[1] Coppola hired Italian composer Nino Rota to create the underscore for the film, including the main theme, "Speak Softly, Love".

[7] Rota also based the piece Main Theme (The Godfather Waltz) off the opening melody of Jean Sibelius' Symphony No.

[10] The album contains over 31 minutes of music coming from the film, with most being composed by Rota, along with a song from Coppola and one by Johnny Farrow and Marty Symes.

The United Press International's William D. Laffler wrote that the "Main Title" was a "haunting piece of music which generates nostalgic longing for things past and a foreboding underlying theme.

[17] William J. Knittle Jr. of the Daily News–Post felt Rota's titular theme was why The Godfather was "close to being the perfect American film.

"[18] He felt the music was "meaningful and involving," while the use of cello and cornet solos demonstrated the isolation and insulation of the Corleone family.

[18] The Journal and Courier's Bernard Drew felt Rota's musical pieces were haunting and "bridged gaps and served as a reminder of how things were.

"[21] He felt the "Main Title" was the best track on the album because: "It is at once chilling and plaintive and nostalgic, but it also evokes the humanity of The Godfather, gives the image of a man instead of a ruthless monster, which is a brilliant composition.

[21] Detroit Free Press's Bob Talbert described Rota's score as "right on the money" and "[captured] the feel of the '40s and the power of Marlon Brando.