Marvel Music & Hollywood Records have released the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 songs-only album and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 original score album by composer Tyler Bates (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “John Wick Chapter 2,” “Watchmen”). Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 is a collection of 14 songs and once again, music plays an important role in the telling of the story.
In an exclusive interview for Rolling Stone Magazine, director James Gunn provides commentary for each track on the album.
Director James Gunn explains, “We had Awesome Mix Volume 1 last time, and this time we have Awesome Mix Volume 2. It was so important that it’s actually part of the film’s title this time around. As most people know, Quill’s mom made the first tape for a slightly younger boy, and she made the second tape for a slightly older boy. So, in many ways the songs reflect the story.”
Continuing, he adds, “The songs are a little bit deeper in some ways; a little bit less pop in some ways. Some of the choices are a bit more eclectic; some of the choices are a bit more popular. But we have a real amazing group of songs that, like in the first movie, I wrote into the script. They are a part of the storytelling. Each song is very specific to the scene where it’s placed.”
On the importance of the score in the film, which often gets overlooked in a film heavy with popular songs, James Gunn adds, “The one thing that is underappreciated is how important Tyler Bates’ score is to the first film,” says the director. “We still use the score from the first movie while shooting this film and it doesn’t get the respect it deserves because it gets so overshadowed by the soundtrack. There’s some beautiful score on that first soundtrack, and I know that the music we’ve written for the second film is even better than what we did for the first film. Tyler Bates has absolutely outdone himself, and we’re giving something very special to people with the music in this film, both the pop songs and the actual score.”
Gunn and composer Tyler Bates worked on the score during pre-production so that they would have some of the major score themes worked out before the shoot began. This allowed Gunn, the actors and the camera crews to work with the music that will end up being used in the final film.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Tape, Vol. 2 track list follows:
“Mr. Blue Sky” – Performed by Electric Light Orchestra
“Fox on the Run” – Performed by Sweet
“Lake Shore Drive” – Performed by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah
“The Chain” – Performed by Fleetwood Mac
“Bring It on Home to Me” – Performed by Sam Cooke
“Southern Nights” – Performed by Glen Campbell
“My Sweet Lord” – Performed by George Harrison
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” – Performed by Looking Glass
“Come a Little Bit Closer” – Performed by Jay and The Americans
“Wham Bam Shang-a-Lang” – Performed by Silver
“Surrender” – Performed by Cheap Trick
“Father and Son” – Performed by Yusef / Cat Stevens
“Flash Light” – Performed by Parliament
“Guardians Inferno” – Performed by The Sneepers (Featuring – David Hasselhoff)
Gunn actually collaborated with Bates to write “Guardians Inferno” but he sais his favorite song is probably “Dad.”
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 digital album is available on Amazon and the real thing will ship soon. Your purchase will help support The Disney Blog. Thank you