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.
Disgracelands
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mickey Mouse needs speed
Uncle Sam spoon fed on crack
E.T. loves LSD
Diet Coke head Barbie dreams
Of sex and God in jeans
While friendly fire Arnie pumps PR
For the media war machine
Lost your culture
Every dollar, family moral
In Cosby we trust
Sesame Street kids with toys
Bought at Guns 'are' Us
Have a nice day in hell today
White hot concrete screams
Reality is living your life
To fulfill your dreams
Forget Columbus
Lost your culture
E.T. loves LSD
The lyrics of Therapy?'s song Disgracelands express a critique of American culture and the system that perpetuates it. The song's opening line, "Fuck Columbus he was lost," sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics that question the foundational myths of American history. The line refers to the idea that Christopher Columbus discovered America, which erases the existence of Native American cultures that were already there. The lyrics go on to criticize other fabricated aspects of American culture, like the cartoon character Mickey Mouse needing speed, and Uncle Sam depicted as a drug addict who is blindly led by the media-driven war machine. Even E.T., the lovable alien from the film, is seen as being influenced by the drug culture that surrounds him.
The song highlights the pervasiveness of consumer culture in American society, where even iconic toys like those from Sesame Street are bought at stores like Guns 'are' Us. The lyrics also question the moral decay of families, represented by Bill Cosby's fall from grace as a former family-friendly comedian found guilty of sexual assault. The chorus encourages listeners to "forget Columbus" and to focus on finding identity and meaning in their lives. The song's overall message is to reject the false narratives that American culture has constructed and to find true fulfillment in life by following our own dreams and values.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck Columbus he was lost
Disparage Christopher Columbus, as he had no idea where he was going
Mickey Mouse needs speed
Mickey Mouse is too slow and needs to move faster
Uncle Sam spoon fed on crack
The American government accepts and craves drugs
E.T. loves LSD
The movie character E.T. would love to try LSD, a psychedelic drug
Diet Coke head Barbie dreams
Barbie, known for her perfect looks, is addicted to Diet Coke and has unrealistic dreams
Of sex and God in jeans
She is dreaming about having sex while wearing only jeans and finding spirituality
While friendly fire Arnie pumps PR
Arnold Schwarzenegger promotes the media war machine despite the accidental casualties caused by friendly fire
For the media war machine
The media heavily influences the opinions and decisions made by the government
Forget Columbus
Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated
Lost your culture
The western world has lost its culture and heritage
Every dollar, family moral
Money has taken precedence over family morals
In Cosby we trust
Bill Cosby was trusted, but his actions were not honorable
Sesame Street kids with toys
Children who watch Sesame Street are playing with toys bought from a store that also sells guns
Bought at Guns 'are' Us
The toys are purchased from a store that also sells guns
Have a nice day in hell today
You will not have a good day because society is full of problems and injustices
White hot concrete screams
The environment and society are not in a good place, as depicted by the hot and screaming concrete
Reality is living your life
The true reality is living your own life
To fulfill your dreams
To live life according to one's own desires and aspirations
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW CAIRNS, FYFE EWING, MICHAEL ROBERT MCKEEGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind