The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ soundtracks– or Mix Tapes, rather– have proven to be unlikely Billboard hits; unlikely, as they are chocked full with light rock melodies from the 1960s and ’70s. But these aren’t just throwaway needle drops. These mixtapes are the only thing Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) has to remember his mother by. As a result of the popularity of the films, some millennials are grooving out to songs like “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Spirit in the Sky,” and “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” which first hit the charts before their parents had even been born!
But there’s one gem from this era that James Gunn has declared will NEVER appear in a ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movie or soundtrack. And the reason is kind of shocking.
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When a fan on Twitter demanded that he use the 1972 track “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest (not Toploader, but I’ll get to that), he wrote:
I’m asked to include this song BY FAR more than any other. And this predictability is precisely why I’d never use it. In general, I’d rather be in the business of giving folks the thing they want that they don’t know they want rather than just the thing they know they want. https://t.co/hUXzvNIeOj
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 30, 2019
Gunn’s reasoning is sound. If the fans could come up with something on their own, what’s the point? Besides, Gunn reportedly has a list of hundreds of songs he wants to use in movies, including the ‘Guardians’ flicks. Reportedly, his script for ‘Guardians, Vol. 3’ is written, so he has most likely already chosen which songs he wants to use.
But there are LOTS of songs I’ve wanted to find a space for and haven’t been able to. Hundreds. I’ve tried numerous @AliceCooper, @Queen, T. Rex & Stevie Wonder songs, for instance, but I just never found the perfect fit. Same with @halloates “She’s Gone” on Vol 2.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 30, 2019
King Harvest’s “Dancing in the Moonlight” topped out at #13 on the Billboard charts back in 1972, but it has held up remarkably well over the years. In 2000, British band Toploader released a nearly identical cover version, which some have mistaken for the original. It hit #19 on the British charts, but was later remixed by Stargate. That version made it to #7 and was certified double platinum in the UK. Over the years, it has been covered by numerous artists, from Liza Minelli to the Baha Men.
So with “Dancing in the Moonlight” off the table, what other golden oldies from that era would you like to see in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3’?
