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.
Lullaby for Scout in 10 Years
Scout Niblett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
drivin' your body around
are you still a hunter
for yourself
'cause honey, if you're still around
honey, if you're still around
is there someone to hold you tightly
if there's no one
then drink a glass with me
and show me what you said right now
'cause honey, if you're still around
honey, if you're still around
is there someone to hold tightly
in their arms
if there's no one
then drink a glass with me
and show me what you said right now
'cause honey, if you're still around
honey, if you're still around
honey, if you're still around
honey, if you're still around
honey, if you're still around
honey, if you're still around
The lyrics to Scout Niblett's song "Lullaby for Scout in 10 Years" are simple and poignant, yet with various possible interpretations. The song seems to address an individual, possibly the titular "Scout," who the singer hasn't seen in a long time and wonders what they have been up to. The first stanza poses two questions: "are you still a chauffeur/driving your body around" and "are you still a hunter/for yourself." These lines might suggest that Scout has been struggling with their sense of identity, agency, or direction. The metaphor of a chauffeur driving their own body may imply that Scout has been feeling disconnected or disembodied. The metaphor of a hunter for oneself may suggest that Scout has been pursuing something elusive or hunting their own demons.
The second stanza seems to express the singer's care and concern for Scout's emotional wellbeing. The lines "is there someone to hold you tightly/in their arms/if there's no one/then drink a glass with me" suggest that Scout might be feeling lonely or unloved. The singer offers comfort and companionship, inviting Scout to share a drink with her and opening up a space for vulnerability and intimacy. The repeated line "honey, if you're still around" serves as a refrain that highlights the uncertainty of whether Scout is still present and reachable. It also underscores the singer's longing to reconnect with Scout, to bridge the gap of time and distance between them.
Overall, "Lullaby for Scout in 10 Years" is a wistful, intimate, and open-ended song that leaves much to the listener's imagination. It can be read as a love song or a friendship song, as a tribute to a specific person or a universal ode to human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
are you still a chauffeur
Are you still navigating your body through life without direction?
drivin' your body around
Moving through life aimlessly, without purpose.
are you still a hunter
Are you still searching for something that may never come, chasing a dream or ideal?
for yourself
For your own gain or pleasure, without considering others.
'cause honey, if you're still around
Because my concern is whether you're still present in this world.
is there someone to hold you tightly
Is there someone in your life who comforts and supports you when you need it?
in their arms
Physically embracing and offering a safe space to share your emotions.
if there's no one
If there's no one present in your life to care for you.
then drink a glass with me
Then come share a moment of solidarity with me, let's comfort each other.
and show me what you said right now
Share your thoughts and feelings with me, right now, in this moment.
honey, if you're still around
Once again, my concern is whether you're still present in this world.
honey, if you're still around
Repeated for emphasis on the importance of the message.
honey, if you're still around
Still ringing true, it's important that you're still with us in this world.
honey, if you're still around
Final reminder of the significance of the message.
Contributed by Declan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.