Boredom (feat. Rex Orange County & Anna of the North)

"Boredom" is a profound exploration of loneliness, apathy, and the search for connection in the modern age. At its core, the song juxtaposes a lush, musically rich, and summery sound with lyrics that convey deep feelings of isolation and existential ennui. Tyler, The Creator articulates the experience of being physically surrounded by possibilities but emotionally and socially paralyzed. He describes being stuck in his room, unable to find the motivation to do anything meaningful, even eat a proper meal.

The track delves into the paradox of being connected through technology yet feeling utterly alone. Tyler's frustration with his phone ("Cellular not amusing") and his unanswered calls to friends highlight the failure of digital communication to provide genuine companionship. This leads to a spiral of self-doubt, as he questions if he is the source of his own isolation: "What the fuck is the problem? Is it me? 'Cause I'm not solved, I'm... bored." This clever wordplay on "solved" suggests he sees himself as a problem to be fixed.

The contributions from Rex Orange County and Anna of the North act as a kind of Greek chorus, their smooth, layered vocals offering the recurring advice to "Find some time to do something." This serves as both an internal monologue urging action and an external plea for purpose. The song is not just about being bored in the conventional sense; it's about a deeper, more painful state of aimlessness and the intense craving for shared experience, encapsulated in the line, "But I hate eating solo." It's a vulnerable admission that cuts through the bravado often associated with hip-hop, marking a significant point in Tyler's artistic evolution towards introspection on the Flower Boy album.

The narrative opens with a soft, melodic reflection on how time seems to vanish when one is occupied and having fun. This gentle musing, carried by harmonizing voices, sets a stark contrast to the central theme that follows. The core message quickly becomes a plea, a repeated mantra to "find some time to do something," suggesting a struggle against encroaching emptiness and inactivity. This emptiness soon finds a companion, as the song personifies boredom, declaring that "boredom got a new best friend," implying that the state of being bored has become a constant and familiar presence.

A shift in perspective brings us into a deeply personal and confined space, a bedroom where the signs of prolonged idleness are visceral and almost comical in their despair. The floor is described as a "cereal burial," a landscape of empty boxes from meals eaten dry, highlighting a lack of motivation that extends even to preparing proper food. The physical space reflects a mental one, with the narrator feeling trapped for so long that his "eyeballs are turning to dry wall." This sense of stagnation breeds frustration directed outwards, as friends are dismissed with a bitter "fuck 'em, I'm over 'em." Yet, this anger is immediately followed by a vulnerable admission of loneliness, questioning why no one has reached out all day. The narrator wonders if the problem lies within himself, a self-deprecating thought that spirals into a simple, profound declaration: "I'm... bored."

The feeling intensifies into desperation. The once-distracting cellphone now offers no amusement, and there's a palpable hope for any message with plans, any reason to escape the suffocating walls of his room. The loneliness is so acute that he hasn't been outside since the morning. Simple daily acts become monumental challenges; he's hungry but hates the idea of eating alone, longing for the simple companionship of loitering in parking lots or watching sunsets with someone. This yearning for connection is a powerful counterpoint to the earlier feigned indifference towards his friends. The constant ringing of the phone in his mind—"Ringy dingy dong"—underscores the anxiety of isolation. This leads to a heartbreaking realization: "I been starting to feel like I don't know anyone." Lost and directionless, the narrator is left staring at the ceiling, trapped in a cycle of inactivity and existential aimlessness, acutely aware that time is ticking away.

As the song nears its conclusion, the plea to "find some time" returns, but this time it's a collaborative cry. The narrator explicitly asks for help—"Hey, can y'all help me right quick?"—uniting his voice with the others. This moment of outreach signifies a desire to break free from the self-imposed isolation. The personification of boredom returns one last time, reinforcing its persistent presence as a new "best friend," a haunting reminder of the struggle. The song fades on the ticking clock, a final, poignant symbol of wasted moments and the urgent, unmet need for purpose and connection.

