Music isn't just background noise for James Gunn. It’s the skeleton. When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hit theaters in 2017, the pressure was honestly suffocating because the first movie's soundtrack had already gone Platinum and topped the Billboard 200 without a single new song on it. People weren't just looking for a good movie; they were waiting for a new playlist. The soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy 2, officially titled Awesome Mix Vol. 2, had to do something the first one didn't: it had to be a narrative device rather than just a vibe.
It’s personal.
Peter Quill’s relationship with his mother was the anchor of the first film, but the second movie is all about the "dad" issues—both the biological nightmare of Ego and the complicated, blue-skinned reality of Yondu. If you listen closely, the songs reflect that shift from youthful longing to the messy, painful reality of adulthood.
The Risky Business of "Mr. Blue Sky"
Most directors would use a high-energy action track for an opening battle against a giant interdimensional space kraken. Gunn did the opposite. He spent a massive chunk of the music budget to get Electric Light Orchestra’s "Mr. Blue Sky." It’s arguably the happiest song ever written.
Seeing Baby Groot dance to Jeff Lynne’s upbeat production while his teammates are literally being mauled in the background set the tone immediately. It told the audience: "We aren't doing the same thing twice." Jeff Lynne originally turned down the request for the first movie, but Gunn was persistent. He eventually got the rights after showing Lynne how the music was integral to the script’s DNA. This wasn't a "slap it on in post-production" situation. The actors actually listened to these tracks on set during filming so their movements matched the rhythm.
Fleetwood Mac and the Storytelling Power of the Soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy 2
You can't talk about this movie without talking about "The Chain." It is the undisputed MVP of the film.
📖 Related: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
While the first movie used "Hooked on a Feeling" to establish a sense of fun, "The Chain" is used to represent the literal breaking and reforming of the family unit. The iconic bass line kicks in exactly when the Guardians are at their lowest point. It’s visceral. Interestingly, Fleetwood Mac songs are notoriously difficult and expensive to license. Gunn has mentioned in interviews that the "The Chain" was written into the treatment of the film before he even had the rights secured.
The lyrics—"Damn your love, damn your lies"—hit differently when you realize they are mirroring Peter’s realization that his father isn't the god-like hero he imagined. It’s one of the few times a blockbuster movie has used a classic rock staple to actually advance the plot rather than just provide a nostalgia hit.
The Deep Cuts You Probably Missed
Everyone knows the big hits, but the soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 thrives on its weirdness. Take "Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang" by Silver.
This was a song that almost nobody remembered. It’s a bubblegum pop track from 1976 that sounds like a parody of a hit song, yet it works perfectly during the scene where Rocket Raccoon is taking out Ravagers with high-tech traps. Then you have "Lake Shore Drive" by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah. Unless you’re from Chicago or a hardcore 70s rock enthusiast, that song was a total mystery. Its inclusion added a layer of grounded, "earthly" Americana to a movie set in deep space.
It feels authentic to Meredith Quill’s character—she wasn't just listening to the Top 40; she was a girl with specific, eclectic tastes.
👉 See also: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
Why "Father and Son" Makes Grown Men Cry
The emotional climax of the movie doesn't happen with an explosion. It happens with a Cat Stevens song.
"Father and Son" plays during Yondu’s funeral, and it’s almost too on the nose, yet it works because of the setup. Throughout the film, we see Peter struggling to find his place. When the lyrics "I am old but I'm happy" play while Peter holds the Zune—the 2000s-era MP3 player that replaced his Walkman—it signals a bridge between his past and his future.
The Zune itself was a stroke of genius. It allowed Gunn to move past the 1970s limitation for future movies, but for the soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy 2, it served as the ultimate hand-off. Peter finally accepts that his "dad" wasn't the guy who gave him life, but the guy who raised him.
- The Sneaky Cameo: David Hasselhoff doesn't just get a namedrop; he actually performs on the original track "Guardians Inferno."
- The Budget: Music licensing for a film of this scale can cost upwards of $1 million to $2 million per major track, and with 14 songs on the main album, the math gets scary fast.
- The George Harrison Connection: Getting "My Sweet Lord" was a huge deal. It’s a song about a religious experience, used to introduce Ego’s planet—a literal living god. The irony is thick.
Is it Better Than Vol. 1?
Strictly looking at the charts, the first soundtrack sold more copies. But artistically? Vol. 2 is more complex.
The first Awesome Mix was a collection of "safe" hits—stuff everyone liked. The soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 takes risks. It uses "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass as a literal plot point to explain Ego’s philosophy. When a villain uses a pop song’s lyrics to justify his genocidal tendencies, you know you’re watching something different.
✨ Don't miss: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
The music here isn't just a playlist; it's a script requirement. If you took the songs out of the first movie, it would still be a fun space flick. If you took the songs out of Vol. 2, the story would actually stop making sense in several places.
How to Experience the Music Properly Today
If you’re looking to dive back into this era of Marvel music, don't just stream the hits on shuffle. The order matters.
- Listen to the Deluxe Edition: This includes Tyler Bates’ orchestral score. The way he weaves "Dad" (the score track) into the transitions between the licensed songs is masterclass level.
- Watch the "Guardians Inferno" Music Video: It’s a 70s disco fever dream featuring the cast in retro gear and a very confused-looking Dave Bautista.
- Check the Lyrics: Read the lyrics to "Brandy" before your next rewatch. It completely changes how you view the "villain monologue" scenes.
The legacy of the soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is its proof that mainstream audiences have an appetite for deep cuts. It didn't just sell records; it revived interest in artists like Jay & the Americans and Looking Glass for a new generation. It’s a rare example of a sequel outperforming the original in terms of thematic depth, even if it couldn't quite beat it in pure "Ooh Child" nostalgia.
To get the most out of the experience, try watching the film with a high-quality pair of headphones or a proper 5.1 surround sound system. The sound mixing specifically balances the dialogue "into" the music tracks, making the songs feel like they are emanating from the environment rather than just playing over it. This "diegetic" approach to music is exactly why these films feel more grounded than your average superhero movie.