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.
Potato Junkie
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm twisted
James Joyce is fucking my sister
How can I remember 1690?
I was born in 1965
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
This business
Is pointless
To think that green's the only colour on the atlas
I'm trying hard just to survive
To keep myself alive
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
James Joyce is fucking my sister
James Joyce is fucking my sister
James Joyce is fucking my sister
James Joyce is fucking my sister
James Joyce is fucking my sister
James Joyce is fucking my sister
James Joyce is fucking my sister
James Joyce is fucking my sister
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
Don't you ever feel attracted to the girls you photograph?
Sexually? That's not part of my job
Aren't you sexually attracted to me?
Yes, I am
Touch me
What?
I sad touch me.
Please
The lyrics to Therapy?'s song Potato Junkie are a blend of bitter, twisted ruminations and manic, repetitive phrases. The opening line immediately sets the tone, with the singer declaring their bitterness and twisted nature. This is followed by the attention-grabbing line, "James Joyce is fucking my sister." This bizarre and shocking statement could be interpreted in a literal sense, perhaps suggesting an illicit relationship, but it's more likely figurative, referencing the impact that Joyce's work has had on the singer's sister. It could also be an allusion to the complexity and difficulty of Joyce's writing.
The next lines are equally cryptic, with the singer questioning how they can remember a seemingly random date in the past (1690) when they were born in 1965. This could be a commentary on the weight of historical events, or an expression of frustration with their own faulty memory. The repetition of the phrases "I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you" and "scratch your eyes out" add a manic intensity to the song, with the singer seeming to lash out against an unnamed antagonist.
The final lines of the song introduce a different voice, a dialogue between the singer and a photographer who they seem to have a sexual attraction to. The photographer tries to maintain a professional distance, but the singer persistently asks to be touched, ending the song on a somewhat uncomfortable and ambiguous note. Overall, Potato Junkie is a dense and enigmatic song that requires a lot of interpretation and unpacking.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm bitter
I'm not happy and I'm angry about something.
I'm twisted
I have a distorted view of things, and I might be mentally or emotionally unstable.
James Joyce is fucking my sister
I have a deep-seated anger towards someone, but it's not truly based on something that's happening in reality.
How can I remember 1690?
I'm struggling to understand or remember something that happened in the past, and I might feel like it's affecting my present.
I was born in 1965
I'm stating a fact about myself that's not necessarily related to the other things I'm talking about.
I can see you, I can read you, I won't be you
I'm aware of who you are and what you're doing, but I'm making a conscious choice not to be like you.
(Scratch your eyes out, scratch your eyes out, I'll scratch your eyes out)
I'm expressing my anger towards someone in a violent and threatening way.
This business
I'm talking about something specific, but it's not entirely clear what that is.
Is pointless
I don't believe that whatever I'm talking about is worthwhile or has any meaning.
To think that green's the only colour on the atlas
I'm implying that someone has a limited or narrow-minded view of the world.
I'm trying hard just to survive
I'm going through a difficult time and I'm trying to keep going despite the odds.
James Joyce is fucking my sister
I'm repeating something that I said earlier, possibly to emphasize my anger or frustration.
Don't you ever feel attracted to the girls you photograph?
I'm asking a potentially uncomfortable question or making an accusation towards someone.
Sexually? That's not part of my job
I'm responding to the question in a professional or conservative way.
Aren't you sexually attracted to me?
I'm continuing to pursue the subject in a more personal or direct way.
Yes, I am
I'm answering the question truthfully.
Touch me
I'm making a request or command for physical contact.
What?
I'm expressing confusion or surprise in response to the previous statement.
I said touch me.
I'm repeating my request for physical contact.
Please
I'm making a polite or urgent request for something that I want or need.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@knntt1
Saw these guys not for the first time at bloodstock this weekend what a great act!
@ninetyization
Guys like Andy Cairns and Joey Dunlop make me proud of my county and country 🎸✌️
@nairdallewop
Underrated, they still sound great today!!!!!
@PeteEd79
The smell of Randalstown of this!!
@cjgoth3487
Great gig at the Scala last night. Damn good! Thanks lads!
@brimone1982
Simply the best.
@shmupperfromhell
I'm bitter, i'm twisted, James Joyce is doing something to my sister!
@kulahula1
whisky& therapy? live is beautiful
@chrisschneider6883
I actually forgot how fucking brilliant these guys were
@mjosemartinez1011
Siempre❤