Niblett grew up in Nottingham, England and chose her stage name in honour of Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, the protagonist in Harper Lee's 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird. She studied music and performance art at college, and also expresses an interest in astrology—explaining the title of her 2005 LP Kidnapped by Neptune, she says, "Neptune is this planet that everyone has in their chart. But for me, where Neptune is right now and has been for the past two years has been affecting my chart in a huge way. Neptune is kind of the musicians’ planet, it rules music."
Niblett has released three LPs, through the Secretly Canadian record company in North America and through Too Pure in the United Kingdom. Her first release was a split 7" single with Songs: Ohia in 2001. Shortly after this she released her first LP Sweet Heart Fever, recorded in Glasgow with drummer Kristian Goddard. Her follow-up release was a one-sided 10" EP, I Conjure Series, recorded live, where Niblett plays all the instruments herself. For the next two albums—2003's I Am and 2005's Kidnapped by Neptune—Niblett enlisted the help of producer Steve Albini. She is also featured in Peoria Lunch Box Blues on Magnolia Electric Co. (2003). 2007 saw the release of Niblett's fourth long player This Fool Can Die Now again featuring a rhythm section of Kristian Goddard & Chris Saligoe as well as Bonnie "Prince" Billy as guest vocalist on four of the albums duets. Her 5th LP The Calcination of Scout Niblett was released in 2010 through the Drag City label.
Niblett cites among her influences a number of grunge period bands, including Mudhoney, Sonic Youth and Nirvana, and in particular the guitar of Kurt Cobain. Her drumming technique, however, is inspired, she says, by a man who played at an open-mic night in Nottingham and would accompany himself on the drums while playing Beatles covers. This drumming technique has been a particularly distinctive feature of Niblett's records with Steve Albini, whose method is to place the drums centrally in the mix. A good example of Niblett's minimalist approach to songwriting is "Your Beat Kicks Back Like Death", included on I Am and as the B-side to "I'll Be a Prince". It consists solely of a drumbeat with a cheerfully delivered repeating lyric, "We're all gonna die!", eventually concluding, "We don't know when, We don't know how." Niblett names the song as a favourite. Also of note is her downbeat cover of the 1978 reggae hit Uptown Top Ranking, which Niblett released as a single after it became popular at live performances.
12 Miles
Scout Niblett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They could never catch me
I was with the wind outside, oh where it took me
And the wind came, you were in it pulling at my sleeve
I could feel it
I walked 12 miles
Right out of my shoes from where you were
And the skies they opened and they whispered to me
"you're just here to love it baby
You're just here to join in baby,"
Your body needs you
Your limbs they need you
Your fingers need you
Your beauty needs you
I have this body, it means you can touch me
And I will feel it
The song "12 Miles" by Scout Niblett is a reflective and introspective song about the journey of life. The opening lyrics, "It was fun being a baby, They could never catch me, I was with the wind outside, oh where it took me" convey the freedom and carelessness that characterize childhood. However, as the song progresses, it becomes evident that this carefree spirit is being challenged by the emotional and physical burdens of growing up.
The line "And the wind came, you were in it pulling at my sleeve, I could feel it" suggests that there is someone or something that is pulling the singer in a certain direction, and this becomes the overarching theme of the song. The repeated reference to walking "12 miles" is a metaphor for the journey of life, and with each step, the singer feels weighed down by the demands and expectations of society. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the line "And the skies they opened and they whispered to me, 'you're just here to love it baby, You're just here to join in baby,'". This suggests that there is a deeper purpose to life beyond simply meeting society's expectations.
The final lines of the song bring the focus back to the physical body, which is a vessel for experiencing life. The singer acknowledges that their body is their connection to the world and is therefore vital to their existence. The final line "And I will feel it" emphasizes the importance of experiencing life to the fullest.
Overall, "12 Miles" is a poignant reflection on the challenges and joys of growing up and the need to remain connected to one's physical body and the world in order to experience life fully.
Line by Line Meaning
It was fun being a baby
I enjoyed the freedom and carelessness of being a baby
They could never catch me
Nobody could hold me down or control me
I was with the wind outside, oh where it took me
I embraced the unpredictability of life and followed wherever fate led me
And the wind came, you were in it pulling at my sleeve
You entered my life unexpectedly and grabbed my attention
I could feel it
I was aware of your presence and influence on me
I walked 12 miles
I went on a journey, both physically and emotionally, for a long distance
With each and every step I felt you try to lift me
Throughout my journey, I could feel your support and encouragement
Right out of my shoes from where you were
You inspired me to break free from my limitations and be my best self
And the skies they opened and they whispered to me
I experienced a moment of enlightenment and received a message from the universe
"you're just here to love it baby
You are here to fully embrace and appreciate life
You're just here to join in baby,"
You are meant to participate and contribute to the world around you
Your body needs you
You must take care of your physical health and well-being
Your limbs they need you
You must use your body and take action to accomplish your goals
Your fingers need you
You must create and express yourself through your talents
Your beauty needs you
You must recognize and appreciate your own inner and outer beauty
I have this body, it means you can touch me
My physical presence allows us to connect and interact with each other
And I will feel it
I am receptive to your touch and the emotions attached to it
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BEGGARS MUSIC, LTD.
Written by: EMMA 'SCOUT' NIBLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind