Write A List Of Things To Look Forward To

Album: Things Take Time, Take Time (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In early 2020, Courtney Barnett was in such a dark place, one of her friends felt compelled to stage an intervention. They suggested she write a list of constructive things she's looking forward to in the future. Such was her negative state of mind, the list remained empty for weeks, but once Barnett moved apartments, living alone for the first time in her life, slowly it filled. Eventually, she ended up with 25 verses, which Barnett edited down to this song.

    "I was trying to find the positives in a negative situation," the Australian singer-songwriter said of the track to The Independent.
  • In writing her list, Barnett found a fresh appreciation of her friends, which made its way into the song.

    Nobody knows, why we keep trying, why we keep trying
    And so on it goes, I'm looking forward to the next letter that I'm gonna get from you


    Barnett said it's a song about both darkness and friendship. "I found a deeper communication with people in my life - deeper conversations," she explained. "And a new level of gratitude for friendships that had been there for so long that I had maybe taken for granted."
  • The bright, jangly instrumentation contrasts with the lyrics. "I like that the music feels so enjoyable," said Barnett to Rolling Stone. "It sounds such as you're driving throughout a freeway and it's sunny. I like the juxtaposition of these issues."
  • Barnett recorded the song for Things Take Time, Take Time, an album written over two years and laid down in December 2020 and early 2021 with producer/drummer Stella Mozgawa. The Warpaint band member played drums on Barnett's 2017 duets album with Kurt Vile, Lotta Sea Lice.
  • As Australia pursued a long-term lockdown policy to keep COVID outbreaks at bay, Barnett needed a personal and creative rethink for the album. She discarded all the songs she'd written for Things Take Time, Take Time, bar one. "Write a List of Things to Look Forward To" was the only track to survive the cull.
  • Christina Xing's video finds Barnett receiving a succession of affectionately packaged gifts in the mail from friends.

Comments: 1

  • Klare Davalle from Los AngelesWhat does it mean when an ex boyfriend sent you the song after he brutally broke up with you in the worst way?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.