Expecting

Album: White Blood Cells (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This 2-minute rocker is about about a girl who expects everything from a guy but gives nothing in return - at least that's his perspective. We never hear her side of the story, and when we hear "she's expecting," it could mean she's pregnant. Perhaps she just wants him to get her some ice cream and he's being all weird about it.
  • The girl in this song sends the guy to Toledo, a city in Ohio that is far from glamorous, but does provide the setting for the Kenny Rogers song "Lucille." In an interview with Smashin' Transistors, Jack White explained the significance: "People don't exactly go on vacation there. The girl in the song was sending me to do things for her, like run an errand to Toledo, which probably wouldn't be fun."
  • The song is part of the third White Stripes album, White Blood Cells. The band is American - comprised of the divorced couple Jack and Meg White (he was born Jack Gillis but took her last name) - but it was the British music press that gave their first two albums the most attention. By White Blood Cells, American music mags were starting to catch on - Pitchfork gave it a glowing review of 9 out of 10. The most popular song from the album was "Fell In Love With A Girl," bolstered by a Lego video that MTV loved. That one charted at #21 in the UK and literally 100 spots lower in America at #121. Their US breakthrough came in 2003 with the song "Seven Nation Army."

Comments: 1

  • Johua from Sydney, Australialove the classic jack white guitar riff
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.