David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, has revealed the one big regret he has about the show – and it’s all to do with the pilot episode and a small choice made in one scene
Fans of the popular series The Sopranos were taken aback when they discovered that the show’s creator, David Chase, has a significant “regret” about the first episode.
The HBO series is renowned for its exceptional writing and performances, earning numerous accolades and Emmy Awards throughout its seven-season run.
However, Chase, who also penned the prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark, hinted that he would alter one aspect of the show’s pilot episode if given the opportunity. In the director’s commentary for the series, Chase admitted that a minor decision made for a scene in the opening chase still irks him.
A video of Chase discussing the show was shared on X, with one user captioning it: “The one song David Chase regrets using in The Sopranos.”
Chase even apologized for using the song, although another crew member disagreed with the negative sentiment surrounding it. Chase stated: “I do want to go on the record and say this is the one musical choice I regret. I just don’t like it. I think it’s silly, and I’m sorry.”
The song at the center of the controversy, I Wonder Why by Dion and The Belmonts, has also been singled out by fans as one of the show’s weaker moments.
A Reddit thread discussing the song suggested it was all part of getting the pilot approved, lending a “Goodfellas vibe” to the series. One viewer speculated: “A lot of people don’t like I Wonder Why in that scene, but I think it’s just misunderstood. They were clearly going for the Goodfellas vibe to get the pilot picked up, after which they could relax a bit and do it how they wanted to. I still love the Pilot though.”
Chase continues to express his disapproval of the song, a sentiment echoed by other fans who agreed with his evaluation.
One viewer commented: “I enjoyed it, but he was right to regret it. The “schism” between the music and the content is so damn overdone now. Can think of a dozen examples in a blink.”
Another added: “It’s trying too hard to be associated with Goodfellas and other mob epics that’s the truth still a good scene tho.” However, some argue that the song selection remains one of their favorite aspects of the pilot.
One viewer shared: “I loved it. I kinda felt like it was a setup to the world we were about to enter, cause of how previous mob movies were like. ‘Yeah, it’s that kind of movie/show…but with a modern twist’.”
Another concurred, adding: “What! ? The way it times up with the chase, dropping his coffee, Chris getting hit. Then the cut back to Melfi’s office.. It’s perfect. Sets up how he’d incorporate music the entire series imo.”
