We Were Promised Jetpacks are an indie rock band which formed in Edinburgh,… Read Full Bio ↴We Were Promised Jetpacks are an indie rock band which formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2003. The band consists of Adam Thompson (vocals, guitar), Michael Palmer (guitar), Sean Smith (bass) and Darren Lackie (drums). Stuart McGachan joined the band in February 2014.

The band is signed to Fat Cat Records. They have released five studio albums; "These Four Walls" (2009), "In the Pit of the Stomach" (2011), "Unravelling" (2014), "The More I Sleep The Less I Dream" (2018), and "Enjoy the View" (2021), an EP called "Out of Interest" (2020) plus the live album "E Rey - Live in Philadelphia" recorded during the 2013 tour.

http://www.wewerepromisedjetpacks.co.uk/

Human Error
We Were Promised Jetpacks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions
And save them for later
Just to see how wrong I could be

If I was a painter, I'd paint all my rainbows
in different colors, or probably just black and grey

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions

And send them a letter
Just to see they listen to me and I say

Trial and error, I'm not sure I've been here before
I'm drowning in humans, I'm not sure I've been here before

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions
And save them for later

Just to see how wrong I could be

If I was a painter, I'd paint all my pictures
in different colors, or probably just black and grey

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions
And send them a letter
Just to see they listen to me and I say

Trial and error, I'm not sure I've been here before
I'm drowning in humans, I'm not sure I've been here before
I'm drowning in humans, And I'm sure I've been here before

So why'd you stand there laughing?
Holding your tongue like it was your sword.

So why'd you stand there laughing?
Holding your tongue like it was your sword

Overall Meaning

The song "Human Error" by We Were Promised Jetpacks tackles the theme of uncertainty in life. The lyrics suggest that the singer would like to express their opinions and perspectives through art, but they are not sure of their accuracy or worth. The first verse suggests that the singer is willing to take risks in expressing their ideas but wants to hold back until they can see how wrong they might be. This idea is repeated in the second verse, where the singer compares writing to painting with black and grey if not in different colours, to express the lack of clarity or confusion of their opinions. These lines are an honest and vulnerable reflection of the human condition, as we often struggle with the confidence to express ourselves honestly.

The chorus of the song is particularly striking. The phrase "trial and error" highlights the idea that life is a process of experimentation, and that we're constantly learning and trying to figure things out. The line "I'm drowning in humans" further emphasises the idea of uncertainty, suggesting that the singer feels overwhelmed by the human experience. The repeated line "I'm not sure I've been here before" indicates a sense of disorientation and lack of control over one's life.

Finally, the bridge of the song addresses a specific person who seems to be in a position of power. The section reads, "So why'd you stand there laughing? Holding your tongue like it was your sword." This section could be interpreted as a direct call-out to a person who has laughed at the singer's opinions or failed to listen to them. This outburst reads as a blend of defiance and righteous indignation, and it provides a refreshing moment of clarity amidst one's confusion and uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions And save them for later Just to see how wrong I could be
The singer is exploring different creative outlets and imagines that if they were a writer, they would write down their opinions and keep them for later to reflect on how they might be proven wrong.

If I was a painter, I'd paint all my rainbows in different colors, or probably just black and grey
Continuing their imaginary exploration of different creative modes, the singer thinks that if they were a painter, they'd paint rainbows in either an unconventional mix of colors or something more somber like black and grey.

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions And send them a letter Just to see they listen to me and I say
As a writer, the singer imagines sending out their opinions through letters to see if people are willing to listen and give them a voice.

Trial and error, I'm not sure I've been here before I'm drowning in humans, I'm not sure I've been here before
The artist is grappling with a sense of uncertainty about the experiences they're going through, acknowledging that they're learning as they go and are unsure whether they've ever felt like they're drowning amidst the complexities of human life.

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions And save them for later Just to see how wrong I could be
The artist repeats their initial idea, suggesting the importance of reflection and being willing to learn from their mistakes.

If I was a painter, I'd paint all my pictures in different colors, or probably just black and grey
This line is a repeat of the second line in the song.

If I was a writer, I'd write my opinions And send them a letter Just to see they listen to me and I say
This line is a repeat of the third line in the song.

Trial and error, I'm not sure I've been here before I'm drowning in humans, I'm not sure I've been here before I'm drowning in humans, And I'm sure I've been here before
The artist repeats the fourth line, adding a twist to the end by suggesting that while they may be drowning amidst humanity, they're familiar with this feeling and may have been through similar struggles before.

So why'd you stand there laughing? Holding your tongue like it was your sword. So why'd you stand there laughing? Holding your tongue like it was your sword
The artist addresses someone, questioning why they're laughing and being silent in the face of what the artist perceives as profound complexity and uncertainty. The line may suggest that the other person is complacent or uninterested in engaging with these issues, represented by their holding their tongue like a sword.

Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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