While much of the success of the depth and meaning to what’s happening on screen.
The results of both Awesome Mix Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 have been Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn will be crafting a new Awesome Mix for the team’s next adventure. And with Peter’s Zune acquisition, the song selection for the new film can be widely expanded. No longer constrained by Meredith Quill's musical tastes or the era in which the first two mixes were created, the unknown quantity of the songs also allows each of the Guardians to begin to explore their own muscal tastes with this new found library of MP3s. We won’t know what’s on the soundtrack for a few years, but we’ve got some suggestions.
Undertones - ‘Teenage Kicks’
Gunn has yet to really tap into the potent punk and new wave scenes of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, and the Undertones were the perfect bridge between the two. Mixing the energy and ferocity of punk with the more glam-y end of the burgeoning new wave scene, they helped to pioneer the pop punk sound decades before it would become popular. There’s no better example of their style than their debut single from 1978, ‘Teenage Kicks,’ which provides the perfect showcase for their ennui-infested take on love songs and Feargal Sharkey’s iconic vibrato.
A Tribe Called Quest - ‘Scenario’
With the addition of the Zune, Gunn is now free to creep into the ‘90s and beyond for his music choices. As such, rap is officially on the table in a big way. While the options are many, we think A Tribe Called Quest and their 1991 track with Leaders of the New School called ‘Scenario’ fits with Gunn’s sensibilities. Even better, we can already picture the adult Groot becoming an old school hip hop head. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect scene than Groot rapping the lyrics to ‘Scenario’ in Groot-speak while Rocket argues with him that he’s getting the words wrong.
A Flock of Seagulls - ‘The More You Live, the More You Love’
Now that the soundtrack to Guardians has creeped into the 80s, it only makes sense to explore the biggest genre of the decade. Whether you call it new wave or synth pop, the world entered into an exciting new period following the fallout of punk. Blending glam, arena rock, and punk, the sounds of the era fit perfectly with the aesthetic of the Guardians franchise. While a number of tracks could be used, ‘The More You Live, the More You Love’ resonates with Gunn’s taste thanks to the swelling guitars and synths and tale of love and loss. Though A Flock of Seagulls are best known for their 1982 hit ‘I Ran (So Far Away),’ their 1984 single proves how untapped their catalogue is in modern culture.
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Korn - ‘Freak On A Leash’
Just like Groot rapping, Rocket unloading a clip from his favorite machine gun or triggering a series of bombs to the soundtrack of ‘Freak on a Leash’ by Korn is something we would pay good money to see. The 1998 track wasn’t the first from the rap/rock pioneers, but it became their most recognizable thanks to its unique style and inventive video. From the title to the tone to the whizzing bullet of the video, ‘Freak on a Leash’ is basically the Rocket Raccoon anthem. Rocket may be adorable on occasion, but don’t forget he’s also a vicious killing machine who loves what he does. It only seems right to give him a personal favorite track that matches his intensity.
Gloria Jones - ‘Tainted Love’
Best known as a cover by Soft Cell in the ‘80s, Gloria Jones’ original 1964 version of ‘Tainted Love’ would be just as fitting for Awesome Mix Vol. 3. It helps bring a new flavor and era into the Guardians universe, but with all the melody and swagger Gunn has shown he favors already. And thanks to the driving beat and blasts of horns, the track could fit into a number of different types of scenes, from action to montage.
Gnarls Barkley - ‘Crazy’
Premiering in 2006, Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ was a smash hit when it debuted. The first single from the duo of producer Danger Mouse and singer CeeLo Green, the song would fit nicely into the expanded soundtrack of Guardians 3. It’s also peak Zune music, given the device’s debut the same year. It’s catchy, genre-bending, and comes with a nice dose of nostalgia for many the 20- and 30-somethings in the Guardians' key demographic. It could even be the song that finally gets Drax dancing alongside Groot, given the former’s wild tendencies.
Lou Reed - ‘Satellite of Love’
Following his time kicking off punk with the Velvet Underground, frontman Lou Reed went on to a lengthy solo career that saw him push out a number of atypical pop songs. Co-produced by David Bowie, ‘Satellite of Love’ is the 1972 single from Reed’s second solo album and one of his more well-known tracks. While the title is certainly fitting, the music also makes for the perfect casual space travel track thanks to its ballad-like opening and snappy finish.
X-Ray Spex - ‘Oh Bondage, Up Yours!’
While the Undertones may have presented a somewhat more palatable version of punk, X-Ray Spex's feminist anthem ‘Oh Bondage, Up Yours!’ was a rallying cry when it was released in 1977. While it’s a bit less polished than what Gunn has used in his films so far, it represents an era he can’t ignore for much longer. It’s also full of energy and venom, making it the perfect soundtrack for a team-up battle between Gamora and Nebula in the next film.
