Panic! at the Disco recorded their first demos while they were in high school. Shortly after, the band recorded and released their debut studio album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005). Popularized by the second single, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies", the album was certified triple platinum in the US. In 2006, founding bassist Brent Wilson was fired from the band during an extensive world tour and subsequently replaced by Jon Walker. The band's second album, Pretty. Odd. (2008), was preceded by the single "Nine in the Afternoon". That album marked a significant departure from the sound of the band's debut. In 2009, Ross and Walker formed a new band, the Young Veins, leaving Urie and Smith as the sole remaining members of Panic! at the Disco.
Continuing as a duo, Urie and Smith released a new single, "New Perspective", for the movie Jennifer's Body, and recruited bassist Dallon Weekes and guitarist Ian Crawford as touring musicians for live performances. Weekes was later inducted into the band's lineup as a full-time member in 2010. The band's third studio album, Vices & Virtues (2011), was recorded solely by Urie and Smith in 2010, produced by John Feldmann and Butch Walker. Crawford departed once the tour cycle for Vices & Virtues ended in 2012.
As a three-piece, Urie, Smith, and Weekes recorded and released the band's fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, in 2013. Prior to the release of the album, Smith unofficially left the band due to health and drug-related issues, leaving Urie and Weekes as the remaining members. The duo recruited guitarist Kenneth Harris and drummer Dan Pawlovich as touring musicians for live performances.
In 2015, Smith officially left the band after not performing live with them since his departure in 2013. Shortly thereafter, Weekes reverted to being a touring member once again, resulting in Panic! becoming Urie's solo project. In April 2015, "Hallelujah" was released as the first single from Panic! at the Disco's fifth studio album, Death of a Bachelor (2016). In December 2017, Weekes officially announced his departure from the band. In March 2018, Panic! at the Disco released "Say Amen (Saturday Night)", the lead single from its sixth studio album, Pray for the Wicked (2018), which was released in June. Panic! at the Disco's seventh studio album, Viva Las Vengeance, was released on August 19, 2022.
On January 24, 2023, Urie officially announced that Panic! at the Disco would be disbanding following the conclusion of the Viva Las Vengeance Tour.
Mad as Rabbits
Panic! at the Disco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or I'll sleep in the rain
Don't you remember, when I was a bird
And you were a map?
And now he drags down miles in America
Briefcase in hand
The stove is creeping up his spine again
Can't get enough trash
He took the days for pageant
Became as mad as rabbits
With bushels of bad habits
And who could ask for anymore?
Yeah, who could have more? (Hello)
His arms were the branches of a Christmas tree
Preached the devil in the belfry
He checked in
To learn his clothes had been thieved at the train station
The rope hung his other branch
And at the end was a dog called Bambi
Who was chewing on his parliaments
When he tried to save the calendar business
He tried to save the the calendar business
He took the days for pageant
And became as mad as rabbits
With bushels of bad habits
Who could ask for anymore?
Who could have more?
The poor son of a humble chimney sweep
Fell to a cheap crowd
So stay asleep and put on that cursive type
You know we live in a toy
You know that Paul Cates
Bought himself a trumpet from the Salvation Army
But there ain't no sunshine in his song
We must reinvent love
Reinvent love
Reinvent love
He took the days for pageant
And became as mad as rabbits
With bushels of bad habits
Who could ask for anymore?
Yeah, who could have more?
We must reinvent love
Reinvent love
Reinvent love
The song "Mad as Rabbits" by Panic! at the Disco is a joyfully chaotic track that tells the story of a man who lost himself in the pursuit of success and material things. The first verse portrays a person on the brink of taking their own life, seeking salvation from a loved one who may be able to help them. The line "Don't you remember, when I was a bird / And you were a map?" depicts a time when they were carefree, creative, and imaginative. The character in the song has lost touch with that part of themselves and has become obsessed with work, symbolized by the "briefcase in hand," and is addicted to distractions and meaningless things.
