The Title Song
Music and lyrics by Bruce Springsteen, THE WRESTLER is the theme song for the upcoming motion picture of the same name. It plays in an acoustic arrangement over the film's closing credits. The song also gets significant play over the film's promotional trailer.

Springsteen and Rourke
Bruce Springsteen and Mickey Rourke met at the Stone Pony back in the eighties. They became motorcycle cruising buddies in 1989 and 1990 when Springsteen was living in Los Angeles, CA. According to film director Darren Aronofsky, Springsteen is a huge fan of Rourke's. He's seen every movie of his and he was hoping for him to get back on track making movies. He was following him and he wanted to know about his projects, but the two "haven't been in touch during Mickey's lost years". Rourke sent Springsteen a letter and a copy of the movie script. In May 2008, Springsteen called him in the middle of the night and told him that he's in touring in Europe, and said that he "don't know if I can do this, but if I can, I'll try something."

Awards and nominations
On 11 January 2009 THE WRESTLER won the GOLDEN GLOBE FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG. In his acceptance speech, Springsteen briefly talked about how the song came to life:

"All right! This is uh... the only time I'm gonna be in competition with Clint Eastwood, I know that for sure [laughs]. Felt pretty good, too! [giggles] Anyway, Mickey called me in Ireland and he asked me for uh... some music, he told me a little bit about the character, he said some people invest themselves in their pain and they turn away from love and the things that strengthen and nurture their lives. He said this was a guy that didn't figure... hadn't figured that out. So I said, 'Well, I know a couple of those guys...' And so, the song. So... first and foremost, I'd like to thank Mickey. Without the call I wouldn't have written the song, without his inspiration. Thank you brother, for a beautiful performance, thank you. Thank you for thinking of me! Um... like to thank Darren and all the folks involved with the film for letting me be a small part of their picture, thank you!"