Every song in Forrest Gump

The Forest Gump Soundtrack features iconic songs from a wide variety of music artists, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Creedence Clearwater Revival. The movie tells about the life of the title character, a warm-hearted man from Alabama, who takes a tour of 20th century American history. Throughout his travels, he fights in the Vietnam War, meets a handful of American presidents, invests in Apple on Earth, and uncovers the Watergate scandal. on the way Forest Gump Uses needle drops on his soundtrack to reflect the changing times.

Some songs on the Forest Gump Soundtracks are used to establish the period setting, such as Jimi Hendrix and Buffalo Springfield underscoring scenes from the Vietnam War, while others are more integral to the plot, such as when Elvis sings one of his biggest hits to show off the dance moves he learned from Forrest. . The soundtrack of Forest Gump was a key reason why the film became so acclaimed, and was used as an essential narrative device to capture the many decades that the story of Forrest Gump spanned‘s unbelievable life covers.

The Forrest Gump Soundtrack Complete Tracklist

Forrest Gump contains almost 50 hits from several decades.

To connect with the decades that pass by in his epic story, Forest Gump Has one of the most jam-packed and diverse soundtracks in movie history. Six songs play alone during his running montage. Here’s every song on it Forest Gump Soundtrack, in order:

When exactly every song plays in Forrest Gump

The songs in the Forrest Gump soundtrack underpin dozens of memorable moments

“Lovesick Blues” By Hank Williams – This song can be heard over the radio in the scene where young Forrest gets his leg brace stuck in a sewer grate.

“dog dog” by elvis presley – Forest Gump Depicts Elvis Presley performing the song on TV after young Forrest inspires the King’s signature dance moves. First, though, Elvis plays a bit of the song in his scene with the boy while staying at the boarding house. It is one of the songs in Forest Gump Which has a direct impact on the plot, as Forrest continues to meet Elvis and then see him perform the song as an essential moment of his childhood.

“Rebel Roser” By Duane Eddy – This instrumental song can be heard on the Forest Gump Soundtrack as the title character is chased by a group of bullies in a truck. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the scene, capturing the initial fear and subsequent emotional triumph that Forrest feels as he outruns them.

“(I don’t know why) but I do” By Clarence “Frogman” Henry – This song plays in Forest Gump When an enraged Forrest defeats Jenny’s abusive boyfriend Wesley on the college campus. The title is important because it explains Forrest’s feelings for Jenny which, due to his below-average intelligence, he cannot fully understand.

“go right in” By The Rooftop Singers – This song is playing when Jenny sneaks into her college dorm. Like “(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do”, the title is symbolic of what is happening on screen at the time it plays in Forest Gump.

“Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs – This song also plays in the scene where Forrest is in Jenny’s college dorm, specifically when the camera reveals her roommate.

“hanky panky” by Tommy James and the Shondells – This song is playing when Forrest enters the strip club where Jenny is performing. This is an appropriate song for Forrest’s experience, as he is clearly uncomfortable with nakedness at this point in his life.

“Blowin’ in the Wind” By Robin Wright – Jenny plays a version of this Bob Dylan song when she performs naked at a strip club. Actress Robin Wright sings her own vocals in the scene, but the Forest Gump Soundtrack album features Joan Baez’s rendition.

“Land of 1000 Dances” By Wilson Pickett – This song plays as Forrest and Jenny are leaving the strip club. The title is a clear reference to the environment, just like “Hanky ​​​​Panky”, although this time more alluding to the strip club world that Forrest accompanies Jenny.

“Lucky Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival – This politically charged rock ‘n’ roll classic, often used to punctuate scenes from the Vietnam War, is playing as Forrest is flying into Vietnam by helicopter. It is one of several songs in the Forest Gump A soundtrack that perfectly captures the era and historical event being portrayed, as it is a sound that many consider synonymous with the conflict.

“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” Through the four taps – this song can be heard on the Forest Gump Soundtrack as Forrest and Bubba arrive at their camp in Vietnam. Besides the sound and the song being appropriate for the era, the title is perfect for the moment, because many soldiers in the Vietnam War were conscripted and had no choice about fighting in the conflict.

“respect” By Aretha Franklin – This song plays when Forrest and Bubba are introduced to Lieutenant Dan for the first time, reflecting the respect they have for their commanding officer.

“Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” by Bob Dylan – This folk song also plays while Lieutenant Dan shows Forrest and Bubba around.

“Sloop John B” By The Beach Boys – This song kicks off at the end of Forrest, Bubba and Lieutenant Dan’s first interaction, with the lyrics reflecting the situation: “Let me go home/Why don’t they let me go home? This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on.” The title may not fit what is happening, but the words of the song in the Forest Gump Soundtrack definitely do.

“Along the Watchtower” Via The Jimi Hendrix Experience – This psychedelic cover of the Bob Dylan classic plays after the welcome speech at the Vietnam base and is one of the best uses of a Jimi Hendrix song in a movie. It is another song that many consider culturally synonymous with the Vietnam War, and thus an excellent choice for this scene in the Forest Gump soundtrack.

