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.
Totally Random Man
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I even hate you too
When you make me see me as I am
I feel like Captain Beefheart sounds
I feel like Jackson Pollock looks
Something I don't wanna be but am
Understand me
Understand me
Impulse bleeds control from me
Repulses what I try to be
Chaos seems like beauty in my head
I feel like Captain Beefheart sounds
I feel like Jackson Pollock looks
Every single thought is ripped to shreds
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
The lyrics to Therapy?'s song Totally Random Man convey the struggle of the singer with their own identity and emotions. The song begins with the confession of the singer that they hate everyone, except this one person. However, there are times when they even hate this person too, but when this person makes them see themselves as they are, it is then when the singer has a realization about themselves. They feel like Captain Beefheart sounds, and Jackson Pollock looks, which is not how they want to be, but still are.
As the song continues, the singer explains that their impulses bleed control, and repulses what they try to be. Their mind is consumed with chaos, which they see as beauty. Every single thought they have is ripped to shreds, and they cannot seem to control it. The repeated line "understand me" reflects the singer's plea to be understood and acknowledged. The song ends with the repeated line "can't stand me, understand me," indicating that the singer is aware of the difficulty that others have in understanding them, but they still yearn for understanding.
Overall, the lyrics to Totally Random Man by Therapy? explore the theme of self-acceptance and the struggle to control impulses and chaotic thoughts. The use of artistic figures like Captain Beefheart and Jackson Pollock highlights the sense of identification and understanding the singer feels with them.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate everyone but you
I feel like I don't have anyone to rely on but you, and everyone else in my life has caused me to feel intense hatred.
Sometimes I even hate you too
Even though I rely on you, I also have moments where I feel anger and frustration toward you.
When you make me see me as I am
Sometimes when you show me who I truly am, it is uncomfortable and I struggle to accept it.
I feel like Captain Beefheart sounds
My emotions and thoughts often feel chaotic and confusing, like the unconventional music of Captain Beefheart.
I feel like Jackson Pollock looks
The way my thoughts and emotions are expressed feels messy and convoluted, similar to the abstract art of Jackson Pollock.
Something I don't wanna be but am
I often feel discomfort with who I am and the way I express myself, but it is an inherent part of me that I cannot change.
Impulse bleeds control from me
My impulsiveness often gets in the way of my ability to control my actions or reactions.
Repulses what I try to be
I find myself repelled by the person I try to be or the changes I am attempting to make in my life.
Chaos seems like beauty in my head
In my mind, the disarray and confusion in my thoughts and emotions can sometimes seem intriguing and attractive.
Every single thought is ripped to shreds
I frequently experience self-doubt and self-criticism, tearing apart every thought that enters my mind.
Understand me
I am hoping that if you take the time to understand me, you can begin to see the complex emotions and thoughts that fuel my behavior.
(Can't stand me) Understand me
Even though I know I can be difficult to deal with, I am still searching for someone who can look past that and truly understand me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW CAIRNS, FYFE EWING, MICHAEL ROBERT MCKEEGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Darko Jakovljevic
I hate everyone but you
Sometimes I even hate you too
When you make me see me as I am
I feel like Captain Beefheart sounds
I feel like Jackson Pollock looks
Something I don't wanna be but am
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Impulse bleeds control from me
Repulses what I try to be
Chaos seems like beauty in my head
I feel like Captain Beefheart sounds
I feel like Jackson Pollock looks
Every single thought is ripped to shreds
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
Ville Castrén
Early Therapy? really kicks ass! It's great to see they're still going strong after all these years.
Emmalee Wilson
one of the greatest 'under the radar' therapy? songs ever!
Darko Jakovljevic
I hate everyone but you
Sometimes I even hate you too
When you make me see me as I am
I feel like Captain Beefheart sounds
I feel like Jackson Pollock looks
Something I don't wanna be but am
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Impulse bleeds control from me
Repulses what I try to be
Chaos seems like beauty in my head
I feel like Captain Beefheart sounds
I feel like Jackson Pollock looks
Every single thought is ripped to shreds
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
(Can't stand me) Understand me
Mark Hilliard
No. I saw them in Cork City when they released Troublegum. They had lost all interest. Spent 40 minutes on stage. Kerbdog played support, spent longer on stage and were simply awesome. Their earlier EPs were works of genius. Cairns himself said in an interview at the time "...if you haven't got your point across in 3 minutes you're wasting your time......"
godinjeans
originally on shortsharpshock ep, it also appeared on hats off to the insane. all the ep's they released in '93 were absolutely top stuff
GodsBlindSpot1
hats off to the insane was one of those cds you could listen to all the way through
Miguel Be free
One of the best of all times
David Dexter
Therapy? Are so damn awesome
The Lotus MACHINE?
*were
shmupperfromhell
+David “Death” Dexter I hate everyone but you =)