Major System Error

Album: Knowing What You Know Now (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song title was inspired by something that the wife of Knowing What You Know Now producer Larry Hibbert said. Guitarist Sam McIntyre explained to Kerrang:

    "We were writing with Larry when his wife texted him. She works in banking and she said something along the lines of 'I can see a major system error,' and something about that phrase stuck with me."
  • Guitarist Jack Bottomley and vocalist Becca MacIntyre see this song with different perspectives. Jack thinks it's about the state of the world, where as Becca sees it as a song about failing relationships. The Marmozets singer explained her interpretation to Kerrang:

    "There's always someone in your life who isn't doing too well and not doing anything to help themselves but there's only so much you can do for them. When you see a major issue, you get frustrated inside, like 'C'mon!' And this is almost like having a bit of a shout out at somebody. When that kind of thing happens, sometimes you just have to break the relationship up completely because it's not going to be any good for you."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."