Barnett puts a lot of effort into sounding effortless. Her songs are wild and wooly and wordy, her lyrics plainspoken and delivered like she’s making them up on the spot.
Barnett was originally a part of several bands, including Immigrant Union and The Olivettes before focusing on her solo work. In 2012, Barnett started her own record label, Milk! Records, and recorded her debut EP I've Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris in a friend's lounge room and released it later that year. Late 2012 also saw the release of a new single, "History Eraser," which was backed with Jen Cloher's "Mount Beauty" for a split seven-inch release.
In 2013, Barnett released her second EP, How to Carve a Carrot Into a Rose. Along with "History Eraser," the EP spawned a second single, "Avant Gardener." Her second EP received international acclaim, taking her and the band, Dave Mudie (drums), Bones Sloane (bass) and Dan Luscombe (guitar) all around the world.
Barnett would later combine those two EP releases into one for The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas, which was released internationally on 20 May 2013 via House Anxiety/Marathon Artists. It was named the album of the week by Stereogum.
Barnett's debut LP, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, was released in 2015 to widespread acclaim. At the 2015 ARIA Music Awards, she won four awards from eight nominations. She was nominated for Best New Artist at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards and International Female Solo Artist at the 2016 Brit Awards.
In 2017, she released Lotta Sea Lice, a collaborative album with Kurt Vile.
Barnett's second album, Tell Me How You Really Feel, was released in 2018.
NEED A LITTLE TIME
Courtney Barnett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You seem to know a lot about me so
I take a little time out
I take a little time out
I'm sorry that I lost my patience
You deserve better it's true
I need a little time out
From me, me, me, me
And you, ooh, you, ooh
Open up your insides show us
Your inner most lecherous
I'll rip it out carefully
I promise you won't feel a thing
Everybody wants to have their say
Forever waiting for some car crash
I need a little time out
I need a little time out
From me, me, me, me
And you, ooh, you, ooh
Shave your head to see how it feels
Emotionally it's not that different
But to the hand it's beautiful
Yeah to the hand it's beautiful
You seem to have the weight of the world
Upon your bony shoulders well hold on
You need a little time out
You need a little time out
From you, you, you, you
And me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me
The lyrics of Courtney Barnett's "Need a Little Time" deal with the singer's need to take a step back from a relationship that she isn't sure about. She doesn't know a lot about the other person, but they seem to know a lot about her, creating an unequal dynamic. She apologizes for losing patience with them and acknowledges that they deserve better than her at times. Despite this, she needs a break from the relationship, from both herself and the other person. In the second verse, Barnett appears to be addressing the other person, suggesting that they open themselves up and show their true nature, no matter how lecherous or ugly it may be. She promises to be gentle in her approach, but it's unclear if the other person ever takes her up on the offer. The chorus repeats, emphasizing Barnett's need for space from the other person as well as herself.
The bridge of the song takes on an almost confessional tone as Barnett suggests that shaving one's head might not make a significant emotional difference but can be beautiful to the touch. It's unclear if this is a personal feeling or a suggestion for the other person to try. The final verse seems to switch perspectives back to the other person, telling them that they also need a break from themselves and the relationship. This song is a relatable exploration of the need for boundaries and space in relationships, even when things appear to be going well.
Line by Line Meaning
I don’t know a lot about you but
Although I don't know much about you, it seems that you know a lot about me.
You seem to know a lot about me so
You have a lot of familiarity about me, despite us being strangers.
I take a little time out
I need to take a break for a little while.
I take a little time out
I need to take a break for a little while.
I’m sorry that I lost my patience
I apologize for losing my composure and becoming short-tempered.
You deserve better it’s true
You are deserving of better treatment, that much is true.
I need a little time out
I need to step away from the situation and take a break.
I need a little time out
I need to step away from the situation and take a break.
From me, me, me, me
This break is necessary for me to stop being so self-centered.
And you, ooh, you, ooh
And also for our relationship to improve.
Open up your insides show us
Reveal your inner thoughts and feelings to the world.
Your inner most lecherous
Your most depraved or immoral thoughts and desires.
I'll rip it out carefully
I will extract it with precision.
I promise you won’t feel a thing
I give you my word that it won't hurt at all.
Everybody wants to have their say
Everyone wants to be heard and have their opinion considered important.
Forever waiting for some car crash
People are always anticipating some kind of disaster or catastrophe.
I need a little time out
Just like before, I need to take a break from everything.
I need a little time out
Just like before, I need to take a break from everything.
From me, me, me, me
This is necessary again to stop being too self-involved.
And you, ooh, you, ooh
And to improve our relationship once more.
Shave your head to see how it feels
Try doing something extreme to test yourself and experience something new.
Emotionally it’s not that different
Although it's a radical change physically, emotionally it doesn't make a big difference.
But to the hand it’s beautiful
Despite what others may think, you find it lovely and pleasing to see.
You seem to have the weight of the world
It appears as though you carry a lot of burdens and stress.
Upon your bony shoulders well hold on
Despite you being strong and capable, take a moment and breathe.
You need a little time out
You should also take a break from all this stress and pressure.
You need a little time out
You should also take a break from all this stress and pressure.
From you, you, you, you
You need this alone time for yourself.
And me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me
And to give us both time and space to reflect, away from others' needs.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Courtney Barnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Davidson
She never disappoints this 66 year old rocker.
Paul Davidson
Now I’m 67. She is still the best.
Washing Machine
Happy birthday!
Paul Davidson
Unicorn Guitar Hero Yes, I just turned 67 Mr. Zuckerberg.
tmas bu.
Im 56, whats 66 like?
anton1949
71 here, I think She is something very important in music.
wilmashroom
feels very old school, but at the same time incredibly modern. love it
Space Invader
CG indie doesn't exist
CosmicSpaghetti
She physically can’t make a bad song, so good
DS
Lol