Find out how Alabama 3’s hit song Woke Up This Morning became The Sopranos’ iconic theme tune!
Alabama 3’s iconic track “Woke Up This Morning” has become synonymous with the opening sequence of The Sopranos, capturing the essence of Tony Soprano cruising down the New Jersey Turnpike with Manhattan in his rearview mirror. In a recent interview with The New Cue, singer Rob Spragg, also known as Larry Love, revealed the fascinating story behind how the track found its way into the show.
Spragg recounted how The Sopranos creator, David Chase, first heard the song while driving down the New Jersey freeway. Impressed by its perfect fit for the series, Chase tracked down Alabama 3, only to discover that the band was not what he expected – consisting of a Welshman and a Scotsman in Brixton, London.
Initially, the band had signed away the rights to their song for a mere $500, unaware of the show’s potential success. As The Sopranos gained massive popularity, Alabama 3 began receiving calls about billboards featuring the show’s stars, realizing the missed opportunity of their original deal. However, as the series grew in popularity, the band benefited from subsequent sync placements.
In a full-circle moment, the song was used once again in Chase’s 2021 prequel film, The Many Saints Of Newark, playing over the end credits. Alabama 3’s versatile track has proven its staying power, able to adapt to various genres and settings while remaining true to its original sound.
Witness the magic of “Woke Up This Morning” in its intended setting as T returns home, with its reverberating keyboards and pulsating bass setting the mood for Tony Soprano’s world. Stay connected with Music Nation 365 for the latest news, features, and interviews from the global alternative music scene.
