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.
Scotty Says
Courtney Barnett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The day we split I ripped it in two
Stuck it back together with glue
Tear my posters down from the wall
Don't wanna worship no dead heroes
Everything I owned I sold
I'm not sure what the town was called
In my pocket is a bottle of blue
Drink it when I'm feeling misconstrued
Don't like the taste but I like the overview
I made a lot of money in my days
Spent it all on the current craze
I don't see no need to save
I got lost somewhere between here and there
I'm not sure what the town was called
The lyrics of Courtney Barnett's "Scotty Says" illustrate the aftermath of a relationship and the struggles that come with moving on. The singer carries a photo of their ex-partner in their wallet, but the photo has been torn and glued back together. This physical act represents the emotional damage that was done when the couple split, and the difficulty in dealing with the pain and coping with the loss. The singer also tears down their posters of "dead heroes," suggesting a disillusionment with idolizing people or things that ultimately let us down.
The second verse of the song goes on to describe the singer's aimlessness and confusion after the breakup. They got lost somewhere and don't even remember the name of the town they were in. The singer's drinking becomes a coping mechanism to deal with the feeling of being "misconstrued," and the color blue represents melancholy or sadness. The singer has made and spent a lot of money, suggesting a fast-paced lifestyle, but seems disillusioned with materialism and doesn't see the point in saving.
Overall, "Scotty Says" portrays the emotional aftermath of a relationship and the difficulty in finding direction and meaning in life after a major loss.
Line by Line Meaning
In my wallet is a photo of you
I still hold on to our past memories
The day we split I ripped it in two
Our relationship ended abruptly and led to a broken heart
Stuck it back together with glue
I tried to mend my broken heart but it wasn't enough
Tear my posters down from the wall
I no longer idolize anyone, and have let go of my past heroes and role models
Don't wanna worship no dead heroes
I don't want to be like anyone else, I just want to be me
Everything I owned I sold
I got rid of all the unnecessary things in my life in search of what's truly important
I got lost somewhere between here and there
I'm feeling a bit disoriented and unsure about my current situation
I'm not sure what the town was called
I'm feeling lost and disconnected from my surroundings
In my pocket is a bottle of blue
I have a coping mechanism to deal with my negative emotions
Drink it when I'm feeling misconstrued
I turn to drinking to escape from my problems
Don't like the taste but I like the overview
Although it doesn't taste good, alcohol provides a temporary relief from pain
I made a lot of money in my days
I was once successful and financially stable
Spent it all on the current craze
I got caught up in the moment and spent all my money on things that didn't really matter
I don't see no need to save
I don't think about my future and am not concerned about saving money
Contributed by Jackson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kent Strock
she has no business being so amazing. She writes music and lyrics in their breath as good as anyone ever.
Tudor Miller
I love this woman so much. Her eyes are mesmerising. ♥️👩🎤🎸🇦🇺
Robert Clark Young
Come join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/405443019660289/ Also, have you ever heard this song about Courtney's eyes? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I93h4DJAdU
MICHAEL ROMANO
Love the trueness of accent and self in this song. Not very often these days you get that. Way to go!
Suki Marek
she's so naturally beautiful, and she knows how to be happy. Love her.
bernard-brunet vincent
if only she could play...
Titus Richardson
Very good point she makes music 🎶 that she feels and because its not manufactured more realistic people will tune in
Boris Garcia
Ey! Thats was my thought :p
Preston Lawson
I love this little girl....she's got some real Aussie style !!!!
Ange Palethorpe
This is so fresh. Great performances. More power to you Courtney.