Goodfellas
Since very early in his career , Martin Scorsese has been renowned for dropping the acerate leaf on various classic songs from his record compendium throughout his films ’ soundtrack . intend Streetsdrops the acerate leaf on the Rolling Stones ’ “ Jumpin ’ Jack Flash ” when Johnny Boy enter the bar bathe in red luminousness andThe Departeddrops the needle on Badfinger ’s “ Baby Blue ” when Billy Costigan determine Frank Costello is a Whitey Bulger - style FBI informant .
From Tony Bennett ’s “ call down to Riches ” diddle over the opening credits to Sid Vicious ’ cover of “ My room ” play over the mop up credits , Scorsese ’s 1990 magnum opusGoodfellashas arguably the most iconic soundtrack of his career .
“Rags To Riches” By Tony Bennett
Goodfellasis iconic from its opening scene . Henry , Jimmy , and Tommy drive into the countryside to sink the body of Billy Batts , only to rule that he ’s not beat yet . After Jimmy and Tommy shoot and stab Billy to death , Henry ’s wry voiceover order the hearing , “ As far back as I can recall , I always need to be a gangster . ”
As Scorsese dives into the hatchway credit , Tony Bennett ’s “ Rags to Riches ” plays on the soundtrack . Not only does this attention-getting melodic line juxtapose hauntingly with the killing ; it also point to the allure of mafia life : the hope that anybody can become rich if they ’re unforced to get their hands dirty .
“Then He Kissed Me” By The Crystals
After playing the Bennett attain onHenry ’s “ As far back as I can retrieve … ” line , Scorsese create another unforgettable musical moment over the iconic Copacabana oner . The foresighted trailing shot of Henry taking Karen through the kitchen of the Copa is one of the most beloved shots in cinema chronicle .
This shot perfectly illustrates how Karen was seduced by Henry ’s criminal lifestyle . The kill is base , but the benefits are undeniably awesome . While a long assembly line waits outside , Henry swipe in through the side and the waiters bring out a whole unexampled tabular array just for him . This seduction is summarized beautifully by the Crystals ’ love ballad “ Then He Kissed Me ” on the soundtrack .
“Atlantis” By Donovan
Scorsese opensGoodfellasin media re with Henry , Jimmy , and Tommy incline of the corpse of “ made humans ” Billy Batts . Around the midpoint of the picture show , Scorsese get around to Billy ’s murder as he gets out of prison , celebrates in a prevention , and ride Tommy about his former life history as a shoeshine .
Tommy is so infuriated by Billy ’s brazen insults that he terminate up beating and kicking him one-half to decease . Jimmy conjoin in the beating while Henry locks the door . Donovan ’s laidback , psychedelic , mythology - themed strike “ Atlantis ” create a sumptuous juxtaposition on the soundtrack .
“Beyond The Sea” By Bobby Darin
Jail is n’t a particularly harrowing experience for Henry . He spends his meter behind bars becoming a better chef , figure out the right amount of onions to put in a alimentary paste sauce and learning tricks to slice Allium sativum thin enough to dissolve in the pan .
Bobby Darin ’s “ Beyond the Sea ” plays over the cooking - in - prison montage . This musical choice links to how classy and luxurious Henry ’s prison house experience is compared to most convicts .
“Gimme Shelter” By The Rolling Stones
Scorsesefrequently utilise the euphony of the Rolling Stoneson his soundtrack . “ Gimme Shelter ” in particular seems to be one of the film director ’s preferred track .
InGoodfellas , “ Gimme Shelter ” play when Henry is cutting the cocaine at Sandy ’s apartment . It can also be heard once inCasinoand three sentence inThe Departed .
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” By Darlene Love
Darlene Love ’s “ Christmas ( Baby Please Come Home ) ” sets the pure festal tint for the Christmas political party hold by the gangsters . They ’re not just lionize the holiday ; they ’re celebrating the fact that they just pulled off the biggest heist in the story of American criminal offence .
Unfortunately , Jimmy ’s good mood does n’t last . He ’s dismayed to see that all his collaborator - in - crime have disobeyed his order and made a bunch of flashy , extravagant purchases with the slip money .
“Sunshine Of Your Love” By Cream
When he hears wig salesman Morrie Kessler scorch “ Danny Boy , ” Jimmy decide it ’s the last straw and plots to murder Morrie so he can keep his share of the Lufthansa heist boodle . Then , he bring in he could just do that with everybody . If he kills everyone else who was involved in the heist , he can keep the money for himself .
This realisation is emphasise by the groovy opening electric guitar strings of Cream ’s “ Sunshine of Your Love . ” The television camera close in on De Niro ’s face as he smoke a cigarette and plans a string of syndicate strike .
“Layla” By Derek And The Dominoes
After Jimmy decide to bump off all his Lufthansa cohorts , dead bodies start showing up all around New York City . Although this work out well for Jimmy , he catch a gustatory sensation of his own medical specialty when his close supporter and protégé , Tommy , is executed .
Derek and the Dominoes ’ classical rock track “ Layla ” plays over this clay - feel collage , but not the first one-half with the electric guitar ; the more soulful , contemplative second one-half with the piano .
“What Is Life” By George Harrison
The most vivid sequence inGoodfellasis the climactic set - piece in which a C - fuel Henry start paranoid about a whirlybird take after him around . There are a bunch of soundtrack changes in this chronological succession : “ leap Into the Fire ” by Harry Nilsson , “ Magic Bus ” by The Who , “ Mannish Boy ” by Muddy Waters .
The soundtrack change help to cinematize Henry ’s panicked , frazzled , all - over - the - position mindset . Arguably the dandy song from the chronological succession isGeorge Harrison ’s existential gem “ What is Life . ”
“My Way” By Sid Vicious
Scorsese often uses punk stone covers of classic songs that revamp the original sound with a rebellious tone to symbolize the pounding of justice coming down on career criminals . InThe Wolf of Wall Street , the Lemonheads ’ headbanging cover of “ Mrs. Robinson ” plays over the FBI ’s maraud of Stratton Oakmont ’s office .
At the destruction ofGoodfellas , Henry is stuck in witness protective covering , living like “ an average nobody ” who gets to be the eternal rest of his life “ like a schnook . ” Cue Sid Vicious ’ cover of the Frank Sinatra tally “ My direction ” for the closing credits .
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