Rating Guardians Of The Galaxy’s 14 Finest Music Moments

SPOILER WARNING: The next article incorporates huge spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In case you have not seen the movies, we advocate screening the flicks first after which having fun with this checklist!

Music is extra carefully related to Guardians of the Galaxy than another currently-running main franchise, and it is with good cause. Not solely do basic songs play an essential half within the backstory of one of many major characters, however Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are all jam-packed with wonderful, stunning, humorous, and dramatic music moments. Up to now we have seen a large number of these sequences throughout the trilogy, however right this moment we ask a selected query: which of those are the true cream of the crop?

We have weighed the entire music moments within the Guardians of the Galaxy films to this point in opposition to one another, and what you may discover beneath is our rankings of the most effective of the bunch.

14. “No Sleep Until Brooklyn” by The Beastie Boys

When a film units up a large motion sequence, a hair-raising guitar riff can work magic organising a badass tone, and James Gunn employs “No Sleep Until Brooklyn” by The Beastie Boys fantastically within the huge third act of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The music begins blasting as every part begins actually going to hell for the Excessive Evolutionary and the titular group will get again collectively, and it immediately places a smile on one’s face. The truth that the music has been utilized in numerous films (together with The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film, which hit theaters solely a month sooner than Guardians 3) dings the second’s rating on this checklist, nevertheless it’s nonetheless terrific.

13. “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electrical Gentle Orchestra

Marvel Studios films are repeatedly lauded for his or her power and sense of enjoyable – and James Gunn’s opening credit sequence for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is basically that in a nutshell. Whereas your customary blockbuster would focus all of its consideration on the titular group’s battle in opposition to an inter-dimensional house creature, Gunn’s characteristic breaks that specific mildew by as an alternative letting Child Groot have the highlight and dance his approach by means of “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electrical Gentle Orchestra. It is actually a ridiculous and unforgettable method to open a comic book e book film, however as we’ll talk about later, that is one thing that this sequence is especially good at.

12. “We Care A Lot” by Religion No Extra

The members of the Guardians of the Galaxy aren’t your typical heroes; they’re misfit A-holes who do their finest to do good whereas additionally nonetheless being somewhat unhealthy. Acknowledging this, the satirical “We Care A Lot” by Religion No Extra matches the group tremendously effectively. The extent of cynicism within the lyrics maybe would not make it an ideal match, however the angle is spot on, and the music makes for super intro music as Star-Lord and his associates first land on Counter-Earth and meet the Excessive Evolutionary’s creations.

11. “Hooked On A Feeling” by Blue Swede

So far as the historical past of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise goes, “Hooked On A Feeling” by Blue Swede is certainly a very powerful, because it was the observe that originally obtained everybody’s consideration within the blockbusters’ trailers. It additionally occurs to be a part of a improbable sequence in James Gunn’s first Marvel title. It proves improbable and splendidly jarring background music as Peter, Gamora, Rocket and Groot first enter the Kyln, however extra considerably it is used to focus on the significance of music to Peter– who calls for a guard deal with his cassette participant with respect. It is legitimately the primary second within the franchise the place we see the grownup hero get emotional, and whereas it ends with him being abused to comedic impact, it nonetheless holds weight.

10. “In The Meantime” by Spacehog

Like “Hooked On A Feeling,” “In The Meantime” by Spacehog has the excellence of being one of many major trailer songs utilized by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, nevertheless it’s additionally among the finest components of the film’s soundtrack due to the way it’s used within the blockbuster. The needle drop comes because the Guardians don colourful fits and go away their ship for a trippy house stroll, and the way in which it injects a degree of cool right into a scene that’s equal components stunning and peculiar is pure James Gunn.

9. “O-O-H Little one” by The 5 Stairsteps

Earlier than Guardians of the Galaxy‘s arrival on the scene, it will have been loopy to think about “O-O-H Little one” by The 5 Stairsteps scoring the ultimate hero vs. villain showdown in a comic book e book film blockbuster… however that is simply how James Gunn rolls. The music performs after Ronan’s ship, the Darkish Aster, crash lands on Xandar, and whereas at first it looks like it is a soundtrack of catastrophe and doom, Peter makes use of it to flip the script. He begins dancing and singing alongside to the faintly-playing soul observe, and it proves to be the proper distraction as Rocket repairs the Hadron Enforcer. Star-Lord difficult Ronan to a dance-off is without doubt one of the distinctive moments that makes Guardians of the Galaxy such a particular characteristic, and it actually stands out as one of many funniest moments within the sequence to this point.

