7 Bizarre Marvel Cinematic Universe Song Drops You Totally Forgot About

The use of well-known songs is a significant element in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For instance, the opening scene of Iron Man was accompanied by AC/DC’s “Back in Black”. Later, movies like Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Ragnarok, Spider-Man: No Way Home, among many others, have made memorable use of iconic songs that stick with viewers. However, it’s worth noting that not every instance of using familiar tunes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become an iconic moment. In fact, several such uses have gone relatively unnoticed by the public.

Originally, these melodies reached number one on the Billboard charts and captivated radio listeners everywhere. However, when used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they seemed to slip by viewers unnoticed without causing a stir. Now it’s time to shower praise on seven particularly unusual Marvel Cinematic Universe music placements.

“California Love” by 2Pac, Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman in Iron Man 2

In Tony Stark’s cinematic journey, Iron Man spent considerable time in New York City and beyond, but interestingly, the film version of Iron Man initially lived on the West Coast instead of New York, which is where many Marvel superheroes typically reside. However, during his appearance in “Iron Man” and “Iron Man 2”, Iron Man intersected with the iconic California song “California Love” by 2Pac, Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman, as depicted in “Iron Man 2”. Regrettably, due to the numerous music references in “Iron Man 2”, 2Pac’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut was overshadowed and hard to recall amidst a flurry of AC/DC tracks.

“Single Ladies” by Beyonce in Doctor Strange

The iconic line, “Dormammu! I’ve come to negotiate!”, has undeniably marked the popular culture impact of Doctor Strange. Many other amusing moments have since faded into obscurity, such as the scene where Wong, after being unresponsive when Doctor Strange asked if he knew who Beyoncé was, is later seen in the Kamar-Taj library grooving to “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé. It’s a charming joke that momentarily lets this cheerful tune resonate. In retrospect, it also subtly hinted at Wong’s more lighthearted character, which would later be fully explored in She-Hulk and Shang-Chi.

“Come On Get Happy” by The Partridge Family in Ant-Man and the Wasp

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, it’s fascinating how intricate details like the use of “Come on Get Happy,” the theme song from The Partridge Family, often get overshadowed in discussions about the Ant-Man movies, particularly post-Quantumania. It might seem surprising, but this catchy tune was actually the opening number for one of the installments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In an unexpected twist, Paul Rudd’s character, Scott Lang, even croons a bit of it through a karaoke machine. Who would have thought that 1970s sitcoms and modern blockbuster cinema could ever collide like this?

“Come As You Are” by Nirvana in Captain Marvel

In a nostalgic nod to the ’90s rock scene, “Come As You Are” by Nirvana subtly weaves its way into the fabric of “Captain Marvel,” yet it didn’t quite gain the same recognition as the tunes from “Guardians of the Galaxy.” This tune plays a pivotal role in a sequence where Annette Bening’s Supreme Intelligence, sporting a leather jacket, torments Carol Danvers. Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time this specific Nirvana track has been associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Come As You Are” was indeed the heart of the Netflix “Defenders” teaser trailer, making its appearance in Captain Marvel even more intriguing and thought-provoking.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Malia J in Black Widow

In a surprising twist, the use of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” during the opening credits of Black Widow isn’t necessarily bizarre. However, the version played is a cover by Malia J, which was first heard in 2015 with the release of The Gallows trailer. It’s intriguing that this relatively unknown horror movie would have any connection to the blockbuster launching Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Choosing such an obscure interpretation of a well-known grunge classic makes this one of the most puzzling choices in the Marvel Cinematic Universe soundtrack.

“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

At the beginning of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Shang-Chi and Katy decide to give karaoke a try. Among the well-known tunes they choose, like “A Whole New World” and “Old Town Road”, there’s an unexpected one – Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. This song choice creates a touch of Disney synergy because it was initially released in the 1998 Touchstone Pictures film, Armageddon, which is part of the Disney family. Disney always finds ways to promote its brands together.

“Mama Tried” in Eternals

In the Marvel film Eternals, Don Lee’s modern version of Gilgamesh makes a surprising appearance, donning an apron and sporting a wide grin. A surprising choice for a 2021 blockbuster soundtrack, the classic country song “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard plays instead. This unexpected tune might seem out of place in a sci-fi epic, but it aligns with writer/director Chloe Zhao’s broader creative style. In fact, this use of “Mama Tried” mirrors the brief appearance of Toby Keith’s country hit “I Love This Bar” in Zhao’s 2020 movie, Nomadland.

Marvel Cinematic Universe films are streaming on Disney+.

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2025-01-10 21:39