Error: Operator
Taking Back Sunday Lyrics


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Well, there's been an accident (Calm down!)
There's been an accident, breath
In and out, calm down (In and out, calm down)
Breath in and out, calm down (In and out, calm down)

We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't
We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't

Breath in and out, calm down
But would you do it again? Again, and count backwards from ten
(Look, I don't make those mistakes no more)
You took the path that's where I could see straight through you
Just concentrate, good try

(But would you do it again?)
We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't
We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't

We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't
We can't go back, we can't go
Back

(Concentrate, just calculate, cause you
Concentrate, just calculate, don't you?
Concentrate then calculate then you
Then the oxygen just can't be late

Don't be late, just can't seem late, just
Concentrate, just count the victim
Can't seem late, just can't seem late
Gotta concentrate, just can't be late)

I try (It's just) I try (It's just)
I try (It's just) I try (It's just)
I try (It's just) I try (It's just)
I try (It's just) I try (It's just)

I try (It's just) I try (It's just)
I try (It's just) I try (It's just)
I tried (It's just) I try (It's just)
I tried (It's just) I try (It's just)

I tried (It's just) I tried (It's just)
I tried! (It's just) I tried! (It's just)
I TRIED (It's just)

We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't
We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't

(It just doesn't feel like)
We can't go back, we can't go back
We can't go back, we can't
(Anything, anything)
We can't go back, we can't go back




(Anything, anything)
We can't go back

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Taking Back Sunday's song Error: Operator seem to be about regret and the inability to turn back time. The first verse establishes the sense of panic and urgency that accompanies an unexpected event, imploring the listener to "calm down" and "breathe." However, the repetition of "we can't go back" throughout the song emphasizes the inability to change what has occurred.


The second verse raises the question of whether the singer would repeat their mistakes, urging the listener to "concentrate, control" their actions. The line "sometimes I swear I can see straight through you" suggests that the subject of the song may be a specific person rather than a general situation. The repetition of "we can't go back" at the end of each section reinforces the idea that the past cannot be undone or altered.


The repetition of "murder oh murder, oh where have you been?" at the end of the song adds an eerie and ominous tone, potentially suggesting that the event in question was a violent crime.


Overall, Error: Operator seems to be exploring themes of regret, the fragility of time, and the impossibility of changing the past.


Line by Line Meaning

Well there's been an accident (calm down)
Something bad has happened, try to stay calm and composed


There's been an accident, breathe
A serious incident has occurred, take a deep breath and try to calm down


In then out calm down (in and out calm down)
Breathe in and out slowly to remain calm


Breathe in and out calm down (in and out calm down)
Take deep breaths and try to stay relaxed


We can't go back
We cannot undo what has happened


Can't go back
It's impossible to turn back time


Can't go back, we can't
It's not within our power to go back and change the past


But would you do it again, again
Given the chance, would you make the same mistake again?


And count backwards from ten
Try to regain control of your emotions by counting backwards


(Look I don't make those mistakes no more)
I've learned from my mistakes and won't repeat them


Because sometimes I swear I can see straight through you
At times, I feel like I can see right through your façade


Just concentrate, control.
Focus on staying in control of the situation


Murder oh murder, oh where have you been? [Repeat: x4]
A metaphorical reference to the damage caused by a certain action or event


(Feels like anything anything, anything anything)
The feeling of being helpless or out of control


We can't go back
We cannot reverse the course of events


Can't go back
We cannot go back in time and change things


Can't go back, we can't
It's beyond our power to undo what has been done




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADAM BURBANK LAZZARA, EDWARD REYES, FREDERICK PAUL MASCHERINO, MARK O'CONNELL, MATTHEW A. RUBANO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Yourmother suckscocksinhell

there's been an accident (calm down)
There's been an accident, breathe
In then out calm down (in and out calm down)
Breathe in and out calm down (in and out calm)
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
But would you do it again, again
And count backwards from ten
(Look I don't make those mistakes no more)
Because sometimes I swear I can see straight through you
Just concentrate, control.
But would you do it again, again
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Murder oh murder, oh where have you been? [Repeat: x4]
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't



All comments from YouTube:

Tony Cervantes

This album is 14 years today! Amazing music and underrated!

Madison Hartley

Omgggg the vocalists are INCREDIBLE!! And that guitar... the entire composition is genius <3

w3wre

That bass intro too

'afif Salim

I cant believe that someone refers Adam to "the vocalist" haha. Didnt expect that I'll be reading this years ago when I was a teen. damn time flies, I feel old now.

Joel Lim

its hard to find songs like this now

Matt Terrell

Fred + Adam was the best version if TBS

Matt Terrell

Travis Edwards temple university

Dirty Jesus

These guys are AMAZING live.

Kasper Krawford

Yes they are, but ironically so. His singing is awful live a lot of times but he's such a good performer no one cares.

Yourmother suckscocksinhell

there's been an accident (calm down)
There's been an accident, breathe
In then out calm down (in and out calm down)
Breathe in and out calm down (in and out calm)
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
But would you do it again, again
And count backwards from ten
(Look I don't make those mistakes no more)
Because sometimes I swear I can see straight through you
Just concentrate, control.
But would you do it again, again
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Murder oh murder, oh where have you been? [Repeat: x4]
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't
We can't go back
Can't go back
Can't go back, we can't

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