The song featured in the teaser trailer for 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 continues James Gunn's trend of incorporating meaningful but older pop music in his projects. The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 trailer is no different, as the song has a deeper meaning hinting about how the film's story could play out. Music has played a crucial part in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies from the very beginning, and the first look at the conclusion of the franchise sets the stage for an expected emotional finale.
The obscure track featured in the Vol. 3 teaser is "In the Meantime" by alternative rock band Spacehog. While the song was a Top 40 hit in the United States after it was released, it follows a streak of somewhat older songs being included in James Gunn's filmography. Released in 1996, it's the most modern song featured in a Guardians movie, confirming more recent music may be sprinkled throughout the soundtrack thanks to Peter Quill receiving his Zune at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Playing throughout most of the trailer, "In the Meantime" suggests Guardians of the Galaxy 3 will be sadder than the previous movies.
The Meaning Behind Spacehog's "In The Meantime"
Spacedog's lead singer Royston Langdon explained that "In The Meantime" was "some kind of metaphor of a worldly or inner-worldly search for the end of isolation, and the acceptance of one's self is in there." Additionally, Langdon stated that "at the end of the day it's saying whatever you gotta do, it's OK, it's alright. And I think that's also me talking to myself, getting through my wan anxieties and fear of death." It features lyrics describing "the end" and also consistently repeats "we love the all for you," serving as a prophecy for always being able to escape darkness by finding one's own self-acceptance.
Why Spacehog's "In The Meantime" Fits Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
"In the Meantime" and its resonant themes is perfect for Vol. 3 because of the journey these characters have gone through. Guardians Vol. 3 could feature a happy ending for its characters, at least in of accepting who they are, as well as their place on the team and in the vastness of the universe. The song and trailer may tease an ending, but it doesn't mean each character arc will be completed for good. No matter what the Guardians go through or how their stories end, they achieved something great by finding a family in one another. It's a relevant parallel to the lyric "And in the end, we shall achieve in time the thing they call divine." The lyrics hint that in whatever way the Guardians' story ends, they'll go out like heroes.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 concludes director/writer James Gunn's run with the franchise, ending the beautiful journey he went on while making the Guardians of the Galaxy films. The third movie ends this particular story but will build up to newer ones, expanding the cosmic side of the MCU in an even grander way. Each of the Guardians solo projects, including the GOTG Holiday Special, have had emotional endings, and "In the Meantime" builds great anticipation for the conclusion of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
