Michael Stipe has returned with new music for Rooster, HBO’s new comedy series starring Steve Carell as Greg Russo.
The song, I Played the Fool, was created with producer Andrew Watt after an unusual introduction from Elton John. Stipe has known John for more than 35 years, but John had never shared Stipe’s private number with another artist. That changed when Watt wanted to reach him about writing a song for the show.
The series, created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, originally looked to use classic college rock from the 1980s. Instead, Watt helped deliver a new track from one of the era’s most recognizable voices.
Tarses has said R.E.M. was deeply connected to his college years, which made Stipe’s involvement especially meaningful. Lawrence also had a strong reaction when he first heard the demo on his phone.
The song features Stipe and Watt, with Travis Barker on drums and Josh Klinghoffer on guitar and piano. Watt described it as the best clapping TV theme song since Friends.