I’m coming in to the home stretch of Courtney Barnett’s album with three songs left, starting with track #8, ‘Debbie Downer.’
This is a weird way to discover an album, one song at a time spaced out over hours or days. I’ve written some of these blog entries back-to-back but others have been separated by a day or two. I’m used to hearing new music all the way through, usually on my car stereo. This is a more disjointed experience, certainly, but I also feel like I’m getting a better sense of the album overall than I usually do with a new record.
‘Debbie Downer’ is another quick character sketch, along the lines of ‘Aqua Profonda!,’ this time of an insecure and moderately self-loathing woman.
Musically, this is not what I expected at all. This is probably the most buoyant track on the album so far, in ironic contrast to its subject matter. If this album were to spawn a successful single, this would probably be the one.
Tell me when you’re getting bored and I’ll leave
I’m not the one who put the chain around your feet
I’m sorry for all of my insecurities, but they’re just a part of me
“Envy is thin because it bites but never eats”
That’s what a nice old Spanish lady once told me
“Hey Debbie-Downer turn that frown upside down and just be happy”
[Pre-Chorus]
I don’t ask too much of you
It’s true and I can’t read your mind
[Chorus]
Don’t stop listening, I’m not finished yet
I’m not fishing for your compliments
[Verse 2]
I’m growing older every time I blink my eyes
Boring, neurotic, everything that I despise
We had some lows, we had some mids, we had some highs
Sell me all your golden rules and I’ll see
If that’s the kind of person that I wanna be
If I’m not happy I’ll be glad I kept receipts
[Pre-Chorus]
I won’t ask too much of you
I used to wonder what to wear
[Chorus] x4
Meet Me In Montauk 
I suspect my sister will enjoy and perhaps identify with this song.š
Definitely like the lyrics better then the music on this one.
I have enjoyed reading her lyrics across the board but not the music which I find monotonous. Me, identify with Debbie Downer, whatever could you be saying? You know what a bon vivant I really am! Going back to my fetal position now.
LOL!