A Hit Is a Hit

Synopsis

Paulie, Christopher, and Pussy rob and kill a Colombian drug dealer, obtaining a large sum of cash that Tony calls a once-in-a-lifetime score. Christopher and Adriana meet Massive Genius, a wealthy gangster rapper, and Christopher arranges a sit-down with Hesh Rabkin. Massive claims he represents the mother of a deceased black singer whose royalties Hesh stole, demanding $400,000. Hesh refuses and threatens a counterclaim over unauthorized sampling of a song owned by his label.

Massive says he will see Hesh in court. Adriana proposes becoming a music producer with Massive's help, and Christopher finances a demo for the band Visiting Day, whose singer is Adriana's ex-boyfriend. The recording progresses slowly, and Christopher smashes the singer's guitar over his back. Hesh tells Christopher the band is not good, and Christopher realizes Massive is helping only due to his sexual interest in Adriana.

Carmela worries about her family's future if something happens to Tony, but he reassures her. Tony accepts an invitation from his neighbor Dr. Bruce Cusamano to play golf at a country club, where the men pester him with questions about organized crime. Tony later tells Dr. Melfi he felt used like a dancing bear. In revenge, Tony persuades Dr. Cusamano to keep a package of sand, pretending it contains something sinister.

Title reference

The title refers to Hesh Rabkin telling Christopher that he knows a hit song when he hears one, saying "a hit is a hit" and that Visiting Day's song is not a hit. The title also carries a double meaning, as "hit" is slang for a mafia-ordered murder; the episode opens with a hit on a Colombian drug dealer, and Bruce Cusamano refers to mobster Carmine Galante's assassination as a "fuckin' beautiful hit."

Other cultural references

Massive references The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and The Godfather Part III, the latter he labels as "misunderstood. While golfing, the men ask Tony if he met John Gotti; Tony tells a made-up story about Gotti's fondness for a certain ice cream truck. They mention Umberto's Clam House and ask if Tony has been to Mount Plymouth, Florida, where Al Capone played golf. Bruce later says the golf club's membership books are closed, paralleling mafia membership practices.

At a dinner party, Bruce refers to the scene in Casino where Joe Pesci's character puts Tony Dogs's head in a vise. Christopher complains that Massive Genius lives in The Hamptons, visited by Alec Baldwin and Whitney Houston. Christopher names Frankie Valli, Dion, and The Rascals as great Italian singers. Adriana turns up Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" as "paisan pride.

Christopher says he discussed the demo with Hesh and Silvio, who used to own rock clubs in Asbury. Hesh refers to Jimi Hendrix and the Cafe Wha?. Chris and Adriana go to see Rent on Broadway.

Music

The song played when Tony, Christopher, and Paulie celebrate their score at a hotel is "A Dreamer's Holiday" by Ray Anthony. "DJ Keep Playin' (Get Your Music On)" by Yvette Michele plays at Massive Genius' party. Adriana plays "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi while discussing music tastes. "Decara a la pared" from Lhasa De Sela's album "La Llorona" plays during their dinner. "Erase Myself" by the fictional band Visiting Day is heard at the club, during recording, and when played for Massive and Hesh. "Fools Follow Angels" by Little Jimmy Willis plays as Hesh looks over mementos. "Why" by Annie Lennox plays when Adriana models a dress. Hesh hears "Nobody Loves Me But You" by Dori Hartley and says "that's a hit." The songs performed by Visiting Day/Defiler were created by Gregg Wattenberg and Nick Fowler; "Defile You" plays over the end credits.