The score is built around several distinct melodies that represent different facets of the Corleone story:
: The song has been covered by numerous artists, most notably Andy Williams . It also exists in various languages, including Italian ( "Parla Più Piano" ), French ( "Parle Plus Bas" ), and Sicilian ( "Brucia La Terra" ). The Godfather Theme Song
: Rota’s theme mirrors classical Italian opera, specifically elements from Gaetano Donizetti's Don Pasquale and Giuseppe Verdi's La Forza del Destino . The Oscar Controversy The score is built around several distinct melodies
: Perhaps the most famous piece, this romantic yet somber melody is used to underscore the film's more sentimental and personal moments. The Oscar Controversy : Perhaps the most famous
: A forlorn solo trumpet motif that opens the film over a black screen. It sets a portentous tone that blossoms into a fuller orchestral waltz, symbolizing the family's formal and tradition-bound nature.
: A darker, more menacing motif that follows Michael Corleone’s transformation from a war hero to a cold-blooded Don. "Speak Softly, Love" (The Love Theme)
Originally an instrumental piece, "Speak Softly, Love" became a massive popular hit after English lyrics were added by Larry Kusik.