Expectations by Belle & Sebastian - Lyrics and Translation

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Expectations

Belle & Sebastian

Expectations

Song byBelle & Sebastian

in AlbumFold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant

Monday morning wake up knowing that you've got to go to school

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

Making life-size models of the Velvet Underground in clay

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

LanguageEnglish

Translated byAllen Morningstar

About this Song

Expectations by Belle & Sebastian delves into the themes of societal pressures, the struggle to meet those expectations, and the feeling of being an outsider. The song captures the protagonist's experiences in school, navigating judgments from peers and teachers alike. Poignant moments include lines describing the protagonist's dreams clashing with reality, and the realization that conforming to external expectations often leads to internal dissatisfaction and a loss of personal identity.