What Songs Should be on Awesome Mix Vol. 3

While much of the success of the Guardians of the Galaxy series is due to writer/director James Gunn’s unique vision, the Marvel brand, and the mix of stunning cosmic visuals with charismatic and funny characters, it’s one of the few blockbuster franchises that can claim its soundtrack as part of what makes it a hit. In both the first film and Vol. 2, Gunn was able to weave a number of iconic pop songs into the narrative, augmenting the action and emotions on screen with fun and familiar music that adds depth and meaning to what’s happening on screen.

The results of both Awesome Mix Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 have been unprecedented, with the soundtracks selling well digitally and in physical formats. There have even been reports of the Walkman that Peter Quill uses being highly sought after on eBay. Just as sure as there will be a 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.

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Outkast - ‘B.O.B.’

Released at the dawn of the new millennium, ‘B.O.B.’ wasn’t Outkast’s biggest hit, but it’s likely one of the most high-energy hip hop songs ever released. Given the group’s popularity and musical talent, it’s also likely that Gunn is a fan. Add in the possibilities that the raucous song enables for an action scene, and the track is almost a guaranteed addition to the Zune. We could see easily see Drax, Gamora, Nebula, and Rocket all being fond of the punky vibe the song provides, making it the perfect soundtrack to some alien head-busting.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’

Though ‘Don’t Come Around Here No More’ was released a year after Peter left Earth, that’s unlikely to continue as the format moving forward. It’s also a sure bet that the Missouri boy and his mother would be big fans of Heartland rockers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And while one of their many tracks with more of a Midwest swagger would work well, ‘Don’t Come Around’ adds some new wave layers and a circular melody and rhythm that would fit well with a trippy cosmic scene.

Laurie Anderson - ‘O Superman’

Laurie Anderson was virtually unknown in the U.S. outside of art circles when her single ‘O Superman’ was released in 1981, but it rose to #2 on British charts thanks to it hypnotic and minimalist style. At first blush, it may seem a far cry from a song destined to soundtrack a blockbuster space movie, but Gunn has proven he’s a fan of bold choices. It’s also easy to get lost in the droning simplicity of the track and Anderson’s powerful vocals, making this a track designed to play out during an introspective scene in the isolation of deep space.

David Bowie - ‘Suffragette City’

For those thinking ‘Suffragette City’ was already included in a Guardians film, you’ll be forgiven for thinking so. While David Bowie’s ‘Moonage Daydream’ was on the first Awesome Mix, ‘Suffragette City’—also from Ziggy Stardust—was one of the tracks Gunn used in the marketing for the film but never made it into the movie. The TV spot it was featured in, however, proves just how perfect it is for a future film, with its raucous horns and pulsing rhythm. If Gunn doesn’t use the track to soundtrack a space battle in the next film, it’ll be a real missed opportunity.

Eiffel 65 - ‘Blue (Da Ba Dee)’

Given the comedic nature of introducing the Zune, we can’t imagine Gunn will refrain from putting at least one comical song on the tracklist. With all the one-hit wonders out there, anything is fair game, but Eurodance group Eiffel 65 and their 1999 hit ‘Blue (Da Ba Dee)’ seems perfect for a number of reasons. For one, it’s likely to confound every member of the team. Then there’s the music video’s use of bizarre aliens for a nice allusion. And finally, the song was already used to hilarious effect in Iron Man 3, making it a solid MCU Easter egg. Plus, how much fun would it be for someone like Drax or Nebula to really be into the track?

There's no guarantee what music James Gunn will feature in the next Guardians of the Galaxy, but this tracklist should at least hold you over until the film arrives