Two new versions of Tom Petty classics—Eddie Vedder’s “Room at the Top” and Larkin Poe’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream”—are available to stream now—listen/share HERE. The covers, which premiered on SiriusXM’s Tom Petty radio earlier this week, are featured on the official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ comedy series, Bad Monkey, which uniquely consists of music from the extensive Petty 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,” executive producer of the series Bill Lawrence says. “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,” Music Supervisor Tony Von Pervieux adds. “Each artist was hand-picked to compliment the vibe of the show but 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 finds an impressive roster of acclaimed artists putting their personal touches on some of Petty’s greatest hits under 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 track list.
Created by award-winning executive producer and showrunner and long-time Petty fan, Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso, Shrinking), Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (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 murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey. Soundtracked 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 singles covered 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 in the pre-Heartbreakers band, Mudcrutch.
Hailed as one of the greatest rock artists of all time, Petty’s list of achievements include: Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, multiple Grammy Award winner, over 85 million records sold, performing to over 140 million fans worldwide and Super Bowl halftime performer. 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 the 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
1. “You Wreck Me” by The War on Drugs
2. “Room at the Top” by Eddie Vedder
2. “Room at the Top” by Eddie Vedder
3. “I Won’t Back Down” by Sharon Van Etten
4. “Even the Losers” by Fitz and the Tantrums
5. “Don’t Do Me Like That” by flipturn
6. “Runnin’ Down A Dream” by Larkin Poe
7. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Jamie Jackson
8. “You’re Gonna Get It” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
9. “Sins Of My Youth” by Kurt Vile
10. “Yer So Bad” by Meridian Bros
11. “Wildflowers” by Charlotte Lawrence
12. “Into The Great Wide Open” by Lissie
13. “Don’t Fade On Me” by Chiiild
14. “Supernatural Radio” by GoldFord
15. “You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Stephen Marley
16. “Here Comes My Girl” by Weezer
17. “Don’t Come around Here No More” by Nathaniel Rateliff
18. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Briston Maroney
19. “The Waiting” by Marcus King
20. “Breakdown” by Waz
21. “Free Fallin’” by Imaginary Future featuring Kina Grannis (Apple Exclusive)
22. “Bad Monkey Theme” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
23. “Yancy” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
24. “Dragon Queen by Waz & Jamie Jackson
25. “Eyes Over Keys” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
26. “Egg Chase Neville” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
27. “One That Got Away” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
28. “Bee Drop” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
29. “The Storm is Coming” by Waz & Jamie Jackson
