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.
Out of the Woodwork
Courtney Barnett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
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?
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.
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