Lady Gaga’s Top Gun 2 Theme Song Proves The Sequel Can Succeed

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Lady Gaga’s Top Gun: Mavericktheme song “Hold My Hand” succeeds in the track’s attempts to recreate the original movie’s soundtrack, which bodes well for the sequel. It will not be easy forTop Gun: Maverick to finally follow up the original 1986 cult classic Top Gun, not least because of the 36-year wait between movies. As well as these lengthy delays, Top Gun: Maverick is also plagued by a tonal issue that the music could look to remedy.

Since Maverick is now older and reaching the end of his career, Top Gun: Maverick could be a sadder look back on his life than the fun-focused, sunny 80s original. However, few viewers want to see a summer blockbuster about aging, death, and a growing sense of obsolescence. In many ways, the first film was defined by its now-iconic soundtrack, with several hits entering into pop-culture and helping set the movie's general tone. Given the importance of music to Top Gun: Maverick's iconic forebear, it's clear that the sequel will have to use its songs just as effectively.

Related: Top Gun: Maverick’s Plot Must Follow John Carpenter’s Advice

Luckily, Lady Gaga’s recently-released Top Gun: Maverick theme song proves that the movie can—if the sequel follows the path carved by its soundtrack’s lead single—nail the careful balance of cheesy bombast and genuine emotion that made the original Top Gun so memorable. Lady Gaga’s Top Gun: Maverick theme song “Hold My Hand” is an 80s-influenced ballad and the sort of massive anthem that wouldn’t be out of place on the original Top Gun soundtrack. While Top Gun: Maverick already acknowledged the original Top Gun’s silliness, this theme song proves the sequel can take its story seriously while still being as melodramatic as the original Top Gun. Since