Crippling Self-Doubt and a General Lack of Confidence

Album: Tell Me How You Really Feel (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Courtney Barnett had a downward shift of confidence while she was writing the Tell Me How You Really Feel record. Her struggles to work through her own emotional life are reflected in the song's hook.

    (Tell me how you really feel)
    I don't know, I don't know anything


    The album title is taken from the lyric.
  • That's Kim and Kelly Deal of The Breeders who are chanting the lyric that titles the album. Barnett responds by giving voice to the nagging doubts that swirl around her brain.

    Barnett reciprocated the Deals contribution to this song by supplying backing vocals to The Breeders' 2018 track "Howl At The Summit."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."