Watch Michael Stipe & Andrew Watt Bring ‘Rooster’ Theme Song ‘I Played The Fool’ To ‘Kimmel’

Michael Stipe and Andrew Watt served as the musical guests on Tuesday’s installment of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The R.E.M. frontman and the in-demand producer, songwriter and musician offered their first live performance of “I Played The Fool,” the theme song from the HBO comedy series Rooster.

Stipe and Watt, who co-wrote the song, were joined by a band that included Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers) on keys, Chris Chaney (AC/DC, Jane’s Addiction) on bass and Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens Of The Stone Age) on guitar. The studio version of “I Played The Fool” features Klinghoffer on piano and guitar and Travis Barker on drums.

Rooster stars actor Steve Carell and was created by Bill Lawrence (Shrinking, Scrubs) and Matt Tarses. “Recently I’ve watched Andrew join some of the most accomplished artists from my era (The Stones, Pearl Jam, etc, etc) and make music that somehow feels nostalgic and simultaneously of the moment. The fact that he was able to partner with one of my favorite songwriter/singers of all time, Michael Stipe, turned this into a career highlight for me. And it’s flat out a great song,” Lawrence said when “I Played The Fool” was released in March.

“Michael Stipe is a hero of mine,” Watt explained. “A chance to write a song with him was that of a dream…He is one of the true great songwriters of this lifetime and he did what only he could do on this song. He sets Rooster off to the moon by making you laugh and cry at the same time with the best clapping tv theme song since Friends.”

“I’m thrilled to lend my voice to Rooster – as a giant fan of everyone involved, it’s a real honor to be included with ‘I Played The Fool,’” added Michael Stipe.

Stipe continues his return to the spotlight 15 years after R.E.M. disbanded. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer debuted a new song and discussed his pending debut solo album on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in April. He also performed at a special event celebrating Democracy Now!'s 30th Anniversary and sang R.E.M. songs with Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy in March.

Watch Michael Stipe and Andrew Watt perform “I Played The Fool” on Jimmy Kimmel Live below: