Two new versions of Tom Petty classics—Eddie Vedder’s “Room at the Top” and Larkin Poe’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream”—are now available to stream. Listen and share HERE. The covers, which premiered earlier this week on SiriusXM’s Tom Petty Radio, are featured on the official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ comedy series, Bad Monkey, which uniquely consists of music from Petty’s extensive catalog. The soundtrack is set for release on October 4 via WaterTower Music, with support from The Petty Estate.
“As huge Tom Petty fans, we were honored to be asked to contribute our own version of a Heartbreakers classic, ‘Runnin’ Down A Dream,’ to the Bad Monkey soundtrack,” says Larkin Poe. “The lyrics of ‘Runnin’ Down A Dream’ have spoken to the hearts of generations, ours included. We’ve been chasing our own dreams for the last decade and a half, and it feels good to belt this song loud!”
“Not only have I been a huge Tom Petty fan forever (every episode of Cougar Town was named after a song), but he is also quintessentially Florida,” says executive producer of the series Bill Lawrence. “Having contemporary bands cover his music is not only a thrill for me, but it adds to the feeling that Florida itself is a character.”
“Bill, Matt, and I discussed creating around 10 Tom Petty covers to use throughout the season. In the end, we scored twenty-one brand new, unreleased covers,” adds Music Supervisor Tony Von Pervieux. “Each artist was hand-picked to complement the vibe of the show, but they were also favorites of mine that I could hear covering these well-placed Tom Petty songs that we featured throughout the ten episodes. Getting the opportunity to A&R each song and build a soundtrack with all of them is a DREAM.”
WaterTower Music head Jason Linn shares, “Tom Petty is one of the greatest musicians and songwriters of our generation, with a career-spanning catalog that remains as timeless and apt today as it did years ago. We are honored to again partner with Bill Lawrence on Bad Monkey and to share a corner of that catalog at WaterTower Music with the help of this exceptional roster of artists.”
Based on Carl Hiaasen’s New York Times bestselling novel and enduring cult favorite of the same name, the soundtrack to Bad Monkey features an impressive roster of acclaimed artists putting their personal touches on some of Petty’s greatest hits under the guidance of Soundtrack Album Producer and Music Supervisor Von Pervieux. Notable contributors include Sharon Van Etten, Weezer, The War on Drugs, Nathaniel Rateliff, Kurt Vile, Charlotte Lawrence—who also appears as an actress in the series—Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Stephen Marley, and many more. See below for a complete tracklist.
Created by award-winning executive producer, showrunner, and long-time Petty fan Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Shrinking), Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn), who, after being bounced from the Miami Police Department, becomes a health inspector in the Keys. After stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove it’s a murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey. Set to the extensive catalog of Florida’s own Tom Petty, Bad Monkey will begin streaming on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on August 14, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through October 9. Each episode will premiere alongside new Petty covers by a curated roster of lauded musicians.
ABOUT TOM PETTY
Over his 40-year career, Tom Petty became one of the biggest cultural icons in the world. In addition to the 13 studio albums he made with the Heartbreakers, Petty recorded three solo albums, including the acclaimed Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers. Petty was also a member of the supergroup, Traveling Wilburys, and the pre-Heartbreakers band, Mudcrutch.
Hailed as one of the greatest rock artists of all time, Petty’s list of achievements includes being inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, multiple Grammy Awards, over 85 million records sold, performing to over 140 million fans worldwide, and playing the Super Bowl halftime show. Tom Petty passed away in 2017 shortly after completing his 40th-anniversary tour, but his music continues to reach fans, both new and old, around the world today.
ABOUT WATERTOWER MUSIC
WaterTower Music, the in-house label for Warner Bros Discovery companies, releases recorded music as rich and diverse as the companies themselves. It has been the soundtrack home to many of the world’s most iconic films, television shows, and games since 2001.
BAD MONKEY—TRACKLIST
“You Wreck Me” by The War on Drugs
“Room at the Top” by Eddie Vedder
“I Won’t Back Down” by Sharon Van Etten
“Even the Losers” by Fitz and the Tantrums
“Don’t Do Me Like That” by flipturn
“Runnin’ Down A Dream” by Larkin Poe
“Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“You’re Gonna Get It” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
“Sins of My Youth” by Kurt Vile
“Yer So Bad” by Meridian Bros
“Wildflowers” by Charlotte Lawrence
“Into The Great Wide Open” by Lissie
“Don’t Fade on Me” by Chiiild
“Supernatural Radio” by GoldFord
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Stephen Marley
“Here Comes My Girl” by Weezer
“Don’t Come Around Here No More” by Nathaniel Rateliff
“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Briston Maroney
“The Waiting” by Marcus King
“Breakdown” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“Free Fallin’” by Imaginary Future featuring Kina Grannis (Apple Exclusive)
“Bad Monkey Theme” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“Yancy” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“Dragon Queen” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“Eyes Over Keys” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“Egg Chase Neville” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“One That Got Away” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“Bee Drop” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
“The Storm is Coming” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
