Gavin DeGraw's Surprising Confession About 'One Tree Hill'

Gavin DeGraw, the voice behind the iconic theme song of "One Tree Hill," has made a surprising revelation that has caught many fans off guard. As the show approaches a revival on Netflix, DeGraw's comments have sparked renewed interest in the series and its music.

It's nearly impossible to hear "I Don't Want To Be" without recalling the memorable opening sequence of "One Tree Hill." However, during an appearance at the Songwriters Hall of Fame event in New York City on June 11, DeGraw humorously admitted that he has never actually watched a single episode of the beloved show. "I love this series, but I’ve never seen it. Is that bad of me?" he asked, revealing a sentiment that many fans found surprising, especially given how his song became synonymous with the series.

DeGraw's Reason for Not Watching

When questioned about his lack of viewership, DeGraw explained, "I just don’t watch television, but I’ve heard that the show is great." He further elaborated that when he was approached to create the theme song, he was upfront about his television habits: "A guy told me, 'Hey, I want to use your song in a TV show.' I replied, 'I don’t watch TV.'" This raises the question of whether his iconic theme will remain a part of the upcoming reboot.

A Connection to the Cast

Despite never having seen an episode, DeGraw has forged friendships with several cast members from "One Tree Hill." He has particularly bonded with Chad Michael Murray, who played Lucas, James Lafferty, who portrayed Nathan, and Sophia Bush (Brooke), Hilarie Burton (Haley), and Bethany Joy Lenz (Peyton).

Interestingly, DeGraw has made multiple cameo appearances throughout the series, performing his hit song in various scenes, including memorable moments at Karen's Café. This demonstrates that one can be a fan of a show without ever having watched it, showcasing the unique relationship between music and television storytelling.