Foreign Air is the creation of Jesse Clasen and Jacob Michael, who met in the late 2000s when their respective bands played on the same bill. They took interest in each other's talents and stayed in touch over the years. Hailing from North Carolina and Washington, D.C., respectively, the collaboration came to fruition in early 2015 after the pair, who were in between projects at the time, began trading ideas via Dropbox. The duo released their first single, "Free Animal," that November, followed by an EP, For the Light, in September 2016. A series of stand-alone singles arrived over the next few years, including 2017's "Lying" and 2019's "Wake Me Up."
The Therapist
Foreign Air Lyrics
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no keeping secrets
a cold cup of coffee, a few more cigarettes
god only knows the roads I've been down
Educate me now, break me down
to the bits and pieces
I need somebody to bring me back to live
whats wrong with you (tell me all your problems, let it out)
whats wrong with you (tell me all your secrets, get it out)
I don't know why these monster's are trapped in my head
I keep trying to put them to bed
I've got my hands inside my pockets
but I've felt no change in years
I've got these broken mirrors and they keep me here
I need a higher calling to get me out of bed
but god only knows the roads I've been down
liberate me now
I need somebody to bring me back to life
(chorus)
don't talk just listen to us
keep quiet on the couch and shut the fuck up
(chorus)
The opening lines of Foreign Air's song The Therapist paint a vivid image of a person on a leather couch, attempting to exercise their demons. These lines are a gateway to a story of someone who is trying to come to terms with their past and present struggles. The person on the couch is seeking help, and there is an intense need to get out of the state they are in. The imagery of a cold cup of coffee and some cigarettes sets a mood that compliments the lyrics very well.
The following verse, "god only knows the roads I've been down," speaks to the person's past experiences. It indicates that the person has been on a journey, and it has left them with a lot of baggage. They then ask to be educated and broken down to bits and pieces. These lines show the person's willingness to get better, even if it means tearing themselves apart to build back up. The chorus line, "I need somebody to bring me back to life" summarizes the motive of the song. It is about someone who is looking for a guide, a person who can help them reclaim their lives.
Towards the end, the song takes a slightly different angle, where the lyrics talk about the person's belief in needing a higher calling. The line "but god only knows the roads I've been down, liberate me now" cement the idea that the person wants to break free. The theme is one of self-discovery and healing, and it is the kind of song that resonates with many people struggling with mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
on the leather couch, exercising demons
I'm sitting on a couch, trying to deal with my inner demons
no keeping secrets
I'm trying to be open and honest about everything
a cold cup of coffee, a few more cigarettes
I'm taking a break, trying to relax with some coffee and cigarettes
god only knows the roads I've been down
I've been through some tough times that only God knows about
Educate me now, break me down to the bits and pieces
I need someone to help me understand and break down my issues
I need somebody to bring me back to life
I need someone to help me find purpose and meaning in my life
whats wrong with you (tell me all your problems, let it out)
Someone is asking me to share my problems and let them out
whats wrong with you (tell me all your secrets, get it out)
Someone is asking me to share my secrets and get them out
I don't know why these monster's are trapped in my head, I keep trying to put them to bed
I don't know why I have these negative thoughts, but I'm trying to get rid of them
I've got my hands inside my pockets, but I've felt no change in years
I've been stuck in a rut for a long time, and nothing has changed
I've got these broken mirrors and they keep me here
I have these things that remind me of my past and keep me stuck
I need a higher calling to get me out of bed, but god only knows the roads I've been down
I need something to motivate me and give me purpose, but I've been through a lot of tough times
liberate me now
I need to be freed from my mental struggles
don't talk just listen to us, keep quiet on the couch and shut the fuck up
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just listen and be quiet
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jacob Rabadi, Jesse Clasen, Nicholas Bailey, Rami Jrade
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind