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People Can’t Stop Listening to TV on the Radio Thanks to ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
Streams of TV on the Radio's 2006 track "Wolf Like Me" have surged since it featured prominently in the opening montage of *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*, which was released on 31 July. Singer Tunde Adebimpe said he was unaware how the song would be used when the band approved it, and was pleasantly surprised to find it soundtracking a scene of Spider-Man traversing the band's home city of New York. The moment feels especially fitting for Adebimpe, a self-described comics obsessive, given the film's homage to the character's earliest comic-book appearances.
Streams of the song rose 834% within a month of the film's release, climbing from around 32,300 on 15 July to about 269,500 by 5 August, according to Luminate, and remained high at roughly 217,500 on 19 August. A music industry executive noted that a strong film-song pairing can revive interest in older tracks for new audiences. The renewed attention coincides with the 20th anniversary of the album *Return to Cookie Mountain*, which TV on the Radio plan to mark next year, while the band has upcoming shows including an October gig alongside the Strokes and Beach House.
In short
- "Wolf Like Me" streams jumped 834% after Spider-Man film use
- Song from TV on the Radio's 2006 album featured in film's opening scene
- Coincides with album's 20th anniversary and upcoming band tour dates
Explained simply
TV on the Radio are an American rock band formed in Brooklyn, New York. Their song “Wolf Like Me” appeared on their 2006 album Return to Cookie Mountain, which helped establish the band beyond its local music scene.
Spider-Man is a comic-book character whose stories often connect him with New York, where he lives and fights crime. The character has been adapted into films as well as comics, and songs used in those films can introduce older music to people who have not heard it before.
The film’s use of the track has brought renewed attention as the band approaches the album’s 20th anniversary. TV on the Radio are also continuing to perform live, including at upcoming shows with other established acts.
Entertainment Film Music Spider-Man: Brand New Day TV