Expectations
L. HILL Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
L.A. hold up let me kick my shit real quick
I’m living on a high like my expectations, ever since my procreation
Trying to find my destination, I’m racing ‘till expiration
The revelation of these niggas hating, got me contemplating
Is that signs that Imma make it, or how other niggas fake it
Anyway it’s fuck a hater,
I’m cooler than the radiation from your radiator, here’s the flavor
Flyer than a space ship modulator, lowkey slayer
Of the girl next door that just became your neighbor
A fresh taper, a money maker with the bass to make your trunk shake up
Now gone wake up,
And peep how you can follow your dreams to dollars an cream
We out here being scholars and things, it’s often I think
Where did you see yourself in ten years, was it right here
Or did you have fear, of being judged by your peers
Or maybe there’s a jury that can sentence you to years
This shits real
Trying to trace the generation, that we gave up on reparations
You place your dreams on education, to oversee you past inflation
They tell me my demise, is my high
Expectations, expectations
I got a bone to pick with you niggas that think that I’m humorous
I study arithmetic cause all my verses be flowing so numerous
Fuck all your foolishness,
That pussy is mines, I tattoo my name on a uterus like an illusionist
I vanish without a trace stay out my phone with that stupid shit
I’m so used to running these tracks that I might just invest in a starting block
I’m so good at laying this wax that a torch ain’t enough just to thaw me out
I’m a pacifist but I’ll pass a fist even blast the shit, if I got to
My nigga it’s not ignorance, when I end the shit that you started
It just so happens I’m
Bouncing on reality, this gravity can’t hold me down
The clouds is in my head because I’m smoking on a big amount
My faculties galactic think that star gazing is tragic
Shit you’ll never catch me rapping at that trap they know as rolling loud
My expectations high, but nah they never stay as high as me
All you hoes just pidgeotto eyeing up my togepi
My pens’ a sword I’m slaying niggas, writing lines with expertise
Excalibur of daggers serve wits so sharp when I cut on beats
Trying to trace the generation, that we gave up on reparations
You place your dreams on education, to oversee you past inflation
They tell me my demise, is my high
Expectations, expectations
Got no more patience for waiting focused on elevation
The expectations I’m placing are raising limitations
See all the struggle we facing created motivation
Every occasion we celebrating the fact we made it
Cause they don’t know
What it take to reach these goals
Deep down in my soul
Salvation, is waiting
Elated, oh is what I wait to be
Ignore these haters and racists and what they say to me
Some of em never expected we’d escape slavery
Sometimes I think of what my ancestors would say to me
But no way to tell
Nine times out of ten I just keep it to myself
Got fifty-leven kin all screaming fuck twelve
They gone try to back but we expected from ourselves
Trying to trace the generation, that we gave up on reparations
You place your dreams on education, to oversee you past inflation
They tell me my demise, is my high
Expectations, expectations
In the song "Expectations" by L. Hill, the lyrics delve into themes such as ambition, perseverance, and the struggles faced by the African-American community. The artist begins by expressing her determination to surpass her own expectations and find her purpose in life. She reflects on the doubts and uncertainties she encounters, questioning whether the hate she receives from others is a sign that she is on the path to success or if it simply reflects the fakeness of some individuals. Regardless, she remains unfazed by the negativity and asserts her confidence in the face of obstacles.
The artist also addresses her critics, proclaiming her talent and skill in a witty and boastful manner. She mentions studying arithmetic to highlight the abundance of verses she possesses, while dismissing the foolishness of others. The artist further emphasizes her prowess by alluding to tattooing her name on a uterus like an illusionist, effectively asserting her dominance over intimate relationships. She also references her ability to excel in music, comparing herself to a track athlete who might invest in a starting block and a wax figure that needs more than a simple torch to melt. Overall, the lyrics highlight the artist's ability to master her craft and challenge those who doubt her talents.
