I spy with my little eye…a new Courtney Barnett single! Today, the indie rock singer unveiled “Smile Real Nice,” the theme song for Apple TV+’s new animated adaptation of Harriet the Spy.
On the defiant track, Barnett croons, “I don’t wanna be/ You don’t wanna be/ We don’t wanna be/ Told what to do/ No, I won’t cut my hair/ And I’ll wear whatever I like/ It when I get to be myself” over raucous drums and dueling electric guitars.
As mentioned, “Smile Real Nice” serves as the opening theme for Harriet the Spy, which is set to premiere on Apple’s streaming service on November 19th. An illustrated update on the 1964 children’s novel by Louise Fitzhugh, the series stars Beanie Feldstein as the voice of the titular spy alongside Jane Lynch as Ole Golly and Lacey Chabert as Marion Hawthorne. Stream “Smile Real Nice,” and hear it in the official Apple TV+ trailer, below.
Related Video
Meanwhile, the song arrives in the midst of Barnett’s rollout for her upcoming third album, Things Take Time, Take Time, which is set to arrive on November 12th via Milk!/Marathon Artists. The LP will contain previously-released singles “Rae Street,” “Before You Gotta Go,” and “Write a List of Things to Look Forward To.”
The Australian singer also recently covered “I’ll Be Your Mirror” for the star-studded I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to the Velvet Underground & Nico. Next month, Barnett kicks off a headlining, 23-city tour with a performance at the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas. Following the conclusion of that run of shows, she’s set to open for Foo Fighters at one of their four U.K. stadium shows next summer. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
