Because of the split narrative focus between every major superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Infinity War doesn’t have room for an entirely all-new Awesome Mix Vol. 3 for Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians of the Galaxy. (Since he now has a Zune, it’s not clear if we can even use the same numbering system any more, but let’s save that problem for their next movie.) But it’d be a shame not to give them at least one ’70s soul tune, and it’s a resonant, relevant one: The Spinners’ “The Rubberband Man.”
The significance of the song’s use is twofold. First, and most importantly, it’s the very first song James Gunn ever heard on the AM/FM radio his father gave him when he was a child. From that radio came the genesis of the idea that a parent’s gift of pop music could be so formative to someone like Star-Lord.
What’s also significant, however, is that the song, originally called “The Fat Man,” was cowritten by producer Thom Bell for his son, who was overweight. It’s about how cool a fat guy is who can get tunes from a rubber band stretched from his toes. It’s a funny fit for Star-Lord because Drax jabs Quill about his weight in the film, even though he is clearly in very good shape. It’s now also the only song on the Infinity War soundtrack.
What song should the Guardians get next movie? Let us know in comments.
Image: Marvel Studios
More Guardians news!
- There’s an Awesome Mix Vol. 0.
- James Gunn wrote some of the Guardians’ dialogue in Infinity War.
- Rocket Raccoon with no skin is terrifying.
