After high-school Ainslie set out to refine her skills. She left her rural home in Albury and moved to Ballarat where she studied for a diploma in music and performed regularly at local venues. During this time Ainslie began writing more and more.
After completing her diploma, Ainslie was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Here she studied under the masterful Julie O'hara, learning the ins and outs of Jazz and Improvisation.
Although Ainslie has spent much of her time studying Jazz, it is in pop/rock music where her heart truly lies.
Ainslie's Influences range from Dvorak through Wes Montgomery to Jeff Buckley, Tori Amos and beyond. And the Carpenters. She really likes the Carpenters.
Ainslie performs regularly around Melbourne.
Society
Ainslie Wills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel like I should be hitting some kind of mark
The man, the house, the car
But it all feels kinda off
Outside, walking the streets at night
Trying to get these fears out of my mind
You don′t know what it's like
I′ve always done exactly what I'm told
But that ain't gonna work for me no more
I blame it on society
Trying to tell me who I′m supposed to be
Why they always got to put these clothes on me?
The ones that care the most, well, they ain′t even close to me
I blame it on society
I need a break from this anxiety
I just want someone to love me quietly
For who I'm for real and not for who I try to be
I blame it on society
Sitting in a lukewarm bath, blowing bubbles
Stinking rays of thoughts
My body′s aching, I'm all alone
I call you up and I cry for home
But what is home anymore
What is this life we′re looking for?
I feel I want to make it known
But I might disappoint you
And I'm sorry if I do
I′ve always done exactly what I'm told
But that ain't gonna work for me no more
I blame it on society
Trying to tell me who I′m supposed to be
Why they always got to put these clothes on me?
The ones that care the most, well they ain′t even close to me
I blame it on...
I've always done exactly what I′m told
But that ain't gonna work for me no more
I blame it on society
Trying to tell me who I′m supposed to be
Why they always got to put these clothes on me?
The ones that care the most, well they ain't even close to me
I blame it on society
I need a break from this anxiety
I just want someone to love me quietly
For who I′m for real and not for who I try to be
I blame it on society
The song "Society" by Ainslie Wills is all about the struggle to conform to societal expectations and the pressure to constantly please others. The opening lyrics, "What am I doing with my life? I feel like I should be hitting some kind of mark. The man, the house, the car, but it all feels kinda off," express the feeling of dissatisfaction with the typical markers of success in modern society.
The verses go on to describe the pressure to please others and the struggle to maintain a sense of self in the midst of it all. The lines "Trying to please a million people all the time, I've always done exactly what I'm told, but that ain't gonna work for me no more" highlight the impossibility of pleasing everyone and the need to break free from the expectations of others.
The chorus, "I blame it on society, trying to tell me who I'm supposed to be, why they always got to put these clothes on me? The ones that care the most, well, they ain't even close to me," places the blame on societal expectations and the pressure to conform. The bridge, with its introspective lyrics about the meaning of home and the fear of disappointment, emphasizes the personal toll that societal pressure can take.
Line by Line Meaning
What am I doing with my life?
I question my purpose in life.
I feel like I should be hitting some kind of mark
I feel I should be accomplishing certain things in life.
The man, the house, the car
Society's expectations of what represents success.
But it all feels kinda off
Despite these expectations, something doesn't feel right.
Outside, walking the streets at night
She is walking alone and seeking solace.
Trying to get these fears out of my mind
She is experiencing anxiety and trying to quiet her fears.
You don't know what it's like
She feels like other people cannot relate to her experience.
Trying to please a million people all the time
She feels pressure to meet everyone's expectations, yet it is impossible to please everyone.
I've always done exactly what I'm told
She has followed societal expectations without question in the past.
But that ain't gonna work for me no more
She cannot continue to live like this anymore.
I blame it on society
She feels she has been influenced by societal expectations and norms.
Trying to tell me who I'm supposed to be
Society tries to impose its expectations onto her.
Why they always got to put these clothes on me?
She feels like she is always being forced to conform to societal norms.
The ones that care the most, well they ain't even close to me
Even those closest to her cannot truly understand her struggles.
I need a break from this anxiety
She desires relief from her anxious feelings.
I just want someone to love me quietly
She desires genuine love and understanding from someone who will not judge her for who she truly is.
For who I'm for real and not who I try to be
She wants to be accepted for her true self, not the version of herself she feels she is expected to be.
Sitting in a lukewarm bath, blowing bubbles
She is engaging in self-care in the form of taking a bath.
Stinking rays of thoughts
She is overwhelmed by negative thoughts that are invading her mind.
My body's aching, I'm all alone
She is in physical and emotional pain and feels isolated.
I call you up and I cry for home
She reaches out for comfort and support from someone she trusts.
What is home anymore?
She questions the meaning of home and what it represents.
What is this life we're looking for?
She questions the purpose of life and what it means to truly live.
I feel I want to make it known
She has a desire to express her true self.
But I might disappoint you, and I'm sorry if I do
She is afraid of disappointing those closest to her if she does not meet their expectations.
Writer(s): Maureen Anne Mcdonald, Bram Katz Inscore, Ainslie Wills
Contributed by Isaac V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
confusedlook
Love love LOVE this song, but torn:
I just want someone to love me quietly
For who I am, for who I'm not, for who I try to be
I just want someone to love me quietly
For who I am, for real or not, for who I try to be
Also, are we in the bathtub thinking "razor thoughts"( :( ) or "rays of thoughts" (??)
Mel Brennan
This song is incredible. So real and simple yet complex and brilliant at the same time. I hope it becomes a classic in Australian music. Thank you Ainslie! ♥
Moni Shirley
Thank you for writing this song! I resonate with this song so much you’re such a muse
Damielou Shavelle
💜💜 this is perfect I haven’t stopped listening thank you.
Presley Davis Jr.
Song is so catchy, what a brilliant writer. Great voice. Love the video. Looking forward to the new record!!
Lucy Peach
Love LOVE your work Ainslie - you are a treasure. This gets me right in the guts and makes me feel like chucking the washing down the end of the garden x
Jessica Thomas
I absolutely love this track. Sing it at the top of my lungs. Thank you
Del lado de lo independiente
Muy buena y emocionante. ¡Bravo!
Richie Mahilum
I heard this once with Russel Crowe in BBC radio and now I'm hooked. The message of the song is great.
Roxana S
Profound ❤❤❤I love it
Rachael
Holy shit Ainslie, flawless acting. And so well directed and shot. This is amazing, and this song is amazing.