Tea Errors

"Tea Errors" is a multi-layered exploration of social anxiety, fear of intimacy, and existential dread, wrapped in Jack Stauber's signature surrealist style. The title itself is a clever double entendre; while it explicitly refers to mistakes made during a social ritual (drinking tea), it phonetically sounds like "Terrors," revealing the song's true subject: the paralyzing fear of human connection.

The central theme revolves around the protagonist's inability to navigate relationships without feeling like a danger to themselves or others. The metaphor of the "baby with a gun" perfectly encapsulates this dynamic: a figure that should be innocent and harmless (a baby) is equipped with something lethal (a gun), representing how an anxious person might feel their emotional volatility is destructive. They want to be loved ("hold me") but are terrified of the consequences ("put me down").

Furthermore, the lyrics touch upon the pressure to conform to social norms. The "tea" can be seen as a symbol of polite society and the superficial interactions that come with it. The "errors" are the slip-ups—saying the wrong thing, being awkward—that feel catastrophic to someone with anxiety. The recurring dental imagery ("tooth") often appears in dreams as a symbol of powerlessness, embarrassment, or fear of aging and decay, reinforcing the underlying feeling of vulnerability.

The song opens with a plea for connection that is immediately complicated by anxiety. The narrator asks to be held, yet simultaneously warns the listener to keep their distance, describing themselves as a "baby with a gun." This striking image suggests a volatile mix of innocence and danger, implying that while they may not intend to cause harm, their emotional instability makes them a threat to those who get too close. The lyrics then shift to a frantic internal monologue about the pressures of social interaction, symbolized by the act of drinking tea. The narrator expresses a fear of making mistakes—"errors"—which quickly morphs into a deeper sense of dread.

As the song progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly surreal and bodily. References to teeth and dental decay emerge, serving as a metaphor for a loss of control or a feeling of falling apart physically and mentally. The narrator laments the loss of a "sweet tooth," perhaps signifying an inability to enjoy life's simple pleasures anymore. They describe a relationship or interaction that feels suffocating, where every attempt to communicate is fraught with the risk of saying the wrong thing. The chorus repeats the title phrase, which sounds phonetically identical to "terrors," blurring the line between a simple social faux pas and a nightmarish existential crisis. Ultimately, the song portrays a mind racing to rationalize its own fears, trapping the narrator in a loop of overthinking and emotional withdrawal.

"Tea Errors" was officially released on March 21, 2019, as part of the double-single EP titled Baby Hotline / Tea Errors, under the artist name Jack Stauber's Micropop. This moniker is used by Jack Stauber to release extended versions of short songs (often referred to as "micropops") that he originally posts as brief video clips on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

Jack Stauber, a multimedia artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for his unique production process. He typically writes, records, and produces his music independently, often accompanying it with his own distinct animation style that blends VHS aesthetics, claymation, and 3D absurdity. While "Tea Errors" shares the sonic palette of his 2018 album HiLo, it stands out for its specific focus on the interplay between upbeat synth melodies and dark, anxious lyrical content. The song gained significant traction online, contributing to the cult following Stauber has cultivated through his enigmatic and emotionally resonant art.

The song utilizes a mix of irregular rhyme schemes and rhythmic shifts that enhance its chaotic feel. While there are moments of standard end-rhymes, Stauber often relies on internal rhymes and assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) to create flow. For example, the interplay between "tea," "me," and "see" creates a rapid-fire sonic texture.

Rhythmically, the track is upbeat and danceable, featuring a consistent 4/4 time signature common in pop music. However, the vocal delivery often syncopates against this steady beat, sometimes rushing ahead or lagging behind, which subtly reinforces the lyrical theme of being "out of sync" with the world. The pacing is frantic, mirroring the heartbeat of someone experiencing social anxiety.

Jack Stauber employs a variety of distinct musical and literary techniques to create the song's disorienting atmosphere:

• Lo-Fi Production & VHS Aesthetic: The track features a grainy, saturated sound characteristic of Stauber's style, mimicking the audio quality of old VHS tapes. This evokes a sense of nostalgia that clashes with the anxious lyrics.
• Vocal Distortion: Stauber uses heavy vocal effects, including pitch shifting and layering. He often switches between a deep, crooning voice and a high-pitched, frantic delivery, mirroring the protagonist's unstable mental state.
• Synth-Pop Instrumentation: The song is built on quirky, staccato synth chords and a driving drum machine beat. The upbeat, almost carnival-esque melody creates an ironic contrast (juxtaposition) with the lyrics' dark themes.
• Stream of Consciousness: Lyrically, the song flows like a frantic thought process, jumping from one image to another without traditional narrative transitions, simulating a panic attack or racing thoughts.

"Tea Errors" has garnered a significant cult following, particularly within internet subcultures on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Its relatable themes of social awkwardness, combined with its weirdcore aesthetic, made it a popular soundtrack for animations, fan art, and meme videos.

The song cemented Jack Stauber's status as a pioneer of the "internet weirdcore" or "dreamcore" music scene. It is often cited alongside "Buttercup" and "Baby Hotline" as one of his quintessential tracks. The song's ability to articulate the specific, surreal anxiety of the digital generation has ensured its lasting relevance in online spaces, inspiring countless covers and visual interpretations.

The song is dense with symbolic imagery that transforms mundane objects into sources of anxiety:

• Tea Errors / Terrors: The titular pun serves as the central symbol. "Tea" represents social ritual and calmness, while "Errors" represents failure. Combined, they sound like "Terrors," suggesting that for the narrator, social failure is a source of genuine horror.
• Baby with a Gun: This powerful metaphor illustrates a dichotomy of innocence and danger. It suggests the narrator feels emotionally immature or fragile (like a baby) but acknowledges that their instability possesses a destructive power (the gun) that can hurt those they love.
• Teeth / Dental Imagery: Mentions of a "sweet tooth" or teeth in general are common in Stauber's work. Here, they likely symbolize vulnerability. Losing teeth is a common nightmare trope associated with powerlessness, embarrassment, and a loss of control.
• Consumption: The act of eating or drinking "tea" often symbolizes internalization. The "errors" being consumed suggests the narrator is swallowing their mistakes, letting them fester internally rather than resolving them.

The most significant recurring motif is the phrase "Tea Errors," which anchors the song's chorus. Its repetition reinforces the inescapable nature of the protagonist's anxiety—no matter where their thoughts wander, they return to the "terror" of the situation.

Another motif is the concept of physical handling, seen in lyrics like "hold me down" or references to hands. This highlights the tension between the desire for physical intimacy and the fear of being constrained or hurt by it. Musically, a recurring synth riff serves as a hook that is both catchy and slightly dissonant, creating an "earworm" effect that feels slightly uneasy.