A musician and lyricist of uncommon and mature gift, and one blessed with a gloriously fluid and expressive voice, Lawson was born and raised in Plymouth in what was he says a resolutely non-musical household. “No-one sang or played anything. We didn’t have any records. My dad would listen to Radio 2 a bit but that was the extent of it. And this was back in the days before the station got really good. There was nothing in what I heard that spoke directly to me.” Then the elder of his two brothers hit adolescence and things began to change: “He got me into The Smiths, The Housemartins, the Jackson 5 ...” A disparate trio of early influences, you might think, but Jamie says not really. “They’re all very big on melody. And Morrissey and the young Michael Jackson both have a real passion to the way they sing.”
Aged eight, he asked for and received his first guitar. Early on in secondary school, he was invited to join his first band. “We were quite a dedicated little bunch, rehearsing every lunchtime when the rest of the class was out playing football. It was pretty much all covers, of course ... R.E.M., the Chilli Peppers, some Hendrix. By the time I was 15 we had quite a wide repertoire of other people’s badly-done songs.” He was writing material of his own too, “all of it terrible to start with, of course. I’d be 17 at least before I came up with anything good.” And he was singing, though mainly in unconscious impersonation of Michael Stipe. “My own voice took a while to find. I had to stop trying to replicate someone else’s tricks.”
When he did properly uncover it, that voice proved to be something very special indeed. No one who has heard him sing live would disagree (and in addition to his own regular schedule of gigging, he has played with artists including The Frames, Martha Wainwright and Damien Rice, as well as having been chosen as opening act for outdoor gigs by both Van Morrison and Katie Melua). Even-keeled, even undemonstrative offstage, he comes alive in front of an audience and in the service of his songs. “American Music Club’s Mark Eitzel has been a big influence, in the sense that he sings with his whole body and puts so much into his performance. The difference is that my voice is sweeter and more pure.”
There was a brief and half-hearted attempt at following a different career path. But unhappy and unfulfilled in his earliest weeks at Art College, Lawson sought the advice of a counsellor who then asked him, ‘So what do you want to do with your life?’ “And when I said that I wanted to be a singer she told me, ‘Then go and do it!’ which totally surprised me but which was absolutely the right thing to say. I met that woman just once and for five minutes. I don’t even know her name. But she showed me what I had to do.” And via a geographically circuitous route that has taken in Dublin, Cornwall and now London and during which both his song writing skills and stagecraft have increased by leaps and bounds, he has done it.
Lawson is not just a singer but also an exceptionally blessed and affecting one. His voice and songs have proven to work equally beautifully and well whether in a tiny indoor venue like London’s 12 Bar Club or outdoors before 10,000 people. “And the simple fact is that I love to sing,” he says. “I love the intimacy of live performance. I love drawing people into my mood. I love bringing them to where I am.”
Alan Jackson.
The Times
London.
Wasn't Expecting That
Jamie Lawson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wasn't expecting that
Just a delicate kiss, anyone could've missed
I wasn't expecting that
Did I misread the sign?
Your hand slipped into mine
I wasn't expecting that
You woke up and you said
"Well, I wasn't expecting that"
I thought love wasn't meant to last,
I thought you were just passing through
If I ever get the nerve to ask
What did I get right to deserve somebody like you?
I wasn't expecting that
It was only a word, it was almost mis-heard
I wasn't expecting that
But it came without fear,
A month turned into a year
I wasn't expecting that
I thought love wasn't meant to last,
Honey, I thought you were just passing through
If I ever get the nerve to ask
What did I get right to deserve somebody like you?
I wasn't expecting that
Isn't it strange how a life can be changed
In the flicker of the sweetest smile
We were married in spring
You know I wouldn't change a thing
Without that innocent kiss, what a life I'd have missed
If you'd not took a chance on a little romance
When I wasn't expecting that
Time doesn't take long, three kids up and gone
I wasn't expecting that
When the nurses they came, said it's come back again
I wasn't expecting that
Then you closed your eyes, you took my heart by surprise
I wasn't expecting that!
Jamie Lawson's song "Wasn't Expecting That" is a beautiful tribute to the surprises that come with love and life. The first verse begins with the singer describing a simple smile that sets his heart racing, followed by a gentle kiss that he didn't see coming. He questions whether or not he misread her signals when she slips her hand into his, and then is utterly taken aback when she spends the night in his bed. The chorus is a declaration of his astonishment at finding someone who he didn't think was meant to exist in his life, someone who has taken him off-guard and captured his heart.
The second verse begins with his realization that he thought love wasn't meant to last, only to realize that this unexpected romance has turned into something much more meaningful than he ever thought possible. The bridge reflects on the way that a single moment, like a smile or a kiss, can change the course of one's entire life. It's a reminder that we don't always know what to expect, but that the surprises can be some of the most beautiful memories we make.
The final verse is a somber reflection on the way that life moves on, with time passing quickly and children growing up and moving out. But the ultimate shock is when his partner succumbs to illness, taking their love by surprise and reminding him just how precious life can be.
Overall, "Wasn't Expecting That" is an emotional tribute to the unexpected twists and turns that come with life, and a reminder to cherish every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
It was only a smile but my heart it went wild
A small gesture of kindness from you ignited strong and unexpected feelings within me.
I wasn't expecting that
I was completely taken aback by your actions and didn't anticipate them.
Just a delicate kiss, anyone could've missed
Your gentle and subtle kiss could have gone unnoticed by anyone else.
Did I misread the sign?
I'm questioning whether I correctly interpreted your actions and feelings towards me.
Your hand slipped into mine
You took a small action that demonstrated your care and affection towards me.
You spent the night in my bed,
We took our relationship to the next level and became intimate with each other.
