According to Variety, R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and producer Andrew Watt collaborated on a theme song for 'Rooster' — and the origin story is a masterclass in music-world generosity. For more than 35 years, Elton John had kept Stipe's personal number off-limits to everyone. Then he broke his own rule, handing it to Watt with a simple pitch: connect these two. Watt texted with an idea, and the rest became their theme song. Sometimes the best collaborations start when someone who knows both sides believes in the connection.

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