--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My expectations for myself were never…" description: "\"My expectations for myself were never high. I had a very unusual way of writing songs and of thinking about music. I wasn't at all like Bob Dylan or Si..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/don-mclean-6904_expectations_my-expectations-for-myself-were-never-hi_2185119.png" --- # My expectations for myself were never high. I had a very… ![“My expectations for myself were never high. I had a very unusual way of writing songs and of thinking about music. I wasn't at all like Bob Dylan or Simon and Garfunkel. I was completely different - I didn't have a David Geffen at my side.” quote by Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/don-mclean-6904_expectations_my-expectations-for-myself-were-never-hi_2185119.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/don-mclean-6904_expectations_my-expectations-for-myself-were-never-hi_2185119.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/don-mclean-6904_expectations_my-expectations-for-myself-were-never-hi_2185119.png) > “My expectations for myself were never high. I had a very unusual way of writing songs and of thinking about music. I wasn't at all like Bob Dylan or Simon and Garfunkel. I was completely different - I didn't have a David Geffen at my side.” [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He set modest personal standards and pursued a unique artistic voice, without industry backing. **In simple terms:** He kept expectations low and stayed original. Key Takeaway Embrace originality over fame. Themes creativity self‑acceptance artistic integrity Mood reflective determined Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - songwriting - personal branding - independent music careers Key Concepts individualism non‑conformity music industry dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does low self‑expectation affect creative risk? - What trade‑offs exist between originality and commercial success? A Different Perspective Lack of resources can limit reach despite originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-songs/) ## Related quotes > [David Geffen was a Bruce Wayne to me. He was extraordinary, but at the same time, his talents were something that I could dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scooter-braun/david-geffen-was-a-bruce-wayne-to-me-he-was-extraordinary-but-at-the/) [Scooter Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scooter-braun/) > [You have to be nice to everybody, regardless of their position because you never know - they could be the next David Geffen. David…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-yee/you-have-to-be-nice-to-everybody-regardless-of-their-position-because/) [Angela Yee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-yee/) > [I feel like if you don't put too much expectations and too much high hopes into things, everything will fall into place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-milian/i-feel-like-if-you-don-t-put-too-much-expectations-and-too-much-high/) [Christina Milian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-milian/) > [A club like Arsenal, it's normal that expectations are high. This club must compete for titles, and that's what we want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/granit-xhaka/a-club-like-arsenal-it-s-normal-that-expectations-are-high-this-club/) [Granit Xhaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/granit-xhaka/) > [If I answer questions every time you ask one, expectations would be high. And as you know, I like to keep expectations low.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-i-answer-questions-every-time-you-ask-one-expectations-would-be/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We are Liverpool Football Club and the expectations are so high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-gerrard/we-are-liverpool-football-club-and-the-expectations-are-so-high/) [Steven Gerrard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-gerrard/) > [It's not really possible to open 'The Casual Vacancy' without a lot of expectations both high and low crashing around in your brain and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/it-s-not-really-possible-to-open-the-casual-vacancy-without-a-lot-of/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [When expectations are too high, sometimes the disappointment is out of proportion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deco/when-expectations-are-too-high-sometimes-the-disappointment-is-out-of/) [Deco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deco/) > [The expectations are high, so we know: If we do not meet them, there is criticism. We have high expectations ourselves. We are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/granit-xhaka/the-expectations-are-high-so-we-know-if-we-do-not-meet-them-there-is/) [Granit Xhaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/granit-xhaka/) > [Other people may not have high expectations for me… but I have high expectations for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/makayla/other-people-may-not-have-high-expectations-for-me-but-i-have-high/) Makayla > [Don't raise your expectations too high. It's the surest way of being disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-louisa-molesworth/don-t-raise-your-expectations-too-high-it-s-the-surest-way-of-being/) [Mary Louisa Molesworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-louisa-molesworth/) > [So, yeah, I can say I always set my expectations so high that I had a lot to live up to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-bench/so-yeah-i-can-say-i-always-set-my-expectations-so-high-that-i-had-a/) [Johnny Bench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-bench/) > [Kerala audience is different because their expectations are very high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmapriya-janakiraman/kerala-audience-is-different-because-their-expectations-are-very-high/) [Padmapriya Janakiraman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmapriya-janakiraman/) > [ So to some extent he \[Barack Obama\] is a victim of the expectations and the high hopes that we experienced. