He has played and toured with Shovels & Rope, Jonny Corndawg, Caitlin Rose, Houndmouth, Robert Ellis, and Jason Isbell.
Following the success of the 2010 EP Tennessee Time, Coin Records released the 7-inch single “Big Bad Love” in May 2012 and Combs’ debut full-length album, Worried Man, on October 30, 2012. The album was co-produced by Mike Odmark and features guest appearances from Caitlin Rose and Nikki Lane, along with the core band of Jeremy Fetzer, Spencer Cullum, Jr., Michael Rinne, Micah Hulscher, and Jon Radford.
Expectations
Andrew Combs Lyrics
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A little quiet conversation
Desperate times, and desperate crimes
Call for desperate situations
Oh I′ve lost mind
Down the road of no direction
While I claim its in the corner
Full of dreams and awe and wonder
Ohhh
Who do I think I'm fooling
Ohhh
Who do I think I′m fooling
Every move I make
In the name of good intentions
Is a well planned, slide of hand
Calculated direction
Oh I've I tried and tried
Lord knows how I've tried
But if I can′t stand for something
They say, "I guess you′re good for nothing"
Ohhh
Who do I think I'm fooling
Ohhh
Who do I think I′m fooling
I do a line
Have a drink
Tell the world
What I think
Keep it fast
Keep it mean
I don't mean what I′m saying baby
Somebody save me
Ohhh
Who do I think I'm fooling
Ohhh
Who do I think I′m fooling
Ohhh
Who do I think I'm fooling
Ohhh
Who do I think I'm fooling
The lyrics to Andrew Combs's song Expectations revolve around themes of self-doubt, the pressure of living up to society's expectations, and the desperation to fit in. The opening lines of the song "Is it too much to ask a little quiet conversation" showcase a yearning for calm amidst the chaos of modern-day life. The next line "Desperate times, and desperate crimes call for desperate situations" suggests that in today's world, people are pushed to extremes to achieve their goals, whether or not they are honest or ethical.
The chorus then follows, with the singer questioning himself, "Who do I think I'm fooling?" and highlighting how he is making calculated moves with good intentions. Despite this, he is unable to stand for something, thereby rendering him "good for nothing." In the next verse, the singer admits to doing things impulsively, saying he does a line, has a drink, and tells the world what he thinks. He keeps it fast and means, but he doesn't actually believe what he is saying. The lyrics emphasize the pressure people face to conform and present a facade to the world, even if it means losing their true selves in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it too much to ask
Am I being unreasonable?
A little quiet conversation
Just some peaceful, two-way dialogue
Desperate times, and desperate crimes
In times of desperation, people resort to questionable actions
Call for desperate situations
Lead to difficult or challenging circumstances
Oh I’ve lost my mind
I’ve become confused and disoriented
Down the road of no direction
Without a clear sense of purpose or destination
While I claim it’s in the corner
Despite my assertion that I’ve found the answer/solution
Full of dreams and awe and wonder
Filled with optimistic aspirations and delightful surprises
Every move I make
All my actions
In the name of good intentions
With the goal of doing something beneficial
Is a well planned, slide of hand
Is a carefully executed sleight of hand trick
Calculated direction
A strategic course of action
Oh I’ve tried and tried
I’ve made numerous attempts
Lord knows how I’ve tried
I’ve exhausted all possible efforts
But if I can’t stand for something
If I can’t advocate for a particular cause
They say, 'I guess you’re good for nothing'
Others will consider me worthless or lacking in value
I do a line
I snort a line of cocaine
Have a drink
I consume alcohol
Tell the world
I make my opinions heard publicly
What I think
My personal views and beliefs
Keep it fast
Speak or act quickly
Keep it mean
Be aggressive or cruel
I don’t mean what I’m saying baby
I don’t truly believe what I’m saying
Somebody save me
I need someone to rescue me from my destructive behavior and mindset
Ohhh Who do I think I'm fooling
Who do I believe I am deceiving
Ohhh Who do I think I’m fooling
Who do I believe I am able to trick
Ohhh Who do I think I’m fooling
Who do I think I am deceiving or duping
Ohhh Who do I think I'm fooling
Who do I think I am able to deceive or mislead
Writer(s): Sarah Siskind, Andrew Combs
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.