32 Great Songs Featured In Forrest Gump

As a child of the ’70s and ’80s, I’ve got to say that Forrest Gump’s soundtrack is like a time machine, transporting me back to those decades with every note. It’s fascinating to see how music can evoke such strong emotions and memories.

The iconic film, Forrest Gump, boasts an exceptional soundtrack filled with tunes that continue to resonate in modern times. In this article, we delve into several tracks, discussing their role in enhancing the timeless narrative of the movie. While the music adds to the dream-like aura of a Baby Boomer era, it’s also undeniable that the soundtrack showcases some of the finest melodies from the 20th Century.

32 Great Songs Featured In Forrest Gump

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd

In the movie featuring Tom Hanks as Forrest, a native of Alabama, it would have been unthinkable to exclude “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd from the soundtrack, given that Alabama serves as a cherished hometown for Forrest and his long-time friend Jenny (played by Robin Wright).

Sloop John B – The Beach Boys

1. The Beach Boys astounded everyone with their 1966 opus Pet Sounds, a creation that, at first, didn’t receive widespread acclaim. However, over time, it has grown into one of the most adored albums. One track from this album, “Sloop John B,” subtly plays as Lt. Dan (Gary Sinise) prepares to bathe; Forrest Gump unexpectedly shows up in Vietnam at that very moment.

Respect – Aretha Franklin

From the 1960s, there’s no greater cultural symbol than the late, highly esteemed Aretha Franklin. It’s only fitting that she should grace any film set during that time, and indeed she does with her timeless hit “Respect,” which is heard as Forrest Gump (played by Mykelti Williamson) and Bubba first encounter Lieutenant Dan.

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

As I navigate my virtual journey across the digital landscape, Forrest Gump’s real-life odyssey echoes in my mind. After his beloved mother, portrayed by Sally Field, takes her final breath, he embarks on a cross-country run, a long and arduous path that mirrors my own quests in gaming worlds.

Volunteers – Jefferson Airplane

In the heart of a massive peace rally on The Mall in Washington DC, Forrest encounters a fitting musical backdrop. During those ’60s protests, “Volunteers” by Jefferson Airplane served as an anthem against the status quo, and its turbulent melody mirrors the tumultuous scene around him remarkably well.

Rebel Rouser – Duane Eddy

In the film, although it’s set in the 1950s, there isn’t a lot of music from that era played. However, there are a few instances where tunes from that time are included, such as “Rebel Rouser” by Duane Eddy, which is an exceptional fast-paced instrumental song. This tune significantly enhances the tense scene where Forrest is instructed to flee by Jenny, while being pursued by bullies in a vehicle.

Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head – B.J. Thomas

As a fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the legendary impact of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” which made waves in 1969. One unforgettable outcome was the chart-topping tune, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” by B.J. Thomas. In a particularly memorable scene from the film, Gump finds himself face to face with the third U.S. president I admired, Richard Nixon, as this timeless melody echoed in the background.

Against the Wind – Bob Seger

As Gump jogs across America, numerous fitting and powerful songs fill the air. One such song is “Against The Wind” by Bob Seger, whose lyrics resonate with the scene: “Running Against the Wind, We were running, defying the wind, We were youthful and robust, we were running against the wind.”

California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas

“California Dreamin'” by The Mamas and the Papas represents a classic 1960s folk rock tune. In Forrest Gump, this song surfaces as Forrest describes his frequent letter-writing to Jenny while he was in Vietnam. At that moment, Jenny resides in California, hence, Forrest’s longing for California, unbeknownst to him, is a dream.

Joy to the World – Three Dog Night

1. Forthwith, Forrest Gump journeys across various continents due to his exceptional ping-pong skills. In time, he finds himself in China, spreading happiness much like the Three Dog Night song suggests we all should. This is quite a shift from the usual tunes in the sequence, which seem to be predominantly by The Doors, for some enigmatic reason.

Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) – The Byrds

1965’s “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds, a renowned hippie anthem from the late ’60s, perfectly encapsulates the mood as Jenny leaves Washington for California with her wayward companion. This poignant scene is a difficult moment for Forrest, who watches her wave goodbye from the bus, unable to persuade her to return to Greenbow with him.

For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield

It would be difficult not to include Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” a song strongly associated with the Vietnam era, in a movie set during Gump’s time in the jungles of Vietnam, as it is one of the most well-known songs from the ’60s and serves as an anti-war anthem.

Hound Dog – Elvis Presley

One of the sillier scenes in Forrest Gump comes near the beginning when a young man from Mississippi is staying at the Gump’s boarding house. Of course, the man is Elvis Presley, though we never see his face – and his voice was actually done by Kurt Russell. He even learns to shake his hips by watching Forrest. Later, Forrest and his mother spot Elvis on TV performing “Hound Dog” on national TV.

Get Down Tonight – KC and the Sunshine Band

In the movie “Forrest Gump,” Jenny experiences tough times during the 1970s. She goes through some very difficult periods, but before her life takes a turn for the worse, she’s spotted heading down a path of partying at a nightclub as KC and the Sunshine Band play “Get Down Tonight.” During this time, she indulges in drinking, perhaps more than is wise.

Mrs. Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel

As a devotee, I can’t help but notice that whenever Forrest Gump encounters a President, it feels like there’s a fantastic tune playing in the background. When he crosses paths with Lyndon Johnson, the melodious strums of “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel fill the air. This song, of course, is synonymous with one of the most iconic films from the ’60s – The Graduate.

