What makes a truly great superhero film? Brilliant action scenes, of course, some well-written jokes, and great chemistry between the actors and characters. But the music plays a huge part. This is where the excellent Spider-Man: Brand New Day gets everything perfect.
That starts with the first song one hears in the film, which is "Wolf Like Me" by the massively underrated TV on the Radio. When the single was released in 2006, the track got some notice, but not quite enough. Even an elite live performance on Late Night with David Letterman got a bunch of positive response initially, but the song is timeless and worthy of long-term appreciation.
The song sets the tone for the new Spider-Man immediately. The track propels relentlessly forward with vocals that recall Michael Stipe's on REM's "Texarkana," which is kindred spirits with the TVOTR tune; only the Athens, Georgia, band adds an element of country vibe, while the Brooklyn, New York, band's song in Spider-Man is full-on rock.
TV on the Radio provides the perfect start to Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Those watching the film know from "Wolf Like Me" that even at nearly two and a half hours, the movie is going to take them on an adrenaline rush and won't feel overly long. All the parts mesh with each other, and the story is tight. Likewise, "Wolf Like Me" is a band in perfect cohesion, moving together as one at breakneck speed.
The only real drawback about TV on the Radio is that the group hasn't produced a new album since 2014's Seeds. The band has toured as recently as 2025 and is still fantastic live. Fans probably just hope for a new record at some point.
Few bands have taken the essence of New York rock from the opening of the 21st century and molded it into their own unique sound. TVOTR is a rock band, sure, but they include elements of arthouse, 1970s R&B, and classic rock.
Music icons appreciate their work, too. TV on the Radio has recorded with David Bowie and performed on stage with Trent Reznor. Brilliance knows brilliance, and with TVOTR, we just want more of it. If any potential new music sounds a bit like the driving and great "Wolf Like Me," then so be it.
All the songs featured in Spider-Man: Brand New Day:
- “Wolf Like Me” by TV On the Radio
- “Dame Tu Amistad” by Dominique Patrick Noel and Hector Luis Pagan, Eduardo Padua and Eddie Montalvo
- “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan
- “Theme From Spider-Man” by Bob Harris and Paul Francis Webster
- “Monopoly” by Monetochka
- “Loser” by Tame Impala
- “Fire For You” by Cannons
- "EoO” by Bad Bunny
- “St. Elmo’s Fire” by Brian Eno
- “Party in the U.S.A.” by Jessica Comish, Lukasz Gottwald & Claude Kelly
- “Oh yeah?” by Steve Lacy
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