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.
Tightrope Walker
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My hands are snatching at the slivers of light
I'm sticking to the steps
Each one a release from the place below
I'm on a mission
On the hunt for clean, clear vapour skies
'Cause I'm choking on my own, I need some air
Begging you to scrape off your disco paint
It's open to the night
And I'm as sick as a hospital and empty factories
You look so tiny, so very unimportant
I'm nearly there, and everything feels fine
Don't wanna look behind me
Don't wanna look beneath me
Every movement, every vibration
Every movement, every vibration
High above piss city
Watch the pigs-ear people, all dead in their droves
Some shuffle in silence
Some gorge sucking on silicone
I've got the urge to jump
Watch my life whizz by, fast forward flash
But hold on boy, I feel alive
Don't wanna look behind me
Don't wanna look beneath me
Every movement, every vibration
Every movement, every vibration
Don't wanna look behind me
Don't wanna look beneath me
Every movement, every vibration
Every movement, every vibration
Don't wanna look behind me
Don't wanna look beneath me
Every movement, every vibration
Every movement, every vibration
The lyrics of Therapy?'s song "Tightrope Walker" depict a person's journey towards escapism from their current situation. The song portrays the singer's struggle to climb up the stairs, as if every step is a release from the place below. The lyrics suggest that the singer is suffocating and needs some air to breathe in a cleaner environment. As the singer reaches the top of the stairs, they open the door to the night, where they feel empty and sick like a hospital and an empty factory. However, the singer is comforted by the fact that they have made it this far and that everything feels fine.
The second stanza describes the singer observing people below, who are "dead in their droves." They see some people shuffling in silence, and others indulging in their vices. The singer is tempted to jump and watch their life whizz by in fast-forward, but they hold back because they feel alive. The recurring refrain "Don't wanna look behind me, don't wanna look beneath me, every movement, every vibration" suggests that the singer is afraid of falling or confronting their fears.
Overall, "Tightrope Walker" is a song about the struggle to survive in a suffocating environment, seeking escapism, and overcoming their fears to achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm trying to walk up the stairs
I'm trying to make progress in my life
My hands are snatching at the slivers of light
I'm trying to grasp at any hope I can find
I'm sticking to the steps
I'm staying focused on my path
Each one a release from the place below
Each step brings me closer to leaving my struggles behind
I'm on a mission
I have a goal that I'm determined to achieve
On the hunt for clean, clear vapour skies
I'm looking for a way to escape the darkness of my life
'Cause I'm choking on my own, I need some air
I'm suffocating from my problems and need some space to breathe
The door slams behind me
I'm leaving something behind and it's final
Begging you to scrape off your disco paint
I want you to be honest and show your true self
It's open to the night
The darkness and uncertainty of the future lies ahead
And I'm as sick as a hospital and empty factories
I'm feeling empty and sick, like there's no life left in me
You look so tiny, so very unimportant
Everything else feels small, insignificant, and unimportant compared to my mission
I'm nearly there, and everything feels fine
I'm close to achieving my goal and everything seems to be falling into place
High above piss city
I'm above all the negativity and filth of the world
Watch the pigs-ear people, all dead in their droves
I'm watching the people below who are just living life without a purpose
Some shuffle in silence
Some people are just going through life without really living it
Some gorge sucking on silicone
Others are trying to find happiness through inauthentic means
I've got the urge to jump
I feel the temptation to give up on my struggle and escape it all
Watch my life whizz by, fast forward flash
I'm thinking about how quickly my life is passing me by
But hold on boy, I feel alive
I realize that despite the hardships, I feel alive and embodying my mission
Don't wanna look behind me
I don't want to dwell on my past struggles
Don't wanna look beneath me
I don't want to think about the negative consequences of falling out of line with my mission
Every movement, every vibration
I must stay alert and focused to keep in line with my mission and progress towards my goals
Every movement, every vibration
I must stay alert and focused to keep in line with my mission and progress towards my goals
Don't wanna look behind me
I don't want to dwell on my past struggles
Don't wanna look beneath me
I don't want to think about the negative consequences of falling out of line with my mission
Every movement, every vibration
I must stay alert and focused to keep in line with my mission and progress towards my goals
Every movement, every vibration
I must stay alert and focused to keep in line with my mission and progress towards my goals
Don't wanna look behind me
I don't want to dwell on my past struggles
Don't wanna look beneath me
I don't want to think about the negative consequences of falling out of line with my mission
Every movement, every vibration
I must stay alert and focused to keep in line with my mission and progress towards my goals
Every movement, every vibration
I must stay alert and focused to keep in line with my mission and progress towards my goals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW CAIRNS, GRAHAM HOPKINS, MARTIN MCCARRICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nebulae Complex
Underrated band, underrated album, underrated song!
Saboteurs Music
One of my favourites, especially from the BBC sessions
Andrew Phipps Phillips
Love that "Honeycrack-esque" chorus!!!
Oddity Shop
wow, you're right, it really does sound willydowlingesque guitar.
NIMUSWORKS
Epic Chorus!
10 no once
Amazing drums