But It's Better If You Do
Panic! at the Disco Lyrics


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Now I'm of consenting age to be forgetting you in a cabaret
Somewhere downtown where a burlesque queen may even ask my name
As she sheds her skin on stage
I'm seated and sweating to a dance song on the club's P.A.
The strip joint veteran sits two away
Smirking between dignified sips of his dignified peach and lime daiquiri

And isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety
Oh, and isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety

Oh, but I'm afraid that I
Well, I may have faked it and
I wouldn't be caught dead dead dead dead in this place

Well I'm afraid that I
Well that's right
That I may have faked it and
I wouldn't be caught dead in this place

And isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety
Oh, and isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety

Well I'm afraid that I
Well, I may have faked it and
I wouldn't be caught dead dead dead dead in this place

Well I'm afraid that I
Well that's right
That I may have faked it and
I wouldn't be caught dead in this place

And isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety
Oh, and isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety





Praying for love and paying in naivety
Praying for love and paying in naivety

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Panic! at the Disco's song "But It's Better If You Do" describe a scene in which the singer is at a burlesque club where a dancer is shedding her skin on stage. He is seated and sweating to a dance song on the club's PA, next to a strip joint veteran who is sipping a dignified peach and lime daiquiri. The singer seems to be questioning the authenticity of his experience and his desire to be there. He admits to possibly faking it and not wanting to be caught dead in this place.


The song can be interpreted in many ways, but it seems to be a commentary on the disconnect between what people desire and what they truly value. The singer is praying for love while paying for attention, and he realizes that this is not the right way to find it. He is trapped in a place where people are shedding their skin and putting on an act to get what they want. The chorus is a reminder that he is exactly where someone else wants him to be, and the irony is that he doesn't actually want to be there.


Overall, the lyrics of "But It's Better If You Do" speak to the struggle of finding genuine connection in an artificial world. The club and the burlesque queen represent a facade that people put on to get what they want, but the singer is looking for something more authentic.


Line by Line Meaning

Now I'm of consenting age to be forgetting you in a cabaret
I am finally old enough to let go of you and move on, and I am doing so in a lively entertainment venue.


Somewhere downtown where a burlesque queen may even ask my name
I am in a bustling urban area where even the most enticing performers give me personal attention.


As she sheds her skin on stage
I am mesmerized as the dancer performs a seductive routine and partially removes her clothing.


I'm seated and sweating to a dance song on the club's P.A.
I am watching and feeling the energy of an upbeat song playing through the club's speakers, making me feel alive and excited.


The strip joint veteran sits two away
A seasoned patron of this type of establishment is sitting nearby, watching the performance with a sense of familiarity.


Smirking between dignified sips of his dignified peach and lime daiquiri
The seasoned patron sips his classy and sophisticated drink with a smirk on his face, knowing that he has seen it all before.


Oh, but I'm afraid that I
However, I must confess that I am feeling unsure and insecure about my presence in this environment.


Well, I may have faked it and
I admit that I may have pretended to be more comfortable and confident than I really am.


I wouldn't be caught dead dead dead dead in this place
Even though I may be pretending for now, I know that deep down I do not want to be here.


And isn't this exactly where you'd like me
Despite my feelings of discomfort, I cannot help but wonder if this is the type of place that you would enjoy seeing me in.


Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety
I am wishing for love and intimacy while indulging in a common form of physical entertainment, not fully understanding the potential consequences.


Praying for love and paying in naivety
I am still desperate for love, but my naivety is leading me to pay for temporary physical gratification instead.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRENDON URIE, BRENT WILSON, GEORGE ROSS, RYAN ROSS, SPENCER SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Valentina Ávila

Is it still me that makes you sweat?
Am I who you think about in bed
When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking
As you're sliding off your dress?
Then think of what you did
And how I hope to God he was worth it
When the lights are dim and your heart is racing
As your fingers touch his skin

I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie, you had me
Girl, I was it, look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat
No, no, no, you know it will always just be me

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?

So, I guess we're back to us
Oh, cameraman, swing the focus
In case I lost my train of thought
Where was it that we last left off? (Let's pick up and go)

Oh, now I do recall
We were just getting to the part where the shock sets in
And the stomach acid finds a new way to make you get sick
I hope you didn't expect to get all of the attention
Now, let's not get selfish
Did you really think I'd let you kill this chorus?

