About The Song
“Tired of Livin’” is one of those songs that captures the kind of weariness only time and experience can bring. Released in 1966, it’s a track that reflects both the emotional toll of life’s struggles and the universal desire for relief. Buck Owens, a pioneer of the Bakersfield sound, was no stranger to hardships, and in “Tired of Livin’,” he channels a sense of exhaustion with a raw honesty that many of his listeners could relate to. But beneath the surface, it’s also a song about resilience and the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward, even when life seems too heavy to bear.
Owens was at the peak of his career when he recorded this song, yet his success didn’t shield him from the challenges of everyday life. Born in Texas and raised in California, he grew up in a time of great upheaval and transition. The working-class ethos that defined Owens’ music was rooted in the kind of hard-earned resilience that often finds its way into songs about struggle. “Tired of Livin’” is a perfect example of that. The narrator expresses a deep sense of disillusionment, tired of the same routine, and weary from the constant emotional and physical toll that life can take. And yet, there’s a quiet recognition that, despite all of this, the act of living itself still carries weight—both in its pain and its potential.
What’s interesting about “Tired of Livin’” is that, while it speaks to a personal exhaustion, it also touches on a broader cultural and societal theme. The 1960s were a time of great change in America, with political upheaval, civil rights struggles, and a sense that the world was shifting in ways that left many people feeling disconnected or helpless. Owens, who was known for his ability to blend traditional country sounds with modern influences, captured this feeling of societal fatigue in a way that was relatable to both his fans and to anyone who had felt the weight of an uncertain future.
Despite the song’s heavy tone, Owens’ delivery remains understated, not melodramatic. He doesn’t shout his frustration; instead, he lets the words hang in the air, almost as though they’re too heavy to say out loud. That’s the beauty of this song—there’s no grandiose declaration of surrender. The exhaustion is quieter, more reflective, and in that quietness, it feels more real. It mirrors the way many people go through life: feeling drained, unsure, but continuing anyway. This sense of quiet persistence, of just getting by, is a theme that resonates through much of Owens’ work, and it’s this relatability that made him such a beloved figure in country music.
Interestingly, “Tired of Livin’” wasn’t one of Owens’ biggest commercial hits, but it remains a hidden gem among his catalog. It didn’t make the same waves as songs like “Act Naturally” or “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail,” but its honesty has kept it alive in the hearts of true country music fans. Owens didn’t need to rely on catchy hooks or radio-friendly formulas to communicate his message—he simply told the truth, and that truth was what made him stand out.
In the end, “Tired of Livin’” is more than just a song about frustration. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure. Buck Owens, in his own quiet way, reminds us that life can wear us down, but even in the tiredness, we continue, because that’s what living is. We may be tired, but we’re still here.
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Lyric
Well, I’m tired of livin’ and I’m scared of dyin’
I can’t get ahead and there’s no use tryin’
Things would better change and I ain’t lyin’
Somethin’ better happen pretty soon
Yeah, the people workin’ around me everyday
Are gettin’ promotion and a raisin’ pay
But I keep workin’ the same old way
And somethin’ better happen pretty soon
Yeah, the man next door owns a 40 room shack
Rides around everyday in a big Cadillac
But I’m still walkin’, that’s a fact
And somethin’ better happen pretty soon
Well, I’m tired of livin’ and I’m scared of dyin’
I can’t get ahead and there’s no use tryin’
Things would better change and I ain’t lyin’
Somethin’ better happen pretty soon
Well, everybody’s got a girl to call his own
But I keep on livin’ all alone
Like a king without a throne
Somethin’ better happen pretty soon
Well, my brother Bill, he’s never broke
He never worked so slick and that ain’t no joke
If things don’t change, I’m afraid, I’ll croak
Somethin’ better happen pretty soon
Yeah, I’m tired of livin’ and I’m scared of dyin’
I can’t get ahead and there’s no use tryin’
Things would better change and I ain’t lyin’
Somethin’ better happen pretty soon
Yeah, somethin’ better happen pretty soon