The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is full of great festive music, including an extremely popular Christmas song over the opening credits. Ever since Star-Lord danced through an ancient temple to the sounds of Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love,” music has been an integral part of the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy series. Naturally, when the characters starred in their own Christmas special, writer-director James Gunn seized the opportunity to fill a new “Awesome Mix” playlist with classic holiday-themed songs – including a Celtic rock hit over the opening and closing credits.
The soundtrack of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is full of classic Christmas songs handpicked by Gunn, like “Is This Christmas?” by the Wombats, “Dead by X-Mas” by Hanoi Rocks, “Just Like Christmas” by Low, and “Christmastime” by the Smashing Pumpkins, not to mention the appropriately science fiction-themed “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by Fountains of Wayne. The very first song that plays in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (and the very last) was an existing Christmas hit originally released in 1987.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special's Opening Song Is "Fairytale Of New York" By The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl
The song that plays over the opening credits of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is “Fairytale of New York,” performed by the Pogues featuring singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl. The lyrics were written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, who recorded it with their band, the Pogues, and MacColl as a guest vocalist. The song takes the form of an Irish folk ballad, written as a call-and-response duet between a male character and a female character as a man recalls his relationship with a former lover. MacGowan takes the male role and MacColl takes the female role.
“Fairytale of New York” serves two purposes in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Its intrinsic link with the holiday season immediately immerses viewers in the special’s Christmastime setting. But the content of its lyrics – a romantic tragedy about a man and woman who were once in love but are no longer together – reflects Peter Quill’s sadness over losing Gamora. Being left alone after the original Gamora died and her variant joined the Ravagers left Quill feeling glum, necessitating Drax and Mantis to bring him some Christmas cheer.
"Fairytale Of New York" Comes Back In The End Credits
After playing over the opening credits of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, “Fairytale of New York” repeats over the end credits. Using the same song to book-end the special represents the narrative coming full circle. Quill was feeling lost and alone after losing Gamora, but at the end of the special, he gains a sister when Mantis reveals she’s the offspring of his father Ego. The other Guardians felt bad for Quill because Yondu never got into the holiday spirit when he was growing up, but he reveals that Yondu gave him his favorite Christmas present ever, a pair of blasters.