Forrest Gump Soundtrack: Forrest Gump is an American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth, which was released in the year 1994. It is based on Winston Groom’s 1986 novel of the same name and stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field.
The film follows Forrest Gump (Hanks), a kind-hearted, good-natured man from Alabama, through several decades of his life in the 20th-century United States. The film differs from the novel in several significant ways.
Quick Facts
| Title | Forrest Gump: The Soundtrack |
| Film Release Date | July 6, 1994 (US) |
| Soundtrack Release Date | June 28, 1994 |
| Director | Robert Zemeckis |
| Writer | Eric Roth (based on the novel by Winston Groom) |
| Score Composer | Alan Silvestri |
| Label | Paramount / Epic Soundtrax |
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Sally Field |
| Where to Watch | Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV+ |
Forrest Gump Soundtrack
The film chronicles the life of the title character, a kind-hearted man from Alabama who travels through 20th-century American history.
Throughout his journey, he fights in the Vietnam War, meets a few US presidents, tips off an investment in an early “fruit company” (Apple), and unwittingly exposes the Watergate scandal. Forrest Gump uses needle drops throughout its soundtrack to reflect the changing times.
Some of the songs on the Forrest Gump soundtrack are used to establish the setting of the period, pinpointing the exact year or era of a given scene without requiring on-screen text. Music producer Joel Sill said the goal was “very recognizable material that would pinpoint time periods, yet we didn’t want to interfere with what was happening cinematically.” Director Robert Zemeckis also insisted that all the music be by American artists, reasoning that Forrest himself “wouldn’t buy anything but American.”
Other needle drops are more playful than literal, including a scene where Elvis Presley performs one of his biggest hits after picking up dance moves from young Forrest.
Forrest Gump Soundtrack List
Disc one:
- “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley – 2:16
- “Rebel Rouser” by Duane Eddy – 2:21
- “(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do” by Clarence “Frogman” Henry – 2:18
- “Walk Right In” by the Rooftop Singers – 2:33
- “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett – 2:25
- “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Joan Baez – 2:49
- “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival – 2:18
- “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by the Four Tops – 2:43
- “Respect” by Aretha Franklin – 2:27
- “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” by Bob Dylan – 4:35
- “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys – 2:56
- “California Dreamin'” by the Mamas & the Papas – 2:39
- “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield – 2:38
- “What the World Needs Now Is Love” by Jackie DeShannon – 3:13
- “Break on Through (To the Other Side)” by the Doors – 2:28
- “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel – 3:51
Disc two:
- “Volunteers” by Jefferson Airplane – 2:04
- “Get Together” by The Youngbloods – 4:37
- “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie – 2:58
- “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” by the Byrds – 3:54
- “Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by the 5th Dimension – 4:48
- “Everybody’s Talkin'” by Harry Nilsson – 2:44
- “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night – 3:16
- “Stoned Love” by the Supremes – 2:59
- “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” by B. J. Thomas – 3:00
- “Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man)” by Randy Newman – 2:46
- “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd – 4:43
- “Running On Empty” by Jackson Browne – 4:56 (bonus track, 2001 Collector’s Edition CD)
- “It Keeps You Runnin'” by the Doobie Brothers – 4:13
- “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination” by Gladys Knight & the Pips – 3:30
- “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac – 3:39 (bonus track, 2001 Collector’s Edition CD)
- “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson – 2:29
- “Against the Wind” by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band – 5:33
- “Forrest Gump Suite” by Alan Silvestri – 8:48
Additional Music Heard in the Film
These songs are heard in Forrest Gump but were not included on the official two-disc soundtrack album:
- “Lovesick Blues” – Hank Williams
- “Sugar Shack” – Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs
- “Hanky Panky” – Tommy James and the Shondells
- “All Along the Watchtower” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- “Soul Kitchen” – The Doors
- “Hello, I Love You” – The Doors
- “People Are Strange” – The Doors
- “Hey Joe” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” – Pete Seeger
- “Love Her Madly” – The Doors
- “Let’s Work Together” – Canned Heat
- “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” – Tony Orlando & Dawn
- “Get Down Tonight” – KC & the Sunshine Band
- “Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Where to Stream the Forrest Gump Soundtrack
The soundtrack album can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud. The film itself is available to stream on Paramount+ and Peacock, and it can be rented or purchased on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Forrest Gump?
Forrest Gump was directed by Robert Zemeckis. The screenplay was written by Eric Roth, adapted from Winston Groom’s 1986 novel.
Who plays Jenny and Bubba in Forrest Gump?
Robin Wright plays Jenny Curran, Forrest’s lifelong love, and Mykelti Williamson plays Bubba Blue, Forrest’s Army friend who dreams of a shrimping business.
Who composed the Forrest Gump score?
Alan Silvestri composed the film’s original score, released separately as “Forrest Gump – Original Motion Picture Score” on the same day as the song-based soundtrack album, June 28, 1994.
When was the Forrest Gump soundtrack released?
“Forrest Gump: The Soundtrack” was released on June 28, 1994 by Paramount and Epic Soundtrax, about a week before the film’s July 6, 1994 US theatrical release. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified 12x Platinum by the RIAA.
Are all the songs from Forrest Gump on the official soundtrack album?
No. Several songs heard in the film, including “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Hey Joe” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and multiple tracks by The Doors, were left off the official two-disc soundtrack album.
Related reading: Browse more movie soundtracks, or see our guides to Prime Video and Apple TV+ for where to watch titles like this one.