1983 Hit Song Is Climbing the Charts Again Thanks to HBO Max's New Comedy
The '80s are alive and well thanks to the killer, nostalgia-heavy soundtrack of HBO Max's new hit comedy Rooster. While the Steve Carellstarrer takes place in the modern day, the soundtrack incorporates some of the best hits of the 1980s, creating an emotional connection with Gen Xers while introducing iconic '80s tunes to an entirely new generation of TV viewers.
The Soundtrack Behind Rooster Season 1
The Season 1 Rooster soundtrack plays a major role in setting the tone of the show and features some of the best of the 1980s, including "Age of Consent" by New Order, "Only You" by Yaz, and "Kiss Off" by Violent Femmes.
The Season 1 soundtrack of Rooster also features Fun Boy Three's iconic 1983 cover of The Go-Go's' "Our Lips Are Sealed." With newfound attention on the track, "Our Lips Are Sealed" is climbing the music charts once again.
The Story Behind "Our Lips Are Sealed"
The Fun Boy Three version of "Our Lips Are Sealed" was originally released in 1983 and offers a more stripped-down, reggae-influenced take on the Go-Go's frothy pop version. The Fun Boy Three version didn't achieve the same level of commercial success on U.S. charts as The Go-Go's original version released in 1981, but it climbed the charts in the UK and Ireland and is considered one of the most iconic cover songs of the '80s.
Why Rooster Is Connecting With Audiences
If you haven't yet started streaming Rooster and you're a fan of Ted Lasso, Shrinking, or Bad Monkey, this show is for you. A character-driven comedy that follows a flawed but charismatic writer-played by Carell-navigating his own relationships as he attempts to right the wrongs of his life. The show, created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses of Scrubs fame, blends razor-sharp humor with emotionally driven storytelling, often focusing on themes of reinvention, identity, and the messy realities of getting older.
The Power of an '80s Soundtrack
The '80s-heavy Rooster soundtrack is a defining element of the show and serves it both stylistically and emotionally. Tracks like "Our Lips Are Sealed" carry a mix of nostalgia, moodiness, and introspection, which mirror the themes of Carell's attempts at reinvention.
The retro soundtrack also connects audiences across generations, from those who remember the songs firsthand (raises hand) to those discovering them for the very first time.
The combination of nostalgia and emotional connection turns the Rooster Season 1 soundtrack from background music into a full-on character in the show.
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This story was originally published April 3, 2026 at 7:22 AM.