I'm Tired

Album: Euphoria: Season 2 (Original Score from the HBO Series) (2022)
Charted: 47 53
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Labrinth wrote "I'm Tired" for the HBO teen drama series Euphoria, which stars Zendaya as teenage drug addict Rue. Season 2 starts with Rue's substance abuse spiraling out of control, and by the end of the fourth episode, she's reached a crossroads. Labrinth performs this gospel song from Rue's perspective in a scene where, after taking drugs, she hallucinates her late father in a church.

    Hey Lord, you know I'm tired
    Hey Lord, you know I'm tired of tears
    Hey Lord, just cut me loose


    Rue has reached the end of the road with her drug issues and is tired of life. She cries out to God she's ready to die.
  • Though Labrinth has been composing the music for Euphoria since season 1, this marks the first time he's appeared on screen for the series.
  • Labrinth co-wrote "I'm Tired" with Zendaya and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. The English singer-songwriter also served as the producer of the track. "I was asked to write a song about reaching that pivotal moment when you want to transform but you also want to die - like killing the old you to make space for a new one," said Labrinth." I sat with Z and Sam to finish writing 'I'm Tired' and it's one of my fave studio sessions I've ever done."
  • Labrinth and Zendaya perform the song as a pair in Season 2's finale. Their duet version comes from a different context as Rue is now sober. She's still tired of life, but is fighting to stay alive and clean.
  • So why did Labrinth revamp the song for the finale? "I didn't love the version we released, so I took it offline because I wanted to make it sound better," he told MTV News, "and also, I heard Zendaya sing it... and I was just like, I actually like her version better."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.