Days after he made a surprise appearance during an R.E.M. tribute show led by actor Michael Shannon and musician Jason Narducy in Brooklyn, N.Y., the band’s former frontman Michael Stipe has new solo music available. The artist teamed with Pearl Jam/Lady Gaga producer Andrew Watt for “I Played the Fool,” which serves as the theme song to the brand new Steve Carrell-starring HBO series Rooster.
“I Played the Fool” was co-written by Stipe and Watt and features the latter’s regular studio backing band of Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Pearl Jam touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Sample the track below.
Says Stipe, “I’m thrilled to lend my voice to Rooster — as a giant fan of everyone involved, it’s a real honor to be included with ‘I Played The Fool.’” Adds Watt, “Michael Stipe is a hero of mine. A chance to write a song with him was that of a dream. He is one of the true great songwriters of this lifetime, and he did what only he could do on this song. He sets Rooster off to the moon by making you laugh and cry at the same time with the best clapping TV theme song since Friends.”
In Rooster, Carrell plays a college professor who doubles as an author of paperbacks best read aimlessly on a beach. The series was co-created by Bill Lawrence, whose model/musician daughter Charlotte is engaged to Watt.
For Stipe, “I Played the Fool” is a rare taste of solo music since R.E.M.’s 2011 breakup, although he’s been working on his debut LP for years.
