Taking Back Sunday: Error Operator Meaning

Error Operator Lyrics

Well there's been an accident (calm down)
There's been an accident, breathe
In and 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...

1. anonymous

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   Sep 9th 2014 !⃝

   I honestly thought it was about a relationship ending, particularly in a gruesome way. He could be the murderer that killed the relationship
2. anonymous

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   Oct 19th 2008 !⃝

   The opening part is about a 9-1-1 call. They have said that the opening bass line is supposed to sound like the phone call tone.
   Theres been an accident - person
   Calm down - 911 response
   theres been an accident - person
   breath in and out calm down - 911 response
   I think the rest of the song is about an accidental murder/death. lines like "we can't go back" means it cannot be undone.
   I think the second verse may be an interrogation of sorts it also may be that the "death" may be an accident from doing something stupid, asking themselves if they would do it again
   I think the "murderer murderer where have you been" is the guilty conscience possibly.
   just some ideas here.
   wonderfully written song
3. kris_zeppelin

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   Nov 22nd 2006 !⃝

   i think it's about a relationship
   
   "would you do it again?"
   
   "we can't go back"
   
   accident being a metaphor for the relationship going wrong
4. plasticcup_politics

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   Jun 4th 2006 !⃝

   The singer calls 999 and says 'there's been an accident'
   I think in this story there were two people together when the "accident" happened and one is tell the other to calm down.
   (I put speak mark over accident as I don't think this songs really about an accident but maybe a murder as that's part of the lyrics)
   
   In between telling the friend to calm down and take control he asks him wheater if he had a second chance would he still do it? The narrator thinks he would and 'can see straight through him' but in the end it doesn't really matter because they can't.
   
   THEY CANT GO BACK,CANT GO BACK, THEY CANT

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