February 28, 2022
Watch: Zendaya Co-Wrote Poignant 'Euphoria' Song, Performed by Dominic Fike
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The mood and the music in HBO's "Euphoria" seems to always be on point, thanks in large part to the show's composer, Labrinth.
However, if the season 2 finale of the show seemed a little more extra emotional than usual, it's because Labrinth called on none other than Zendaya to help compose a song for her character's new love interest Elliot, played by Dominic Fike.
As reported by Nylon, the moment where Elliot serenaded Rue in the show came as a surprise to Fike.
"Sam ['Euphoria's 'writer and director] just came up to me and was like, 'Yo, I was thinking you play the guitar in this and like, you sing a song. It's to Rue, but not really about Rue, but it, like, is about Rue, but it's like a surreal moment, but it's not," he recalled. "And I'm like, 'You just made this decision?'"
The song is called "Little Star," and the moment comes when Rue thanks Elliot for "accidentally" saving her life. Putting a cherry on top, Elliot asks her, "Can I play you something?"
If you haven't seen the episode (what are you waiting for?), we don't want to give away any spoilers. But what we will say is Elliot plays the classic sad-boy with barely-there guitar skills and somehow, after much chaos, he and Rue come together to share the tender moment.
"Little star, feels like you fell right onto my head/Gave you away to the wind/I hope it was all worth it in the end," Elliot sings. "You and my guitar/I think you may be your only friend/I gave it all to see you shine again/I hope it was worth it in the end."
Bustle writes that in an HBO behind-the-scenes video,�"'Euphoria'�composer Labrinth said the song came out of a casual collaboration with star Zendaya, who often visited him in his studio on the�'Euphoria'�lot. The two decided that Elliot should play a song for Rue that alludes to his feelings about their complicated friendship. Then they pitched it Fike."
"He just came up to me and was like, 'Yo, I was thinking, you play the guitar in this and you sing a song,'" Fike explains in the video. Fike then joined the two in the studio contributed his own guitar parts."
Labrinth added that he enjoys working with anyone musically inclined on set. "The cast aren't just acting – they're part of the music now, and I think that makes it more special," he says in the video.
