In Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, which song plays during the opening credits?

“Rags to Riches” plays during the opening credits of Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas.

The 1953 song was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and first recorded by Tony Bennett. Its bright, romantic style contrasts sharply with the film’s violent opening, in which Henry Hill, Jimmy Conway, and Tommy DeVito stop their car after hearing a disturbing noise in the trunk.

The contrast between the upbeat song and the grisly image immediately establishes Goodfellas’ ironic tone. Popular music is a major part of the film’s identity, with songs carefully matched to particular periods, characters, and moments.

The title is sometimes confused with other prominent songs in the movie, especially “Sunshine of Your Love,” “Layla,” or “Gimme Shelter.” However, Tony Bennett’s “Rags to Riches” is the song associated with the opening-credit sequence.