The second verse acts as a backstory for the character, depicting how they used to be a creative type, but they got caught up in the money game and lost their way. The line "His arms were the branches of a Christmas tree / Preached the devil in the belfry" is a metaphor for how the character was once innocent and full of life. Still, they gradually became corrupted by the devil, i.e., greed and ambition. The character is eventually undone because of their lack of values and priorities, which is symbolized by the subsequent lines that depict them being robbed, losing their livelihood, and eventually committing suicide.
Overall, the song presents an intense and vivid picture of how people can lose themselves in the quest for money and success, ultimately neglecting what truly matters in life, symbolized by the making love.
Line by Line Meaning
Come save me from walking off a windowsill
I'm in a bad place mentally and need someone to help me before I do something drastic.
Or I'll sleep in the rain
If no one comes to help me, I'm willing to hurt myself.
Don't you remember, when I was a bird
I used to be happier and lighter, like a bird.
And you were a map?
You used to guide me and help me stay on track, like a map.
And now he drags down miles in America
Someone has been traveling long distances in America with a heavy load.
Briefcase in hand
They are carrying important documents or items in a briefcase.
The stove is creeping up his spine again
He's feeling stressed and anxious again.
Can't get enough trash
He's addicted to unhealthy things and can't stop consuming them.
He took the days for pageant
He wasted his time on frivolous things.
Became as mad as rabbits
He became crazy and erratic.
With bushels of bad habits
He has many bad habits that are hurting him.
And who could ask for anymore?
He has so much of what he wants, but it's not making him happy.
Yeah, who could have more? (Hello)
He's being sarcastic and implying that having more wouldn't make him happy either.
His arms were the branches of a Christmas tree
He used to be welcoming and joyous, like a Christmas tree.
Preached the devil in the belfry
He's doing sinful things and doesn't care about the consequences.
He checked in
He arrived at a new location.
To learn his clothes had been thieved at the train station
His clothes were stolen while he was at the train station.
The rope hung his other branch
He's suicidal and tried to hang himself.
And at the end was a dog called Bambi
He had a dog, but it didn't Save him from his suicide attempt.
Who was chewing on his parliaments
The dog was chewing on his cigarettes.
When he tried to save the calendar business
He attempted to save a failing business.
The poor son of a humble chimney sweep
He comes from a humble background.
Fell to a cheap crowd
He got mixed up in a bad crowd and started doing immoral things.
So stay asleep and put on that cursive type
Just ignore the bad things happening and go back to a peaceful sleep.
You know we live in a toy
Life is like a game or toy, not to be taken seriously.
You know that Paul Cates
A specific person is about to be mentioned.
Bought himself a trumpet from the Salvation Army
Paul Cates bought a trumpet from the Salvation Army.
But there ain't no sunshine in his song
Paul Cates' music is depressing and has no hope or happiness.
We must reinvent love
We need to rethink what love means and how we approach it.
Reinvent love
This idea is so important, it needs to be repeated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gary De Carlo, Dale Frashuer, Paul Leka, George Ryan Ross, Spencer James Smith, Brendon Boyd Urie, Jonathan Jacob Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hannah Lewis
Reasons why this song is AWESOME:The switching vocals between brendon and RyanThe lyrics (ryan you are my lyrical idol)The guitar riffsAND THE REINVENT LOVE LINE HARMONY HELP ME IM GOING TO CRY
#Hockey4 Life
This song is so underrated. One of the best off the pretty. odd. album
LAYLUSIONAL
+#Hockey4 Life Makes me wish Panic! had more Pretty. Odd. songs on the set list instead of just Nine In The Afternoon
Amy Paull
RYAN SINGING HAS ME IN TEARS, like why my emotions I kinda slightly need them
Morganiss
ryan: can't get enough trash
me: aww can't get enough of u either ryan uwu
Enas Al-qawamshe
I fucking love your profile pic 😂
Ryden
I love when Ryan emphasis the word "trash"
Sophie The Moon Child
pretty.odd was probably my favourite Panic! era by far!
Tehya
yes!! I'm not the only one!!!
LAYLUSIONAL
+stressed-depressed -and-band-obsessed Every era was wonderful. I don't have a favorite :)