TV on the Radio’s “Wolf Like Me” Finds New Life in *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*

The 2006 track “Wolf Like Me,” recorded by indie rock group TV on the Radio for their album *Return to Cookie Mountain*, is featured in the opening montage of the superhero film *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*. The placement has driven a dramatic surge in streaming activity for the song.

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*Return to Cookie Mountain* was the band’s second full-length album, released in 2006. Its lyrics explore themes of authentic self-expression and personal empowerment, drawing a loose spiritual reference to John Howard Griffin’s 1961 book *Black Like Me*. In 2026 the album will mark its 20th anniversary, and the band has indicated plans to commemorate the milestone with various events. The inclusion of “Wolf Like Me” in the new Spider-Man film arrives as the group prepares for a series of live performances, including an October concert alongside the Strokes and Beach House.

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• July 15 (occurred) – Streaming of “Wolf Like Me” recorded at roughly 32,300 plays.

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• July 31 (occurred) – *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* opens in theaters; the song’s exposure begins.

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• Early August – Streams climb to about 269,500, an increase of roughly 834 percent from mid-July.

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• Mid-August – Weekly streams settle near 217,500.

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• October (scheduled) – TV on the Radio slated to perform with the Strokes and Beach House, primarily in New York.

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• 2026 (future) – Planned 20th-anniversary activities for *Return to Cookie Mountain*.

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• Streaming volume rose from approximately 32,300 on July 15 to about 269,500 by early August, representing an 834 percent increase in less than a month.

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• By mid-August, weekly streams stabilized around 217,500.

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• The song’s resurgence has been tracked by music-data firm Luminate.

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Chris Lakey, senior vice-president of Global Creative Synch at Kobalt Music, explained that the synchronization of “Wolf Like Me” with the film illustrates how a well-matched song can lend new weight to a cinematic scene while the film provides fresh cultural context for the track.

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Tunde Adebimpe, TV on the Radio’s vocalist, described the experience of learning his song was used in the movie as initially confusing, followed by surprise when he recognized the track in the opening montage. He noted that the exposure has led to younger listeners—often the children of his friends—discovering the band, which he described as a “good boost.” Adebimpe also linked the song’s message to contemporary concerns, stating that actions against fascism are especially necessary at this time.

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The placement demonstrates the power of film-music syncs to revive older recordings and introduce them to new demographics. The streaming spike indicates that a major motion-picture soundtrack can generate measurable commercial benefits for legacy artists, while also enriching the film’s narrative with a song that aligns thematically with ideas of personal authenticity.

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TV on the Radio plans to capitalize on the renewed interest with live shows later in the year, beginning with the October concert alongside the Strokes and Beach House. The band also anticipates broader anniversary programming for *Return to Cookie Mountain* in 2026, though specific formats have not yet been disclosed.

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