Panic
The Smiths
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Panic on the streets of London Panic on the streets of Birmingham I wonder to myself Could life ever be sane again? The leeds side-streets that you slip down I wonder to myself Hopes may rise on the grasmere But honey pie, you're not safe here So you run down To the safety of the town But there's panic on the streets of Carlisle Dublin, Dundee, Humberside I wonder to myself Burn down the disco Hang the blessed DJ Because the music that they constantly play It says nothing to me about my life Hang the blessed DJ Because the music they constantly play On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down The provincial towns you jog 'round Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ Hang the DJ
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Written by: Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Origin of the Song"Panic" was released by The Smiths in 1986 as a standalone single. The formation of the song initiated when Johnny Marr came up with the tune, and Morrissey added the lyrics.
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Song InspirationThe inspiration for the song came about during a car ride. Johnny Marr and Morrissey were in a car listening to BBC Radio 1 when news of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster interrupted the programming, only to be followed by Wham's "I'm Your Man." They found this to be a distasteful transition, which inspired the song's famous refrain, "Hang the DJ!"
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Shared MelodyThe song shares the same guitar riff as "Metal Guru" by the band T.Rex, as a deliberate move from Johnny Marr, to create an easy and catchy composition.
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Lead SingerMorrissey, the lead singer of The Smiths, is known for his melancholic and desolate performing style. In "Panic", his singing style added to the song's out-of-place, distressed lyrical quality.
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Top Chart Performance"Panic" reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the charts for 8 weeks, making it one of The Smiths' biggest hits.
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Music VideoThe music video for the song was directed by Derek Jarman. It features scenes from British coal mining communities, which were facing a crisis in the mid-1980s, reflecting the song's critique of the contemporary pop culture.
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Cultural ImpactThe song's chorus "Hang the DJ" has been adopted by fans during concerts and has become one of the band's most recognized phrases. It even inspired the title of an episode of the dystopian TV show, "Black Mirror."
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Band DisbandmentLess than a year after the release of "Panic", The Smiths disbanded, making it one of their last songs as a group. Despite this, the song remains iconic and is regularly played in alternative clubs and indie discos to this day.
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B-SideThe B-side of the "Panic" 7" and 12" single featured the song "Vicar in a Tutu", which is another fan-favorite track from the band.
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Cover VersionsNumerous artists have covered "Panic", including the band "The Decemberists" and singer, Sandie Shaw. These covers pay homage to the universal influence of The Smiths.
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"Panic Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/22810889/The+Smiths/Panic>.
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