New Music Fridays: The Evolution of Spider-Man

Spider-Man, Spider-Man friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. What a journey it has been, and here is a playlist to go along with that journey. So far, eight films have graced the movie screen of the beloved Spider-Man. Starting in 2002, Tobey Maquire had the honor to introduce to the world the modern Spider-Man. His awkward demeanor and tendency to be bullied set the stage for Spider-Man’s to come. That is why he is so loved, right? Peter Parker proved everyone around him wrong when we became more than the nerd from Queens with dead parents. He became a hero.

Starting this playlist off is Learn To Crawl by Black Lab which was a part of the first Spider-Man film. It’s the perfect song to begin the evolution of Spider-Man as he is, literally, learning to crawl. The next is Theme From Spider-Man by Aerosmith. Turning the classic Spider-Man song to fit early 2000’s rock? Yes, please. Coming in at number three is Ordinary by Train because Peter Parker is anything but ordinary. Finishing out Spider-Man 2 is Hold On by Jet when Peter is struggling to balance his superhero life and his personal life. The opening line of this song speaks for itself, “You tried so hard to be someone. Did you forget who you are?” Spider-Man 3 is when Peter Parker fights his inner demons. He must then battle his own suit and not let it control him. Red River by The Walkman and Scared of Myself by Simon Dawes accurately explain the darkness Peter is struggling within himself.

The Amazing Spider-Man enters the era of 2010’s pop and alternative indie music. Andrew Garfield is the next Peter Parker to take on the role of Peter. Spiderhead by Cage The Elephant and Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay accurately describe the period of The Amazing Spider-Man and what Andrew Garfield’s character is going through. In the final Amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker is battling Electro and his childhood friend Harry Osborn. It’s time to get on again…so the bop It’s On Again Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar will surely take it back to Spider-Man kicking some major butt. No one was prepared for the ending of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Song for Zula by Phosphorescent will shatter the heart a million times over again.

The year is 2017 and a new era has emerged. The Tom Holland era. Let’s take it back to 70’s rock. The Rolling Stones, specifically. Can’t Hear Me Knocking is the perfect introduction to the new Spider-Man. Thinking of anyone else who enjoys classic rock? Maybe a certain Iron Man, who discovered the new Peter Parker. Next is The Underdog by Spoon, because Peter Parker is the world’s favorite underdog. In the second installment titled Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter then travels abroad with his school and has several bumps along the way involving Mysterio. Check out Vacation by The Go-Go’s and Back in Black by AC/DC to reminisce on Peter Parker’s Europe adventure. The trilogy ended with Spider-Man: No Way Home. No Way Home was a rollercoaster of emotions and it’s safe to safe many tears were then shed. To pay homage to Peter’s New York home, the playlist includes Native New Yorker by Odyssey. The line in Doomsday by Lizzy McAlpine that says, “Pull the plug but be careful. I don’t wanna die too soon. I think there’s good in you somewhere,” both rips the heart out the chest and pulls us right the moment when Peter is trying to help all the villains that have wronged people in the past. In the final scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter has to start his new life so the song Where To Now by Hipp Campus is the perfect way to end the list.

Spider-Man holds a special place in the heart of all of its fans. Hopefully, there will be many more to come.

Related