Pedestrian At Best

Album: Sometimes I Just Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This scathing cut finds Barnett flipping off the hype surrounding her music. She told Uncut the song is "about expectation and perceptions."
  • The song was released as the lead single from Sometimes I Just Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit, which was recorded during the autumn of 2014 in an intense ten day session at Head Gap studios in Melbourne. The album title references Winnie The Pooh author AA Milne. Barnett explained to Uncut: "When I was a kid there was this poster at my grandma's house. We used to fly down or drive to Melbourne from Sydney to have Christmas with my grandma and grandpa and I always liked it. I was visiting her last year and I saw it again and wrote it down."
  • The music video finds Barnett playing an inept clown who doesn't know how to keep people pleased. The clip features cameos from various other members of the Melbourne music community including Davey Lane and Jen Cloher.
  • This was the last song Barnett wrote for Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit. She explained to Nothing But Hope and Passion: "It deals with the topic of perceptions, expectations and judgements, and carries a lot of frustration and anger. I was just frustrated with myself about being in the studio for so long, and I was going mental."

    "I guess in this one I am really honest," Barnett added. "I just wrote down what I had in mind the last day in the studio, and one idea triggered another, so it might be a bit confusing actually."
  • Courtney Barnett performed this song and "Nobody Really Cares if You Don't Go to the Party" during her Saturday Night Live debut on May 21, 2016. The singer also took part in a skit with the show's cast member Bobby Moynihan, in which she attempted to teach him Australian slang like "ute."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.