Mafia 3 Ending Song: Full Soundtrack & Credits Music
Find out what plays during the Mafia 3 ending, the full credits song list, and every licensed track in the game's 1968 soundtrack.
You finish the last sit-down, watch Lincoln Clay's story close out, and then a song kicks in that you can't quite place. That moment is exactly why so many players search for the Mafia 3 ending song after the credits roll. The licensed soundtrack is one of the most praised parts of the game, and the track that plays over the finale is a big reason why. This guide breaks down the ending music, the full credits sequence, and the complete song list so you can identify every track by name and artist.
Related Mafia III guides you may find useful:
- Mafia III Missions List — All Story & Optional Chapters
- Mafia 3 Main Quests: Full Story Mission List
- Mafia 3 Rackets Map: All 18 Rackets & Bosses
What Is the Mafia 3 Ending Song?
The Mafia 3 ending song is "Paint It, Black" by The Rolling Stones. It plays during the closing sequence that wraps up Lincoln Clay's revenge story, and it's one of the most recognizable tracks in the entire game.
The choice isn't random. "Paint It, Black" is a dark, brooding 1966 single about grief, loss, and wanting the world to match your mood. That tone lines up almost perfectly with Lincoln's arc — a man who loses his surrogate family and spends the whole game burning down the people responsible. Using it at the end ties the whole revenge fantasy together.
A few things worth knowing about the track:
- Artist: The Rolling Stones
- Original release: 1966 single (later on Aftermath and Singles 1965–1967)
- Length in-game: roughly 3:44 for the full version
- Why it fits: the lyrics and the sitar-driven melody both carry a heavy, mournful weight
If you're trying to find it on a streaming service, search for the "Original Single Mono Version" — that's the mix most closely associated with the game's era and the one that appears on community soundtrack playlists.
The Full Mafia 3 Credits Soundtrack
The credits aren't just one song. Mafia 3 leans hard into its 1968 Louisiana setting, so the closing sequence and credits pull from a deep well of late-'60s rock, soul, and R&B. The Rolling Stones show up repeatedly because their catalog fits the period so well.
Here's how the Stones tracks break down across the game and credits:
| Song | Artist | Approx. Length | Where It Appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint It, Black | The Rolling Stones | 3:44 | Ending / credits |
| Sympathy for the Devil | The Rolling Stones | 6:17 | In-game radio, credits rotation |
| Mother's Little Helper | The Rolling Stones | 2:44 | In-game radio |
| Street Fighting Man | The Rolling Stones | 3:14 | In-game radio |
Sam Cooke is the other artist who defines the game's emotional core. His soul catalog plays constantly on the in-game radio stations and carries a lot of the quieter, more reflective moments.
| Song | Artist | Approx. Length |
|---|---|---|
| Chain Gang | Sam Cooke | 2:40 |
| Wonderful World | Sam Cooke | 2:05 |
| Bring It On Home to Me | Sam Cooke | 2:42 |
| Another Saturday Night | Sam Cooke | 2:39 |
| I'm Gonna Forget About You | Sam Cooke | 2:27 |
Together those two artists — the Stones and Sam Cooke — form the backbone of the game's musical identity. If you remember one sound from Mafia 3, it's probably one of theirs.
Every Licensed Song in the Mafia 3 Soundtrack
Beyond the credits, Mafia 3's soundtrack is a sprawling collection of period-appropriate music. Community-compiled playlists on Spotify (like the popular "Mafia 3 Soundtrack – all songs" list) pull together around 27 tracks, though the actual in-game radio rotation is larger and includes DJ chatter, fake commercials, and station bumpers.
