Expectations by Olivia Rodrigo & Chappell Roan: meaning, release, credits and chart history

Expectations is a song by Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan, released as a remix on October 15, 2026, from the album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. The track is 3 minutes and 41 seconds long and falls under genres of electropop, synth-pop, and new wave. It was written by Olivia Rodrigo, Dan Nigro, and Amy Allen, and produced by Dan Nigro and Mike Wise. The album was released on June 12, 2026, by Geffen Records and Interscope Records.

The song explores the emotional return to dating after a breakup, with Rodrigo reflecting on a meeting with a wealthy man and the decision to block his number. It is positioned as a continuation of the album’s theme of 'sad love songs' influenced by the relationship between Miranda Hobbes and Steve Brady from Sex and the City.

The remix features Chappell Roan and was released as the album’s fourth single. The music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali, parodies retro game shows such as Jeopardy!, Hollywood Squares, Wheel of Fortune, and Family Feud. It features Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan as contestants, with David Byrne playing a fictional game show host named Johnny Johnson. Drag queen Aquaria and glam punk duo Venus Twins (Jake and Matt Derting) also appear in the video. The visual style draws on 1980s fashion, with styling inspired by artists like Pat Benatar, Toni Basil, and early Whitney Houston.

Billboard ranked the song as the 11th-best on the album. Critics noted its emotional depth and stylistic blend of pop and new wave elements. No official chart peaks are reported in the sources.

Credits: Written by Olivia Rodrigo, Dan Nigro, Amy Allen. Produced by Dan Nigro and Mike Wise. Label: Geffen Records, Interscope Records.

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Where to listen

"expectations" by Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan is on Spotify and Apple Music. Use the buttons in the song box at the top of this guide to play it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer or TIDAL. What each service offers can differ by country.