Spectacular Failures
Just Jack Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Life is but a dream
Life is but a dream
Life is but a dream
Life is but a dream

Life is but a dream in a greater scheme
Wakin' up is hard to do
Even if you're quick, somethin' holds you back
Always waitin' in a queue for someone

To tell you you're broke
Or you should not smoke
Anymore cigarettes

Planets will align, if you give 'em time
Nostradamus can't be wrong
And when you least expect, everything connects
Even when the hope is gone there is you

And you'll keep your name
And the things in your brain
Just might see you through

'cause you are light
And in darkest night, you shine
And I guess we're doin' fine
But there's no escapin' our spectacular failure

Diggin' in between things we never seen
Tryin' to find the missin' links
All these scientists are tryin' every trick
Just before the city sinks without trace

So much we've achieved
So I hope when we leave
There's a smile on our face

'cause you are light
And in darkest night, you shine
And I guess we're doin' fine
But there's no escapin' our spectacular failure

'cause you are light
And in darkest night, you shine




And I guess we're doin' fine
But there's no escapin' our spectacular failure

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Just Jack's song Spectacular Failures speak about the inherent nature of life being just a dream, implying that it is an illusion or a figment of our imagination. The phrase is repeated over and over again throughout the song that it almost becomes a mantra. The singer explains the difficulty in waking up from this dream, even if one is quick, something holds them back, and there is always someone waiting in the queue to tell them that they are broke or should not smoke anymore cigarettes.


The song is a lament on the idea of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life. The singer talks about how we are all trying to find the missing links, digging in between things we never saw before, and how scientists are trying every trick to discover something new before the city sinks without a trace. This could be seen as a metaphor for human progress and how even though we have achieved so much, our end is still inevitable. The only hope is that when we leave, there will be a smile on our face.


The song's chorus provides some hope as the singer tells us that we are light, and in the darkest nights, we shine. The realization that we are all just made of stardust and that even in our failures, we are spectacular, is a significant message of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Life is but a dream
Life is fleeting and transitory


Life is but a dream in a greater scheme
Life is just a small part of a bigger picture


Wakin' up is hard to do
Getting out of bed can be a difficult task


Even if you're quick, somethin' holds you back
Sometimes things beyond our control hold us back


Always waitin' in a queue for someone
Always waiting for someone else's approval or validation


To tell you you're broke
To inform you that you're financially depleted


Or you should not smoke
To advise you that smoking is unhealthy


Anymore cigarettes
No longer smoking any more cigarettes


Planets will align, if you give 'em time
Things will fall into place if you are patient


Nostradamus can't be wrong
Nostradamus' predictions are usually true


And when you least expect, everything connects
Sometimes things come together unexpectedly


Even when the hope is gone there is you
Even when things seem hopeless, you still have yourself


And you'll keep your name
You will retain your identity


And the things in your brain
Your thoughts and ideas


Just might see you through
May help you overcome challenges


'cause you are light
Because you're a positive force in the world


And in darkest night, you shine
You bring light in the darkest times


And I guess we're doin' fine
And I think everything is going okay


But there's no escapin' our spectacular failure
We are doomed to experience dramatic and impressive failures


Diggin' in between things we never seen
Exploring the unknown and unseen


Tryin' to find the missin' links
Attempting to uncover missing pieces of a puzzle


All these scientists are tryin' every trick
Scientists are utilizing all their knowledge and methods


Just before the city sinks without trace
Right before the city disappears completely


So much we've achieved
We've accomplished a lot


So I hope when we leave
So I hope when we die


There's a smile on our face
We die happy and content




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK CHRISTOPHER ALLSOPP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@manman-sd7wr

Life is but a dream in a greater scheme, waking up is hard to do.
Even if you're quick, something holds you back, always waiting
in a queue for someone,
to tell you you're broke, or you should not smoke anymore cigarettes.
Planets will align, if you give them time.
When you least expect, everything connects, even when
the hope is gone there is you,
and you'll keep your name, and the things in your brain
ust might see you through.

'Cos you are light, and in darkest night you shine.
And I guess we're doing fine, but there's no escaping our spectacular failure.

Digging in between things we've never seen, trying to find the missing links.
All these scientists are trying every trick just before the
city sinks without trace.
So much we've achieved, so I hope when we leave there's a smile on our face.

'Cos you are light, and in darkest night you shine.
And I guess we're doing fine, but there's no escaping our spectacular failure



All comments from YouTube:

@hidefhq

with headphones in i get lost in this song love the chorus. i just wish he got more recognition

@1Born2LoveU

I think this song has a beautiful message. It's very zen. "You are light..." There's no way to avoid making mistakes on the way to achieving our goals but the point is we are trying and we're doing fine.

@thedigitallabrat

Lauren Ruhland on point, kudos

@beechface1

How are you now Lauren? 10 years later?

@xGunno

One of my favourite albums of all time, big love for JJ <3

@blahhayden

I'm from america, and I'll straight-up say that he's putting better stuff out there than the majority of american artists. People always tell me "He sounds dumb rapping with a English accent", more proof to our ignorance. Just Jack! <3 Shiiiiiineeee!

@RamonaHong

중고등학생 때 CD 플레이어로 들었었는데... ㅎㅎ 지금 들어도 참 좋다

@punkbutler88

Congrats duder. The Streets and Just Jack rock. Been listening to them since day one. Our local college station used to play decent music and thats how i heard them.

@ozqadir913

11 years ago, I let Her go. Must have a been one of my spectacular failures if I'm listening to this again in 2020.

@thiouwzify

friend, you're not alone with these feelings ... take care

More Comments