If there’s something that stuck with many of us after watching Guardians of the Galaxy, apart from quirky humor is probably its soundtrack.
The movie features amazing songs from the 70s and 80s that somehow match incredibly well with the interplanetary space action throughout the galaxy.
Don’t ask me how they pulled it off!
Here are some of my favorite songs from the movie:
1. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
A timeless classic, sung by an extremely young Michael Jackson.
You can see baby Groot shaking his vines to this tune at the end of Volume 1.
2. The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
A beautiful song by Fleetwood Mac that really sets the mood for some scenes in the film.
It’s actually played twice, once when Peter, Gamora, and Drax hop into Ego’s ship, and later when Peter fights against Ego.
The concept of never breaking the chain gets a whole new meaning.
3. My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
This is a song that George Harrison wrote about his religion, and that the director specifically chose to play when presenting Ego.
A clear foreshadowing of the character’s celestial status, that makes him pretty close to a god in Marvel’s lore.
4. Father and Son – Cat Stevens
From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
In Volume 2, Peter Quill recognizes the bond he has with Yondu as a father-and-son relationship.
And this tune, being one of the ultimate songs about sons, works as a great send-off for Yondu’s funeral later in the film.
5. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough is the first song we hear from the mixtape Peter’s mother left him.
At the end of the first movie, after reading a letter from her, he plays the cassette her mother recorded, and this song starts playing.
As Peter starts crying we then get to see a montage of many of the characters featured in the movie.
Even the newborn baby Groot dances to it!
6. Moonage Daydream – David Bowie
From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
When the Guardians head into the severed head of a Celestial, a place cleverly known as Knowhere, this classic from David Bowie starts playing in the background.
Bowie’s space songs have something timeless to them, and even when they clearly sound vintage, they still work out amazingly in modern settings like this one.
7. Surrender – Cheap Trick
From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
In the post-credit scene from Volume 2, you can see Kraglin trying to control Yondu’s arrow with a uniform whistle, however, he fails at it, and the arrow ends up stuck in Drax’s shoulder.
While all of this happens, Surrender from Cheap Trick is playing in the background.
The song, although it has nothing specific to do with what’s happening in the scene, actually ties up thematically with the whole movie.
Its lyrics talk about issues with parents and claiming your own identity while avoiding fighting with parents that don’t understand.
