Overview
- Michael Stipe and producer-musician Andrew Watt performed the new song “I Played the Fool” on Jimmy Kimmel Live, with Watt on guitar and Stipe on lead vocals in the late-night slot.
- “I Played the Fool” was written specifically for HBO’s Rooster and serves as the series’ main-title theme and a Season 1 soundtrack entry.
- Creators Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses say Watt sent an early demo that moved them to tears and led them to recruit Stipe for the song.
- The recorded track features Josh Klinghoffer on piano and guitar and Travis Barker on drums, though Barker did not join the Kimmel band and Chad Smith played in his place for that live debut.
- The collaboration highlights Watt’s recent high-profile production work, gives Stipe his first new release in three years, and could raise public interest in his long-awaited solo album even though no release date has been announced.