Get Together – The Youngbloods

The song “Get Together” by The Youngbloods asks people to unite for the benefit of all. Similarly, Forest’s actions reflect a desire for unity, even if he might not consciously recognize it himself.

All Along The Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix

Bob Dylan originally wrote “All Along The Watchtower,” but Jimi Hendrix’s rendition is widely recognized as the iconic version. This song can be heard during the Vietnam War segment in Forrest Gump, as it became a significant anthem of that period and the war in Southeast Asia.

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac’s album “Rumours,” one of the top-selling albums ever made, encapsulates the spirit of the 1970s like no other. As Forrest runs, the hit single “Go Your Own Way” from this record echoes, symbolizing how he and his fellow runners each pursue their own paths. Despite the song’s theme of a relationship’s demise, it fittingly captures the essence of the moment.

San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) – Scott McKenzie

1967 summer in San Francisco, famously referred to as the “Summer of Love,” inspired some music industry pioneers to capitalize on this cultural phenomenon with a tune like “San Francisco (Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie. However, it’s more likely that ordinary individuals came up with the song, which appears as a rather corny pop anthem aiming to be hip. In the film, it seems to fit well… albeit somewhat questionably so.

Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival

In many war movies set during the Vietnam War, it’s commonly depicted as if Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” was extensively used in those films. However, upon closer examination, it appears that the song is not as frequently featured as we might believe. This popular association mainly stems from a single scene in the movie Forrest Gump, where Forrest and Bubba arrive in Vietnam by helicopter – one of the rare instances where “Fortunate Son” actually appeared in a Vietnam War film.

Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – The 5th Dimension

In the late ’60s, the musical “Hair” was a significant cultural event. A rendition of one of its songs titled “Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine” by The 5th Dimension gained immense popularity and became a chart-topper. Although it seems slightly out of context when played during a ping-pong scene in “Forrest Gump”, it was fitting for the era portrayed in the film.

Everybody’s Talkin’ – Harry Nilsson

1. During the late ’60s, Lt. Dan faced tough times following his leg amputation in war. In one instance, when he met Forrest again in New York City, “Everybody’s Talkin'” by Harry Nilsson was playing while they navigated his wheelchair through a tumultuous scene. The song seemed oddly fitting for the chaotic atmosphere, yet it harmoniously complemented the situation.

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) – Four Tops

As Forrest and Bubba make their entrance in Vietnam, a selection of popular mid-60s tunes fill the air. It appears these songs were frequently played on Vietnamese radio stations. One such song, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops, remains a timeless Motown hit even today.

It Keeps You Runnin’ – The Doobie Brothers

Indeed, as Forrest traverses the country, it was only natural for the filmmakers to incorporate The Doobie Brothers’ timeless hit “It Keeps You Runnin’.” This song, sung by the talented Michael McDonald, beautifully captures the essence of the late ’70s and perfectly complements that scene in the movie.

Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man) – Randy Newman

Initially, Forrest and Lt. Dan face challenges when attempting to become shrimp boat captains. Fittingly, the song “Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man)” by Randy Newman is played as they struggle hard to catch shrimp.

Running On Empty – Jackson Brown

In the running sequences throughout the film, the producers deliberately packed in many songs related to running that were popular in the late ’70s. It was essential to include Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty,” but it would have been more effective if it had played towards the end of the scene instead of at the start.

Hello I Love You – The Doors

Although we acknowledge that The Doors were indeed one of the most prominent bands during the late ’60s, it’s striking how frequently their songs appear on the soundtrack for Forrest Gump. There seems to be a significant focus on The Doors’ music in the film, with multiple tracks such as “Hello I Love You” being used, notably when Forrest jumps into a tunnel while serving in Vietnam under Lt. Dan’s command.

Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix

In this film, the sequence where “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix plays out is quite intense because Jenny gets attacked by her shady partner, leading Forrest, who has deep feelings for her, to act violently in an attempt to defend her. This incident highlights how his unreturned affection ultimately overpowers him.

Let’s Work Together – Canned Heat

One particularly turbulent scene in the film unfolds when Forrest revisits Lt. Dan’s grimy New York apartment on New Year’s Eve. The song “Let’s Work Together” by Canned Heat intensifies the atmosphere, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed along with the audience as we desperately want to escape this situation.

Jesus On The Mainline – Alan Silvestri & Donny Gerrard

Although we didn’t include the entire score on this list, it seemed fitting to add one song composed by Alan Silvestri: “Jesus On The Mainline.” This is a traditional gospel tune that Silvestri rearranged for the poignant scene where Forrest encounters Bubba’s family for the first time. The song is powerfully performed by Donny Gerrard.

Freebird – Lynyrd Skynyrd

One particularly tense moment in the film occurs when Jenny, overwhelmed by the wild parties of the late ’70s and everything else, finds herself on a building’s ledge while wearing high heels. This nerve-wracking situation, teetering on the brink of disaster, is made even more intense by the powerful guitar solo from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird” playing in the background.

People Are Strange – The Doors

As a devoted fan, I must say, the filmmakers didn’t shy away from incorporating The Doors’ tunes in the soundtrack, whether it worked perfectly or not. Yet, one thing is certain, they did include “People Are Strange,” undoubtedly one of their finest tracks. And Forrest Gump, oh he’s strange alright, but his uniqueness is precisely what makes us adore him.

To add, an interesting observation about the film is that the memorable moments featuring Forrest on the bench are devoid of music, a decision by the directors that effectively enhances the scene’s impact.

2024-08-31 20:09