Discover why the Rooster theme song made the creators cry: the unlikely story of Michael Stipe, Andrew Watt, and the 80s-inspired track that defines the HBO series.
Watching HBO’s Rooster, starring Steve Carell, is a compelling experience: it delivers that nostalgic warmth of the sitcoms we grew up with, but evolved enough to become a high-level narrative with a gripping plot and deeply defined character psychology.
Seeing Greg Russo’s comedic clumsiness as he “swoops” (as he says in the series) into his daughter’s life—trying to save her during a moment of personal and professional crisis—offers precise character insights. Yet, the way characters interact and events unfold retains the lightheartedness of the classic comedies that defined our adolescence.
And as you reflect on these themes, a familiar voice emerges through the opening titles, proving that your intuition is more than just a subjective feeling: the Rooster theme song is performed by Michael Stipe, the iconic voice of R.E.M., one of the definitive bands of the 80s and 90s. The story of how this collaboration came to life reveals the true spirit the creators intended for the series. It is a profoundly moving tale—one that left co-creator Matt Tarses in tears.
Today, we explore why ‘I Played the Fool,’ the Rooster theme song co-written by Michael Stipe, serves as the ultimate key to unlocking the authentic soul of the series.
Rooster: funny characters in a complex frame
The dual nature of Rooster is evident from the very first episode. The way characters interact, the sharp dialogue, and the absurd situations that surface when least expected all suggest a classic sitcom designed for pure laughter. At the center of it all is Greg Russo, played by Steve Carell, whose peculiar clumsiness makes him seem as though he is constantly being pulled in whatever direction others choose for him.
Yet, underneath the comedy, every character possesses a unique psychological robustness. Greg is a successful author who struggle to own the charisma others see in him—a trait inherited from the protagonist of his novels. His daughter, Katie, mirrors these insecurities, viewing herself as a failure following the collapse of her marriage to Archie. Archie himself is a labyrinth of endless complexes: the husband who leaves his wife for a student of questionable charm, gets her pregnant, and yet still claims to love his ex-wife. Even the college president, Walter Mann, is a character worth deconstructing, with his peculiar interests that seem to perpetually distract him from the people right in front of him.
Rooster’s creators are Bill Lawrence (the mind behind Scrubs and co-creator of Ted Lasso and Shrinking) and Matt Tarses (who collaborated with Lawrence during the first four seasons of Scrubs). Their stylistic signature is unmistakable. In developing the series for HBO, they had a specific atmosphere in mind—one that, almost by chance, coincided perfectly with the song that ultimately became the opening theme.
‘I Played The Fool’: The Story of the Rooster Theme song
Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses shared the story of how the Rooster theme song was born in a press release by WaterTower Music, the in-house label for WarnerMedia. Tarses revealed that their original plan was always to use 80s music, specifically to recreate the atmosphere of their college years. Both Tarses and Lawrence are massive R.E.M. fans—much like anyone who listened to music in that era. “No band was more important to me then than R.E.M.,” Tarses declared ahead of the series premiere.
However, neither could have imagined securing an original composition by Michael Stipe as the Rooster theme song.
The production was entrusted to Andrew Watt, the triple-Grammy-winning producer who has worked with icons like Lady Gaga, The Rolling Stones, Miley Cyrus, and many more. At one point, Watt made a bold suggestion: “Maybe I can convince Michael Stipe to write a new song for the series.” Lawrence and Tarses laughed it off: “Good luck with that,” they replied. They couldn’t conceive that the hero of their youth would break his hiatus to write an unreleased track just for them.
A few months later, Watt sent them the demo. Matt Tarses admitted he began to cry upon hearing it. Michael Stipe had written his first song after three years of silence (his last release being ‘Give Me a Hand’ for the EarthPercent compilation in 2023), tailored specifically as the Rooster theme song and perfectly stitched into the show’s spirit. Titled “I Played The Fool,” the track feels like a poetic autopsy of Greg Russo’s character.
“When I listened to it on my phone, I cried. I really did,” Tarses stated. “Saying we are excited to have this great song and this iconic voice on our main title is a huge understatement.” Everyone was thrilled. For Watt, it is “the best clapping TV theme song since Friends,” while Lawrence called it “a career highlight for me. And it’s flat out a great song.”
The lyrics of the Rooster theme song mirror Greg Russo’s predicament: a man caught in a whirlwind of events, forced to “play it cool” but failing miserably. The lines we hear during the opening titles sound like a cry for help from Steve Carell’s character, a desperate hope that someone might pull him out of his mess:
Oh, I
Oh, I
I played the foolLaugh at me
I′m trying, trying
Falling sometimes
Sometimes flying
Cry me an ocean
Of one liners
Cruel, cruel, cruel
To complete the sonic identity of ‘I Played the Fool,’ the lineup was expanded to include Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Their presence turns the track into a unique collaborative masterpiece—the result of four exceptional artists joining forces. The full lyrics to the song are available on Genius.
It’s easy to understand why Matt Tarses was moved listening to ‘I Played The Fool’ for the first time, imagining it as the future Rooster theme song. Michael Stipe possesses a unique ability to craft melodies that tap into our deepest vulnerabilities. Hearing his voice launch into this introspective lament on a man’s inadequacy awakens the same sensations we felt when first hearing classics like Everybody Hurts or Losing My Religion.
With this theme, Stipe hasn’t just provided a song: he has provided the emotional key to the entire series.
