Panic (song)

"Panic"
Single by The Smiths from the album The World Won't Listen
Released	July 21 1986
Format	7", 12", CD
Recorded	Spring 1986
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	2:20
Label	Rough Trade
Writer	Johnny Marr Morrissey
The Smiths singles chronology
"Bigmouth Strikes Again" (1986) "Panic" (1986) "Ask" (1986)

This article refers to the song by British band The Smiths. For the song by American band No Doubt, please see "Everything in Time"

"Panic" is a song by The Smiths. It was released by the band as a single in 1986, reaching #11 in the UK Singles Chart, and did not appear on a regular studio album; it has since been included on several of the band's compilation albums. The song is still performed live by Morrissey in his solo shows. In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Panic" at number 21 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.[1]

Background

The song was inspired by an incident on the radio where DJ Steve Wright had played the Wham! song "I'm Your Man" after a serious news report about the Chernobyl disaster. The band were disgusted at the dismissiveness of the disaster by Wright, which is why the song features the lines "The music that they constantly play / It says nothing to me about my life" and the spookily chirpy refrain "Hang the DJ". The core of the song was lifted from "Metal Guru" by T. Rex (written by Marc Bolan). However, the song is only credited to Morrissey/Marr.[2]

Cover versions

The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Billy Bragg, The Puppini Sisters (on their album Betcha Bottom Dollar), Death on Wednesday (on their album Buying the Lie), Carter USM (who released a cover version as a B-side to their single "The Only Living Boy in New Cross" in 1992), and Pete Yorn (who performs an acoustic version of the song incorporating locations like Los Angeles in place of London). A Britpop-themed night in Indianapolis, Indiana was also named after the song.

Single track listing

Tracks written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr except as noted. The cover art features actor Richard Bradford.

• 7" (RT193) (UK)
  1. "Panic"
  2. "Vicar in a Tutu"
• 12" (RTT193) and CD (RTT193CD) (UK)
  1. "Panic"
  2. "Vicar in a Tutu"
  3. "The Draize Train" (Marr)

Etchings on vinyl

UK 7" and 12": I DREAMT ABOUT STEW LAST NIGHT / none Germany 12": 'HANG THEM HIGH MONIKA' / HANG THEM HIGH MONIKA The UK etching is a pun on "I dreamt about you last night", a lyric from the song "Reel Around The Fountain".