“Soul Kitchen” Through the Doors – This classic Doors song can be heard on the Forest Gump Soundtrack over the montage of Forrest traveling through the jungles of Vietnam as the rain starts to pour. The Doors’ music has been associated with the Vietnam War since Francis Ford Coppola used “The End” over the opening scene of Apocalypse now.

“California Dreaming” By The Mamas & The Papas – This song is playing when Forrest is writing a letter to Jenny while in the pouring rain in Vietnam. This is perfectly suited to Forrest’s mood at the moment, as his mind is firmly set on life back in the United States.

“For what it’s worth” by Buffalo Springfield – This song plays on the Forest Gump Soundtrack to the end of the Vietnam sequence when the rain stops and the battle begins. The title fits the moment in a particularly chilling way, as the Vietnam War is often criticized because most American citizens aren’t entirely sure what the U.S. is up to. it. was involved in the conflict.

“What the world needs now is love” By Jackie DeShannon – This song can be heard when Forrest is introduced to ping pong. This represents a pivotal moment in Forrest’s life and his place in the world, as he is on the cusp of learning a skill he will eventually use to improve diplomatic relations between China and the US.

“Hello, I love you” Through the Doors – This Doors song can be heard as Forrest is taught how to play ping pong.

“People are funny” Through the doors – the doors’ music continues Forest Gump Soundtrack as the song plays while Forrest practices ping pong and gets better and better as time goes on. “People are funny” is incredibly apt for Forrest Gump, As he often finds the behavior of others strange.

“break through (to the other side)” by The Doors – Another Doors song plays as Forrest becomes a ping pong prodigy. This is yet another incredibly apt song in the soundtrack for Forrest Gump, How he breaks his own way to the other side, how it is through ping pong that he becomes a national celebrity (at least, for the first time).

“Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel – the use of a Simon & Garfunkel song – originally written for another movie’s soundtrack, The graduate — You can hear Forrest being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

“volunteer” by Jefferson Airplane – This song plays when Forrest accidentally finds himself giving a war protest speech in Washington, DC. It’s from the album of the same name, which caused controversy at the time for being filled with anti-war lyrics, making it perfect for the moment in Forest Gump.

“Hey Joe” via The Jimi Hendrix Experience – This song plays when Forrest apologizes for himself in “A fight in the middle of your Black Panther Party.” This is humorous due to the abuse Forrest witnesses Jenny receive at the hands of her boyfriend, as the lyrics detail a man fleeing to Mexico after finding out his wife was unfaithful and shooting her.

“Where have all the flowers gone” By Peter, Paul & Mary – This song plays on the Forest Gump Soundtrack when Forrest and Jenny go together after the incident in the Black Panther event. It is incredibly symbolic of not Forrest’s mood at the time, but Jenny’s, how spending time with Forrest reminds her of better times and makes her reflect on the direction of her life.

“Let’s Get Together” by the Youngbloods – This song plays over the montage of Jenny in California. This is another tune in the Forest Gump The soundtrack whose title is suitable for this moment, because when Jenny and Forrest unite, it is clear where the story will eventually head (and the likely result viewers want, especially after seeing Jenny and how vulnerable she is at this point in time).

“San Francisco (be sure to wear flowers in your hair)” By Scott McKenzie – This song can be heard before Jenny boards the bus to Berkeley. It’s considered a song that epitomizes the hippie movement, and thus incredibly well suited for Jenny at this point. Forest Gump.

“Three! Turn! Turn! (To everything there is a time)” By the Birds – This song plays as Jenny gets on the bus to Berkeley and waves to Forrest as it drives away. This is a song that speaks to Forrest’s uncertainty, and his desperation to say goodbye to Jenny again – and also predicts that Jenny and Forrest will have their time together, but now is not the right moment.

“Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In” Through the 5th Dimension – This song is playing when Forrest’s brilliant ping pong skills distract people from the moon landing. This is appropriate for the moment, because Forrest manages to bring levity and light to the worlds of viewers who understand that the moon landing – although an important milestone – is also only one aspect of the incredibly terrifying reality of the Cold War.

“joy to the world” by Three Dog Night – This song plays on the Forest Gump Soundtrack when Forrest is competing in a ping pong tournament in China. The appropriateness here is obvious, because bringing joy to the world is exactly what Forrest does by being so unbelievably good at ping pong.

“Everybody’s Talking” by Harry Nilsson – This classic song plays as Forrest and Lieutenant Dan wander through the streets of New York City in a nod to a famous scene from Midnight Cowboy.

“Standing Love” By the Supreme – The Supreme beat plays when Forrest and Lieutenant Dan are drinking in a bar. This is a song that was originally written as a call for peace and an end to conflict, and is incredibly fitting for Lieutenant Dan Growing to forgive Forrest and accept him as an important part of his life through their shared trauma in Vietnam.

“love you madly” Through the Doors – Another Doors song plays when Jenny leaves another abusive man. It is one of several songs in the Forest Gump Soundtrack with lyrics about dysfunctional relationships used incredibly well to highlight her turbulent romantic life before settling down with Forrest.

