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Expectation
Tame Impala Lyrics


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Everything you ever told me could have been a lie
We may never have been in love
Stuck on thinking that there is always something to lose
Or a hit from above, a hit from above
I don't need what I'm holding on to, I wish I knew but meanwhile

Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul
'Cause everything you ever told me could have been a lie
We may never have been in love

And then I will escape, I'll never ever have to see
Another disappointed face, no one to please
Every now and then, it feels like, in all of the universe
There is nobody for me
I told myself I wouldn't care, no I wouldn't care
But when she said she'd come 'round
I combed my hair, yes I checked my hair
Oh, meanwhile, meanwhile, meanwhile

Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations is making me feel old
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tame Impala's song Expectation delve into the themes of disillusionment, uncertainty, and disappointment in love. The singer reflects on the fact that everything they were told by their partner could have been a lie, causing them to question if the love they shared was ever real. They express feeling stuck in thinking that there is always something to lose or a hit from above, which could be interpreted as their fear of losing their partner or the possibility of the relationship falling apart. The chorus captures the pain of these thoughts and feelings, with the line "fluctuations are aching my soul" emphasizing the singer's internal turmoil.


Despite their doubts and insecurities, the singer comes to the realization that what they are holding onto is not worth their time, and that they need to let go. They express the desire to escape and not have to deal with the disappointment they feel whenever they try to please someone else. They also mention feeling alone in the universe, possibly due to the breakdown of their relationship or their inability to find someone who truly understands them.


Overall, the song portrays the struggle of trying to maintain a relationship while dealing with internal doubts and fears. It captures the pain of not knowing whether one's feelings are reciprocated and the emotional fatigue that comes with constantly trying to live up to expectations.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything you ever told me could have been a lie
I am unsure if the love we had was ever true, as I know you could have been dishonest with me in the past.


We may never have been in love
I am faced with doubts about whether we truly were in love with one another, or if it was based on false truths and expectations.


Stuck on thinking that there is always something to lose
I am trapped in the mindset that something is always at stake, and that there is a possibility of losing it all.


Or a hit from above, a hit from above
It feels like there is always an unexpected blow or catastrophe looming over my head, ready to strike at any moment.


I don't need what I'm holding on to, I wish I knew but meanwhile
I am uncertain about what I am holding onto in this relationship, and I wish I had a clearer understanding of it while I continue to hold on to it for now.


Every now and then, it feels like, in all of the universe
Occasionally, I feel as though I am completely alone in this world, with nobody there for me.


There is nobody for me
I feel isolated and as if I do not have anyone to rely on or support me.


I told myself I wouldn't care, no I wouldn't care
Initially, I convinced myself that I would not worry or care about this situation or person, but it seems to be too difficult to ignore completely.


But when she said she'd come 'round, I combed my hair, yes I checked my hair
While I try to distance myself from caring, I still get excited and nervous when the person I am unsure about agrees to see me.


Fluctuations are aching my soul
I am experiencing emotional instability and inconsistency, which is causing me great distress.


Expectation is taking it's toll
My expectations for this relationship or situation are becoming too much for me to handle or maintain.


Fluctuations is making me feel old
The emotional stress and instability is wearing me down, and making me feel much older than my age.




Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@droopy_911

Everything you ever told me could have been a lie
We may never have been in love
Stuck on thinking that there is always something to lose
Or a hit from above, a hit from above
I don't need what I'm holding on to, I wish I knew but meanwhile

Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul
'Cause everything you ever told me could have been a lie
We may never have been in love

And then I will escape, I'll never ever have to see
Another disappointed face, no one to please
Every now and then, it feels like, in all of the universe 
There is nobody for me
I told myself I wouldn't care, no I wouldn't care
But when she said she'd come 'round
I combed my hair, yes I checked my hair
Oh, meanwhile, meanwhile, meanwhile

Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations is making me feel old
Expectation is taking it's toll
Fluctuations are aching my soul...



All comments from YouTube:

@evanwoodward6376

Finding Tame Impala feels like a life changing moment for me

@ardaturker6734

Same

@debbiekennedy9182

ditto

@heartxlol

feels like a brand new person

@weke7980

My life is more joyfully nowadays! Listening TI every day.

@shravan6969

legit, dude's a literal antidepressant

7 More Replies...

@Danieldealba

I remember that night in 2012 when I discovered this song on soundcloud when I was just a teenager in my first year of highschool, since then I became a fan of Tame Impala and all of Kevin Parker's projects. I've seen Tame Impala, Pond and Melody's Echo Chamber live. I've met Kevin Parker, Melody Prochet, Nicholas Allbrook, Jay Watson and Shiny Joe. I made a lot of friends because we all liked Tame Impala, including my ex-girlfriend. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had not clicked on the play button of this song that night.

@louisbrody582

How’d you meet all of them

@Danieldealba

@@louisbrody582 in Mexico there is a festival called Corona Capital. In Corona Capital of 2014 Pond made a meet and greet with the fans. Look at my instagram: mdanieldealba. I met melody in another festival called "Ceremonia" in 2015, when she ended her show I went nearby the tents where artists wait until their shows and I asked her for a photo, we took a selfie with one of my friends and he uploaded it to his Facebook. Finally, I met Kevin Parker for literally two seconds behind the scene after tame impala concert in Mexico City in 2017 thanks to a friend of my dad that works for Ocesa, the company that organice concerts in Mexico. He saw me for a second and I was in shock, so I couldnt say anything except "hi", but that was one of the best days of my life hahahahaha.

@jedrooney4302

I took LSD for the first time listening to tame impala

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