The second verse of the song focuses on the artist's mental state and the unique perspective she possesses. She mentions the clouds in her head, likely alluding to being under the influence of marijuana, which enhances her creativity. The artist considers herself out of this world, viewing her thoughts and aspirations as galactic and aspiring to reach heights beyond those of her contemporaries. She rejects the idea of conforming to mainstream music, refusing to rap at a popular trap festival known as Rolling Loud. This demonstrates her desire to create music that is distinct and intellectually stimulating.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the artist's pursuit of greatness despite society's shortcomings. She discusses the concept of reparations, alluding to the generations that have faced oppression and how society has failed to rectify those injustices. Instead of relying solely on external factors for success, she encourages placing dreams on education and personal growth to surpass inflation and limitations. The artist acknowledges that some may perceive her confidence and ambition as her downfall, but she turns those expectations into fuel for her motivation. The chorus serves as a reminder to stay focused on personal elevation and celebrate achievements amidst adversity.
In the final verse, the artist reflects on the struggles faced by African-Americans and the expectations placed upon them. She mentions the patience that has worn thin and redirects her efforts towards self-improvement and breaking through limitations. The artist acknowledges the hardships the community has endured, including slavery and systemic racism, and pays homage to her ancestors. Despite the challenges, she recognizes the importance of internal motivation and defines salvation as a state of elation achieved through perseverance. The lyrics conclude by emphasizing the artist's determination to not only overcome societal expectations but also to surpass the expectations set by her own community.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement
L.A. hold up let me kick my shit real quick
Pause for a moment and let me speak my mind
I’m living on a high like my expectations, ever since my procreation
I have been aiming high ever since I was born
Trying to find my destination, I’m racing ‘till expiration
I'm relentlessly chasing my goals until the end
The revelation of these niggas hating, got me contemplating
The realization that people dislike me makes me think deeply
Is that signs that Imma make it, or how other niggas fake it
Does their hate indicate my success or their own deception
Anyway it’s fuck a hater
I don't care about haters
I’m cooler than the radiation from your radiator, here’s the flavor
I'm so cool, it's like the radiation from a radiator, here's my style
I’m kicking it old school like a sega, I’m playa playa
I'm embracing a nostalgic, old-school vibe, I'm a player
Flyer than a space ship modulator, lowkey slayer
I'm as fly as a spaceship, a subtle and skilled conqueror
Of the girl next door that just became your neighbor
I am now the attractive neighbor you didn't expect
A fresh taper, a money maker with the bass to make your trunk shake up
I have a fresh haircut, I make money, and my music will make your car vibrate
Now gone wake up
It's time for you to wake up
And peep how you can follow your dreams to dollars an cream
Take a look at how you can turn your dreams into financial success
We out here being scholars and things, it’s often I think
We are out here striving for knowledge and success, and I often reflect on it
Where did you see yourself in ten years, was it right here
Where did you envision yourself being in ten years, right where you are now
Or did you have fear, of being judged by your peers
Were you afraid of being criticized by your peers
Or maybe there’s a jury that can sentence you to years
Or perhaps there's a judgmental group that can ruin your future
This shits real
This is the reality
Trying to trace the generation, that we gave up on reparations
Attempting to understand the generation that abandoned the idea of reparations
You place your dreams on education, to oversee you past inflation
You rely on education to help you overcome financial difficulties
They tell me my demise, is my high
People say that my own downfall is my own success
I got a bone to pick with you niggas that think that I’m humorous
I have a problem with those who underestimate my seriousness
I study arithmetic cause all my verses be flowing so numerous
I study mathematics because I have a lot of lyrics
Fuck all your foolishness
I don't care about your nonsense
That pussy is mine, I tattoo my name on a uterus like an illusionist
I have ownership over women, I forcefully claim them like a magician
I vanish without a trace stay out my phone with that stupid shit
I disappear without leaving a trace, don't bother me with nonsense
I’m so used to running these tracks that I might just invest in a starting block
I'm so skilled at rapping that I should consider investing in my career
I’m so good at laying this wax that a torch ain’t enough just to thaw me out
I'm so talented at rapping that traditional methods of heating up a vinyl record are insufficient
I’m a pacifist but I’ll pass a fist even blast the shit, if I got to
I believe in non-violence, but if necessary, I'll fight or even explode
