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.

Polar Bear
Therapy? Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a polar bear
A polar bear in a zoo
Pace back and forth
Pace back and forth

I'm a polar bear
Polar bear in a zoo
Pace back and forth

Pace back and forth

Stuck in this cage
Stuck here with you
Pace back and forth
Pace back and forth

Stuck in this cage
Stuck here with you
Creep up on me
I'll creep up on you

And here we are
Stuck here with you
Creep up on me
Creep up on me

And here we are
I'm stuck here with you

You fence me in
I'll turn on you.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Therapy?'s song "Polar Bear" depict a polar bear pacing back and forth in its cage at the zoo. The repetition of the polar bear's pacing emphasizes its captivity and frustration. The polar bear is "stuck in this cage" with its captors or zookeepers, and the song suggests a sense of powerlessness and helplessness. The second half of the song takes on a more confrontational tone, with the polar bear warning its captors that if they "creep up on me," it will "creep up on you." The polar bear feels threatened and retaliates, promising to "turn on you" if cornered. This shift in tone reinforces the sense of frustration and anger that the polar bear feels.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a polar bear
I feel trapped and alone in this environment

A polar bear in a zoo
I am in a captive environment that is not like home

Pace back and forth
I am anxious and have nothing else to do but move around

Pace back and forth
I am trapped in a routine and can't escape it

Stuck in this cage
There seems to be no way out of this situation

Stuck here with you
I am stuck in this environment with no hope of leaving

Pace back and forth
I am desperate and don't know what to do

Pace back and forth
I have resorted to repeating the same actions over and over

Stuck in this cage
I feel trapped and helpless

Stuck here with you
I am trapped in this situation with someone who may contribute to my feeling of imprisonment

Creep up on me
You are not to be trusted, and could turn on me at any moment