I was driving home from work one afternoon and was listening to the radio when Heathens by 21 Pilots from the Suicide Squad soundtrack came on the radio and made me begin to think about creating an Avengers Playlist.
I started to wonder about what songs each Avenger would choose as their “theme song” and then asked my fellow Marvel Reporters to choose an Avenger that appeared in Civil War and assign them their theme song. Here’s what they had to say:
Wanda Maximoff – “Ship to Wreck” by Florence + The Machine
“I can’t help but pull the earth around me/ to make my bed”
Wanda’s instability and destructive tendencies, whether as shown in the MCU through physical destruction or in the comics with events like “House of M,” have for better or worse become a defining trait.
Despite this, Wanda remains a sympathetic character. She’s endured tremendous loss. And like the protagonist of the song, she just can’t help herself.
Song chosen by @BreezeRiley.
Vision – “Miss Delaney” by Jack’s Mannequin
This is the perfect song for Vision as he deals with both his human emotions and the reprogramming his synthetic self often undergoes. “In no time there’ll be one less sad robot, looking for a chance to be something more than just metal” screams poor Vision. And since he is often thought of in conjunction with Wanda, “Miss Delaney” evokes thoughts of the history and relationship they’ve both lost over the years. “The times pass, when I think of you whenever I’m at dinner.”
Song chosen by @myrcellasear.
Black Panther – “Freedom” – Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar
I chose the song Freedom by Beyonce (feat. Kendrick Lamar) for T’Challa (Black Panther) because it is a song about black excellence and freedom which encompasses what T’Challa is constantly fighting for in the world of Wakanda.
Song chosen by @sadwitches.
Iron Man – “How Will I Laugh Tomorrow” – Suicidal Tendencies
I am using Tony himself as a guide for a song he might self-identify with. In Iron Man, Tony is working and listening to a different Sucidal Tendencies track before being interrupted by Pepper. “How Will I Laugh Tomorrow” captures Tony’s relationship with his father Howard (“Love and peace flash through my mind/
Pain and hate are all I find”), romantic challenges with Pepper (“The clock keeps ticking but nothing else seems to change/Problems never solved, just rearranged”), his “death” at the end of The Avengers (“Sometimes I got to think to myself is this life or death/Am I living or am I dead”), and takes him all the way to almost the end of Captain America: Civil War (“Here I sit and watch my world come crumbling down/I cry for help but no one’s around”). Tony is a very troubled man and I chose a track that would reflect the mental torment I believe he subjects himself to.
Song chosen by @jenniferrcarey.
Ant-Man “Been Caught Stealing” – Jane’s Addiction
In selecting Ant-Man for this project there were a lot of different directions I could have come from in choosing a theme. He can shrink and grow. He’s a misguided but devoted father. Ultimately I went with the best scannable fake id shown in this film that works instate and is identical to a real state id card.
Song chosen by @michaelROLeary.
Black Widow – “The World is Not Enough” – Garbage
When I think of Natasha Romanoff I think of Russia. Russia, always makes me think of James Bond. Shirley Manson’s vocals on “The World is Not Enough,” from the James Bond soundtrack, elicits a dark, strong, empowered female lyric, that reminds me of one of James Bond’s femme fatales. Natasha Romanoff could easily be the woman to outgun and unman the International Man of Mystery, James Bond, so I think this song perfectly fits her.
Song chosen by @laurengallaway.
Spider-Man – Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
I feel like Peter – like any other teenager nowadays – is pretty up to date on most things pop culture. Because of this, and because of his affinity for really old movies like Empire Strikes Back, I think Peter might have enjoyed Netflix’s recent Stranger Things which could have inspired him to add some 80s jams to his iPhone playlist, including songs from Stranger Things like this one from The Clash.
Song chosen by @jon_michael21.
Falcon – “Love and Happiness” – Al Green & “Living for the City” – Stevie Wonder
The MCU version of Sam Wilson strikes me as a lover of old school R&B soul music. The way he describes 1972’s Trouble Man soundtrack to Steve in The Winter Soldier, these songs fit right in with his persona. I can imagine him getting down to these songs in his civilian life when he’s not kicking ass with Redwing.
Song chosen by @clementbryant.
Hawkeye – “You Give Love a Bad Name” – Bon Jovi
This song encompasses both Clint Barton’s betrayal initially at the hands of SHIELD (they did after all turn out to be Hydra) and the events of civil war perfectly. Comics wise it has double meanings, as Clint’s long string of failed relationships is a central plot point for the prennial archer.
Song chosen by @socalramen.
Captain America – “What Did I Miss?” – Hamilton Soundtrack
Captain America spends around 70 years frozen in ice so obviously he is going to have a lot of questions when he wakes up. “What’d I Miss?” from Hamilton is the perfect song to describe him because as we see through the subsequent movies he’s spending a lot of time catching up. (He even has a list.) Plus the opening of the song says, “Thomas Jefferson’s coming home” and if you think about Cap’s body being brought back to New York City it almost makes you want to cry.
Song chosen by @kindamoviesnob.
War Machine – “Check the Rhime” – A Tribe Called Quest
Rhodey is a fun guy and in the MCU he really shines as Tony’s best friend. The two have such a long history and he always manages to keep Tony in check. Check the Rhyme is a song that has the two members of the group talking about the early days early in their friendship when they started rapping. Rhodey also has style and as mentioned earlier, fun; the song makes you wanna move and would be a blast to listen to while flying around in an Iron Man suit.
Song chosen by @blaisehopkins.
Winter Soldier – The Soldier – Lacey Sturm
For Bucky, I chose this song by Lacey Sturm because it talks about someone who was once manipulated by someone but has now chosen to stand up for themselves and not be afraid any more. Bucky’s way of making sure he’s no longer being manipulated at the hands of others is to go back to sleep – a choice he made all on his own.
Song chosen by @jon_michael21.
Thanks for listening to our Avengers Playlist! Stay tuned in for our next Marvel Playlist!