The much-anticipated prequel to The Sopranos, The Many Saints of Newark is set in the New Jersey of the 1960s and '70s, and the film uses an extensive soundtrack to establish a period mood. The songs in The Many Saints of Newark range from radical spoken-word poetry to old-time crooning. Like the original TV series, music is key to the movie, such as the jazz records Dickie brings to Salvatore in prison, so it's worth paying attention to The Many Saints of Newark's eclectic soundtrack.
Set decades before The Sopranos begins, The Many Saints of Newark sees a young Tony Soprano being mentored by the tempestuous Dickie Moltisanti, father of Christopher from the original series. The Many Saints of Newark has a loadeded cast including Michael Gandolfini, Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr. and Ray Liotta. The soundtrack is just as full of talent and memorable music.
With a mix of '60s and '70s rock, Motown hits, and classic Italian songs, The Many Saints of Newark's soundtrack is fairly diverse and massive. With that in mind, here's a breakdown of the full track list, including where you hear the songs in the movie:
"The Jam" by Graham Central Station - The beats of this song play as Harold chases down Leon.
"The Ballad of the Green Berets" by Barry Sadler - Dickie is listening to this song as he meets with Harold for the first time in the movie, two characters who weren't in The Sopranos.
"Danger Heartbreak Ahead" by The Marvelettes - This pop song plays as Harold works on his car.
"Nel Blu Dipinto Del Blu" by Francesco Migliacci and Domenici Modungo, "Ferry Boat Serenade" by Harold Adamson, Eldo DiLazaro and Mario Panzeri, and "Core 'Ngrato" by Domenico Caroli and Alessandro Sisca - These three songs play during Janice's confirmation dinner, with the latter two played by the live band.
"Somethin' Stupid" by Frank and Nancy Sinatra - This song plays on the radio at Satriale's, causing Hollywood Dick and the other mafia members to compare connections with Sinatra.
"Fingertips, Part 2" by Stevie Wonder - The Stevie Wonder tune plays briefly as Harold watches Leon enter an Army recruiter's.
"Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" by the Casinos - Dickie is listening to this 1960s doo-wop song in his car as he comes across the Newark riots, a real historical incident.
"Ain't That A Kick In The Head" by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn - This song briefly plays as Dickie is introduced at a bar.
"Your Soul and Mine" by Gil Scott-Heron - The first use of Scott-Heron's work in The Many Saints of Newark happens as Harold watches the looting during the Newark riots.
"San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie -- This song, a symbol of the hippie generation, plays as Dickie breaks into an electronics store.
"Forty Five Colt Beer" by Dolores Claman and Jerry Toth - This song can be heard on the radio during Hollywood Dick's funeral, as some of the gang members watch TV in a spare room, which enrages Dickie.
"Sway" by the Rolling Stones -- "Sway" plays as The Many Saints of Newark transitions from the 1960s to the 70s. It later turns out that a young Tony Soprano is a big Stones fan, much to his mother Livia Soprano's disapproval. He even sings "Mother's Little Helper" while encouraging her to take anti-depressants.
"I Am... I Said" by Neil Diamond -- The Neil Diamond tune is on the radio at the start of the 1970s segment of the movie, as Johnny Soprano gets out of jail.
"Wake Up N****s" by CJ Fly, Dessy Hinds and Ayodele Olatunji - Harold attends a live performance of this song.
"There Was a Time" by James Brown & The Famous Flames - "There Was A Time" plays as Harold works on his car, shortly before Dickie learns he's back in town.
"Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "Don't Make Me Over" by Dionne Warwick - These songs play in the beauty parlor that Giuseppina and Dickie visit, where she comments on how much she likes Warwick, and later as they have dinner.
"Living in the USA" by the Steve Miller Band -- This '60s hit accompanies the scene where Tony and other young versions of Sopranos characters like Jackie Aprile and Tony Blundetto steal an ice cream truck and deliver free cones to the neighborhood kids. The classic Mister Softee jingle is also heard.
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by Gil Scott-Heron -- Cyril listens to this influential spoken-word song before putting into motion Harold's plans to take control of the numbers racket from the mafia.
"ABC" by the Jackson 5 - This pop hit plays in a store as Harold starts to take over the Italian mob's protection racket.
"Bye Bye Blackbird" by Wayne Newton and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" by The Delphonics -- These two songs play as Dickie visits Vulcan Vending, with The Delphonics introduced as part of a TV music program.
"Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison -- "Astral Weeks" plays as Dickie and Giuseppina celebrate buying the beauty parlor she's long desired. The song sets up an atmosphere that is shattered by one of The Many Saints of Newark's violent scenes.
"Never in my Life" by Mountain -- This is the song that Tony listens to on the stolen speakers, beginning a crisis of conscience.
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Worcester Cathedral Choir and "A Marshmallow World" by Darlene Love - These two songs create a Christmas atmosphere as Dickie meets with Sal in prison for the last time and Carmine runs into Harold while looking for a Christmas tree.
"When Will I Be Loved" by The Everly Brothers and "You" by The Aquatones - These two pop songs play as the mafia meet at Vulcan Vending to receive a delivery and discuss what to do about Harold, drawing the attention of teenage Tony, played by James Gandolfini's son Michael.
"Whatever Happened to Christmas?" by Frank Sinatra - The final Sinatra song of The Many Saints of Newark plays over Dickie's funeral.
"Woke Up This Morning" by Alabama 3 -- "Woke Up This Morning", the song that plays over the iconic opening credits of The Sopranos TV series, accompanies the end credits of The Many Saints of Newark, suggesting how the events of the movie set the stage for Tony Soprano's story.
"Calling All Angels" by Jane Siberry with KD Lang -- This song plays during the end credits, following A3's "Woke Up This Morning."
The Many Saints of Newark is streaming on HBO Max.