Mercenary
Panic!; At The Disco Lyrics
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Keeping pace, talking his face blue
Two dollar store tramps
To get a glance, a new chance at you
Walk past the dance floor
That's always been a dear friend of mine
Cuckolds and concubines
"Hey mister," the bellman says, "I can only recall last night's hotel," I said
So he replies, "Then how do you manage?"
I dodge the blast, and apologize for collateral damage
In love, I've always been a mercenary, but I never leave my post when the cash runs out
I want to make you quiver
Make your backbone shiver
Hey kid, take the stage and deliver
"Hey mister" the bellman says, "I can only recall last night's hotel," I said
So he replies, "Then how do you manage?"
I dodge the blast, and apologize for collateral damage
"How does it feel to stand on the very stones that ran with your parents' blood?
Do you feel sad? Full of rage? Or does that outfit help you bury your feelings?
Hiding your true self
You're truly an extraordinary specimen, I look forward to breaking you"
I dodge the blast, and apologize for collateral damage
"Hey mister," the bellman says, "I can only recall last night's hotel," I said
So he replies, "Then how do you manage?"
I dodge the blast, and apologize for collateral damage
"Hey mister," the bellman says, "I can only recall last night's hotel," I said
So he replies, "Then how do you manage?"
I dodge the blast, and apologize for collateral damage
In "Mercenary," Panic! At The Disco describes a person who is willing to do whatever it takes to win someone's affection or attention. The person compares themselves to a mercenary, a soldier who is only motivated by payment, and says that they will not leave their post even when the cash runs out. They see themselves as a dime store poet and the people they're trying to impress as two dollar store tramps. They witness people dancing and having a good time on the dance floor and wonder what it would take to capture the attention of the one they desire. The bellman asks them how they manage to keep going despite the lack of reciprocity, and they reply that they dodge the blast and apologize for collateral damage.
The bridge of the song features a spoken word interlude where the singer imagines confronting someone who has a troubled past. They ask the person if they feel sad or full of rage when standing on the same stones that ran with their parents' blood, and they comment on how the person seems to hide their true self behind an outfit. The singer then repeats the line about dodging the blast and apologizing for collateral damage.
Overall, "Mercenary" is a song about the lengths people will go to gain love or admiration from someone else, even if it means sacrificing their own integrity. The song draws on themes of desperation, manipulation, and self-delusion to portray a character who is flawed but still sympathetic.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a dime store poet
I am not a high-class poet, just someone who is trying to express themselves
Keeping pace, talking his face blue
I am constantly talking, trying to keep up with the times
Two dollar store tramps
I am nothing special, just a regular person who wants to catch your attention
To get a glance, a new chance at you
I hope to get your attention and maybe win your heart
Walk past the dance floor
I am trying to move on from something that has been a big part of my life
That's always been a dear friend of mine
The dance floor has always been a safe haven for me to express myself
Cuckolds and concubines
People who are unfaithful and promiscuous
Dancing in four, four time
They are dancing to a standard beat, showing no individuality
'Hey mister' the bellman says 'I can only recall and spend some time I said'
Someone is asking for my time and attention
So he replies 'Then how do you manage'?
I am being asked how I am able to handle the demands of others
I dodge the blast, and apologize for collateral damage
I am avoiding conflict and taking responsibility for any unintentional harm caused by my actions
In love, I've always been a mercenary, but I never leave my post when the cash runs out
I have always been willing to do whatever it takes to win someone's love, and I am loyal even when things get tough
I want to make you quiver
I want to make you feel intense emotions, both physical and emotional
Make your backbone shiver
I want to give you chills down your spine
Hey kid, take the stage and deliver
I am encouraging someone to step up and show their talents to the world
'How does it feel to stand on the very stones that ran with your parent's blood?
I am asking someone how they feel, knowing that their family has a tragic history
Do you feel sad? Full of rage? Or does that outfit help you bury your feelings?
I am asking if they are hiding their true emotions behind a facade
Hiding your true self
I believe they are not being honest about who they really are
You're truly an extraordinary specimen; I look forward to breaking you
I see them as a unique individual, but I am also interested in changing them to fit my desires
So he replies 'Then how do you manage'
Someone is inquiring about my ability to handle the difficulties of life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alice Glass, Ethan Kath
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xxxsoph
i will never forgive them for taking this off spotify
@Rustykore
Sameee
@Deadhousep1ants
FR
@Razlx2906
so true😭
@muddigutz
literally! i just found out today and literally screamed in my car 😭😭
@starchild6880
literally screamed bro💀💀
@decaffeinatedhearts1872
is it me or is this song criminally underrated
@igloo_igloo
Yeah. I feel like this is even more underrated than C'mon.
@matthewmadill1705
Yea I agree
@ajwadhabib4645
Its so fkn underrated