How 'Thor: Love and Thunder' uses Guns N' Roses music to tell a story

SPOILER ALERT: This story discusses certain plot developments in Marvel Studios' "Thor: Love and Thunder," currently in theaters.

In "Thor: Love and Thunder", Chris Hemsworth returns as the main character, joined by Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, his ex-girlfriend who takes her powers. The duo are tasked with confronting Christian Bale's Gorr the Butcher God, who is wreaking havoc across the multiverses, killing all the Gods he can.

For the soundtrack to the superhero tale, director Taika Waititi turned to the songs of Guns N' Roses.

In an interview with , Waititi said, "You know, I always come home late at night and instead of going on, you know, Pornhub, I'm going to watch old GN'R music videos because I loved the tape. But I think I'm still in love with the band back when there was the band, you know, that band: the music video for 'Paradise City', like that thing when the hair was long and you they had been brushed, you know?

In addition to songs from GNR's debut album, "Appetite for Destruction", Waititi uses "November Rain", from the 1991 studio album, "Use Your Illusion II".

Did Waititi speak with lead singer Axl Rose before using the band's songs? The director said in another interview with Rolling Stone: “At one point the music supervisors said, 'You might have to chat with Axl. But I was just starting to get scared. He's one of the biggest icons for me."

Waititi also turned to Enya ("Only Time"), Mary J. Blige ("Family Affair") and ABBA ("Our Last Summer") for other musical moments.

The film's score is courtesy of co-composers Michael Giacchino and Nami Melumad. Melumad is the first female scorer in the Star Trek franchise, composing for "Star Trek: Prodigy" and more recently, "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds".

'Thor: Love and Thunder' marks Giacchino's fourth film of the year, following 'The Batman', 'Lightyear' and 'Jurassic World Dominion'.

The composer recorded the score over 12 days with an orchestra of 94 musicians and a choir of 36 members. The orchestra featured 12 horns and eight trombones, and, interestingly, no woodwinds, which is unusual for film music. To enhance the 80s rock vibe, Giacchino added guitar, drums and synth.

Waititi gives equal importance to the music which reinforces her extraordinary storytelling style. He said, "I really feel like we're making this a funnier, bigger adventure with even cooler characters and a really great soundtrack."

Here is a guide to the Guns N' Roses songs featured in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' which is out now.

"Welcome to the Jungle" - Guns N' Roses

Regarded as one of the greatest hard rock songs of all time, this song plays when Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy joined forces. While the Guardians only appear for a few minutes, the song is heard over an edit that shows Thor and the Guardians going into battle.

"Paradise City" - Guns N' Roses

As the audience discovers New Asgard, "Paradise City" is played.

"Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses

First heard in the trailer, "Sweet Child O' Mine", the band's third single released in 1988, is repeated several times throughout the film. Memorably, he plays as goats come crashing down on Omnipotence City.

"November Rain" – Guns N' Roses

The ballad features an epic guitar solo by Slash, who plays during a climactic battle between Thor and Mighty Thor (Portman) as they confront Gorr.

Comments

How 'Thor: Love and Thunder' uses Guns N' Roses music to tell a story

SPOILER ALERT: This story discusses certain plot developments in Marvel Studios' "Thor: Love and Thunder," currently in theaters.

In "Thor: Love and Thunder", Chris Hemsworth returns as the main character, joined by Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, his ex-girlfriend who takes her powers. The duo are tasked with confronting Christian Bale's Gorr the Butcher God, who is wreaking havoc across the multiverses, killing all the Gods he can.

For the soundtrack to the superhero tale, director Taika Waititi turned to the songs of Guns N' Roses.

In an interview with , Waititi said, "You know, I always come home late at night and instead of going on, you know, Pornhub, I'm going to watch old GN'R music videos because I loved the tape. But I think I'm still in love with the band back when there was the band, you know, that band: the music video for 'Paradise City', like that thing when the hair was long and you they had been brushed, you know?

In addition to songs from GNR's debut album, "Appetite for Destruction", Waititi uses "November Rain", from the 1991 studio album, "Use Your Illusion II".

Did Waititi speak with lead singer Axl Rose before using the band's songs? The director said in another interview with Rolling Stone: “At one point the music supervisors said, 'You might have to chat with Axl. But I was just starting to get scared. He's one of the biggest icons for me."

Waititi also turned to Enya ("Only Time"), Mary J. Blige ("Family Affair") and ABBA ("Our Last Summer") for other musical moments.

The film's score is courtesy of co-composers Michael Giacchino and Nami Melumad. Melumad is the first female scorer in the Star Trek franchise, composing for "Star Trek: Prodigy" and more recently, "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds".

'Thor: Love and Thunder' marks Giacchino's fourth film of the year, following 'The Batman', 'Lightyear' and 'Jurassic World Dominion'.

The composer recorded the score over 12 days with an orchestra of 94 musicians and a choir of 36 members. The orchestra featured 12 horns and eight trombones, and, interestingly, no woodwinds, which is unusual for film music. To enhance the 80s rock vibe, Giacchino added guitar, drums and synth.

Waititi gives equal importance to the music which reinforces her extraordinary storytelling style. He said, "I really feel like we're making this a funnier, bigger adventure with even cooler characters and a really great soundtrack."

Here is a guide to the Guns N' Roses songs featured in 'Thor: Love and Thunder' which is out now.

"Welcome to the Jungle" - Guns N' Roses

Regarded as one of the greatest hard rock songs of all time, this song plays when Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy joined forces. While the Guardians only appear for a few minutes, the song is heard over an edit that shows Thor and the Guardians going into battle.

"Paradise City" - Guns N' Roses

As the audience discovers New Asgard, "Paradise City" is played.

"Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses

First heard in the trailer, "Sweet Child O' Mine", the band's third single released in 1988, is repeated several times throughout the film. Memorably, he plays as goats come crashing down on Omnipotence City.

"November Rain" – Guns N' Roses

The ballad features an epic guitar solo by Slash, who plays during a climactic battle between Thor and Mighty Thor (Portman) as they confront Gorr.

Comments

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow