Top 5 Songs From ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’
The new Marvel Cinematic Universe film Deadpool & Wolverine uses pop songs more prominently than any superhero movie since Guardians of the Galaxy. Deadpool & Wolverine uses some songs brilliantly. Others, not so much.
5. ‘The Power of Love’ by Huey Lewis and the News
“The Power of Love” has been definitively claimed by Back to the Future. The track is so associated with that movie that it appears in Back to the Future: The Musical. Deadpool & Wolverine made a bold move by trying to make the song its own.
Regardless, “The Power of Love” was never a very interesting song. It’s a middle-of-the-road combination of new wave music and easy-listening. Those two genres have nothing in common and they don’t work together. Why did Deadpool & Wolverine try to resurrect this tune?
4. ‘I’m with You’ by Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne has two modes. Sometimes, she’s a pop-punk brat who gave us tunes like “Girlfriend,” “What the Hell,” and “Sk8r Boi.” The rest of the time, she is a tormented balladeer in the vein of Alanis Morissette. The latter side of Lavinge is both more respectable and less attractive.
“I’m with You” is one of Lavinge’s classier singles. That doesn’t make it very interesting. It’s precisely the sort of song you can hear a million times without feeling much of a response, positive or negative. Oddly enough, Rihanna sampled “I’m with You” for her boozy hit “Cheers (Drink to That).”
3. ‘Bye Bye Bye’ by NSYNC
NSYNC looked ridiculous in the 1990s. The group still looks ridiculous today. Despite that, they gave us some stomping hooks that will be with us until the end of time. “Bye Bye Bye” remains one of their most memorable tunes and it perfectly captures the go-for-broke sensibilities of early Max Martin.
Deadpool & Wolverine uses a lot of songs haphazardly. On the other hand, it uses “Bye Bye Bye” to set the film’s over-the-top tone. Pop songs should only appear in Hollywood movies if they have the synergy of “Bye Bye Bye” and Deadpool & Wolverine.
2. ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls
When “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls came out in the 1990s, it was easy to dismiss it as an indie band cynically trying to make something for the easy-listening crowd. These days, the writing is on the wall: “Iris” is simply one of the best songs ever written. Few songs capture longing as well as “Iris.”
Of course, “Iris” will always be attached to the horrid Nicolas Cage/Meg Ryan romance City of Angels. Perhaps Deadpool & Wolverine will make “Iris” more respectable to snobs. It’s odd that Deadpool & Wolverine is classier than City of Angels, but here we are.
1. ‘Like a Prayer’ by Madonna
“Like a Prayer” is, arguably, the best song by one of the best pop stars ever. No film should should use it lightly. Deadpool & Wolverine took it very seriously.
During a 2024 interview with Sirius XM, Ryan Reynolds discussed using “Like a Prayer.” “It was a big deal to ask for and certainly a bigger deal to use it,” Reynolds said. “We went over and met with her and showed her how it was being used, and where and why.”
“I even asked someone who worked with her, I was like, ‘Am I allowed to just say Madonna?'” Reynolds adds. “Like, ‘Hello, Madonna. I’m f*****’ Ryan.’ That was one of the great thrills of my life.”
