Out of this world! Taking a deep dive into the Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 soundtrack

Up-and-coming film director Martin Scorcese once described the Marvel movies as “theme parks,” saying, “honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing their best under the circumstances, is theme parks.”

 

Goodfellas they are not, but Marvel movies make up the most popular franchise of the 21st century – having amassed over $21 billion dollars in box office revenue as of June 2022. 

Money talks, or in this case – it sings! 

 

With box office figures like that, and a gentle helping hand from parent company Disney, its little wonder films like Guardians of the Galaxy have been able to get the licence to include some of the most iconic tracks of all time during their runtime.

Everybody remembers the scene from the first film with ‘The Chain’.

1. Creep – Radiohead (acoustic)

Not to reference another space-themed movie franchise, but ‘Creep’ is the standout 1993 single from the album seminal British band Radiohead wishes would get the collective Men In Black memory wipe treatment. 

In a rather cruel twist of musical fate, ‘Creep’ remains the band’s biggest commercial hit. Despite its status within the band as an unloved child, ‘Creep’ has garnered a coming-of-age-like pop culture status. An anthem for the disaffected, just as relevant now as it was in 1993. 

2. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine

Speaking of coming-of-age. Florence + The Machine’s ‘Dog Days Are Over’ is a track that helped define an identity for an entire generation. The track peaked at 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2010, and stayed on that same chart for 20 weeks. 

Needless to say, it was a popular song. In many ways a direct antithesis to ‘Creep’, ‘Dog Days Are Over’ is an affirmation.

 

3. San Francisco – The Mowgli’s

Earworm indie rock straight out of 2010’s California with The Mowgli’s ‘San Francisco’.

The Mowgli’s are a 7 piece band that tours with their 2 dogs, ‘San Franciso’ is actually the tune that the band was formed around writing. Featured on their 2013 LP Waiting For The Dawn, ‘San Francisco, was a smash hit on the indie scene – amassing more than 84 million streams on Spotify to date.

4. Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips

One of the calling card tracks from one of the most influential indie albums of the 21st century. ‘Do You Realize??’ is taken from The Flaming Lips 2002 odyssey Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.

The track is widely considered to be among the pinnacle of indie-pop, indeed – it landed itself the 31st spot on Rolling Stones 100 Best Tracks of the 2010s list.

5. Reasons – Earth, Wind and Fire

“Reasons” is a single by American R&B and soul band Earth, Wind & Fire. It was released in 1975 on their album Gratitude.

The song has become one of the band’s most popular songs, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1975 and spending a total of 22 weeks on the chart. It also peaked at #7 on the UK Singles Chart, making it one of their most successful singles in Europe as well. The song features an upbeat, funk-influenced sound with elements of gospel music throughout.

 

6. No Sleep Till Brooklyn– Beastie Boys

You probably don’t need us to tell you who the Beastie Boys are, or what their relationship to the hip-hop scene in late 80s New York was. But maybe you do, and this is your first time hearing them. If that is the case – congratulations. ‘No Sleep Till Brooklyn’ is part hip-hop, part rock – and all badass. One of the all-time greats.

7. Badlands – Bruce Springsteen

One of the most well-known tracks by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released as the opening track on his 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. It was also released as a single in 1979, charting at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

The song is an uptempo rock anthem featuring power chords and lyrics about poverty, despair, and hope that resonated with listeners everywhere.

 

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is out in cinemas now