The Departed

Use of music

Martin Scorsese has always used music effectively in his films.

In “The Departed” he uses mostly rock music.

(He also made several rock music documentaries, The Last Waltz (1978), No Direction Home (2005), Shine a Light (2008), and George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011). )

I counted 13 Rock songs in “The Departed.” Some songs are in the background of scenes, others are more prominent.

(These is also a classical song and a latin song).

Be forewarned, some violence.

Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones

This is a top 5 Stones song, that plays over the opening scene.

Scorsese uses this in two other of his films. “Goodfellas” and “Casino”

I believe this is the only Stones song that features a female vocalist with Jagger.

(The only other time I recall Jagger sang with a woman was backup on Carly Simon’s “You’re so Vain”. Which some thought, with some justification, was about Jagger.)

“I'm Shipping Up To Boston” by Dropkick Murphys

This song emphasizes the scene where an undercover cop is sent to prison in order to make his criminal record look more legitimate when he eventually went undercover.

"Thief's Theme" by Nas

Not really rock, but Hip Hop, plays on the radio in the background.

"One Way Out" by The Allman Brothers

Background of bar room fight.

"Nobody But Me" by The Human Beinz

Upbeat song in a dark scene.

"Let It Loose" by The Rolling Stones

Plays softly in the background in a violent scene.

“Sweet Dreams (of You)” Patsy Cline

This song is used three times in the movie. Twice by Patsy Cline, then an instrumental by Roy Buchanan.

The first appearance of the song came in the scene where Costello and French discussed loyalty at Frank's apartment, and the second came during the restaurant scene where Frank confronted the clergy members.

Dreams are a theme throughout the movie.

“Well Well Well” - John Lennon

You hear this song underneath the scene at Frank's apartment in which he discussed Lennon's artistic abilities with Costigan.

"Sail On, Sailor" by The Beach Boys

"Baby Blue" by Badfinger

Won’t ruin the surprise in this scene.

"Comfortably Numb (feat. Van Morrison & The Band)" by Roger Waters

"Tweedle Dee" by LaVerne Baker

“Sweet Dreams” Roy Buchanan

Final scene of the movie. Note the rat on the window sill.