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.
The Buzzing
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't make it stop
Can't staunch the flow
The buzzing
The buzzing
Open to everything
Land of confusion
The buzzing
The buzzing
Nothing to express
Nothing to express it with
Still this inexplicable need to express
The buzzing
This phantom chatterbox
Does it ever stop?
Does everything start
With destruction?
When will you learn that the medicine doesn't work
Don't want to be lost in the system
Forgotten, forgotten, forgotten...
Stare at the ceiling
Terrorized by consciousness
The buzzing
The buzzing
The happiness industry
With its bland panaceas
Has done nothing for me
The buzzing
The buzzing
"The Buzzing" is a song by the Northern Irish alternative rock band Therapy? released in 1994. The lyrics describe an overwhelming feeling of anxiety that feels almost impossible to turn off or stop. The buzzing is a metaphor for the incessant noise and chatter of modern society, which can be overwhelming, draining, and inescapable. The song suggests that this noise can be detrimental to mental health, as it leads to a land of confusion and over-exposure, where everything can seem meaningless and interchangeable.
The lyrics also touch on the difficulties of expressing oneself in this context. Therapy? notes the inexplicable need to do so, even when nothing feels worthwhile or has any real meaning, and the difficulties of finding any sort of outlet. At times, it seems that the song's protagonist can't help but worry that this "phantom chatterbox" will never stop, and that everything is starting with destruction.
Overall, "The Buzzing" is an emotionally-charged and empathetic portrait of a society that's trending towards overstimulation and harm. Therapy? expresses real compassion for those who are finding it difficult to cope in this context, while also asking important questions about what we're doing to combat the problem.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't turn it off
The person cannot stop the internal buzz or chatter they feel
Can't make it stop
The person cannot make the buzzing feeling stop
Can't staunch the flow
The person cannot control or stop the buzzing feeling from continuing
The buzzing
Refers to the internal buzz, chatter or noise that the person is feeling
Open to everything
The person feels exposed and vulnerable to everything around them
Over-exposure
The person has been exposed to too much, causing them to feel overwhelmed
Land of confusion
The person feels lost and uncertain about how to navigate their thoughts and feelings
Nothing to express
The person doesn't have anything specific to express or communicate to others
Nothing to express it with
The person doesn't have the right words or way to express what they are feeling
Still this inexplicable need to express
Despite not having anything specific to express, the person still feels the need to express themselves
This phantom chatterbox
Refers to the internal chatter, thoughts or feelings that the person is experiencing
Does it ever stop?
The person questions if the internal buzz or chatter will ever cease
Does everything start with destruction?
The person questions if the process of breaking things down is necessary to create something new
When will you learn that the medicine doesn't work
The person questions the effectiveness of the medication they may be taking to help with their situation
Don't want to be lost in the system
The person doesn't want to get lost or become a part of the traditional way of treating mental health
Forgotten, forgotten, forgotten...
The person feels like they have been forgotten or ignored, despite their struggles
Stare at the ceiling
The person may experience insomnia or anxiety that causes them to stay awake and stare at the ceiling
Terrorized by consciousness
The person feels afraid or overwhelmed by their own thoughts and feelings
The happiness industry
Refers to the commercialization of happiness and positive thinking that is often marketed as a solution for mental health issues
With its bland panaceas
Refers to the oversimplification of mental health treatment which can often be ineffective or unhelpful
Has done nothing for me
The person has not found relief or support in the traditional treatment methods offered by the happiness industry
The buzzing
Refers to the ongoing internal buzz or chatter that the person is experiencing
Writer(s): Andrew James Cairns
Contributed by Mia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@suziebaillie8590
I flipping LOVE this song ❤️ Fantastic performance guys!
@drumbum.ireland
Yesssss!! 👏👏👏❤️
@iamrip
This is really focken great!
@urockoira400
Toimi! Toka rivissä kuultuna.
@neuraldance1086
Neil Cooper is a beast! wish they'd do more challenging stuff like this and not so much of the pop punk stuff
@chasethecolors
I enjoy this song more live. I actually can't stand the album track