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fullilove/so-to-some-extent-he-barack-obama-is-a-victim-of-the-expectations-and/) Michael Fullilove > [Fortunately or not, expectations are always high for all my films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahesh-babu/fortunately-or-not-expectations-are-always-high-for-all-my-films/) [Mahesh Babu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahesh-babu/) ## More by Don McLean > [My parents were not musical, and they were not effervescent people; everything was very quiet. The music that I played was loud; it used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/my-parents-were-not-musical-and-they-were-not-effervescent-people/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I am what I do, and that's partly why I don't want to give up singing. But when I can't sing well, I will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-am-what-i-do-and-that-s-partly-why-i-don-t-want-to-give-up-singing/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [The society that produced The Who, The Stones, Dylan, Paul McCartney and later on people, like myself, is over. The materialistic society that produces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/the-society-that-produced-the-who-the-stones-dylan-paul-mccartney-and/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you That I'm tired of Castles in the Air I've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/and-if-she-asks-you-why-you-can-tell-her-that-i-told-you-that-i-m/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I saw satan laughing with delight The day the music died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-saw-satan-laughing-with-delight-the-day-the-music-died/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I mean, I've been given a terrific life by the audiences who stuck with me all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-mean-i-ve-been-given-a-terrific-life-by-the-audiences-who-stuck/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [You're going to be buying your ticket with your heartache, you're gonna be payin' the man with your dues. You're gonna be living alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/you-re-going-to-be-buying-your-ticket-with-your-heartache-you-re/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Starry, starry night, flaming flowers that brightly blaze, swirling clouds in violet haze reflect Vincent's eyes of china blue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/starry-starry-night-flaming-flowers-that-brightly-blaze-swirling/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Faces come and faces go in circular rotation.But something yearns within to grow beyond infatuation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/faces-come-and-faces-go-in-circular-rotation-but-something-yearns/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Every thread of creation is held in position by still other strands of things living. In an earthly tapestry hung from the skyline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/every-thread-of-creation-is-held-in-position-by-still-other-strands/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Herman Melville was supposed to be an accountant. Van Gogh was meant to be an art dealer. I was meant to take the train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/herman-melville-was-supposed-to-be-an-accountant-van-gogh-was-meant/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [American Pie speaks to the loss that we feel. That's why that song has found the niche that it has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/american-pie-speaks-to-the-loss-that-we-feel-that-s-why-that-song-has/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [And when no hope was left inside on that starry, starry night, you took your life as lovers often do. But I could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/and-when-no-hope-was-left-inside-on-that-starry-starry-night-you-took/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [The horrible thing about Death of princess Diana - the sacrificial lamb, which she was. And I believe, in a sense, John Kennedy, Jr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/the-horrible-thing-about-death-of-princess-diana-the-sacrificial-lamb/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Not a word was spoken. The church bells all were broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/not-a-word-was-spoken-the-church-bells-all-were-broken/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) [Explore all 96 Don McLean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) ## More Expectations quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I say this all the time: I've always been really good at managing my expectations so that I'm not let down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-young/i-say-this-all-the-time-i-ve-always-been-really-good-at-managing-my/) [Brett Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-young/) > [When Allah puts barakah (His blessings) in something, it will come beyond your expectations- never underestimate the power of one good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouman-ali-khan/when-allah-puts-barakah-his-blessings-in-something-it-will-come/) [Nouman Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouman-ali-khan/) > [Keeping up with everybody's expectation is soooo hard!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi/keeping-up-with-everybody-s-expectation-is-soooo-hard/) [Naomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi/) > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We're wired to expect the world to be brighter and more meaningful and more obviously interesting than it actually is. And when we realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/we-re-wired-to-expect-the-world-to-be-brighter-and-more-meaningful/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [“Does your reality match your expectations? If not it's time to change either your expectations or your reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/does-your-reality-match-your-expectations-if-not-it-s-time-to-change/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [Jesus' kingdom was not like the popular expectation. He used the phrase 'kingdom of God' with a different meaning. His kingdom was not of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-harpur/jesus-kingdom-was-not-like-the-popular-expectation-he-used-the-phrase/) [Tom Harpur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-harpur/) > [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [It's a good place when all you have is hope and not expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-boyle/it-s-a-good-place-when-all-you-have-is-hope-and-not-expectations/) [Danny Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-boyle/) > [When we give from a place of love, rather than from a place of expectation, more usually comes back to us than we could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/when-we-give-from-a-place-of-love-rather-than-from-a-place-of/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Everybody out there watches the show and has expectations of wanting to be an 'Idol', but we're going to teach them how much hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-bice/everybody-out-there-watches-the-show-and-has-expectations-of-wanting/) [Bo Bice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-bice/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) [Browse all 4,210 Expectations quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My expectations for myself were never high. I had a very unusual way of writing songs and of thinking about music. I wasn't at all like Bob Dylan or Simon and Garfunkel. 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