Music: The Unsung Hero Of Pop Culture

There isn’t a shadow of doubt that, without music, pop culture across all genres would be so much different.

Driving a film through its soundtrack or using music fame to kickstart a film career (such as David Bowie in The Man Who Fell To Earth), the correlation between the two mediums has existed from the very start.

Prominent figures such as William Shatner and Bruce Campbell have established onstage musical talents, while Supa-Star favourites such as Jeremy Shada, James Marsters and many more have also developed their own melodies.

Though they deserve more than just a brief mention, Supanova has compiled a list of memorable pop culture moments that music has given us in recent years.

Giving The Justice League An Australian Touch

If it didn’t give you goosebumps, check your pulse, because the addition of David Bowie’s Heroes covered by Aussie rockers Gang of Youths gave the Justice League trailer the love and affection it deserved. As one of the country’s most prominent bands at the time of release, it’s no surprise the song was included, the trailer snatching over 8 million views in just over a day, adding an Australian touch to one of the most anticipated films of the year.

A Taste Of Wakanda

Black Panther was praised for featuring a strong African American cast, but beyond those in front of the camera, the diversity was recognised off-screen in the form of its crew and the musicians. Kendrick Lamar produced and curated Black Panther: The Album, recruiting well-known associates from his respected record label. The album was a hit, and the soundtrack, pan-African in scope, helped drive the narrative (most importantly heard in those battle scenes).

Starboy Returns 

In early 2018, Marvel and The Weeknd shared the plot for their upcoming comic book collaboration. Starboy, a character created by The Weeknd in his hit song featuring Daft Punk, was announced for a return, this time bound in pages by ink and text.

Marvel teams up with @TheWeeknd for an original story in “The Weeknd Presents: Starboy” on June 13. Learn more: https://t.co/BMo6jl7Ss3

— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) March 22, 2018

The Awesome Mix Indeed

Guardians of the Galaxy initially sparked a variety of responses, with audiences unsure if it was the right direction for Marvel to go. Fortunately, the film was a box office hit, due not only to its stars, but also its soundtrack. Featuring Electric Light Orchestra, Redbone, The Jackson 5 and even that crazily addictive Peña Colada Song, Awesome Mix Vol. 1 soon became one of the most downloaded playlists of the year.

Kids In America  

One of the most successful television adaptations of late has been Riverdale, a retelling of the old Archie comics, featuring KJ Apa and Cole Sprouse, alongside April Supa-Stars Camila Mendes and Jordan Connor. Somehow, everyone on the show can sing, and it takes advantage of those talents predominantly in the form of Josie and the Pussycats. Also worthy of a mention is the on-stage performance by Archie and Veronica, a hair-raising scene that is a pivotal moment of its first season. The latest season also featured a delightful musical episode.

The God Of Thunder ft. Led Zeppelin

Some songs provide the perfect atmosphere to a scene with their heavy beats and fitting lyrics. The final battle scene on Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok features Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song, well-known for its references to Norse mythology. Though the song is heard throughout different parts of the film, this particular scene reunites a lost brotherhood, and sees the defeat of the villain to the sound of Robert Plant’s howling vocals.

Welcoming Back The Master Of Horror

With the release of 2018’s Halloween, Michael Myers returned to terrify the town of Haddonfield once again, but it wasn’t just one horror icon that stepped back into the limelight. John Carpenter and his pulsing synthesizer provide the atmospheric tones for the film’s soundtrack, embracing everything that made the original so grim, with a new interpretation.

From comic books to films, music has soaked itself into every aspect of pop culture, pulling its audience closer, making them live and breathe those same moments as the characters of page and screen.