You woke up and you said
The morning after our intimate encounter, you surprised me by saying something unexpected.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that"
Your words caught me off guard and I didn't anticipate your reaction.
I thought love wasn't meant to last,
I had a pessimistic view of love and didn't believe that relationships could be long lasting.
I thought you were just passing through
I didn't think that our relationship would turn into a long-term commitment.
If I ever get the nerve to ask
I'm considering asking you a question that I find difficult to bring up in conversation.
What did I get right to deserve somebody like you?
I'm amazed by how fortunate I am to be with someone as wonderful as you and wonder what I did to deserve it.
It was only a word, it was almost mis-heard
A word you said to me was barely audible and could have been misinterpreted or missed altogether.
But it came without fear,
Despite not knowing how you would react, you told me how you felt without hesitation or fear.
A month turned into a year
Time passed quickly, and before we knew it, we had been together for a year.
Isn't it strange how a life can be changed
It's amazing how much our lives can be impacted by one small event or action.
In the flicker of the sweetest smile
Your sweet smile had a powerful effect on me and lit up my life in an instant.
We were married in spring
Our relationship progressed to the point where we decided to get married in the spring season.
You know I wouldn't change a thing
Despite any flaws or challenges we face, I wouldn't want to change anything about our life together.
Without that innocent kiss, what a life I'd have missed
If we hadn't shared that one innocent kiss, I would never have known the joy and love that we share.
If you'd not took a chance on a little romance
If you hadn't been willing to take a risk and pursue a romantic relationship with me, we wouldn't be where we are today.
Time doesn't take long, three kids up and gone
Time passes quickly, and before we knew it, our children were grown and had left the house.
When the nurses they came, said it's come back again
When the nurses informed us that your illness had returned, it was unexpected and devastating news.
Then you closed your eyes, you took my heart by surprise
Your passing was a shock to me, and I wasn't anticipating the depth of sadness and grief that I would feel.
I wasn't expecting that!
Throughout our relationship, there were many unexpected moments that have left a profound impact on my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jamie Lawson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justeli8953
I've always thought Jamie left out a final verse which would make this song complete.
Please let me fill it in, from my own life experience (this song is my life, down to the 3
kids and the cancer)
10 years up and gone.
Guess I haven't moved on.
I wasn't expecting that.
Still hear your voice in my head.
And feel your warmth in our bed.
I wasn't expecting that.
So now it's my turn to rest.
Is that your head on my chest?
I wasn't expecting that.
Paul Whitfield.
@paulwhitfield2504
+Caz B
Caz, this has been my life.From the viewpoint of your father.
It's broken me... and also made me strong enough enough to carry on...
Jamie missed a last verse.
It's been over five years, and I guess I'm still here.
I wasn't expecting that.
Thought I'd follow you on, quite soon after you'd gone.
I sort of expected that.
I know now love is a lifelong thing, seems we're all just passing through.
Hope your waiting somewhere for me... 'cause I'm still missing you.
Your still here in my head, I feel your warmth in our bed.
I wasn't expecting that.
So now it's my turn to rest? Is that your head on my chest?
I wasn't expecting that.
Respect. Paul.
@MarvinLiverpool
I loved her cheeky grin,
To me happiness she'd bring,
Together battles we'd win,
Liking her wasn't a sin, Knowing her was a gift, Even though it was swift,
Your lovely spirit lifted me up like a lift,
My grief I can't shift, She past away,
I miss her everyday,
For her soul to reach Heaven to God I pray,
R.I.P darling until I head your way, I wished you a farewell,
That's da day I fell,
It was my personal hell,
I was locked in a cell
@iyangbahtiar
It was only a smile
But my heart it went wild
I wasn't expecting that
Just a delicate kiss
Anyone could've missed
I wasn't expecting that
Did I misread the sign?
Your hand slipped into mine
I wasn't expecting that
You spent the night in my bed
You woke up and you said
"Well, I wasn't expecting that!"
I thought love wasn't meant to last
I thought you were just passing through
If I ever get the nerve to ask
What did I get right to deserve somebody like you?
I wasn't expecting that
It was only a word
It was almost misheard
I wasn't expecting that
But it came without fear
A month turned into a year
I wasn't expecting that
I thought love wasn't meant to last
Honey, I thought you were just passing through
If I ever get the nerve to ask
What did I get right to deserve somebody like you?
I wasn't expecting that
Oh and isn't it strange
How a life can be changed
In the flicker of the sweetest smile
We were married in spring
You know I wouldn't change a thing
Without that innocent kiss
What a life I'd have missed
If you'd not took a chance
On a little romance
When I wasn't expecting that
Time doesn't take long
Three kids up and gone
I wasn't expecting that
When the nurses they came
Said, "It's come back again"
I wasn't expecting that
Then you closed your eyes
You took my heart by surprise
I wasn't expecting that
@genefoad
It was a pleasure to have been part of this video. Thrilled to see it has so many views and touched so many people . (I was the husband of the elder couple)
@kashnimago2096
Gene Foad Loved the video, Sir:) Thank you for making it special :)
@Australianbutterfly
It's such a beautiful and moving mini movie. Loved it !!
@jennifermaree6343
Wow, it certainly has and I'm sure that it's been spread throughout our world and my dad used to say, " you never know what's around the corner".Great video and lyrics and awesome you were part of its creation.
@kimm9766
Great job Gene xx
@thanosthemadtitan1273
I m sure you weren't expecting that :) wink wink
@VIPeR010icoN
Let's be honest, this song wasn't recommended.. you searched for it
@Coopdog0108
yes
@jakewoods2893
I hate to break it to you but it was recommended for me
@Coopdog0108
@@jakewoods2893 wow songs don't get recommended alot so ok