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.
Human Mechanism
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unhinged and unravelled as the feeling starts to win
I can see the colours changing, burning in my brain
I don't hear the words you say, I just see you lie
All systems gone
All systems gone
Uncensored my reality to make me more aware
Truth, doubt, indecision always echo in my veins
Happiness and emptiness, solitary pain
All systems gone
All systems gone
Constant fear, self loathing chisel deep inside my mind
Every thought deserted underneath the rising tide
All hopes suffocated, a relentless waste of time
Haunted by the rejection of everything that's mine
All systems gone
All systems gone
All systems gone
All systems
gone
The lyrics to Therapy?'s song Human Mechanism explore the theme of internal struggle within oneself. The opening lines describe the feeling of being torn apart from within, as if someone is breathing within and unraveling the singer's emotions. The singer visualizes intense colors that burn in their brain, making it difficult to hear the lies that are being told. The chorus repeats the phrase "All systems gone," emphasizing that the singer feels as though their entire being has been shut down.
The second verse features more introspective lyrics, as the singer questions whether there is anything real within themselves. They describe the constant battle between truth, doubt, and indecision that they experience internally. The conflicting emotions of happiness and emptiness are also present, representing the highs and lows of being human. The chorus repeats again, this time emphasizing the internal struggle that the singer is going through.
The final verse describes the depth of the singer's struggles, with constant fear and self-loathing chiseling deep inside their mind. Every thought is buried beneath a rising tide of negative emotions, suffocating any hopes and leading to a sense of haunting rejection. The repetition of "All systems gone" in the final chorus serves to drive home the idea that the singer is completely shut down and struggling to cope with their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel you breathing when you tear me from within
I am aware of your influence over me as you cause me emotional distress and turmoil
Unhinged and unravelled as the feeling starts to win
I become emotionally unstable and unravelled as my emotions and negative thoughts overwhelm me
I can see the colours changing, burning in my brain
My perception of the world around me is distorted by my negative emotions, causing me to see the worst in everything
I don't hear the words you say, I just see you lie
I am blinded by my negative emotions and can only perceive your actions as deceitful
Opened up my head to see if anything is there
I am searching for a deeper understanding of my emotions and the root causes of my negative thoughts
Uncensored my reality to make me more aware
I am removing any potential biases and preconceptions to gain a clearer, unbiased view of myself and my reality
Truth, doubt, indecision always echo in my veins
My thoughts and emotions tug at my conscience, making it difficult to come to a decision or find a clear truth
Happiness and emptiness, solitary pain
My emotions fluctuate between brief moments of happiness and long periods of emptiness, causing me to feel alone and in pain
Constant fear, self loathing chisel deep inside my mind
I experience a constant fear and self-loathing that eats away at my mental state
Every thought deserted underneath the rising tide
My negative thoughts and emotions become overwhelming, drowning out any positive or rational thoughts
All hopes suffocated, a relentless waste of time
My hope for a better future is quenched by my negative thoughts, causing me to feel as if any effort is wasted
Haunted by the rejection of everything that's mine
I am tormented by feelings of rejection and inadequacy, leading me to believe that I am undeserving of anything positive
All systems gone
I feel lost and helpless, as if my mind and body have shut down completely
All systems gone
My emotional distress has become so overwhelming that I feel as if I am unable to function normally
All systems gone
I am completely consumed by negative thoughts and emotions, causing me to feel as if there is no way out
All systems gone
My mind and body are completely overwhelmed and in a state of despair
Contributed by Molly L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ivan Batchvarov
Hmmm, sounds a lot like Ministry's N.W.O. - no wonder it was relegated to a B-side.
NIMUSWORKS
fortunately T? Fans love B Sides...
Ivan Batchvarov
Nimus Works It's a weak song. There would have been a lawsuit if they stuck it in Nurse.
NIMUSWORKS
@Ivan Batchvarov lawsuit... Now thats funny
Ivan Batchvarov
Nimus Works It's not funny because the riff is a 100% stolen from Ministry. A lawsuit would have made sense if this song went bigger than the one it stole from, but it remains virtually unknown.
NIMUSWORKS
+Ivan K. Batchvarov One thing is a Guitar Riff SoundS equal and causes Lawsuit..other thing is a Song have influence from other band or song..and as you know Andy always...always referes his influences on his songs..just today he referes that on the new Song coming out on Instagram, Wreck like Beckett..i agree with you that This Song is influenced by Nwo..and for me its cool..i just know very well the mind is a terríble thing to taste from Ministry..fuckin huge album..so to finish This..Human Mechanism is a Killer tune with Ministry influence and when i hear it i feel the tension, the anxiety, the muscle of Fyfe pounding that snare and for me it makes me feel dawn good..i fuckin love This track and Im a huge fanboy of the old B Sides, who Therapy made so well, about Lawsuit, leave them with the pop bands who stole everything without any shame
Julien Trez
What's the second song?
NIMUSWORKS
Dont remember right now but it wasnt supposed to be here..sorry mate
MINUZ
a cover version of Vicar in a Tutu by the Smiths
Julien Trez
@MINUZ Thanks! :)