Some examples of their best known songs are "Brain Collapses", "Unveiling the Secret, "Eternal", "Misery", "Tears", "Sanctuary", "Gods and Monsters", "15 Minutes", and a remake of "Goodbye Horses", the cult Q Lazzarus song made famous by its use in the psychological thriller film 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Other popular covers include versions of "Sex Dwarf" (by Soft Cell') and "Disorder" (by Joy Division).
As of the last 30 years since their debut in the early 80s, Psyche continue to record and perform their unique blend of dark electronic music throughout Europe as well as many territories around the world.
Official Website: www.psyche-hq.de
*Note:
In the early 90s, the name Psyche was also used as an alias of Detroit techno artist Carl Craig. Under this early pseudonym the legendary Detroit based techno producer released a few 12"s on Transmat - later compiled onto 'Elements', alongside other material written under his BFC alias, and released on Craig's own Planet E label.
Also, a short lived west coast Scottish new wave/rock band called Psyche released a 7" single in 1982.
Defenseless
Psyche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where others try to follow
When the ravens fly within your grasp
The images of yesterday will tell the truth again
No one can escape the pain of knowing how it ends
You rendered me defenseless
Images held out for ransom
When I needed your protection
All the weapons that you choose
And the fortresses you've built
Is no security inside your mind
When logic seems to fail
Keep the secrets to no avail
Oblivious behind these walls
No structure can remain forever
Forever
And the games that we have played
We knew the rules so well
Every battle that we chose
Broken by entangelements
Stand above it all
Til the figures fall again
The lyrics of Psyche's "Defenseless" sheds light on emotions of vulnerability and betrayal in a relationship. The song begins on a reflective note, as the persona talks about a common path that has been tread upon. The persona states that while others attempt to follow in the same footsteps, it is only obvious to them that when they try to grasp for something, they will be left with nothing. This is in fact what the persona is feeling - that they had trusted their partner, only to realize that their love was a façade, and their partner had potential ulterior motives that were not in line with their own feelings.
The lines "You rendered me defenseless, Images held out for ransom," suggest that the persona was caught off-guard by someone they thought they knew and trusted. They feel helpless, and as if they no longer own their own emotions; their partner had held them hostage with their own emotions. The betrayal highlights a sense of injustice and hurt, as the voice asks "When I needed your protection," implying that they trusted and relied on their partner to be there for them. The end of the first verse further enforces the sense of hopelessness; "No one can escape the pain of knowing how it ends." The promise was broken, and the persona is left to experience the consequences.
As the song proceeds, the chorus repeats the line "You rendered me defenseless", which solidifies the idea of betrayal and coming to terms with the harsh reality of the failed relationship. The second verse reflects on the flaws in the partner's attempts to protect themselves from getting hurt. The persona says, "All the weapons that you choose and the fortresses you've built is no security inside your mind." This implies that the partner's preoccupation with their own securities has only led them astray from what really mattered, which was the relationship. The persona also acknowledges how their own partner's secrets have led them to failure. The verse then ends with the realization that nothing lasts forever - "No structure can remain forever, forever."
The bridge states, "And the games that we have played, we knew the rules so well," which suggests that the relationship had grown into a power struggle where both individuals knew how to manipulate each other. However, the emotions behind the facade eventually took over, breaking the stalemate. The last line "Til the figures fall again," brings the song a full circle, alluding once again that in the end, everyone is left alone with their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
On the path that you have tread
Referring to the journey that the addressee has been on
Where others try to follow
Implying that others attempt to follow, but the addressee is paving the way
When the ravens fly within your grasp
Suggesting the addressee has the ability to control their fate and surroundings
The images of yesterday will tell the truth again
Past experiences serve as a reminder and educator for the future
No one can escape the pain of knowing how it ends
A reminder that pain is inevitable and tied to the knowledge of the future
You rendered me defenseless
The addressee's vulnerability
Images held out for ransom
Memories beyond the addressee's control
When I needed your protection
The addressee needs protection and guidance
All the weapons that you choose
The addressee's means of defending themselves
And the fortresses you've built
The addressee's mental defenses and constructs
Is no security inside your mind
A realization that the addressee's mind is not impenetrable
When logic seems to fail
The inevitability of failing and making mistakes despite rationale and thought process
Keep the secrets to no avail
Trying to maintain secrets or control despite inevitable truth being discovered
Oblivious behind these walls
The addressee is hiding or ignoring truth
No structure can remain forever
Everything is impermanent and bound to change
And the games that we have played
Referring to the dynamic between the addressee and the artist
We knew the rules so well
A sense of familiarity and expertise between the two
Every battle that we chose
The addressee's decisions and actions have lasting consequences
Broken by entanglements
Interconnectivity between parties that leads to conflict and destruction
Stand above it all
Encouragement to rise above the chaos and take control of the situation
Til the figures fall again
Waiting for the inevitable downfall and aftermath to occur again
Contributed by Sophie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.