The Justice League Of Soul
Monday, October 3, 2011
Hey, comic book lover. You can’t just sit around listening to Metallica and Dragonforce all the time. Sure, nerd rock is great, but who’s gonna take you seriously if that’s all you ever play? We understand, though, you want to stay true to geek culture. So let’s compromise. Let’s make a Justice League of Soul.
Today we’re offering you a mixtape that covers the backbone of the DC Universe. It’s got the accessibility of Nightwing with the obscurity of Shade The Changing Man. With a mix like this, you might be able to impress the indie-book hipster behind the counter at your local comic book store. It’s your ticket to the a-list, baby, and here’s a preview of what’s coming.
The Hesitations – Soul Superman
This 1967 track might sound a little fuzzy, but the beat comes through when the chips are down. It’s indestructibly catchy, yet still accessible to the common man. The vocals soar high, and the lyrics stay rooted in the fragile human experience. This is a guy giving himself confidence by turning to something bigger. What else is Superman for?
Come inside to find some great music about the rest of the Justice League. We think you’ll enjoy what we’ve found.
Bad City Band – Batman ’77
Expecting something darker? Well, that was your mistake, because The Batman never gives you what you expect. That’s how he stays one step ahead, striking from the shadows, blinding you with the glitter of a disco ball and a hypnotic Latin beat. Plus he’s a billionaire playboy, if he doesn’t hit Ibiza now and then people get suspicious.
The Stylistics – Wonder Woman
The old Wonder Woman theme song is pretty funky all by itself, but that seemed like cheating, so we turned to The Stylistics. Of course this sweet, loving, well-meaning song is still about a woman from a man’s point of view, which brings up issues of male gaze and… aw, forget it, we’re not gonna debate that here. Just be happy 2 Live Crew never wrote a song called “Starfire Booty Call” and enjoy this track.
Bobby Thurston – Flash
It’s likely that this 1978 song isn’t actually about Barry Allen, and that’s sad, because it has cop show introduction written all over it. Imagine a police scientist and his partner (Wally West?) who work together to solve crimes at the speed of light. As long as it wasn’t opposite Sanford & Son it could have gone a couple seasons easy.
George Kerr – Three Minutes To Hey Girl
You might not be able to figure it out from the title, but just let the song play. Yeah, there you go, about a minute in. “In brightest days, and in blackest nights, no beautiful girls shall escape my sight.” That’s the Green Lantern Oath being used as a pickup line, and you just don’t get more fearless than that. We know 1970 was a very different dating scene, but… could that actually work? Some of you fellas get out there and give it a shot, then report back. Maybe avoid underage gold-colored chicks.
Tricky – Something In The Way
Yeah, it’s sort of stretching the rules to add this one, but this next hero’s been beyond the rules since about 1986. Vocals on this Nirvana cover are handled by Garrison Hawk (a.k.a Hawkman) and even though it’s from 2001, we’re bending continuity a little to fit him in. There’s certainly precedent for doing that, after all, and what’s a JLA without a Hawkman?
Goblin – Aquaman
Well, sure, it’s Italian electronica from 1976, but it’s probably been sampled by some rapper by now. Doesn’t that qualify it as soulful? Hey, whatever, Aquaman’s used to controversy. Everybody calls him lame, and yet he still keeps coming back to the JLA, he’s had his own book about six or seven times, and we all know he could beat up Moon Knight. So we’re counting this. You don’t like it, tell it to the mysterious hooded chick in the corner.
Bonus: The Atom
There wasn’t actually a song so we just grabbed this science lesson from WKRP in Cincinnati. What? Are you mad it isn’t a song? Do you think it ruins continuity? See, this is exactly the kind of trouble that starts every time Hawkman reappears. Maybe we need to have some kind of crisis and make a fresh new start…
Got any favorite superhero songs we overlooked? Want to make a recommendation for our upcoming Defenders playlist? Hop in the comments below and speak your mind!
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