“Expectations” | Eighty Unplugged Episode One

Jan 10

Written By Eighty

First episode of the Eighty Unplugged Podcast!

The first ever Eighty Unplugged Podcast! In this episode, we listen to a live performance of “Expectations” by Eighty, and then break down the lyrics, meaning, and background of the music.

“Expectations” Background and context

To kick off the podcast I chose to feature a song I wrote when I was at a crossroads in life. The song is called “Expectations” and I wrote it when I was a senior in highschool. By this time in my life I had been writing and playing music for a couple years. I also attended a technical institute that put me on a track to follow into college. As many young adults do, I had many ideas for what should happen next but I felt like I had to lose one to pursue the other. I had a difficult time choosing which to “give up”.

Any road can take you there…

“Well I heard it’s been said “if you don’t know where you're going
Any road can take you there“
This is stuck in my head, cause I have no way of knowing
Which road to choose “

This song starts by addressing that familiar feeling of uncertainty. In the song “Any Road” by George Harrison, Harrison writes, “If you don’t know where you're going, any road can take you there.” The rest of the tune is a catchy, lighthearted ode to traveling through different situations leading up to this idea. The first time I heard that line I thought to myself, “Could it be that simple?” This thought was stuck in my head as I worked my way through the last days of highschool.

So I’m stuck in my head…

“Well, I’ve tried to decide, singing songs, reading poems
But the words are all unclear
So I’m stuck in my head, trying to plan all that's coming
Because I don't want to lose”

Overthinking and overanalyzing happen to be two things I excel at. So when it comes to big life decisions I tend to spend a lot of time trying to get direction from outside sources, like songs, poems, books, and people in my life. However, in the attempt to make an informed decision, too much information can be overwhelming. Coupled with the fear of failure, it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

I’m not getting lost, I’m looking for something…

“So I’m not closing doors
I’m leaving them open
So there is alway opportunity to run
And I’m not getting lost
I’m just looking for something
Cause there’s only so few things in which I’m sure”

Sometimes the best thing to do when you aren't sure what to do is to take the first step anyway. Taking a step forward, even if it is a mistake, teaches you something about yourself. Something I take to heart now is how the decisions I’ve made, whether mistakes or not, created the person I am. Even if it means that I have to undo, I learn what I need to learn from that mistake. I’m not sure where I am going, so I’m not getting lost. But if I rely on the things I am sure of, I can progress.

If I know who I am I’ll find who I’m supposed to be…

“I’m old enough to know I’m young
Mature enough to know I’m not
And though I fear the Expectations that there are for me
If I know who I am I’ll find who I’m supposed to be”

In the song “Bam Bam” by Toots and the Maytals, Toots Hibbert wrote “I want you to know that I am the man, Who fights for the right, not for the wrong, Going there, I'm growing there, Helping the weak against the strong, Soon you will find out the man I'm supposed to be.” My interpretation of these lyrics is, he is going to be the person he has always been; helping the weak and fighting for what he thinks is right, and in doing this he will show to others the man he will become. Knowing who you are will help you find who you are going to become.

Song Title: Expectations

Songwriter: Eighty

Well I heard it’s been said

If you don’t know where you're going

Any road can take you there

This is stuck in my head

Cause I have no way of knowing

Which road to choose

Well, I’ve tried to decide

Singing songs, Reading poems

But the words are all unclear

So I’m stuck in my head

Trying to plan all that's coming

Because I don't want to lose

I’m old enough to know I’m young

Mature enough to know I’m not

And though I fear the expectations that there are for me

If I know who I am I’ll find who I’m supposed to be

Well wise men have said

Do what you love and love what you do

But how can I decide

What I’ll love for a lifetime

And what’s just a phase that I’m going through

So I’m not closing doors

I’m leaving them open

So there is alway opportunity to run

And I’m not getting lost

I’m just looking for something

Cause there’s only so few things in which I’m sure