Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” Finds New Life in HBO Max Series, Inspires Solo Piano Rendition

Wolf Parade’s 2005 indie rock anthem, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” is experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to its prominent placement in the HBO Max (now Max) series Heated Rivalry. The song’s renewed spotlight has prompted Wolf Parade member Spencer Krug to release a solo piano version of the track, debuting it initially in Vancouver last month before recording a studio version.

Viral Moment for a 20-Year-Old Track

The song gained significant traction after being featured in the fifth episode of Heated Rivalry, titled “I’ll Believe in Anything.” The episode depicts a pivotal moment where a hockey player publicly comes out as gay, kissing his partner on the ice after winning the MLH Cup. According to SPIN, Spotify streams of “I’ll Believe in Anything” have doubled, jumping from 20 to 40 million since the reveal premiered in November. This surge has also pushed Wolf Parade’s monthly listeners past two million.

Krug’s Solo Rendition and Reflections

Responding to the song’s renewed popularity, Krug created a stripped-down piano version. He shared his thoughts on Instagram, stating, “I’ve made a few different solo versions of this song over the years. This is easily the best one, second only to Wolf Parade’s rendition.” He detailed the adjustments made to the song, including changing the key to ease vocal strain and refining lyrics to improve flow. SPIN reports Krug feels this version is suitable for solo performances, expressing a renewed connection to the song’s original intent.

Intentional Licensing and Band Approval

Krug and bandmate Dan Boeckner discussed the licensing of “I’ll Believe in Anything” with Stereogum, explaining that the series creator and director, Jacob Tierney, had a clear vision for the song’s leverage. Krug noted Tierney’s genuine appreciation for the track made the decision to license it straightforward. “It felt really intentional,” Krug said. “You could tell he cared about the song, too.”

Heated Rivalry’s Impact and Critical Acclaim

Heated Rivalry, created, directed and written by Jacob Tierney, has garnered significant attention. The series briefly tied the perfect 10 IMDb user rating of Breaking Bad’s “Ozymandias” episode, though it has since dropped to 9.9. Parade reports streams of the song have increased by 300 percent, and the track is being widely used in TikTok videos.

Looking Back at Apologies to the Queen Mary

“I’ll Believe in Anything” originally appeared on Wolf Parade’s debut album, Apologies to the Queen Mary, released in 2005. The album received a deluxe reissue in 2016 following the band’s hiatus and was performed in full during a series of shows in 2022. Krug has also released two solo albums, Fading Graffiti (2021) and Twenty Twenty Twenty Twenty One (2022).