Since very early in his career, Martin Scorsese has been renowned for dropping the needle on various classic songs from his record collection throughout his films’ soundtracks. Mean Streets drops the needle on the Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” when Johnny Boy enters the bar bathed in red light and The Departed drops the needle on Badfinger’s “Baby Blue” when Billy Costigan learns Frank Costello is a Whitey Bulger-style FBI informant.
From Tony Bennett’s “Rags to Riches” playing over the opening credits to Sid Vicious’ cover of “My Way” playing over the closing credits, Scorsese’s 1990 magnum opus Goodfellas has arguably the most iconic soundtrack of his career.
“Rags To Riches” By Tony Bennett
Goodfellas is iconic from its opening scene. Henry, Jimmy, and Tommy drive into the countryside to bury the body of Billy Batts, only to find that he’s not dead yet. After Jimmy and Tommy shoot and stab Billy to death, Henry’s ironic voiceover tells the audience, “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.”
As Scorsese dives into the opening credits, Tony Bennett’s “Rags to Riches” plays on the soundtrack. Not only does this catchy melody juxtapose hauntingly with the killing; it also points to the allure of mafia life: the promise that anybody can become rich if they’re willing to get their hands dirty.
“Then He Kissed Me” By The Crystals
After playing the Bennett hit on Henry’s “As far back as I can remember...” line, Scorsese created another unforgettable musical moment over the iconic Copacabana oner. The long tracking shot of Henry taking Karen through the kitchen of the Copa is one of the most beloved shots in cinema history.
This shot perfectly illustrates how Karen was seduced by Henry’s criminal lifestyle. The killing is immoral, but the benefits are undeniably awesome. While a long line waits outside, Henry sneaks in through the side and the waiters bring out a whole new table just for him. This seduction is summarized beautifully by the Crystals’ love ballad “Then He Kissed Me” on the soundtrack.
“Atlantis” By Donovan
Scorsese opens Goodfellas in media res with Henry, Jimmy, and Tommy disposing of the corpse of “made man” Billy Batts. Around the midpoint of the movie, Scorsese gets around to Billy’s murder as he gets out of prison, celebrates in a bar, and teases Tommy about his former career as a shoeshine.
Tommy is so infuriated by Billy’s brazen insults that he ends up beating and kicking him half to death. Jimmy joins in the beating while Henry locks the door. Donovan’s laidback, psychedelic, mythology-themed hit “Atlantis” creates a sumptuous juxtaposition on the soundtrack.
“Beyond The Sea” By Bobby Darin
Jail isn’t a particularly harrowing experience for Henry. He spends his time behind bars becoming a better chef, figuring out the right amount of onions to put in a pasta sauce and learning tricks to slice garlic thin enough to melt 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 experience is compared to most convicts.
“Gimme Shelter” By The Rolling Stones
Scorsese frequently uses the music of the Rolling Stones on his soundtracks. “Gimme Shelter” in particular seems to be one of the director’s favorite tracks.
In Goodfellas, “Gimme Shelter” plays when Henry is cutting the cocaine at Sandy’s apartment. It can also be heard once in Casino and three times in The Departed.
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” By Darlene Love
Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” sets the perfect festive tone for the Christmas party thrown by the gangsters. They’re not just celebrating the holidays; they’re celebrating the fact that they just pulled off the biggest heist in the history of American crime.
Unfortunately, Jimmy’s good mood doesn’t last. He’s dismayed to find that all his partners-in-crime have disobeyed his orders and made a bunch of flashy, extravagant purchases with the stolen money.
“Sunshine Of Your Love” By Cream
When he hears wig salesman Morrie Kessler singing “Danny Boy,” Jimmy decides it’s the last straw and plots to murder Morrie so he can keep his share of the Lufthansa heist loot. Then, he realizes 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 realization is underscored by the groovy opening electric guitar strings of Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.” The camera closes in on De Niro’s face as he smokes a cigarette and plans a string of mob hits.
“Layla” By Derek And The Dominoes
After Jimmy decides to bump off all his Lufthansa cohorts, dead bodies start showing up all around New York City. Although this works out well for Jimmy, he gets a taste of his own medicine when his close friend and protégé, Tommy, is executed.
Derek and the Dominoes’ classic rock track “Layla” plays over this cadaver-finding montage, but not the first half with the electric guitar; the more soulful, contemplative second half with the piano.
“What Is Life” By George Harrison
The most intense sequence in Goodfellas is the climactic set-piece in which a coke-fueled Henry gets paranoid about a helicopter following him around. There are a bunch of soundtrack changes in this sequence: “Jump Into the Fire” by Harry Nilsson, “Magic Bus” by The Who, “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters.
The soundtrack changes help to cinematize Henry’s panicked, frazzled, all-over-the-place mindset. Arguably the greatest song from the sequence is George Harrison’s existential gem “What is Life.”
“My Way” By Sid Vicious
Scorsese often uses punk rock covers of classic songs that revamp the original sound with a rebellious tone to symbolize the hammer of justice coming down on career criminals. In The Wolf of Wall Street, the Lemonheads’ headbanging cover of “Mrs. Robinson” plays over the FBI’s raid of Stratton Oakmont’s office.
At the end of Goodfellas, Henry is stuck in witness protection, living like “an average nobody” who gets to live the rest of his life “like a schnook.” Cue Sid Vicious’ cover of the Frank Sinatra hit “My Way” for the closing credits.