"Woke up this morning" is a song by English band Alabama 3, which became popular worldwide after being used as the theme song for the HBO TV series "The Sopranos". The show's opening credits featured the iconic song, which played as the camera followed Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) on his drive from New York City to his home in New Jersey.

The theme song was a perfect fit for the show, which chronicled the life of a New Jersey mob boss and his family. The lyrics of the song, which are about feeling trapped and powerless, reflect the themes of the show.

Alabama 3, the band behind the song, was formed in 1995 in Brixton, London. The band's name is a reference to the Alabama 2, a group of African-American activists who fought for civil rights in the 1960s. Alabama 3's music is a blend of electronic dance music, blues, and country, which they call "acid country".

The band's lead singer, Rob Spragg, who went by the stage name Larry Love, wrote "Woke up this morning" with bandmate Piers Marsh. The song was originally released on the band's 1997 album "Exile on Coldharbour Lane". However, it wasn't until it was used as the theme song for "The Sopranos" that it became a hit.

The opening credits of "The Sopranos" are famous for their use of "Woke up this morning". The song's distinctive beat, which features a repetitive guitar riff and a driving drum beat, sets the tone for the show. The lyrics, which are sung in a gravelly voice by Larry Love, describe a feeling of helplessness and desperation:

"Woke up this morning, got yourself a gun

Mama always said you'd be the chosen one

One in a million, you're a shooting star

But you don't know what you are"

The lyrics suggest that the protagonist of the show, Tony Soprano, is a man who is trapped by his circumstances. He was born into a life of crime, and despite his attempts to go straight, he can't escape his past. The use of "got yourself a gun" in the lyrics is a nod to the show's violent themes.

The song's use of gospel-style backing vocals, which repeat the phrase "hallelujah" throughout the song, gives it a spiritual quality. This is fitting for a show that explores the moral ambiguity of its characters.

"Woke up this morning" was not the first choice for the theme song of "The Sopranos". Show creator David Chase initially wanted to use "My Way" by Frank Sinatra, but the rights to the song were too expensive. He then considered using "It Was a Very Good Year" by Sinatra, but ultimately decided on "Woke up this morning" after hearing it on a British TV show.

The song's use in "The Sopranos" made it a hit in the United States. It reached number 25 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Alabama 3's popularity grew as a result of the success of "Woke up this morning". The band went on to release several more albums, including "La Peste" and "Outlaw". They also continued to incorporate elements of electronic dance music, blues, and country into their music.

In addition to its use in "The Sopranos", "Woke up this morning" has been featured in several other TV shows and movies. It was used in the trailer for the film "RocknRolla" and in an episode of the TV show "The Walking Dead". The song has also been covered by several other artists, including Bruce Springsteen and Nick Cave.

"Woke up this morning" by Alabama 3 is a song that has become synonymous with the TV series "The Sopranos". Its use in the show's opening credits set the tone for the series and helped to establish the band's popularity in the United States. The song's lyrics, which describe a sense of powerlessness and desperation, are fitting for a show that explores the moral ambiguity of its characters. "Woke up this morning" is a timeless classic that will forever be associated with one of the greatest TV shows of all time.