Panic [Live/Rank]
The Smiths · The Smiths Complete [2011]
panic on the streets of Birmingham
I wonder to myself
could life ever be sane again
on the Leeds side streets that you slip down
I wonder to myself
hopes may rise on the Grasmeres
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 D.J.
because the music that they constantly play
it says nothing to me about my life
hang the blessed D.J.
because the music they constantly play
on the Leeds side streets that you slip down
on the provincial towns that you jog 'round
Hang the D.J.
Hang the D.J.
Hang the D.J...
Panic [Live/Rank]
The Smiths' 'Panic' stands as a quintessential example of the band's unique blend of jangly guitar work and sharp, poetic lyrics. Originally recorded for their 1983 album 'The Queen Is Dead,' this track exemplifies Morrissey's ability to capture the anxiety of modern life through a distinctive vocal delivery, while Johnny Marr's intricate guitar lines provide a backdrop of tension and release. The live and radio edit versions found on 'The Smiths Complete' retain the song's raw energy and critical acclaim, cementing its status as a defining piece of 1980s alternative rock. As one of the band's most enduring songs, it continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate the intersection of indie pop and post-punk sensibilities.