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.
Skinning Pit
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No!
No!
No!
Leave me alone!
Every once in a while I had to take a beating
But by then I didn't care
Everybody takes a beating sometimes
I was born your punchbag
And you, you know I'll never punch you back
Bite the hand that's feeding me
Just brings the nightmares back
Destroy me, I love you everyday
You don't have to take the tears away
Destroy me, I love you everyday
And I, I wish you were dead
Try to smile every day
And now you come home to wipe my smile away
All fear beaten out of me
And I don't bruise anymore
Destroy me, I love you everyday
Coming home to take the tears away
Destroy me, I love you every day
And I wish you were dead
And you do what you're told
And tell your friends you fell
And you do what you're told
And tell your friends you fell
You fell
Sometimes, I want those things
My skin is stinging red
For every girl who likes some pain
And my life is suffering
For what you'll never be
Destroy me, I love you everyday
Coming home to take the tears away
Destroy me, I love you every day
And I wish you were dead
The song Skinning Pit by Therapy? is a powerful and emotional ballad that explores the pain and suffering caused by emotional abuse. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and hopelessness as the singer, who is the victim of the abuse, acknowledges that he is powerless to escape the cycle of violence. The repeated refrain of "No!" suggests a desperate attempt to establish boundaries and assert independence, but the words are ultimately futile as the abuser continues to exert control over the victim's life. The imagery of a "punchbag" and "skinning pit" evoke a sense of violence and cruelty, highlighting the physical and psychological toll of enduring abuse.
The line "Destroy me, I love you everyday" is particularly poignant, as it captures the complicated nature of abusive relationships. The victim may feel a twisted sense of loyalty and affection towards their abuser, even as they recognize that the abuse is causing them harm. The final lines of the song, "For every girl who likes some pain / And my life is suffering / For what you'll never be," suggest a larger societal context of normalized abuse and trauma. The singer's experience is not just an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of violence perpetuated against vulnerable individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
No!
Expression of refusal or rejection.
Every once in a while I had to take a beating
Sometimes, I have to endure physical abuse.
But by then I didn't care
At that point, the pain no longer affects me.
The way I saw it
In my perspective.
Everybody takes a beating sometimes
Everyone experiences physical abuse at some point.
I was born your punchbag
I have always been a victim of your physical abuse.
And you, you know I'll never punch you back
You are aware that I will never retaliate.
Bite the hand that's feeding me
To rebel or act against the one providing for me.
Just brings the nightmares back
Causes me to relive the trauma.
Destroy me, I love you everyday
Your violent behavior towards me affirms your love for me.
You don't have to take the tears away
I accept the emotional pain that comes with physical abuse.
And I, I wish you were dead
I desire for you to no longer exist.
Try to smile every day
Attempt at being happy.
And now you come home to wipe my smile away
Your presence robs me of my happiness.
All fear beaten out of me
I have become so accustomed to violence that I no longer fear it.
And I don't bruise anymore
My body has become numb to physical abuse.
And you do what you're told
You follow orders without question.
And tell your friends you fell
You lie about the cause of my injuries.
Sometimes, I want those things
At times, I desire physical pain.
My skin is stinging red
My body is covered in bruises.
For every girl who likes some pain
For anyone who has a masochistic tendency.
And my life is suffering
My existence is filled with pain and misery.
For what you'll never be
Because you can never change.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@craigg5410
That drumming is amazing!!
@jannevens9740
Fyfe, one of a kind.
@husbandryenvy433
First band I saw live. Cork city hall 1994 with Kerbdog. Amazing stuff. Still love them at the mature age of thirty something!
@willsoopercereal
saw that tour in Galway, with Whipping Boy, Joyrider, Kerbdog and Therapy, feckin awesome!
@alltheserobotsshallfall
first time ever I see someone mention Kerbdog
@husbandryenvy433
@Paulo Aloisio They were brilliant that night. Saw them a few times after that when they were touring their first album. They fell apart after that but what an album.
@DickPHC
Worked their gig opening for James in Toronto. Had no idea who they were. Took all of a few minutes to want to change that. Last step they took? A stage dive into a crowd of not quite teenagers. Funny as hell. Thanks for this!
@drugrocker
there was a well circulated tape of "live in the practice room" takes of this and other tracks from pleasure death, back in the day, a year before the second mlp came out. was real good - much less tinny than this, and real live and raw - well worth seeking out..
@johngarland502
Best drummer from the island of Ireland
@dedaelus
getting in the mood for Swansea gig tonight