Olivia Rodrigo has shared that Kendrick Lamar's hit song 'Humble.' influenced her approach to writing 'Expectations,' a track from her third studio album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.'
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Rodrigo explained that she aimed to create a song that listeners could adopt as a personal mantra. She noted that, like Lamar's memorable line 'Sit down, be humble,' she wanted a phrase that would resonate and stay in the listener's mind.
Additionally, Rodrigo credited Chappell Roan's attitude, confidence, and songwriting style as influences on the track. The two artists have a history of collaboration, with Roan providing backing vocals on Rodrigo's songs and performing live together. Their mutual admiration has led to a reworked version of 'Expectations' featuring Roan, accompanied by a video styled as a 1980s game show called 'The Big Expectations Show,' with Talking Heads frontman David Byrne as the host.
'Expectations' is the twelfth track on Rodrigo's album, released on June 12, 2026. The song reflects Rodrigo's self-development and learning to prioritize herself over men, marking a significant evolution in her songwriting.