HBO has become synonymous with groundbreaking television, often marked by complex characters, compelling narratives, and unforgettable opening themes. The Sopranos, a flagship series for the network, not only set this trend but defined it. Its influence resonates even today, more than fifteen years after its final episode aired, particularly evident in its iconic opening credits sequence.
The intro of The Sopranos is instantly recognizable. Following the signature HBO static, viewers are plunged into a montage accompanying Tony Soprano on his drive through the gritty landscapes of New Jersey. This journey, ending at his suburban home with the show’s logo – the “r” in “Sopranos” cleverly replaced by a gun – is underscored by a theme song that is as captivating as the series itself.
This isn’t an original composition commissioned by HBO. Instead, The Sopranos intro song is a remixed version of “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3. This track, with its trip-hop vibe and undercurrent of danger, is the quintessential sonic introduction to Tony Soprano’s world. Larry Love, the vocalist of Alabama 3, delivers the now-famous line, “Well, you woke up this morning, got yourself a gun,” lyrics that seem tailor-made for a show about an Italian-American mob boss.
However, the ominous and fitting nature of the lyrics in relation to the mafia themes of The Sopranos is somewhat misleading. The song’s true origin lies not in fiction, but in a stark real-life crime. In an interview, Rob Spragg (Larry Love) revealed the surprising inspiration behind “Woke Up This Morning”: the case of Sarah Thornton. Thornton, in 1989, fatally stabbed her abusive and alcoholic husband, leading to a life imprisonment sentence. Following an appeal highlighting Thornton’s experiences with dissociation and abuse, her conviction was reduced to manslaughter.
Spragg elaborated on how this tragic case became the unlikely muse for the Sopranos intro song: “She stabbed him to death. After years of abuse, she just had enough. So she woke up one morning and decided to go and get herself a knife. That would have been the lyric, but it didn’t sound quite right, so we changed it to gun. The rest is history.”
Tony Soprano driving through New Jersey suburbs in the iconic Sopranos intro sequence, soundtracked by the Sopranos intro song 'Woke Up This Morning'.
The song, initially inspired by a somber true crime, has now become globally recognized as the Sopranos intro song. The opening sequence, propelled by Alabama 3’s track, has achieved iconic status, arguably surpassing the song’s original context in public consciousness. Despite the dark origins, the association with the critically acclaimed HBO series has been financially rewarding for Alabama 3, generating approximately £300,000 in royalties over the years.
The influence of The Sopranos, particularly its opening sequence, extends far beyond its own success. Many subsequent HBO series have adopted elements pioneered by The Sopranos intro. Game of Thrones employed a similarly extended opening sequence, Succession utilized a montage format, and Big Little Lies even incorporated point-of-view driving shots set to contemporary music, echoing the Sopranos formula.
Alabama 3’s “Woke Up This Morning,” a track born from a real crime, became the perfect sonic backdrop for The Sopranos introduction. It not only set the tone for the groundbreaking series but also, in an unexpected twist, brought renewed attention to the poignant and complex story of Sarah Thornton, albeit overshadowed by its fictional mob associations.