“Let’s work together” By Canned Heat – This song kicks in when Lieutenant Dan angrily kicks the women out of his hotel room after one of them calls Forrest “Stupid.” The title is a clear reference to the partnership Lieutenant Dan found in Forrest.

“Raindrops keep falling on my head” by BJ Thomas – The Song of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Plays when Forrest meets President Richard Nixon for his ping pong achievements and Nixon invites him to stay at the Watergate Hotel on the eve of the scandal. The title is a fun nod to the incredible number of historical events that Forrest finds himself in close proximity to.

“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around the Ole Oak Tree” By Don – This song plays as Nixon resigns from office and Forrest is discharged from the armed forces. The lyrics are about a man leaving prison after a long sentence, and in the context of Forrest Gump, This is a clear metaphor for Forrest’s time in the army.

“Jesus on the Main Line” by Alan Silvestri – This song, which is featured on the Forest Gump Original score album rather than the soundtrack, was written by the movie’s composer, Alan Silvestri, with vocals sung by Danny Gerard. It can be heard when Forrest visits Bubba’s family and grave.

“Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band – This song plays on the Forest Gump Soundtrack when Jenny is partying while Forrest thinks about her on his shrimping boat.

“free bird” By Lynyrd Skynyrd – This classic Lynyrd Skynyrd track plays when Jenny is on the balcony, about to jump. “Free Bird” has been used in so many movies that it’s become something of a meme, with the joke being that it fits almost every scene—and this moment in Forest Gump is no exception.

“Mr. President (Have mercy on the working man)” By Randy Newman – This song is playing when Forrest and Lieutenant Dan search the ocean for shrimp without success. This is another Forest Gump Soundtrack entry with an appropriate title for the scene, as Forrest and Lieutenant Dan have many hardships when they first start life as working men in their shrimping boat.

“plant my feet on higher ground” – The gospel song is sung by the choir of the church that Forrest donates money to.

“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd – This song plays when Forrest is dancing with Jenny. The importance and appropriateness is relatively clear, as being from Alabama is one of the things Forrest is most proud of, and he talks about his affinity for his home state several times throughout the movie.

“running on idle” by Jackson Browne – This is the first song that plays in the running montage as Forrest runs from one side of America to another. Although Forrest has an incredible amount of energy and is far from “empty” in the physical sense, he is emotionally, which is both what started his running season in the first place and why this son is so appropriate for the Forest Gump soundtrack.

“It keeps you running” By The Doobie Brothers – This is the second song that plays in the running montage, as Jenny watches the impromptu marathon on TV. Like some songs in the Forest Gump soundtrack, the title alone makes it clear why the song is incredibly appropriate for the scene in which it appears.

“I have to use my imagination” by Gladys Knight & The Pips – This is the third song playing on the Forest Gump Soundtrack during the running montage. The song and its title speak to Forrest’s emotional state at the time, as he cannot see a fulfilling life ahead of him.

“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac – This is the fourth song in the running montage as other people join Forrest on his cross-country journey. There is a hint of irony in this song selection, as Forrest’s followers do not go their own way, but follow his.

“On the Road Again (Live)” By Willie Nelson – A live recording of this track is the fifth song in the running montage. Like many of the songs in this incredibly memorable sequence, its relevance is clear as the movie descends into numerous shots of Forrest and his gaggle of supporters running endlessly across the many roads of the US.

“against the wind” by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – This is the sixth and final song in the Forest Gump Running montage when Forrest finally decides to go home.

Where to stream the Forrest Gump soundtrack

The Forrest Gump soundtrack can be found online in multiple locations

The Forest Gump Soundtrack is one of the best selections of songs to accompany a movie. It is no surprise that many fans of the movie are also interested in where to listen to it, because it contains dozens of hits from several decades. The Forest Gump Soundtrack is available to listen to on a variety of platforms, including Spotify And Apple MusicAnd can also be purchased on Amazon.

The importance of music in Forrest Gump

The music helps tell Forrest’s decades-spanning story

With a movie like Forest Gump Spanning several decades and telling a story about key moments in American history, the right soundtrack is essential for helping place the audience in that specific time. Robert Zemeckis has sometimes been criticized for being too “on the nose” with the musical choices in his movies. however, In the case of Forest GumpIt seems like he is aiming for songs that people associate with certain eras.

Although there are a lot of audiences watching Forest Gump And wouldn’t have any frame of reference for what the Vietnam War or the “hippie” period in America was like, they know the music of those eras. Including Bob Dylan or Creedence Clearwater Revival can put the audience in the right headspace for that part of the story, regardless of whether they realize it or not. It avoids the movie to constantly remind the audience when each particular scene is taken and works as a shorthand.

The journey through the music of American history is also a subtle way of highlighting Forrest’s journey. Although some of his earliest memories as a child are influencing Elvis Presley himself, Forrest does not take much notice of music. Much like the impressive and historic moments that are constantly happening around him, Forrest is oblivious to the changing culture of music through the years. It adds to the charm of the character as if the music of each era is trying its hardest to get through to him and affect him, but Forrest is happy in his own world.