Expectations
BELLE and SEBASTIAN Lyrics
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Tell your mum what to expect, she says it's right out of the blue
Do you went to work in Debenham's, because that's what they expect
Start in Lingerie, and Doris is your supervisor
And the head said that you always were a queer one from the start
For careers you say you went to be remembered for your art
Your obsessions get you known throughout the school for being strange
In the queue for lunch they take the piss, you've got no appetite
And the rumour is you never go with boys and you are tight
So they jab you with a fork, you drop the tray and go berserk
While your cleaning up the mess the teacher's looking up your skirt
You've been used, you're confused
Write a song, I'll sing along
Are you calm? Settle down
Soon you will know that you are sane
You're on top of the world again
Monday morning wake up knowing that you've got to go to school
Mum said she had little choice when she was young, so why should you?
Do you went to work in C&A, 'cause that's what they expect
Move to Ladieswear and take a feel off Joe the Storeman
Tell Veronica the secrets of the boy you never kissed
She's got everything to gain 'cause she's a fat girl with a lisp
She sticks up for you when you get aggravation from the snobs
'Cause you can't afford a blazer and you're always wearing clogs
At the interval you lock yourself away inside a room
Heed of English gets you, asks you, "What the Hell do you think you're doing?"
"Do you think you're better then the other kids? Well get outside."
You've got permission, but you've got to make the bastard think he's right
The song "Expectations" by Belle and Sebastian is a poignant portrayal of the struggles of adolescence, particularly at school. The lyrics describe the pressure placed upon young people to conform to societal expectations, particularly with regards to their career aspirations and personal relationships. The first verse sets the scene with the singer waking up on a Monday morning, dreading the prospect of having to go to school. They discuss their plans for a creative career with their mother, only to be met with a dismissive response. Instead, they are expected to work in retail, starting in the lingerie department with an intimidating supervisor named Doris.
The second verse describes the singer's experiences of bullying and ostracism at school, as they are perceived as "strange" for their artistic pursuits and lack of interest in traditional gender roles. They are subjected to cruel jokes and rumors about their sexuality, which culminates in a violent outburst at lunchtime. Despite this, they find solace in music and creative expression, with the lines "Write a song, I'll sing along / Are you calm? Settle down / Soon you will know that you are sane" reflecting the healing power of artistic pursuits.
Overall, "Expectations" is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles of adolescence and the difficulties of conforming to societal expectations. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Monday morning wake up knowing that you've got to go to school
You start your week with a routine of going to school, attending classes, and completing assignments.
Tell your mum what to expect, she says it's right out of the blue
You inform your mother about the plans for the day, but she is not surprised since it is part of the regular activities.
Do you went to work in Debenham's, because that's what they expect
You follow the expectations of society by working at a department store, starting in the Lingerie section with Doris as your supervisor.
And the head said that you always were a queer one from the start
The school principal labeled you as eccentric and unconventional, even when you were just beginning your education.
For careers you say you want to be remembered for your art
You aspire to become an artist and leave a lasting legacy of your creative works.
Your obsessions get you known throughout the school for being strange
Your intense interests and fixation on creating life-sized models of the Velvet Underground in clay have made you infamous among your peers as being peculiar.
Making life-size models of the Velvet Underground in clay
You channel your passion for music into making realistic figures of a rock band out of clay.
In the queue for lunch they take the piss, you've got no appetite
During lunchtime, your classmates tease you and make fun of you, causing you to lose your appetite.
And the rumour is you never go with boys and you are tight
A rumor spreads around that you are sexually inexperienced and refuse to engage with boys.
So they jab you with a fork, you drop the tray and go berserk
One of your bullies pokes you with a fork, causing you to react aggressively and drop your food tray.
While your cleaning up the mess the teacher's looking up your skirt
As you clean up the mess from the dropped tray, the teacher invades your privacy by trying to look up your skirt.
You've been used, you're confused
You feel betrayed and manipulated, and now you are facing internal conflict and confusion.
Write a song, I'll sing along
You turn to music as a coping mechanism, to express your emotions and soothe your mind.
Are you calm? Settle down
Someone tries to reassure you and calm you down amidst the turmoil you are experiencing.
Soon you will know that you are sane
You will gradually realize that your thoughts and actions are perfectly normal and sane, despite what others may say.
You're on top of the world again
You regain your confidence and feel proud of yourself, despite the challenges you have faced.
Mum said she had little choice when she was young, so why should you?
Your mother reveals that she was restricted in her choices when she was young, and she does not want the same for you.
Do you went to work in C&A, 'cause that's what they expect
You conform to society's expectations once again by taking a job at a clothing store and moving to the Ladieswear section to work with Joe the Storeman.
Tell Veronica the secrets of the boy you never kissed
You confide in your friend Veronica about your past romantic experiences, including the fact that you have never kissed a boy.
She's got everything to gain 'cause she's a fat girl with a lisp
Veronica has a lot to gain by being your friend, since she is overweight and has a speech impediment that makes her a target for bullies.
She sticks up for you when you get aggravation from the snobs
Veronica defends you and supports you when the elitist students harass you and belittle your interests.
'Cause you can't afford a blazer and you're always wearing clogs
Your economical situation and choice of footwear make you stand out from the crowd as different and possibly inferior in the eyes of some students.
At the interval you lock yourself away inside a room
During a break, you retreat to an isolated space and avoid socializing with others, potentially to avoid being ridiculed or to indulge in your creative pursuits.
Heed of English gets you, asks you, 'What the Hell do you think you're doing?'
Your English teacher confronts you and demands an explanation for your behavior or decisions, possibly out of concern or authority.
'Do you think you're better then the other kids? Well get outside.'
The teacher insinuates that you might have an egotistical or arrogant mindset, and sends you out of the room to teach you a lesson or let you reflect on your actions.
You've got permission, but you've got to make the bastard think he's right
You are given the explicit approval to go outside, but you have to manipulate the teacher into thinking that he made the right choice and that you are learning from your mistakes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cloud9
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GEDDES, ISOBEL CAMPBELL, MICHAEL COOKE, RICHARD COLBURN, STEPHEN JACKSON, STUART MURDOCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind