Of all the elements that made Guardians of the Galaxy so unique, its uplifting soundtrack was definitely one of the most memorable. The ‘Awesome Mix’, a tape of 60s and 70s tracks, has an incredibly nostalgic aura, and is worth listening to, even if you don’t watch the film. With the second film fast approaching, our Edge writers had a think about what they’d love to hear on the Awesome mix vol.2.
Kansas- ‘Carry On My Wayward Son’
The original Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack was a perfect mix of fun, cheese and nostalgia, and that’s why this big hitting Kansas single needs to feature on the soundtrack for Volume 2. With eccentrically high vocals and intricate guitars, it’s pure 70s progressive rock n’ roll through and through. But perhaps more crucially, it’s something that it’s not hard to imagine Chris Pratt’s Star Lord dancing around to, whilst equally baffling Drax and Gamora.
Whilst the music of the first film works in the way that a score/scene transition song usually does, ‘Carry on Wayward Son’ is the kind of song I could imagine the group fighting aliens to, something akin to the ‘Free Bird’ scene from Kingsman. If Kansas’ other big song ‘Dust in the Wind’ can be used well in a movie (hello Old School) then ‘Carry on Wayward Son’ can damn sure succeed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
words by David Mitchell-Baker
David Bowie- ‘Starman’
It’s no secret that Guardians of the Galaxy director, James Gunn, was a massive David Bowie fan, even hoping to include Bowie in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 with a cameo before word reached him that the icon had passed away in early 2016. As such, it’s not hard to imagine that he might want to honour the late, great cultural icon by including him in the latest instalment, making Bowie the only artist to feature on both films’ soundtracks. Of all of Bowie’s impressive discography, the only song I could imagine being included would be ‘Starman’ – a wonderful play on Peter Quill’s notorious outlaw-turned-hero name, Star-Lord!
It’s got everything you could want for Awesome Mix Vol. 2, the only problem I could foresee is finding other tracks to go alongside ‘Starman’ that won’t be upstaged by the raw awesomeness of David Bowie…
words by Holly Hammond
Eurythmics- ‘Sweet Dreams (are made of these)’
Of all the overplayed 80s hits the latest GOTG soundtrack could rely on, ‘Sweet Dreams (are made of these)’, is probably one of the most iconic, while also serving as an excellent theme for the clichéd moment where the good guys declare war on evil! The song has a Halloween-esque feel which works perfectly to present the fear opponents should feel at the oncoming storm. I mean, after all, who am I who to disagree? (Yes that was a joke…). It also has a strong back beat which delivers a sense of power and strength; it essentially feels like a ‘punch in the face moment’. Now all we need is that era’s equivalent of Sia or Sam Smith for that moment that it seems like they’re going to die, and then obviously stay alive!
words by Bruno Russell
The Supremes- ‘You Keep Me Hanging On’
Although most of this playlist is made up of Rock & Roll, I don’t think that the whole soundtrack should be, especially given that the first one wasn’t. With a few Motown breaks in Awesome Mix Vol. 1 for the likes of Marvin Gaye and the Jackson 5, I only think it fair that the second film features some sweet Motown tunes too. My proposal to fit the bill: girl power band The Supremes’ 1967 hit, ‘You Keep Me Hanging On’. With an aggressively cool driving guitar riff and percussion, it would fit perfectly among the other songs put forward for our dream soundtrack. With lyrics which sing ‘You don’t really love me/You just keep me hanging on’, it could be used with beautiful irony if pitched as being our heroes singing it at the villains. Also, with badass women in the film like Gamora and Nebula, surely some badass women should rep on the soundtrack, right?
words by Rehana Nurmahi