"Boredom" was written, produced, and performed by Tyler, The Creator and released on July 11, 2017, as the second single from his critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Flower Boy. The song's creation was remarkably spontaneous and rooted in a genuine moment of idleness. In an interview with comedian Jerrod Carmichael, Tyler recounted writing the verse in about ten seconds while lying on his back in his room at 5 p.m. on a Saturday, feeling intensely bored because no one was returning his messages. He described the environment vividly: his room was hot, and the only food available was dry cereal.

Musically, the track has its origins in Stevie Wonder's 1968 version of "God Bless the Child." Tyler figured out the chords, looped them, and let them play for hours in his room, which formed the foundation for the song's jazzy and soulful instrumental. The track was produced entirely by Tyler himself.

The collaboration with the featured artists happened organically. Tyler had been a fan of Rex Orange County and praised him on social media. The connection with Anna of the North (Anna Lotterud) began when Taco from Odd Future contacted her after hearing her 2014 single "Sway." Tyler later emailed her with vocal ideas. Lotterud recorded her parts in a studio in Norway without ever meeting Tyler during the album's production, only finding out her vocals made the final cut when the song was released. The track also features additional uncredited vocals from English singer Corinne Bailey Rae and guitar work by Austin Feinstein of the band Slow Hollows.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Boredom" create a dynamic interplay between the relaxed, soulful musicality and the anxious, conversational nature of the lyrics.

Rhyme Scheme:

Tyler's rhyme scheme is intricate and fluid, characteristic of his style. He avoids simple, predictable end rhymes in favor of a more complex structure that incorporates internal rhymes, slant rhymes, and assonance. For example, in the lines, "Boy, my bedroom floor is a cereal burial, I'm serious / I ate 'em all, dry boxes, bodies, yeah I caught 'em," the rhymes are loose and varied. He rhymes "long" with "wall" and later "solo" with "loiter" and "border." This less rigid structure enhances the stream-of-consciousness feel of his verses, making them sound more like natural speech than formally constructed poetry.

Rhythm and Flow:

The song's overall rhythm is laid-back, with a mid-tempo groove established by the gentle drum beat and pulsing Rhodes chords. This creates a hazy, summery atmosphere. Against this backdrop, Tyler's lyrical delivery (his "flow") is rhythmically complex and varied. He shifts between faster, more cluttered phrasing and slower, more deliberate lines, mirroring the fluctuations of his anxious thoughts. This contrast between the steady, calm rhythm of the music and the restless rhythm of his rapping is a key source of the song's emotional tension. The sung choruses by Rex Orange County and Anna of the North are rhythmically simple and repetitive, providing a melodic anchor and a sense of hypnotic yearning that contrasts with Tyler's verses.

"Boredom" showcases a sophisticated blend of musical and literary techniques that define the sound of the Flower Boy album.

Musical Techniques:

• Jazz-Infused Harmony: The song is built on a series of complex, jazzy chord progressions, reportedly inspired by Stevie Wonder's "God Bless the Child." The use of instruments like a Rhodes electric piano gives the track a warm, soulful, and slightly melancholic texture. The progression often follows a ii-V-I structure, common in jazz, creating a sense of smooth, continuous movement that ironically contrasts with the lyrical theme of being stuck.
• Layered Vocals and Harmonies: The lush, multi-tracked vocals of Rex Orange County, Anna of the North, and Corinne Bailey Rae create a dreamy, atmospheric soundscape. This rich vocal arrangement acts as a soft, comforting bed for Tyler's more direct and raw rap verses, creating a compelling duality.
• Dynamic Arrangement: The song opens gently with a simple guitar strum and builds gradually, adding drums, bass, and layers of vocals and synths. Tyler's production uses a flanging effect throughout, adding to the hazy, psychedelic feel. The song's structure alternates between the sung, melodic choruses and Tyler's conversational, rhythmically complex verses, keeping the listener engaged.

