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.
Panic! At The Disco- But It's Better If You Do
Panic! at the Disco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
@amara4451
"Now I'm of consenting age" brendon you looked 12 yo YOU AIN'T FOOLING ANYBODY HERE
@abigailgomez2351
Amara i believe he was still underage while filming this 😂
@kaylacoffey13
Nah he was about 19-20 at least I think 😂😂😂
@Pikageek026
I spit out my tea laughing at this
@pinxerata
he was 19 so they weren’t allowed to film in a real stripclub ssksksk
@spencerwoods3404
Brendon: is 5 I’m of consenting age
@abigailsolis5489
19 year old Brendon's Brooklyn accent is so underrated
@sabhyata2655
HE WAS 19 HERE WHATTT
@rosettemariearies9476
Asher Dunseph it really is
@Jacy_-nn1hr
@JonasLovato91 bitch what 0_o