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?

Dance to this beat, dance to this beat
Dance to this beat
Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating faster

I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie, you had me
Girl, I was it, look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat
No, no, no, you know it will always just be me

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls, dance to this beat
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls, dance to this beat
And hold a lover close

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating faster.



cinapses

Is it still me that makes you sweat?
Am I who you think about in bed?
When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking as you're sliding off your dress?

Then think of what you did
And how I hope to God he was worth it
When the lights are dim and your heart is racing as your fingers touch his skin

I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie, you had me

Girl, I was it, look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat?
No, no, no, you know it will always just be me

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?

So, I guess we're back to us,
oh cameraman, swing the focus
In case I lost my train of thought, where was it that we last left off?
(Let's pick up, pick up)

Oh, now I do recall, we were just getting to the part
Where the shock sets in, and the stomach acid finds a new way to make you get sick

I hope you didn't expect to get all of the attention
Now let's not get selfish
Did you really think I'd let you kill this chorus?

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster

So, testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?

Dance to this beat
Dance to this beat
Dance to this beat

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating faster

I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie, you had me

Girl, I was it, look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat?
No, no, no, you know it will always just be me

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Dance to this beat
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Dance to this beat
And hold a lover close

Let's get these teen hearts beating faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating faster



Marco Lopvill

Is it still me that makes you sweat?
Am I who you think about in bed?
When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking
as you're sliding off your dress?
Then think of what you did
And how I hope to God he was worth it.
When the lights are dim and your heart is racing
as you're fingers touch your skin.
I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie you had me
Girl I was it look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat?
No, no, no you know it will always just be me
Let's get these teen hearts beating. Faster, faster
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So I guess we're back to us, oh cameraman, swing the focus
In case I lost my train of thought, where was it that we last left off?
(Let's pick up, pick up)
Oh now I do recall, we just were getting to the part
Where the shock sets in,
and the stomach acid finds a new way to make you get sick.
I hope you didn't expect that you'd get all of the attention.
Now let's not get selfish
Did you really think I'd let you kill this chorus?
Let's get these teen hearts beating. Faster, faster
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
Dance to this beat
Dance to this beat
Dance to this beat
Let's get these teen hearts beating. Faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating. Faster
I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie you had me
Girl I was it look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat?
No, no, no you know it will always just be, me
Let's get these teen hearts beating. Faster, faster
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Dance to this beat
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Dance to this beat
And hold a lover close
Let's get these teen hearts beating. Faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating. Faster



The Modern Renaissance Man

I've been quiet long enough, Brendon Urie, but every time I hear this song it bothers me and I need to say something before I explode.

Testosterone IS a hormone. The word you wanted is ESTROGEN for girls. Both male and female sexes have hormones, testosterone is just what the male hormone happens to be called.

Testosterone boys and Estrogen girls. It EVEN FITS in the song. Just rewrite it.

Tell me you don't know female anatomy without telling me you don't know female anatomy.

It's okay, you were young and dumb and didn't know any better, but you have a chance to fix it now. Get the band back together and make it happen while I'm still breathing please, PLEASE and I'll finally let go.



All comments from YouTube:

axe

my parents bought me vinyl and I'm so excited that I'm listening to the whole album again. i just now I realized that I cant play this-

I eat glue

This era of music was found on teen angst and rebellion.. fuckin send it

Celina Strunk

My younger sister plays this and some other songs she probably shouldn't infront of our parents

TatenBake

peter steele!?!?!!

Luka_Lyn

JESUS CHRIST???

IcyLapis

@Celina Strunk Well damn-

6 More Replies...

Nick Lopez

Wow. Brandon was 18 when this album came out. His voice and his range are like. Vastly different now. Definitely an artist I grew up with, he's only 5 years older than me. And his progression is amazing to go back in retrospect and attempt to grasp. Much respect. Nothin but respect

Marina Victoria

That piano outro will always be haunting and fire at the same time 😭

i haven’t touched grass since 1965

That part gave me a bunch of ideas for some songs I’m writing

Kellie Hoffman

I was 13 when this came out. I am now 30 and it is definitely still a banger.

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