The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Joy" by the artist "Therapy?"

The song "Joy" by Therapy? explores the feeling of existential angst and disappointment experienced by someone trapped in a cycle of routine and dissatisfaction.

The lyrics paint a picture of a bleak existence: "another day, another dead end." The protagonist is stuck in a rut, surrounded by a "drab reality" and the emptiness of "a pantomime of western boredom." This phrase hints at the superficiality and lack of meaning in a consumerist culture where happiness is supposedly achieved through material possessions.

The chorus emphasizes the song's central theme: the inability to find joy and fulfillment. The repeated phrase "no joy" sounds like a bitter admission of defeat, stating the absence of something crucial in the protagonist's life.

The second verse addresses the insatiable desire for more, which may be the source of the unhappiness. The protagonist seems fixated on chasing something unattainable, wanting to "get it all for free."

The third verse leads to the realization of the futility of this pursuit. The protagonist is left "with what you had," having failed to find the sought-after happiness. The image of the "factory gates of dreams" slamming shut symbolizes the shattering of illusions and hopes, leaving behind only the bitter reality.

The multiple repetitions of "no joy" at the end of the song amplify the feeling of hopelessness and emptiness, highlighting the depth of the protagonist's despair.