The band gained recognition in the United Kingdom and United States during 2006 and 2007 due to the success of their single "Young Folks", whilst staying virtually unknown in their homeland, Sweden.
All Those Expectations
Peter Bjorn and John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you go along with someone like me?
If you knew my story word for word, had all of my history
Would you go along with someone like me?
I did before and had my share, it didn't lead nowhere
I would go along with someone like you
It doesn't matter what you did, who you were hanging with
And we don't care about the young folks
Talking 'bout the young style
And we don't care about the old folks
Talking 'bout the old style too
And we don't care about our own faults
Talking 'bout our own style
All we care 'bout is talking
Talking only me and you
Usually when things has gone this far people tend to disappear
No one will surprise me unless you do
I can tell there's something goin' on, hours seems to disappear
Everyone is leaving, I'm still with you
It doesn't matter what we do, where we are going to
We can stick around and see this night through
And we don't care about the young folks
Talking 'bout the young style
And we don't care about the old folks
Talking 'bout the old style too
And we don't care about our own faults
Talking 'bout our own style
All we care 'bout is talking
Talking only me and you
And we don't care about the young folks
Talking 'bout the young style
And we don't care about the old folks
Talking 'bout the old style too
And we don't care about our own faults
Talking 'bout our own style
All we care 'bout is talking
Talking only me and you
Talking only me and you
Talking only me and you
Talking only me and you
The lyrics to Peter Bjorn and John's song All Those Expectations speak about two people getting to know each other. The singer asks whether the person would still go along with them if they knew their full history. They mention that they've done things before and had their share, but it led nowhere. They go on to say that it doesn't matter what the other person did in their past, they could stick around and see the night through together. They assert that they don't care about what people say about their age or how they act, nor do they care about their own faults. All they care about is talking with each other.
There is a sense of urgency in the lyrics - the singer feels like people tend to disappear once things have gone too far, and many hours have gone by. It feels like they are talking about seizing the opportunity to be with someone, no matter what anyone else thinks. The repetition of the lines "Talking only me and you" reinforces this idea of intimacy and connection between the two people.
Overall, the song speaks to the desire for human connection and understanding, despite flaws and past mistakes. It's optimistic in its message and celebrates the simple act of talking with another person.
Line by Line Meaning
If I told you things I did before, told you how I used to be
If I opened up to you and revealed my past, would you still accept me?
Would you go along with someone like me?
Would you be willing to be with me despite my flaws and history?
If you knew my story word for word, had all of my history
If you knew everything about me, even the not so great parts, would you still be interested?
I did before and had my share, it didn't lead nowhere
I've made mistakes and taken risks before, but it didn't get me very far.
I would go along with someone like you
I would accept and embrace someone like you with all of your imperfections.
It doesn't matter what you did, who you were hanging with
I don't judge you based on your past or who you've been associated with.
We could stick around and see this night through
We can stay here together and enjoy each other's company for as long as we want.
And we don't care about the young folks Talking 'bout the young style
We are not interested in conforming to popular trends or fitting in with the younger crowd.
And we don't care about the old folks Talking 'bout the old style too
We are not interested in adhering to outdated traditions or pleasing older generations.
And we don't care about our own faults Talking 'bout our own style
We don't need to be perfect or follow any set standards, we just want to be ourselves.
All we care 'bout is talking Talking only me and you
We don't need anything else or anyone else, all we need is each other's company and conversation.
Usually when things has gone this far people tend to disappear
Normally, people would have left by now, but I'm still here with you.
No one will surprise me unless you do
I'm not expecting anyone else to come along, the only thing that would surprise me is if you left.
I can tell there's something goin' on, hours seems to disappear Everyone is leaving, I'm still with you
Despite the passing time and others leaving, I can sense that there's still a connection between us and I want to hold onto that.
It doesn't matter what we do, where we are going to
I don't have any particular plans or expectations, I just want to be with you and see where the night takes us.
Talking only me and you
We only need our own company and conversation to make this night enjoyable and worthwhile.
Talking only me and you
Our connection and conversation is all that matters at this moment in time.
Contributed by Layla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.