May 7, 2018
Why Did Falcon recommend Trouble Man in Captain America: The Winter Soldier?
I’m Overthinking, But I Need Answers
Recently, I started re-watching all of my Marvel movies. I get to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and I have a deeper appreciation for the friendship that Cap and Falcon have. Yes, this is only my second or third time watching it. Anyway, something that I didn’t pick up the first time was the friendship is real and organic. Steve Rogers (Captain America) meeting Sam Wilson (Falcon) while out for a run is one of my favorite parts Captain America: The Winter Soldier. During this scene, Falcon suggests Cap check out some music to get him caught up. What struck me as odd is that he recommends Marvin Gaye’s Trouble Man soundtrack.
I mean, the soundtrack is excellent, but it’s mostly instrumentals. Why did Marvel want Captain America, who’s been frozen for 70 years, to listen to Trouble Man — an album which is made up of instrumentals? It doesn’t make much sense. A record for somebody to listen to that encapsulates everything missed over 70 years would be What’s Going On or Here My Dear.
I don’t know; it just strikes me as odd.
At the end of the movie, when Cap is recuperating in the hospital, the song Trouble Man is playing on what I presume is Falcon’s iPod. Cap wakes up, looks at Falcon, and says, “on your left.” The reference to when they were jogging around the reflecting pool and cap lapped him like 12–13 times — he kept saying on your left each time. Very cool, but damn there’s a lot of albums you could have recommended, Man.
I would never have thought to include Trouble Man.
Anyway, I’m listening to Trouble Man, for the hundredth time, and trying to figure out what someone who hasn’t been around for 70 years gains from this, mostly instrumental soundtrack. Nothing. If you woke up in 2018 and wanted you to know about Black Panther, I wouldn’t recommend the score. One great example would be Purple Rain. If you never saw the movie, and play the album, maybe someone could piece together what happens. Maybe. The film goes with the music. You don’t need one or the other to appreciate them both.
I know, I know, this is getting silly. My point is I listened to Trouble Man as well as What’s Going On? and I think Falcon that he owes Cap an update on musical references.
Fetch me a dead horse — I’d like to beat it.
