While there were a lot of things to like about Guardians of the Galaxy, one of the most universally praised aspects of the film was its stellar soundtrack. Awesome Mix: Volume 1 was powered by Peter Quill's old cassette tape full of '70s jams curated by his mom that provided the backing music to the film, and expectations were high for the sequel when Peter discovered a second cassette at the end of the first film. Now, what's on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 soundtrack has been revealed, and it might be even better than the first.
Director James Gunn, who selected the songs for the original film despite a skeptical Marvel Studios warning that he should choose more modern and commercial tracks, had his work set out for him in trying to top his effort with Awesome Mix: Volume 2. The result is another collection of catchy hits and obscure oddities from the '70s (and some '60s), along with a comedic original track co-written by Gunn himself. But putting it all together wasn't easy.
"If I was ever intimidated by anything, it was coming up with the songs for Awesome Mix Volume 2," the director told EW. "I set out to make a big, huge, hit movie on the first one. I didn’t set out to make a [hit] soundtrack on the first one. That just happened. I would have never guessed that that was going to be the case with the soundtrack. I thought the soundtrack worked especially well within the movie and that’s all I ever thought about. So, that’s what I had to do on the second movie, too, was just really focus on how could I best tell the story with the songs and kind of let go of the soundtrack aspect of it."
The soundtrack is available now on both mp3 and CD, and future releases in vinyl and even cassette(!) are coming sometime in the future. But for now, you can have a listen below to all the tracks on the new album.
1. "Mr. Blue Sky" - ELO
This is the song that first turned me on to ELO many years ago, and I'm guessing its inclusion here will have the same effect on lots of other people.
2. "Fox On The Run" - Sweet
This song actually only appears in trailers and not the film, but it's so good they put it on the soundtrack anyway.
3. "Lake Shore Drive" - Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah
Here's one you're likely not to have heard, since it was mainly a regional hit in the Midwest back in 1971.
4. "The Chain" - Fleetwood Mac
The best song from one of the best albums of all time, Rumours, this song pulls a lot of weight on the soundtrack.
5. "Bring It On Home To Me" - Sam Cooke
Released in 1962, this is easily the oldest song in either Guardians movie, but that doesn't make it any less great.
6. "Southern Nights" - Glen Campbell
The Guardians go country.
7. "My Sweet Lord" - George Harrison
If there was one thing the previous soundtrack lacked, it was a contribution from one of The Beatles. This fixes that.
8. "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" - Looking Glass
If I could have picked one song for Volume 2, this would have been it. It fits that Guardians sound down to a tee.
9. "Come A Little Bit Closer" - Jay & The Americans
Another early '60s track, apparently Peter's mom was feeling nostalgic when she put this mix together.
10. "Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang" - Silver
It's between this and "Lake Shore Drive" for most obscure gem on the album.
11. "Surrender" - Cheap Trick
Nothing obscure about this song. You know you know it.
12. "Father And Son" - Cat Stevens
Excuse me, I seem to have something in my eye.
13. "Flash Light" - Parliament
Oh, this has to be used for a dance scene.
14. "Guardians Inferno" - The Sneepers feat. David Hasselhoff
Not an old song, but an original one penned just for the movie — with the Hoff singing lead.
The Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 soundtrack undoubtedly lives up to its platinum-selling predecessor, and I for one am already counting down the days until Volume 3.
