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.
Just Do It
Scout Niblett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I think I agree
'Cause someone's got to do it
And it might as well be me
'Cause I'm the doer
I'm the doer
I'm the doer right now
That's some belief in your joy
That's some belief in your joy
That's some belief in your joy
My planets, my God,
Whatever happened to me?
No urge to speak
I silenced you, my guide
And now I'm up here all alone
Like a little jumping Joan
And I'm calling
'Cause I'm wonderin'
Is my team flying?
Is my team flying?
Stand supreme
Stand supreme
Just continue with what you're doin'
Just continue with what you're doin'
In Scout Niblett's song "Just Do It," the lyrics express the idea of taking action and not letting fear or doubt hold you back. The chorus, "And the voices said, 'Just do it!'" suggests that there are external voices, presumably from the people around her, encouraging her to take action. However, the singer seems to agree with them, realizing that someone needs to take charge and it might as well be her. She identifies herself as "the doer" and believes in the power of her own joy and ability to make things happen.
The verses, on the other hand, explore a sense of self-doubt and uncertainty. The singer questions what happened to her and her connection with her spiritual beliefs and guidance. She feels alone and like a "little jumping Joan" who is calling out to her team to see if they are "flying" or succeeding. The repetition of "stand supreme" and "just continue with what you're doing" suggests that she is trying to rally herself and overcome her doubts and fears by focusing on the present moment.
Overall, the song is a call to action and a reminder to believe in oneself and one's abilities. It is a message of perseverance and determination in the face of uncertainty and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
And the voices said, "Just do it!"
The singer hears a call to action and feels compelled to act upon it.
And I think I agree
The singer acknowledges the call and decides to follow through with it.
'Cause someone's got to do it
The singer recognizes a need for action and takes responsibility for fulfilling it.
And it might as well be me
The artist feels capable and willing to take on the task at hand.
'Cause I'm the doer
The artist embraces their identity as someone who takes action and gets things done.
I'm the doer
The singer reinforces their self-identity and sense of agency.
I'm the doer right now
The singer emphasizes the immediacy and importance of taking action in the present moment.
That's some belief in your joy
The artist expresses confidence and enthusiasm for their decision to act on the call to action.
My planets, my God, Whatever happened to me?
The artist questions how they ended up in their current state of being, disconnected from their inner voice and sense of purpose.
No urge to speak, I silenced you, my guide
The artist acknowledges their own role in muting their intuition and inner guidance in the past.
And now I'm up here all alone, Like a little jumping Joan
The singer feels isolated and vulnerable, like a child jumping into something new and unknown.
And I'm calling, 'Cause I'm wonderin', Is my team flying?
The artist reaches out for support and reassurance that they are not alone in their pursuit of the call to action.
Stand supreme, Just continue with what you're doin'
The singer affirms their decision to take action and encourages others to keep moving forward with their own pursuits.
Contributed by Nicholas G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.