon Peter projected onto his absent dad. Having the "Hoff" actually perform a song for the movie brought the whole theme of hero worship and reality crashing together in the most hilarious way possible.
How to actually experience this music
If you’re looking to get the most out of the soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy 2, don't just stream it on your phone with cheap earbuds. This music was mixed for theater-quality sound systems.
- Get the Vinyl: There’s something about hearing "The Chain" on a record player that makes the bass feel more tactile. The analog warmth fits the 70s aesthetic Gunn was going for.
- Watch the movie with a soundbar: If you’re rewatching, pay attention to how the music fades in and out of the "diegetic" world. Sometimes the characters hear it, sometimes only we do.
- Listen to the lyrics: Don't just hum along. Look at how the words of "My Sweet Lord" reflect Ego’s god complex or how "Southern Nights" mirrors the relaxed, almost lazy atmosphere of the woods before the Ravagers attack.
The soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 isn't just a collection of songs. It’s a screenplay in musical form. It tells us who these people are, where they came from, and why they’re so broken. It’s rare for a sequel to outdo the original, especially when the original was a cultural phenomenon, but by digging deeper into the emotional crates of the 1970s, Gunn managed to pull it off.
To truly appreciate the depth of this compilation, go back and listen to "Father and Son" while looking at the lyrics. Then, watch the final scene again. The way the "I am old, but I am happy" line hits while Peter looks at the Zune is a masterclass in modern filmmaking. It reminds us that even in a galaxy full of talking raccoons and gold-skinned priestesses, the most important thing is the people we call family.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
Check out the "Zune" playlist on major streaming platforms. While the movie only featured a few tracks after Peter gets the device, James Gunn has shared many of the songs he envisioned being on that 300-song player. Diving into those tracks provides an even broader look at the musical evolution of the franchise heading into the third film. If you're building a physical collection, prioritize the "Deluxe Edition" which includes Tyler Bates' underrated orchestral score alongside the pop hits. Through this, you get the full picture of how the high-energy action and the emotional beats work in tandem.