The Tired Influencer

Album: Cracker Island (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • An influencer is someone who has established a significant following on social media platforms or other online channels. Brands often partner with these content creators to promote their products or services, leveraging their reach and credibility to reach new audiences and drive sales.

    "The Tired Influencer" delves into the daily struggles of a content creator in LA. While Gorillaz' song critiques the influencer marketing industry, it also conveys compassion towards the modern-day influencer looking for love and meaning.
  • Gorillaz cartoon bassist Murdoc Niccals offered his thoughts about "The Tired Influencer" in a Cracker Island listening party. "I know what that feels like," he said. "I've been an influencer my whole life. Even as an infant, all the other kids would copy my style, like the black leather onesie and the mohawk and the custom space-hopper. Bloody exhausting being so influential. It made me a wee bit tired."
  • Gorillaz recorded "Tired Influencer" for their eighth album, Cracker Island. Damon Albarn, co-creator of the virtual band, worked with American record producer Greg Kurstin on the album. "It's a museum of '80s synths and weird instruments. Everything's patched in and ready to go," Kurstin told Apple Music. "I gravitate towards the melancholy, even in a fun song. And Damon really brings that in his ideas. When I first heard Gorillaz, I was thinking, 'Oh, he gets me and all the music that I love.' I always felt that connection. It's what you look for - your people."
  • Albarn is the vocalist, and between him and Kurstin they played all the instruments on this track; Albarn on synthesizer and piano, Kurstin on keyboards, synthesizer, piano, drums percussion, bass, electric guitar and marimba.
  • Throughout the song, Damon Albarn scatters different responses by the Apple virtual assistant Siri to the influencer.

    In the world of The Tired Influencer
    I didn't get that, could you try again
    You're sleeping deep, waiting for an answer
    Here's what I found


    According to Spotify's Storyline of the song, Albarn and Kurstin unintentionally left Siri running while recording "Tired Influencer." After hearing her responses, they added them to the track.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

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.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

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

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.