Home / Arts and Entertainment / Spider-Man Movie Boosts 20-Year-Old Hit
Spider-Man Movie Boosts 20-Year-Old Hit
21 Aug
Summary
- Song streams surged 834% after its feature in Spider-Man.
- Singer Tunde Adebimpe is a lifelong comic book enthusiast.
- The band plans 20th-anniversary celebrations for the album.
TV on the Radio's 2006 hit "Wolf Like Me" has seen a remarkable resurgence, with streams jumping 834% following its prominent feature in the new Spider-Man film. The song, from the album "Return to Cookie Mountain," was unexpectedly placed in the opening montage, much to the surprise and delight of lead singer Tunde Adebimpe.
Adebimpe, a self-described "humongous comics nerd," described the experience as surreal. He noted that his friends began flooding his phone with messages upon realizing the song's inclusion. The film's director, Jon Watts, had previously directed the music video for "Wolf Like Me" in 2008, adding another layer to the full-circle moment.
The 20th anniversary of "Return to Cookie Mountain" is approaching in 2026, and Adebimpe confirmed that TV on the Radio plans various celebrations. The band is also scheduled for an October gig with The Strokes and Beach House and aims for more performances in New York before the year's end.
"Wolf Like Me"'s lyrics, written by Adebimpe, explore the theme of embracing one's true self. The song's title is a nod to John Howard Griffin's 1961 book, "Black Like Me." The renewed interest has also introduced the song to a new, younger audience, with parents discovering the music alongside their teenage children.
