How Julia Raye Navigated Feeling Stuck in a Situationship With ‘Expectations’
23-year-old rising singer-songwriter Julia Raye is making a name for herself with her vulnerable songwriting and striking vocals, and if you're not yet a fan, her new single, "Expectations," will make you one.
Julia has been singing most of her life and is classically trained in opera and musical theater, and her talents are on full display with the track's ethereal harmonies set against a sweltering pop-R&B beat. It's also the second track Julia ever wrote herself, diving into her inner monologue as Julia navigates her feelings around a situationship and the pressure of all of the expectations around it. For us, it was love at first listen, and we got the chance to chat with Julia herself all about the track and the story that inspired it in the interview below.
The Story Behind 'Expectations'
Julia Raye: "Expectations" is actually the second song I ever wrote. I wrote "Expectations" when I was feeling torn in the relationship I was in at the time. I kept feeling so much pressure on us, both from myself and the people around us. This song is my inner monologue as I try to figure out what my expectations are for us as we navigate this relationship/situationship. I wrote this song three years ago and have been waiting to release it until I felt like it was the right time. I rewrote the verses at least seven times and didn't settle on a final version until I was recording it in the studio. I am so excited to finally be able to share it with my listeners!
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What 'Expectations' Means
JR: This song is the first song I wrote that made me feel like I could be a songwriter professionally. I remember feeling so excited writing it. It's a song I'm truly proud of and that I felt I needed to record. While writing "Expectations," I had so much I wanted to say and so many different feelings about the situation I found myself in. I couldn't find the words I wanted to say to accurately express what I was feeling at the time, mainly because I didn't know myself. One minute I thought I was in love, the next I was crying to my friends about him. I hope that this song resonates with other girls and women going through the push and pull of being stuck in a situationship.
(Photo credit: Bailey Ann)
Julia's Favorite Lyric
JR: "You say you're different but I know just what you're like / keep waiting patient cuz I know you're just my type." This line is so me, hahaha. I'm always so skeptical and guarded when it comes to relationships, even if I'm really into the other person.
Julia's Advice for Resetting Your 'Expectations'
JR: It's something I still struggle with. I am trying to separate having high standards with the pressure I put on myself and my relationship to be perfect. At the end of the day, I'm such a lover girl. I know that with the right person I won't have to worry about them reaching my standards or "expectations." With the right person, it will all just come naturally.
(Photo credit: Bailey Ann)
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What's Next
JR: I recently recorded seven other songs that I'm beyond excited to share! These new tracks are my diary as I navigated through my last few relationships. In these songs, you'll hear about the ups, the downs, the drama and all the feelings I've had. Stay tuned for more songs coming soon!
Final Thoughts
JR: This song really is so special to me. It started out as a song I wrote while sitting in my sorority house about the situationship I was in. It was a completely different track to the final version that my producer and I recorded. We decided to try some different things in the studio, like speeding up the tempo and adding a cool guitar riff. That's when we realized this was the song! I wrote the bridge on the spot, we recorded it and the whole track was revamped! I can't believe it's finally finished and out there in the world!
(Photo credit: Bailey Ann)
For more on our favorite music out today, click HERE to read our interview with Walt Disco on their sophomore album, The Warping.