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.
Unbeliever
Therapy? Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wasting every day to my own end
Feeling awkward, feeling clumsy, hating
Everything I've ever done before
Then you leave me like the others
Leave me too much time on my own
On my own, on my own, on my own
Had enough of reinventing memories
Living in the shadow of your charm
The shrapnel of your insults buried deeper
Confidence can ever overcome
Then you leave me like the others
Leave me too much time on my own
On my own, on my own, I'm on my own
Choking on anticipation, waiting on you
To say something to bring me back
All I want is a trace of recognition
Your silence is as heavy as my eyes
Then you leave me like the others
Leave me too much time on my own
On my own, on my own, on my own
I'm on my own, on my own
On my own, on my own
The lyrics of Therapy?'s song Unbeliever convey a sense of isolation and detachment from the world. The singer feels like they don't belong in this world or the next, and that they are wasting every day to their own end. They express feelings of awkwardness, clumsiness, and self-hatred for everything they have done before. The repetition of the line "on my own" emphasizes the singer's loneliness and solitude.
The second verse of the song deals with the singer's relationship with someone who seems to be the cause of their low self-esteem. The singer has had enough of "reinventing memories" and living in the shadow of this person's charm. The insults from this person have buried deep and the singer doubts if their confidence can ever overcome it. The chorus repeats the idea of the person leaving the singer like others, leaving them too much time on their own, and the singer feels like they are choking on anticipation waiting for this person's recognition.
The lyrics of Unbeliever suggest that the singer's sense of isolation comes from being stigmatized by someone they admire or care for deeply. The song is an expression of the psychological pain of feeling rejected or abandoned by someone you love unconditionally.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't belong in this world or the next one
Feeling like an outsider and lost, not fitting in any world.
Wasting every day to my own end
Feeling aimless and non-productive, just going through the day without purpose.
Feeling awkward, feeling clumsy, hating
Feeling uncomfortable and unsatisfied with oneself due to perceived imperfections.
Everything I've ever done before
Regretting one's past actions and feeling like nothing ever goes right.
Then you leave me like the others
Feeling abandoned, rejected and betrayed by someone they trusted.
Leave me too much time on my own
Leaving the person with their own thoughts for too long, causing them to feel overwhelmed and isolated.
Had enough of reinventing memories
Tired of trying to relive the past and wishing things could be different.
Living in the shadow of your charm
Feeling overshadowed and inferior by someone's attractive personality or qualities.
The shrapnel of your insults buried deeper
The hurtful words from the person's verbal attacks are deeply embedded and difficult to overcome.
Confidence can ever overcome
Despite trying to build oneself up, the damage from insults still lingers and poses a challenge to overcome.
Choking on anticipation, waiting on you
Feeling suffocated by the anxiousness and longing for the person's attention or approval.
To say something to bring me back
Hoping the person can say something to alleviate the feelings of despair and draw them out of their negative thoughts.
All I want is a trace of recognition
Desiring some form of acknowledgement or validation from the person.
Your silence is as heavy as my eyes
The lack of response or attention from the person weighs heavily on the person's emotions.
I'm on my own, on my own
Feeling completely alone and isolated with no support or companionship.
On my own, on my own
Reiterating the feelings of abandonment and isolation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW CAIRNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind