Watch Michael Stipe and Andrew Watt Play “Rooster” Theme Song “I Played the Fool” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

The duo’s band was rounded out by Chad Smith, Josh Klinghoffer, Chris Chaney, and Troy Van Leeuwen.

Watch Michael Stipe and Andrew Watt Play Rooster Theme Song “I Played the Fool” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The duo’s band was rounded out by Chad Smith, Josh Klinghoffer, Chris Chaney, and Troy Van Leeuwen.

Words: Will Schube

June 03, 2026

Last night, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and GRAMMY-winning producer Andrew Watt stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a performance of “I Played the Fool,” the theme song from HBO’s Rooster. Written by Stipe and Watt, the studio recording features Travis Barker on drums and former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer on guitar and piano. Their performance on JKL!, meanwhile, featured Stipe, Watt, and Klinghoffer alongside RHCP’s Chad Smith, former Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, and Queens of the Stone Age’s Troy Van Leeuwen.

Check out the performance below, and stream the Rooster soundtrack here.