After the band's split, Bachmann moved onto multiple solo projects, including Barry Black and Crooked Fingers, and Gentling toured with Superchunk as an additional instrumentalist.
The band reunited in 2011 and scheduled multiple live dates throughout the year.
What Did You Expect?
Archers of Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put it back together
Put it in your face
Scatter your salt
Get your own solution
Don't blame me for all of your confusion
Cause you word is shot
Don't dig my throat
It's a running sore
Don't set me back
Shave my brain
Your steps too short
Plain and insignificant
It's a running sore
It's the rope
It's the rubbing
Can't do nothing cause I'm all tied up
Drown that face
Look at that slobber
Looks like goiter
and I'm all tied up
(repeat last two)
Spread out flat
What did you expect?
Why's the man always trying to keep me down?
Hated at home,
What did you expect?
Why's the man always trying to keep me down?
Cause your word is shot,
Your speech is shut,
Don't dig my throat,
It's a running sore.
Don't set me back,
Shave my brain,
Your steps too short,
Plain and insignificant.
It's a running sore,
It's the rope ,
It's the rubbing,
Can't do nothing cause I'm all tied up.
Drown that face
Look at that slobber
Looks like goiter
and I'm all tied up
It's a running sore,
It's the rope ,
It's the rubbing,
Can't do nothing cause I'm all tied up.
Drown that face
Look at that slobber
Looks like goiter
and I'm all tied up
(repeat last two in the background)
You aren't listening
To what you're saying
When you say the things you're saying.
When you walk
The way you talk
The lyrics of Archers of Loaf's song "What Did You Expect?" appear to address the frustration and bitterness of the singer towards someone who has caused them pain or confusion. The opening lines of "Unwanted space, put it back together, put it in your face, scatter your salt" suggest that there has been a rift or separation between the singer and the person they are addressing. The line "don't blame me for all of your confusion" implies that the singer is not willing to take responsibility for the other person's problems.
The second half of the song is more aggressive in tone, with the repeated refrain "It's a running sore, It's the rope, It's the rubbing, Can't do nothing 'cause I'm all tied up" expressing a sense of being trapped, hurt, and frustrated. The imagery of drowning and goiters adds to the sense of disgust and despair. The last lines, "You aren't listening to what you're saying, When you say the things you're saying, When you walk, the way you talk" suggest a final goodbye or dismissal of the other person, as if the singer has accepted that there is no hope for reconciliation.
Overall, the song seems to be about the pain of a broken relationship, with the singer feeling wronged and unable to move on. The lyrics are filled with anger and bitterness, but there is also a sense of resignation and acceptance in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Unwanted space
There is a gap between us that needs to be filled
Put it back together
Let's work towards closing the gap between us
Put it in your face
Face the reality of our situation
Scatter your salt
Take responsibility for your own problems instead of blaming others
Get your own solution
Find your own way to fix your problems
Don't blame me for all of your confusion
Stop blaming me for everything that goes wrong in your life
Cause you word is shot
Your words lack meaning and impact
Your speech is shut
You are not communicating effectively
Don't dig my throat
Stop attacking me verbally and emotionally
It's a running sore
This situation is constantly causing pain and discomfort
Don't set me back
Don't hinder my progress
Shave my brain
Cut out the unnecessary or negative thoughts in my head
Your steps too short
You are not doing enough to solve the problem
Plain and insignificant
Your efforts are not enough to make a difference
It's the rope
I am trapped in this situation
It's the rubbing
The circumstances are causing friction and tension
Can't do nothing cause I'm all tied up
I am unable to make any progress because of the circumstances
Drown that face
Stop feeling sorry for yourself
Look at that slobber
You are not putting in effort, but complaining about it
Looks like goiter
Your negativity is causing physical effects on you
Spread out flat
Don't make things difficult and complicated
Why's the man always trying to keep me down?
Society or authority figures are preventing me from succeeding
Hated at home
My domestic situation is causing me distress
You aren't listening
You are not paying attention to the consequences of your actions
To what you're saying
You are not considering the impact of your words on others
When you say the things you're saying
Your words are empty and meaningless
When you walk
Your actions are not enough to solve the problem
Contributed by Gabriella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.