Comparing romantic longings with those of drug users is a classic trope in popular music, going back to songs like 1973’s “Love Jones” or even 1932’s “You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me.” Considering that love actually does cause the production of mind-altering chemicals, this is perhaps unsurprising.
Brendon told Rock Sound:
" number five, ‘Nicotine.’ Yeah, I smoke cigarettes and that was, the song is about another experience I went through where this girl that you know is so bad for you, but you just get that late-night call. You call her up like, ‘let me come over.’ And you know she’s bad for you, you know she’s gonna not give a shit about you, but you just keep going back, just like cigarettes. Like, ‘I know you’re not good for me, but I love it, I can’t help it.’ And that’s where the lyric ‘you’re worse than nicotine’ came from. Just matching everything and personifying that cigarette as a woman, and vice versa. We actually wrote that song with, uh, it was me, Dallon, and this great, super-talented guy named Amir. We wrote that in New York and he could relate, he was actually going, Amir was going through that same thing with a girl at the time. Yeah, I really like that one. Musically it’s so different, too, it’s more of a club kind of dance-y song, which I really wanted to incorporate with this record."
Nicotine
Panic! at the Disco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cross my heart and hope to die
Burn my lungs and curse my eyes
I've lost control and I don't want it back
I'm going numb, I've been hijacked
It's a fucking drag
So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do
Yeah, you're worse than nicotine, nicotine
Yeah, you're worse than nicotine, nicotine, yeah
It's better to burn than to fade away
It's better to leave than to be replaced
I'm losing to you, baby, I'm no match
I'm going numb, I've been hijacked
It's a fucking drag
I taste you on my lips and I can't get rid of you
So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do
Yeah, you're worse than nicotine, nicotine
Yeah, you're worse than nicotine, nicotine, yeah
Just one more hit and then we're through
'Cause you could never love me back
Cut every tie I have to you
'Cause your love's a fucking drag
But I need it so bad
Your love's a fucking drag
But I need it so bad
Yeah, you're worse than nicotine, nicotine
Yeah, you're worse than nicotine, nicotine, yeah
The lyrics of Panic! at the Disco's song "Nicotine" depict a tumultuous relationship that the singer cannot seem to break free from. The opening lines "Cross my heart and hope to die, burn my lungs and curse my eyes" describe the desperation and hopelessness that the singer feels in this relationship. They have lost control and are coming to terms with the realization that they are addicted to their partner, and it's causing them to spiral out of control.
The chorus "I taste you on my lips and I can't get rid of you, so I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do, you're worse than nicotine" further emphasizes the drug-like addiction that the singer feels towards their partner. They know that the relationship is toxic and harmful, but they cannot seem to quit it. The line "It's better to burn than to fade away" suggests that the singer would rather have a passionate and fiery relationship that eventually ends rather than a slow and dull one that fades away.
The bridge of the song "Just one more hit and then we're through, 'cause you could never love me back. Cut every tie I have to you 'cause your love's a fucking drag, but I need it so bad" depicts the singer's struggle to let go of the relationship. They know that their partner does not love them back and the relationship is harmful, but they still need that addictive feeling.
Overall, the song "Nicotine" is a powerful representation of the toxic and addictive nature of some relationships. It serves as a warning to listeners to pay close attention to the relationships they are in and to be aware of the ways in which they can be harmful.
Line by Line Meaning
Cross my heart and hope to die
I promise and swear
Burn my lungs and curse my eyes
I am willingly causing myself pain to forget you
I've lost control and I don't want it back
I'm addicted to you and I don't want to break free
I'm going numb, I've been hijacked
I'm losing myself in this addiction
It's a fucking drag
It's a terrible feeling
I taste you on my lips and I can't get rid of you
You are constantly on my mind
So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do
I hate how you make me feel, but I can't resist you
You're worse than nicotine
Your love is my addiction and it's killing me slowly
It's better to burn than to fade away
I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory than slowly fade away because of you
It's better to leave than to be replaced
I'd rather leave you than risk being replaced by someone else
I'm losing to you, baby, I'm no match
You're winning and I can't compete
Just one more hit and then we're through
I need to break this addiction, but I can't seem to do it
'Cause you could never love me back
You don't love me the way I love you
Cut every tie I have to you
I need to sever all connections with you
'Cause your love's a fucking drag
Your love is toxic and holding me down
But I need it so bad
But I can't help wanting you even though I know it's wrong
Your love's a fucking drag
Your love is destroying me
But I need it so bad
But I can't help needing you even though it's hurting me
You're worse than nicotine
You're my addiction, and it's killing me slowly
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amir Jerome Salem, Brendon Boyd Urie, Dallon James Weekes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dickengland2102
So my sister mentioned that High Hopes (By Panic! At The Disco) is banned on her Chromebook at school, but she goes to look if Nicotine is banned, and it isn’t. Lets think about this.
High Hopes:
Has a very appropriate music video
Doesn’t have swear words
Has a good message.
Nicotine:
Isn’t the most appropriate music video.
Has swear words
I don’t even know what the message is supposed to be.
YES. Robot things who ban the stuff on school Chromebooks are geniuses.
@user-si6cd6gr5v
LYRICS:
Cross my heart and hope to die
Burn my lungs and curse my eyes
I’ve lost control and i don’t want it back
I’m going numb, I’ve been hijacked
It’s a fucking drag
I taste you on my lips and I can’t get rid of you
So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do
Your worse than nicotine, nicotine
It’s better to burn than to fade away
It’s better to leave than to be replaced
I’m losing to you, babe, I’m no match
I’m going numb, I’ve been been hijacked
It’s a fucking drag
I taste you on my lips and i can’t get rid of you
So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do
Your worse than nicotine, nicotine
Just one more hit than we’re through
‘Cause you can never love me back
Cut every tie I have to you
‘Cause your loves a fucking drag
But I need it so bad
Your loves a fucking drag
But I need it so bad
You’re worse than nicotine, nicotine
@CyberFaggot
2:52 at least he closes the goddamn door
@toriinwonderland3297
lmaooo
@baileygilliland1613
ilysm
@unknownspacecat3250
Your sir... (Or ma'am) are the best person ever.
@amy-dm3fu
Well done Brendon.
@charliefoster8541
... O.O You did fucking not
@Max-cw7nb
"It's better to leave than to be replaced"
Oof... so true
@teryvitovcova
Is he talking about his band?
@dana-mp5ti
holy fxcking shit i should’ve said that to my friend a while ago
@gnote9962
reminds me of how in the beginning of the year, i basically did the move and left my ex and moved. I left before i got replaced.