The Golden Age of 2000s Entertainment: Yellowcard and the Spider-Man Soundtrack
- Mike Johnston
- May 23
- 2 min read
By: Michael Johnston - It’s been called a golden age in entertainment. The 2000s sit perfectly before the streaming era, and just after music’s digital boom. Fewer concepts better epitomize this entertainment landscape than Florida's Yellowcard on a Spider-Man soundtrack.
The 2000s brought advanced and more widely available cameras. This allowed for high quality, credible movies, at lower prices. In 2002 major studios standardized 2, and 4K film, marking the official shift from physical to digital playback. Simultaneously, music production and marketing entered its own digital evolution. Production software allowed users to make entire songs on their computers at home. Tracks could then be made available world wide instantly through apps like iTunes, MySpace, or YouTube. This digital frontier enabled new, experimental genres to grow. Within this space, pop/punk and emo rock took hold, leading to mainstream cultural influence.
The advances on both fronts allowed for a wider range of work, and riskier projects.
In the early 2000s, the superhero genre needed saving. Attempts had been made; notably, 1978’s Superman and 2000’s X Men. While both were hugely successful, neither promoted the ideas full potential, or marketability. Fully unleashing a superhero movie would require all the tools modern film-making offered. Including a marketable soundtrack.
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man swung into theatres on May 3, 2002. Unlike DC’s dark, serious, 90s Batman era, Spider-Man felt lighter. It was funnier, and it looked cooler. Toby McGuire shines in his roll as Peter Parker first, and Spider-Man second. For the non typical superhero fan, this provided the movie with drama and credibility. Peter’s life playing such a heavy roll also provided relatability for young people; and it included their music.
In addition to earths greatest heroes, Marvel has assembled some of its best soundtracks. This continuing trend clearly started with Spider-Man. After a record breaking first instalment, the second made good on the franchise’s success. Spider-Man 2 hosted a similar cast, and even better reviews. Like its predecessor, it also featured a killer soundtrack. Unlike the strictly soundscaped superhero’s past, Spider-Man’s soundtrack included lyrics. The use of which became more prevalent as the franchise continued.
Still warm from its digital expansion, pop/punk, alternative and emo rock became the focus. The use of such a new sound gave the franchise a unique edge. These songs are not diegetic, yet perfectly surmise Peter’s prevalent love life; including all the pain and angst of young love. Among these dedications to Mary Jane Watson, hides a millennial banger.
“Gifts and Curses” sees Ryan Key take a deep dive on his favourite superhero. Singing from the POV of Peter, Key is serenaded by Yellowcard’s signature violins. The group’s frontman perfectly captures the emotions Peter faces as Spider-Man, and somebody in love. The dramatically shifting tone seems to emulate the duelling elements on screen. Building to an explosive, longing guitar solo, following a nearly silent break down.
“Gifts and Curses” doesn’t play during the film, nor was it ever released. In fact, it solely exists on physical copies of the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. In an ode to the times, you’ll have to listen to this one on YouTube… or maybe LimeWire?
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