Out of the Woodwork
Courtney Barnett Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was busy underwater seeing how long I could hold my breath
A drowning flower caught my eye and I had to come on up for air
Just because you're older than me, doesn't mean you have to be so condescending
I still see the same things that you see, I'm a little shady on my history

I am normally pretty forgiving but only if you are
She's so easy.
I noticed you stopped talking to me, now you're talking to me all the time
Do you know you're no good at listening?
But you're really good at saying everything on your mind
It must be tiring trying so hard, to look like you're not really trying at all.
I guess if you're afraid of aiming too high, then you're not really gonna have too far to fall

I am normally pretty forgiving but only if you are
She's so easy

Climb aboard the wagon when it comes on through
Jump up on your horse and tell me how's the view




Look over my shoulder when I talk to you
Where's the more important person in the room?

Overall Meaning

In Courtney Barnett's song Out of the Woodwork, she tells a story of feeling undervalued and patronized by someone who may be older or wiser. The opening lines show Barnett's introspective nature as she compares herself to a drowning flower while diving underwater. When she comes back up for air, she juxtaposes her vulnerability by pointing out the condescension that she has been receiving from someone who is older and should ideally know better. She could see and understand what they could see, but that doesn't automatically mean she agrees with them. They are on equal footing intellectually, but their different experiences and judgements have set them apart. She is more of a "little shady on my history." Barnett seems to be wary of people who constantly want to state their opinions or take over the conversation without actually listening to others. The pacing of the song is slow and melodic, giving attention to the lyricism and depth behind the words.


As the song progresses, Barnett becomes more explicit in her frustration with the other person. She points out the irony of the other person initially not talking to her but now talking excessively all the time. She asks them if they are aware that they aren't good at listening to others, but they are good at conveying their thoughts. Perhaps this person is trying too hard to seem effortless - "It must be tiring trying so hard, to look like you're not really trying at all." Barnett seems to be giving the other person some advice for not being so afraid of failure or success. She is willing to forgive this person if they can meet her halfway and take accountability for their actions.


Overall, Out of the Woodwork is a song that is relatable for anyone who has felt overlooked or dismissed by someone who thinks they know better. Barnett's lyrics showcase her artistic prowess and ability to weave a narrative that speaks to a larger audience.


Line by Line Meaning

I was busy underwater seeing how long I could hold my breath
I was focused on a self-destructive act, trying to hold on even though it was getting hard.


A drowning flower caught my eye and I had to come on up for air
I saw a sign of another's suffering and that forced me to break out of my own problems and find a way to breathe.


Just because you're older than me, doesn't mean you have to be so condescending
You're getting on in years but that doesn't give you the right to talk down to others who are learning from their own mistakes in life.


I still see the same things that you see, I'm a little shady on my history
Though I've lived life too and I've seen the same things, I'm still not entirely sure about the decisions I'm making since I'm not that seasoned.


I am normally pretty forgiving but only if you are She's so easy
I can be understanding and accepting, but only if the person in question is also willing to show a little consideration towards me.


I noticed you stopped talking to me, now you're talking to me all the time
I saw that you'd stopped engaging with me, now you're suddenly more interested in what I have to say.


Do you know you're no good at listening?
I don't think you're actually paying attention when I speak to you.


But you're really good at saying everything on your mind
You seem to be really great at expressing your own thoughts but not so much when it comes to hearing others.


It must be tiring trying so hard, to look like you're not really trying at all
I don't think it's easy maintaining a nonchalant image 24/7, even if it seems like you're putting in no effort.


I guess if you're afraid of aiming too high, then you're not really gonna have too far to fall
If you're unwilling to take risks and reach for ambitious goals, then you won't really have a lot to lose in life.


Climb aboard the wagon when it comes on through Jump up on your horse and tell me how's the view
Take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, and let me know how the experience is.


Look over my shoulder when I talk to you Where's the more important person in the room?
It seems like you're not fully invested in our conversation and instead are more focused on other, more important things going on.




Contributed by Violet P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Angelo

Best song of this girl <3 but I want hear live this with the piano from the album.

Gustavo Gabaldo

gente, que pessoa maravilhosa

endlesshore

I absolutely adore this song! Brilliant! <3

José Gonzales

Fascinating, I love this song, brings me to the sidereal universe, I love this girl, how much energy.

Felipe Stahlhoefer

100% perfeita

Pancho308

Great tune...even better on the album with the piano. Also, good with Kurt Vile on their album.

Jonathan Meyers

My favorite CB song.

ArturParks

The lyrics are amazing <3

dinner time

Great performance of a great song. Really don't understand why people listen to bullshit like drake or ed sheeran when shit like this exists.

Rodrigo Delgado

I agree, this type of artists should be more listened to

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