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

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.