8. “I Need You Again” by The Jackson 5

James Gunn exhibits a powerful quantity of restraint in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 by not simply jamming Child Groot down audiences’ throats at each flip, as a result of the reality of the matter is that the filmmaker obtained everybody hook, line, and sinker with the infantilized sequoia in the course of the post-credits scene of the primary Guardians. Whereas the alien tree is not fairly as cell within the sequence as he’s within the aforementioned ELO opening credit from Vol. 2, he nonetheless manages to boogie arduous listening to “I Need You Again” by The Jackson 5, and will get a comedic beat with Drax as well. Understanding that Gunn offered the movement reference for Child Groot’s dance strikes makes this sequence that rather more fulfilling, however actually by itself it stands out as among the finest Marvel Studios end-of-feature treats thus far.

7. “Creep (Acoustic Model)” by Radiohead

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may be very a lot Rocket’s story, with the blockbuster revealing how the tiny racoon was tortured and remodeled into an irascible genius, and James Gunn units the desk for the character’s emotional journey completely from the very first scene. The lyrics in “Creep” by Radiohead very a lot sum up Rocket’s perspective as an freak and outcast, and the additional little bit of heartbreak that the acoustic model supplies makes the music selection a superb one for the opening sequence of the 2023 MCU movie.

6. “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac

“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac  first performs in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as Peter, Gamora, and Drax go away Rocket, Groot, and Nebula to go to Ego’s planet, after which comes again in the course of the huge third act battle because the household reunites and Peter takes on his father. In case it is not clear, James Gunn makes use of the music for example the group as music’s titular chain – and whereas it is a contact damaged for a very good portion of the film, the bond between the members of the eponymous group is confirmed unbreakable as they put together to tackle Ego collectively on the finish. The author/director has mentioned that this explicit piece of music is basically all “in regards to the Guardians,” and it is not arduous in any respect to see what he means.

5. “Ain’t No Mountain Excessive Sufficient” by Marvin Gaye

Unable to deal with the lack of his mom, Peter Quill waited 26 years to open his last present from her… however the first observe of Superior Combine Vol. 2 firmly establishes Meredith Quill as a certifiable mixtape genius. Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t No Mountain Excessive Sufficient,” that includes the gorgeous voice of Tammi Terrell, is a music all in regards to the unimaginable energy of affection and the way nothing can hold aside two individuals who actually care about one another… and it is precisely the music that Peter wants to listen to after his last showdown with Ronan and his emotional revelation. The music additionally earns some bonus factors as a result of the lyrics finally outline the bond between the Guardians of the Galaxy members as effectively.

4. “Brandy” by Trying Glass

Music is clearly an integral a part of the complete Guardians of the Galaxy model (therefore the existence of this checklist), however “Brandy” by Trying Glass will get important placement as a result of it is the one observe that will get a full-blown lyrical breakdown. Not solely does the music make improbable intro music for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – following Ego and Meredith as they drive round in 1980 – nevertheless it additionally finally turns into extremely essential when Ego quotes the story of the sailor who can by no means go away the ocean behind. It is this rationalization for why he does what he does that has an enormous half in promoting Peter to his aspect, and that alone pushes it to its excessive rank on this checklist – as does its place in the course of the huge reveal that it was Ego who gave Meredith mind most cancers.

3. “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens

Yondu’s sacrifice and funeral on the finish of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 are greater than sufficient to have any mature, heart-carrying viewers member shedding tears – nevertheless it’s the usage of “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens that takes this sequence to a complete different degree. Whereas one thing like Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s In The Cradle” would have been far too on the nostril, James Gunn makes stunning and stylish use of a music a few dad passing on life recommendation to his youngster simply as Peter is totally accepting the truth of who his father actually was. It is actually a somber notice on which to finish a giant colourful blockbuster, however that simply makes it all of the extra memorable and spectacular.

2. “Canine Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine

The emotional catharsis on the finish of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is overwhelming. After one in every of their most harrowing adventures, the group reunites on Knowhere and celebrates that everybody is alive and wholesome by having a giant ol’ usual dance occasion. And what higher music might there be celebrating the top of darkish occasions than “Canine Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine? It is highly effective to observe the beloved characters (together with Drax!) launch their anxieties bouncing and rollicking collectively, and maybe nothing sums up the ability of the sequence higher than the truth that it really made Florence Welch cry when she watched it.

1. “Come And Get Your Love” by Redbone