The latest Spider-Man film has sparked unprecedented interest in a two-decade-old track by TV on the Radio. The track “Wolf Like Me,” which originally appeared on the band’s 2006 album Return to Cookie Mountain, was prominently featured in Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s opening sequence. The song accompanies scenes of the superhero navigating New York City’s rooftops and streets.
Streaming numbers for the song have surged dramatically since the film’s July 31 release. Data from music analytics firm Luminate shows that listening figures jumped over 800 percent within a month, climbing from approximately 32,300 streams to around 269,500 streams. The elevated interest has remained consistent, with the track continuing to attract substantial listener engagement weeks after the film’s debut.
Band frontman Tunde Adebimpe expressed surprise and delight at the development, describing the experience as surreal. The vocalist, who identifies as a devoted comics enthusiast and former comic book artist, particularly appreciated seeing his work integrated into an adaptation that pays homage to Spider-Man’s original comic book origins. Music industry professionals note that such placements can revitalize older songs by introducing them to contemporary audiences while simultaneously enriching the cinematic experience.
The timing arrives as TV on the Radio prepares to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Return to Cookie Mountain next year, with plans for various celebratory events and performances scheduled throughout 2026 and the remainder of 2025.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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