Here's a representative slice of the licensed tracks players most often ask about:
| Song | Artist | Era / Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| 96 Tears | ? & The Mysterians | Garage rock |
| Proud Mary | Creedence Clearwater Revival | Southern rock |
| Go Go Shoes | Lonnie Youngblood | Soul / funk |
| Take Me For What I Am | L.C. Cooke | Deep soul |
| I Let a Good Thing Go By | Dewey Edwards | Northern soul |
| Hang Ten | Funk Society | Surf / retro rock |
| Up and Down World | The California Honeydrops | Retro soul (modern band, vintage style) |
| Chan Chu Toad | Creed Bratton | Psychedelic folk |
A quick note on accuracy: some community playlists mix in modern tracks that sound period-correct but weren't in the original game. The California Honeydrops and Creed Bratton entries, for example, are modern recordings styled to fit the '60s. If you're building a "pure" in-game playlist, cross-check against the radio station you remember hearing the song on.
Why Mafia 3's Music Matters So Much
The soundtrack isn't just background noise — it's a storytelling tool. Here's why it lands so hard:
- Setting accuracy. The game takes place in 1968, and the music is drawn almost entirely from that decade. Hearing "Paint It, Black" or a Sam Cooke ballad instantly places you in that world.
- Emotional contrast. Lincoln's violence is brutal, but the music underneath is often warm, soulful, and nostalgic. That tension makes the darker scenes hit harder.
- Radio as world-building. The in-game radio stations include fictional DJs, news bulletins, and ads that react to your actions in the story. The music is woven into that living-world design.
For players who grew up with this era of music — or discovered it through the game — the soundtrack is often the thing they remember most. It's the reason "mafia 3 ending song" stays a popular search years after release.
How to Listen to the Mafia 3 Ending Song Today
If you want to hear "Paint It, Black" in the context of the game's finale, you have a few options:
- Replay the final mission. The ending sequence is replayable if you keep a save before the last story mission.
- Stream it. The Rolling Stones' catalog is available on major streaming platforms. Look for the mono single version for the closest match.
- Community playlists. Spotify and YouTube both host fan-made Mafia 3 soundtrack playlists. Search "Mafia 3 full soundtrack" and compare track lists.
- Physical or digital purchase. The Stones' Singles 1965–1967 collection includes the version most associated with the game.
One caveat: the game does not ship with a standalone official soundtrack album the way some titles do. There's no "Mafia III: Original Soundtrack" release containing the licensed songs, which is why community playlists are the go-to resource. The score (the instrumental music composed for the game) is a separate thing from the licensed tracks.
Licensed Songs vs. Original Score
It's easy to confuse the two, so here's the split:
| Category | What It Is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed songs | Real '60s recordings used on the radio and in credits | "Paint It, Black," "Chain Gang" |
| Original score | Instrumental music composed for the game | Ambient cues, mission stings, cutscene themes |
The ending song everyone asks about is a licensed track, not part of the original score. That distinction matters if you're searching for it — you'll find it on the artist's album, not on a game-composer release.
Tips for Identifying a Track You Heard
If you caught a song during the credits or on the radio and can't name it, try this:
- Shazam it during a replay. The in-game radio plays full tracks, so a phone app can usually ID them.
- Check the radio station. Each station has a themed playlist. Knowing which station was playing narrows the list fast.
- Search lyric fragments. Type a few remembered words plus "Mafia 3" — fan forums have cataloged nearly every track.
- Cross-reference the era. If it sounds like 1966–1968 soul or rock, it's almost certainly a licensed period track.
Community reports suggest the radio station you're tuned to heavily influences which songs you hear, so the same track won't always play at the same story beat. That's part of why identifying a specific song can be tricky.
Final Thoughts on the Mafia 3 Ending Song
The Mafia 3 ending song — "Paint It, Black" by The Rolling Stones — is the perfect closer for a story about loss, revenge, and a man who can't quite let go of the past. Paired with the broader Sam Cooke and Stones-heavy soundtrack, it turns the game's finale into something that sticks with you long after the credits finish.
Whether you're hunting down the exact track, building a full playlist, or just trying to remember that one song from the radio, the game's music is worth the deep dive. It's one of the rare soundtracks that makes the setting feel alive rather than decorative.
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