Michael Stipe, the charismatic frontman of ’80s and ’90s rock darlings R.E.M., is making a comeback. Stipe sings the theme song to one of HBO Max’s most searing new comedies, joining fellow icons like Kate Bush,David Byrne, and Trent Reznor, who are reintroducing themselves to new audiences through TV, film, and stage productions. Stipe has largely focused on visual art and political advocacy since R.E.M. disbanded in 2011, but now he’s reaching an entirely new audience through the power of television.
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Bill Lawrence still can't believe his future son-in-law Andrew Watt and the legendary Michael Stipe collab'd on the theme song for Rooster. #billlawrence #rem #michaelsipe #andrewwatt
Fans of HBO Max’s new hit comedy Rooster, starring The Office alum Steve Carell, were quick to notice Stipe’s emotionally haunting voice on the show’s theme song, “I Played the Fool.” The track, performed by Stipe and Andrew Watt (show creator Bill Lawrence's future son-in-law), captures the show’s nostalgic themes—albeit with a modern edge. In Rooster, Carell’s Greg Russo returns to college—not as a student, but as a teacher—at a point in his life when he’s forced to confront past mistakes while trying to reshape his future.
What the Rooster Theme Song Reveals About the Show’s Tone
The show’s soundtrack is heavily rooted in the ’80s, featuring songs by INXS, Violent Femmes, and New Order, as well as Fun Boy Three’s chart-topping cover of Our Lips Are Sealed, originally by The Go-Go’s. It reflects what would have been the height of Carell’s character’s college years, while also incorporating modern acts like Cage the Elephant, CHVRCHES, and Florence + The Machine. With this blend of past and present, Stipe finds himself back in the spotlight—and even brushing the music charts—once again.
The Rooster theme song marks a rare and high-profile vocal release from Stipe, whose instantly recognizable voice sets the tone for the show’s moody, introspective themes.
Stipe has remained largely out of the spotlight since R.E.M. officially called it quits in 2011. One of the most iconic voices of the late ’80s and early ’90s, he became known for his haunting delivery, poetic lyricism, and enigmatic persona.
Related: 1983 Hit Song Is Climbing the Charts Again Thanks to HBO Max's New Comedy
Why ’80s Music Is Having a Major Comeback Right Now
@paulporowskiR.E.M frontman Michael Stipe out at the HBO max Rooster event #rem #music
♬ Losing My Religion - R.E.M.The soundtrack’s heavy lean into ’80s music is part of a broader trend of artists from the era making a comeback. Kate Bush returned to the top of the charts after her 1985 hit "Running Up That Hill" was featured in Stranger Things. Meanwhile, Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor—who helped define the ’90s rock sound—has become a two-time Academy Award winner for scoring films like The Social Network and Soul, both collaborations with Atticus Ross.
Stipe’s contribution isn’t just a musical footnote—it’s part of a larger cultural moment, one that introduces some of the most influential voices of the ’80s and ’90s to new audiences through television and film, while bringing Gen X listeners back to the music that defined their youth.
Like the music of the ’80s, Michael Stipe is back. Though, judging by the popularity of the Rooster soundtrack, he never really left—he just chose the right moment to let his legendary voice be heard again.
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