Literary Techniques:

• Stream of Consciousness: Tyler's verses are delivered in a conversational, almost rambling style that mimics a stream of consciousness. This gives the lyrics a sense of immediacy and authenticity, as if the listener is hearing his unfiltered thoughts in real-time.
• Vivid Imagery: He uses strong, sensory imagery to paint a picture of his state of mind, such as "my bedroom floor is a cereal burial" and "my eyeballs are turning to dry wall." These lines make the abstract feeling of boredom tangible and relatable.
• Rhetorical Questions: The question "What the fuck is the problem? Is it me?" is a pivotal rhetorical device. It's a moment of direct, vulnerable introspection that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with loneliness and self-doubt.

"Boredom" was a standout track on Flower Boy, an album that marked a pivotal moment in Tyler, The Creator's career and had a significant cultural impact. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards. "Boredom" itself, while not a massive chart-topper, was critically acclaimed and beloved by fans for its vulnerability and musical sophistication.

The song was instrumental in shifting the public perception of Tyler from a provocative internet troll to a mature, introspective artist. Coming from an artist known for aggressive and controversial lyrics, the raw honesty about loneliness and self-doubt resonated deeply with a generation grappling with similar issues in the digital age. The song, and the album as a whole, helped to normalize conversations about mental health and male vulnerability within the hip-hop community.

The aesthetic of Flower Boy—characterized by warm, pastel colors and floral motifs—also influenced fashion and visual culture, with Tyler's Golf le Fleur brand becoming a prominent example. "Boredom" perfectly encapsulated this softer, more nuanced aesthetic. The song's fusion of neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop was praised for its musicality and has been influential in the continued blending of these genres in contemporary rap. Its themes of loneliness became particularly resonant during the global quarantines of 2020, finding a new and widespread audience.

The song uses several potent symbols and metaphors to convey its central themes of loneliness and apathy.

• The Bedroom: Tyler's room is a central symbol, representing both a physical and mental prison. He's been in it so long his "eyeballs are turning to dry wall," a metaphor for desensitization and the loss of perspective that comes from prolonged isolation. The "cereal burial" on his floor is a tangible image of his apathy and inability to perform basic self-care, symbolizing a deeper creative and emotional stagnation.
• Boredom as a 'Best Friend': The recurring line, "Boredom got a new best friend," is a powerful personification. It transforms boredom from a temporary feeling into a constant, unwelcome companion. This suggests a state of chronic ennui where loneliness is so pervasive it has become a defining feature of his existence.
• The Ticking Clock: The sound of a ticking clock appears in the song's interlude, symbolizing the passage of time and the mounting anxiety of wasting it. It's a classic symbol for mortality and the pressure to be productive, which is amplified by the narrator's state of paralysis.
• Wordplay on 'Solved': The line "'Cause I'm not solved, I'm... bored" is a significant lyrical metaphor. By linking the word "solved" to a "problem," Tyler frames his boredom and isolation as an internal issue, a puzzle he can't figure out. It speaks to a feeling of being fundamentally broken or incomplete.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song's theme and structure, enhancing its message through repetition.

• "Find some time to do something": This is the central lyrical motif, sung repeatedly by Rex Orange County, Anna of the North, and eventually Tyler himself. It functions as the song's thesis statement—a desperate plea against apathy. Its constant repetition turns it into a mantra, reflecting an internal struggle to break free from lethargy. When Tyler joins in and asks, "Hey, can y'all help me right quick?", the phrase transforms from a personal reminder into a cry for communal help.
• The Repetition of "Boredom": Tyler chants the word "Boredom" multiple times to kick off his first verse. This blunt, repetitive invocation emphasizes the overwhelming and oppressive nature of the feeling. It's not just a passing mood; it's an all-consuming state that he can't escape.
• "Boredom got a new best friend": This phrase, which appears near the beginning and end of the song, personifies boredom and serves as a framing device. Its recurrence suggests a cyclical pattern of loneliness, implying that despite the desire to "find some time," the state of boredom remains a persistent and intimate companion.
• "Tick Tock": The brief interlude with the sound and words "Tick tock" is a potent auditory motif. It represents the pressure and anxiety of time passing without purpose, adding a layer of urgency to the otherwise hazy and lethargic atmosphere of the track.