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.
Pom Poms
Scout Niblett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever you wanna be, you can be it
Whoever you wanna love, you can love 'em
Right now
Does anybody know a cute girl with some pom poms?
Does anybody know a cute girl with some pom poms?
'Cause everybody needs someone to spell out their name, yeah
In a little song
So please, please, please just send her along
Please, please, please just send her along
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
In a little song
Does anybody know a cute girl with some pom poms?
Does anybody know a cute girl with some pom poms?
'Cause everybody needs someone to spell out their name, yeah
'Cause everybody needs someone to spell out their name
In a little song
So please, please, please just send her along
Please, please, please just send her along
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
In a little song
The lyrics to Scout Niblett's "Pom Poms" express a longing for support, affection, and recognition. The singer invites anyone to tell them anything, be whoever they want to be, and love whoever they choose. This suggests an openness and a desire for connection, but also a feeling of isolation and perhaps a lack of these things in their life. The repeated request for a cute girl with pom poms is interesting because it can be interpreted in various ways. The most obvious reading is that the singer wants someone to cheer them on, literally with pom poms, but it could also be a metaphor for a supportive and enthusiastic person who encourages them.
The line "everybody needs someone to spell out their name in a little song" reinforces the idea of recognition and validation. It's not just cheering that the singer is seeking, but also a sense of being seen and heard. By asking for someone to spell out their name, they are asking for personalized attention and a kind of tribute. The repeated "please, please, please just send her along" could suggest desperation or urgency, but it also has a playful and teasing quality. It sounds like a child's plea for a toy or a treat, which adds a touch of whimsy and vulnerability to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever you wanna say, you can say it to me
You can confide in me about anything you want to talk about.
Whatever you wanna be, you can be it
You have the freedom to pursue any path you desire in life.
Whoever you wanna love, you can love 'em, Right now
You have the liberty to love whomever you choose, there's no need to wait.
Does anybody know a cute girl with some pom poms?
Is there anyone who knows of a young woman with pom poms?
’Cause everybody needs someone to spell out their name, yeah
Everybody needs a person to cheer them on by spelling their name.
In a little song
This cheering would happen using a little song.
So please, please, please just send her along
Please find this person and introduce me to her.
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
I'm looking for someone to motivate, inspire and encourage me.
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
I'm searching for an individual to motivate, inspire and encourage me using their energy.
In a little song
This cheering would happen using a little song.
Does anybody know a cute girl with some pom poms?
Is there anyone who knows of a young woman with pom poms?
’Cause everybody needs someone to spell out their name, yeah
Everybody needs someone who can cheer them on by spelling out their name.
In a little song
This cheering would happen using a little song.
So please, please, please just send her along
Please introduce me to this young woman who can motivate, inspire and encourage me.
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
I'm seeking someone who can motivate, inspire and encourage me with their energy.
To cheer me on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me on
I'm looking for someone who can inspire me and raise my spirits.
In a little song
This cheering would happen using a little song.
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
moonstone
The first half of the song with the guitar sounds so much like Cat Power it's startling. Lovely song.
mmmMatto
Wow, Cat Power was my first thought too!