What does Superman listen to when he’s not saving the world? According to James Gunn, something between Journey and Jimmy Eat World.
In case you’re still hungover on the Superman hype, try listening to James Gunn’s curated Spotify playlists for each character. This isn’t just background music—these playlists come with exclusive voice intros from Gunn himself, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into how he builds character through sound.
If you’ve ever heard Awesome Mix Vol. 1 & 2 from Guardians of the Galaxy, you know that when Gunn picks a song, it’s not just for the vibe, it’s a narrative decision. Now he’s doing it again, this time for Superman.
Spotify
Clark Kent: Feel-Good Rock That Soars
Listen to Clark Kent’s Playlist
Superman’s playlist leans into hopeful, anthemic rock. Think “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey and “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World. These tracks reflect Clark Kent’s grounded optimism and sense of purpose. Gunn wanted something that felt edgy but uplifting—an everyday hero’s personal soundtrack. Is it Punk Rock? Definitely not.
Lex Luthor: Power, Ego, and Art Rock
Listen to Lex Luthor’s Playlist
Lex’s playlist is sharp, theatrical, and laced with bravado. It includes David Bowie’s “Fame” and Sparks’ “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us”. Each track radiates ambition and a touch of menace, perfect for a character who believes he’s smarter than everyone else in the room.
Lois Lane: Punk-Rock Grit
Listen to Lois Lane’s Playlist
Lois’s mix is full of punchy punk energy, with tracks like “I Was a Teenage Anarchist” by Against Me! and “Pash Rash” by Jeff Rosenstock. Gunn called this one of his favorite lists to make. It captures Lois’s relentless drive and rebellious edge as a journalist who doesn’t back down.
Eve Teschmacher: Glam-Pop Chaos
Listen to Eve Teschmacher’s Playlist
Eve’s playlist is what you’d get if the Met Gala met karaoke night. Featuring “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter and “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift, this mix is fun, flirty, and powerful, much like Eve herself. While it is mostly Girl pop, it perfectly captures Eve’s journey from the It Girl(friend) to the woman who helped bring down their egomaniacal ex.
Metamorpho: Melancholy Synth Vibes
Listen to Metamorpho’s Playlist
Metamorpho’s songs feel like a walk through rainy neon streets. With The Blow Monkeys’ “Digging Your Scene” and Nightmare of You’s “I Was Never a Normal Boy,” this list gives insight into a character caught between human and something else entirely.
The Engineer: Cold, Mechanical Beats
Listen to The Engineer’s Playlist
The Engineer’s playlist sounds like a machine thinking for itself. With ambient yet intense tracks like Nine Inch Nails’ “La Mer” and Burial’s “Archangel,” it’s cerebral and industrial, just like her character.
Jimmy Olsen: Pop Nostalgia with a Twist
Listen to Jimmy Olsen’s Playlist
Jimmy’s songs are quirky and upbeat. He listens to “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass and Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” It’s sweet, wistful, and just awkward enough to be endearing. Gunn recounts that most of these songs would be something Jimmy would consider his favorite, but one could point out that most, if not all of them, thematically talk about being non-committal.
Mister Terrific: Technical Brilliance in Sound
Listen to Mister Terrific’s Playlist
This playlist features intricate instrumental tracks like “Cafo” by Animals as Leaders and “Shibuya” by Covet. It’s smart, fast, and layered—much like Mister Terrific himself. The way he adds in “All Caps” is an interesting touch to show Mr. Terrific’s taste growing up and how it’s changed to more instrumental tracks, focusing on the “math” in the music.
Hawkgirl: Indie Energy and Rebellion
Hawkgirl’s playlist blends garage rock with hip-hop swagger. With “San Diego” by Hinds and “whathegirlmuthafuckinwannadoo” by The Coup (feat. Janelle Monáe), it’s wild, fearless, and completely in her lane.
Guy Gardner (Green Lantern): Loud and Rowdy
Listen to Guy Gardner’s Playlist
Guy Gardner’s vibe is straight chaos. His playlist includes AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and Kid Rock’s “Bawitdaba.” It’s cocky, aggressive, and exactly what you’d expect from the boldest Lantern in the Corps.
Ultraman: Metal from Another World
Ultraman’s playlist is a blast of Japanese metal, featuring “Marionette” by Mary’s Blood and “Nippon Manju” by LADYBABY. It’s explosive, unfiltered, and a sonic punch to the face. In his intro for the playlist, Gunn says he almost went with purely children’s songs for Ultraman’s playlist. The metal works better.
A Closer Look: How Playlists Bring You Closer to the Character
James Gunn treats playlists like character studies. From the Awesome Mix era to this Superman release, he’s always used music to push the narrative forward. I think there’s no question that almost all of his movies have soundtracks that just hit. These new Spotify playlists give fans a deeper connection to each hero (or villain), offering a fresh way to experience the story, even outside the theater.
So if you’re still flying high on Superman, do yourself a favor: plug in your headphones, head to Spotify, and dive into each character’s soundtrack. Get to know them a little better.
ALSO READ: Catching “Superman” in Cinemas? Here’s Where to Get Your Tickets
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