My nigga it’s not ignorance, when I end the shit that you started
My friend, it's not ignorance when I finish what you initiated
It just so happens I’m
Coincidentally, I am
Bouncing on reality, this gravity can’t hold me down
I am defying reality, gravity has no power over me
The clouds is in my head because I’m smoking on a big amount
I'm feeling high and euphoric due to smoking a large quantity of drugs
My faculties galactic think that star gazing is tragic
My mental abilities are cosmic, I find star gazing to be depressing
Shit you’ll never catch me rapping at that trap they know as rolling loud
You'll never see me perform at that gathering associated with drug culture
My expectations high, but nah they never stay as high as me
My expectations are high, but they can never match my own greatness
All you hoes just pidgeotto eyeing up my togepi
All you women are just eyeing me with desire
My pens’ a sword I’m slaying niggas, writing lines with expertise
My pen is my weapon, I'm defeating others with my skillful lyrics
Excalibur of daggers serve wits so sharp when I cut on beats
My language is like Excalibur, my words are sharp when I rap on beats
Got no more patience for waiting focused on elevation
I no longer have patience for waiting, I am focused on rising higher
The expectations I’m placing are raising limitations
The expectations I have are pushing beyond limits
See all the struggle we facing created motivation
Our hardships have inspired us to be motivated
Every occasion we celebrating the fact we made it
We celebrate every achievement we make
Cause they don’t know
Because they don't understand
What it take to reach these goals
The effort required to achieve these goals
Deep down in my soul
In the depths of my being
Salvation, is waiting
Redemption is waiting
Elated, oh is what I wait to be
I long to be filled with joy
Ignore these haters and racists and what they say to me
Don't pay attention to the haters and racists and their words
Some of em never expected we’d escape slavery
Some of them never believed we would break free from slavery
Sometimes I think of what my ancestors would say to me
At times I ponder what my ancestors would tell me
But no way to tell
There's no way to know
Nine times out of ten I just keep it to myself
Most of the time, I keep it to myself
Got fifty-leven kin all screaming fuck twelve
I have many friends who are shouting 'fuck the police'
They gone try to back but we expected from ourselves
They will try to stop us, but we anticipated it ourselves
Trying to trace the generation, that we gave up on reparations
Attempting to understand the generation that abandoned the idea of reparations
You place your dreams on education, to oversee you past inflation
You rely on education to help you overcome financial difficulties
They tell me my demise, is my high
People say that my own downfall is my own success
Expectations, expectations
Anticipations, anticipations
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Brandon Alexander, Lance Camacho
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tes7000
Pamela Brown: I don't know about Lauryn Hill ever being on drugs, but the rest of what you wrote is pretty much on target. She's kind of a hot mess overall and has been for a very long time, and always being the victim and blaming others is just a way of deflecting from the real issues she is dealing with.
I think Lauryn is almost paralyzed by perfectionism and fear of failure. Miseducation was a runaway success, and she was afraid to move forward for fear that she could not match what she had already achieved.
Lauryn is legendarily late for all of her shows, which makes her draw the ire of people who actually like her enough to pay for her time. Why is she constantly manifesting this energy?
I have thought for a while that Lauryn needs counseling to deal with her issues. Until she gets that, she is likely to remain in this endless loop of victimhood and blaming others.
The world is a vastly different place than it was 23 years ago. It would actually be pretty interesting to get another album from her after so many years.
@kevynstates5794
Some artists have 10 albums and still have not produced a masterpiece like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
@Renee_nf094e
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@dlil89
Timeless album
@terrencemyers1033
I believe everything Lauryn says and I hope a lot of people realize and understand that she is a spiritual woman and looks at her human experience in this physical world we live in from a spiritual perspective that most do not comprehend. People say she is deep! When she is just in tune with her spiritual side.
@silhouettpolefitness
Don’t forget about her unplugged album. It’s a whole vibe.
@tempestjones7445
I love that album, too
@Lilkeekee215
Omg yesss I cry everytime I hear piece of mind 😩
@Winfire69
Lauryn will always be "That Thing" we can't get enough of. She hasn't missed a beat. She was on NAS "Nobody" track from Kings Disease 2. You gotten listen to her on that track she sums it up right there.
@SAVETHEARTSTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAL6JqJBl50&t=168s
@DelceniaDamesTucker
My all-time favorite artist. Lauryn Hill was definitely ahead of her time. I was just watching all my YouTube videos of her LIVE concerts.