Rooster Season 1 Soundtrack: Every Song in Steve Carell’s HBO Comedy Series

HBO’s Rooster Season 1 soundtrack stands out as one of the most thoughtfully curated musical lineups in recent television, and it complements the emotional rhythm of Steve Carell’s latest HBO comedy in a way that feels deliberate rather than decorative. The series, created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, follows Greg Russo, played by Carell, a successful author who steps into unfamiliar territory when his daughter Katie’s personal life begins to unravel. 

The show carries humor, but it does not shy away from discomfort, and that balance is where the soundtrack earns its place. Each track feels chosen with intent, supporting moments that require subtlety rather than exaggeration.

Rooster Season 1 will span 10 episodes in total, and since a few are still on the way, this list covers what has aired so far. As new episodes drop, we will keep updating the soundtrack guide so nothing slips through the cracks.

Every Song On HBO’s Rooster Soundtrack

Rooster soundtrack opens with a strong statement through its theme song, I Played The Fool, created by Michael Stipe along with Andrew Watt, Josh Klinghoffer, and Travis Barker. The track carries weight because it marks Stipe’s first new release in three years, and it sets the tone for the series from the very beginning.

“I’m thrilled to lend my voice to Rooster – as a giant fan of everyone involved, it’s a real honour to be included with ‘I Played The Fool’,” Stipe said (via NME), and that sentiment comes through in the song itself. Matt Tarses shared his reaction as well, saying:

Beyond the theme, the series builds its identity episode by episode through carefully selected tracks:

Episode 1 Songs

• New Order – Age Of Consent
• Soft Focus – Firing Line
• Fun Boy Three – Our Lips Are Sealed
• John Moran – Make It With Me
• Yaz – Only You
• Violent Femmes – Kiss Off
• Wayne Murray – Baby You Are A Star

Episode 2 Songs

• Magazine – You Never Knew Me
• INXS – Beautiful Girl

Episode 3 Songs

• Television – Prove It
• T. Rex – Ride A White Swan
• Andy Chase – Quite Like You
• Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline

Episode 4 Songs

• Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
• Miguel Enriquez y Sus Torrenciales – Thin Man Skank
• Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
• R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts

Episode 5 Songs

• 50 Cent – P.I.M.P.
• Erasure – A Little Respect
• The Verve – Lucky Man

Each track lands where it needs to, and it supports the tone of the scene instead of pulling attention away from it.

How Many Episodes Are In Rooster Season 1

Charly Clvie and Phil Dunster in the show | Credit: HBO

Rooster Season 1 consists of 10 episodes, and each one builds on Greg Russo’s journey as he adjusts to life at Ludlow College. The early episodes focus on Greg’s arrival and his attempts to help Katie as her marriage begins to fall apart. As the season progresses, the narrative expands to include his role as a teacher, Katie’s struggles, and the shifting dynamics between characters. The episode lineup so far includes:

• Episode 1: Release the Brown Fat
• Episode 2: Trousers
• Episode 3: White Whale
• Episode 4: Angry, Like an Angry Person
• Episode 5: Mr. Razzles
• Episode 6: Cop Hawk
• Episode 7: 
• Episode 8: 
• Episode 9: 
• Episode 10: 

Did any particular song stay with you after an episode ended, or did the music work so smoothly that you only noticed its impact later? Drop your thoughts below and follow FandomWire for more updates and detailed breakdowns!

Rooster Season 1 is now streaming on HBO.