THERAPY? is an alternative rock/punk rock band from Northern Ireland. The b… Read Full Bio ↴THERAPY? is an alternative rock/punk rock band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist/vocalist Andy Cairns and drummer Fyfe Ewing. The band initially recorded their first demo with Andy filling in on bass guitar. To complete the line-up, the band recruited bassist Michael McKeegan.
With keen pop sensibilities, a skewed sense of humour and a willingness to draw inspiration from diverse sources (notably punk rock), Therapy? came to attention in the early 1990s rise of alternative rock, but have endured for more than a decade since; Critic Johnny Loftus writes, "After a ten-plus year career that has seen them outlast competitors and outwit industry attempts at categorization, Therapy? are still headbangers with their thinking caps screwed on tight."

Current line-up :
Andy Cairns (guitar, vocals) (1989 - )
Michael McKeegan (bass guitar, backing vocals) (1989 - )
Neil Cooper (drums) (2003 - )

Past members:
Fyfe Ewing (drums) (1989 - 1996)
Martin McCarrick (cello, guitar, backing vocals) (1996 - 2004)
Graham Hopkins (drums) (1996 - 2001)

Discography:
-Hard Cold Fire (2023)
-Cleave (2018)
-Disquiet (2015)
-A Brief Crack of Light (2012)
-Crooked Timber (2009)
-One Cure Fits All (2006)
-Never Apologise Never Explain (2004)
-High Anxiety (2003)
-Shameless (2001)
-So Much For The Ten Year Plan - A Retrospective 1990-2000 (2000)
-Suicide Pact - You First (1999)
-Semi-Detached (1998)
-Infernal Love (1995)
-Troublegum (1994)
-Face the Strange E.P. (1993)
-Shortsharpshock E.P. (1993)
-Nurse (1992)
-Pleasure Death (1992)
-Babyteeth (1991)

Northern Ireland, 1989.

Bowels of Love
Therapy? Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, you took me, naive and ugly
Into your festering heart
And you poured Eros maggots
Down my throat until I choked

There's nothing darker than love
That's gone sour
Satan's spit, love that's gone sour

Yeah, you took me, naive and ugly
Into your festering heart
And you rammed Eros maggots
Down my throat until I choked

There's nothing darker than love
That's gone sour, Satan's spit
Nothing darker than love
That's gone sour, Satan's spit

Out of the bowels of love
The bowels of love
The bowels of love
The bowels of love

Out of the bowels of love
The bowels of love
The bowels of love
The bowels of love

Love, yeah
Love

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics from Therapy?'s song Bowels of Love depict a person who has been taken into the "festering heart" of someone and has been forced to consume what seems like a toxic version of love, represented by "Eros maggots." The use of the word "bowels" in the title and throughout the lyrics metaphorically suggests the core, innermost part of something, in this case, the core of love, which has gone rotten, wreaking havoc on this person. The repetition of the phrase "There's nothing darker than love" emphasizes the idea that love, when negative, can be incredibly destructive and harmful, even more so than other aspects of life associated with darkness and negativity.

The lyrics also mention "Satan's spit," which provides a religious reference and a possible indication that the song is intended to be an allegory for a toxic, abusive relationship. The use of disgusting and violent imagery throughout the lyrics adds to the song's overall disturbing nature and the idea that the person singing is in a dark mental state.

Overall, the song Bowels of Love can be interpreted as a warning about the potential harm of toxic relationships, especially when love is involved. It stresses the importance of recognizing and addressing unhealthy relationships before they can do irreparable damage.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, you took me, naive and ugly
You manipulated me when I was inexperienced and unattractive

Into your festering heart
You drew me into your diseased and corrupt soul

And you poured Eros maggots
You filled me with rancid, decaying feelings of passion

Down my throat until I choked
You suffocated me with your toxic love

There's nothing darker than love
Love can be the darkest and most destructive force

That's gone sour
When love turns toxic or fails, it can be incredibly painful

Satan's spit, love that's gone sour
The bitterness and horror of a love that has turned destructive

And you rammed Eros maggots
You forced the decaying feelings of passion upon me

Nothing darker than love
Love can be incredibly destructive and painful

Out of the bowels of love
From the very depths of this destructive force

The bowels of love
The innermost, ugliest parts of love