The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Short Bursts" by the artist "We Were Promised Jetpacks"

In the song "Short Bursts" by We Were Promised Jetpacks, the lyrics paint a picture of an intense, possibly toxic relationship, where both passion and fear are present.

The first verses describe a frantic, desperate call to action. The lyrical hero is paralyzed ("my blood ran cold", "my lips went dry"), while his interlocutor pushes him to recklessness, to life on the edge ("Live! Who cares?"). The image of leaving "before our blood hits the floor" creates a sense of transience, a desire for momentary sensations without thinking about the consequences.

Then comes the turning point. Suddenly there is an image of aggression, violence ("You look rough", "You say you've tried the hard stuff", "get your hands off my chest"). The lyrical hero seems to be trying to break free from the suffocating grip of the relationship, looking for a way to breathe ("Loosen up… Loosen your tie… Loosen the knots… take a breath").

The silence, initially perceived as tolerable, quickly becomes unbearable ("Your silence is bearable, But only in short bursts, And then it gets awkward"). This indicates that the relationship is built on intensity, bursts of emotion, and calmness and routine are detrimental to it.

The ending of the song returns us to the initial motive of recklessness. The phrase "We'll teach you to die" sounds ominous and ambiguous. Perhaps this is a promise of extreme experiences that will lead to self-destruction, or maybe a threat.