“Great Expectations” by Brody Grant is a song discussing his character in “The Outsiders” musical, Ponyboy’s internal struggles with his identity, free will, and expectations both himself and others put on him.

The song is based on the ideas he gets from the book “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. The book follows the story of an orphan boy who grows into a prestigious gentleman in London after being a lowly blacksmith’s apprentice. Ponyboy relates to this story as he is an orphan and lives in the poor part of Tulsa.

The song starts off with Ponyboy singing softly to Dickens about the book but transitions slowly to asking if the story is about him and the expectations he holds. As the song progresses, the music and vocals get louder as he sings about all of his friends’ stories. It keeps crescendos until the chorus with belting vocals from the whole cast expressing their high expectations they each hold but seem too far to reach. Slowing down again the song calms and comes to an end with little but weak hope for the future.

The cast have more songs on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of “The Outsiders” musical soundtrack. Brody Bays is included in this album along with two of his own singles, “Still Breaking Up” and “All Talk”

I chose this song because I recently saw “The Outsiders” at the Fox Theatre and fell in love with the sound and message of the song. The strong vocals and lyrics give me chills every time.

You can listen to “Great Expectations” on all streaming platforms.