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.
The Only Difference Between Martyrdom And Suicide
Panic! at the Disco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
C'mon, just snap, snap, snap your fingers for me
Good, good, now we're making some progress
Come on just tap, tap, tap your toes to the beat
And I believe
This may call for a proper introduction, and well
Don't you see?
Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Applause, applause, no, wait, wait
Dear studio audience, I've an announcement to make
It seems the artists these days are not who you think
So we'll pick back up on that on another page
And I believe
This may call for a proper introduction, and well
Don't you see?
I'm the narrator and this is just the prologue
Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, swear to shake it up
Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes
La da da da da da de da da da
La da da de da da da
La da da da da da de da da da
La da da de da da da
The song "The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage" by Panic! at the Disco is a commentary on the music industry and the desire for fame and attention. The lyrics encourage the audience to participate in a call-and-response with the singer, urging them to snap their fingers and tap their toes to the beat. The singer refers to themselves as the singer and sets the stage for the rest of the song, positioning themselves as the one in control of the narrative.
There is a sense of desperation in the lyrics, with the singer acknowledging that they are "desperate for attention" and encouraging the audience to "swear to shake it up" and listen to them. The imagery of "trophy boys, trophy wives" reinforces the idea of striving for recognition and validation in the industry. The lyrics critique the idea that success is only achieved through media coverage and sensationalism, with the title suggesting that the line between martyrdom and suicide is only determined by the amount of press they receive.
Overall, the song is an embodiment of the band's signature style of blending catchy pop hooks with darker, more introspective lyrics. It is a commentary on the music industry and the desire for fame and recognition.
Line by Line Meaning
Sit tight, I'm gonna need you to keep time
Be patient, I need you to maintain the beat
C'mon, just snap, snap, snap your fingers for me
Please snap your fingers to match the tempo
Good, good, now we're making some progress
Excellent, we are achieving our goal
Come on just tap, tap, tap your toes to the beat
Keep the rhythm with your foot tapping
And I believe
I have a strong conviction
This may call for a proper introduction, and well
We might need to introduce ourselves appropriately
Don't you see?
Can't you realize this fact?
I'm the narrator, and this is just the prologue
I am the storyteller, and this is just the beginning
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Promise to make things exciting and promise to pay attention
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
We are yet youthful, seeking attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
I want to be your eyes, the ones who recognize achievement
Applause, applause, no, wait, wait
Cheer, cheer, but hold on a moment
Dear studio audience, I've an announcement to make
To the audience present, I have something to say
It seems the artists these days are not who you think
These days, the artists are not who you imagine or expect
So we'll pick back up on that on another page
We'll continue this topic on another occasion
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Promise to bring change and promise to be attentive
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Promise to bring change and promise to be attentive
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Promise to bring change and promise to be attentive
Swear to shake it up, swear to shake it up
Promise to make things exciting and promising to create movement
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Promise to bring change and promise to be attentive
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
We are yet youthful, seeking attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
I want to be your eyes, the ones who recognize achievement
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Promise to bring change and promise to be attentive
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
We are yet youthful, seeking attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
I want to be your eyes, the ones who recognize achievement
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brendon Urie, Brent Wilson, George Ross, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bettyx2237
Lyrics:
Sit tight, I'm gonna need you to keep time
C'mon, just snap, snap, snap your fingers for me
Good, good, now we're making some progress
Come on just tap, tap, tap your toes to the beat
And I believe
This may call for a proper introduction, and well
Don't you see?
I'm the narrator, and this is just the prologue
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Applause, applause, no, wait, wait
Dear studio audience, I've an announcement to make
It seems the artists these days are not who you think
So we'll pick back up on that on another page
And I believe
This may call for a proper introduction, and well
Don't you see?
I'm the narrator and this is just the prologue
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, swear to shake it up
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, and you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be, your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
@sharonrojansky3470
Sit tight, I'm gonna need you to keep time
Come on just snap, snap, snap your fingers for me
Good, good now we're making some progress
Come on just tap, tap, tap your toes to the beat
And I believe this may call for a proper introduction, and well
Don't you see, I'm the narrator, and this is just the prologue?
Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Applause, applause, no wait wait
Dear studio audience, I've an announcement to make:
It seems the artists these days are not who you think
So we'll pick back up on that on another page
And I believe this may call for a proper introduction, and well
Don't you see, I'm the narrator and this is just the prologue
Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, you swear to listen
Swear to shake it up, swear to shake it up
Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys, trophy wives
Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen
Oh, we're still so young, desperate for attention
I aim to be your eyes
@sillybilly1807
THEY SWORE TO SHAKE IT UP NOT BREAK IT UP
@fayemellon569
I love this comment, your name, and your profile pic
@ryanmccandless6564
THEY SWORE TO SHAKE IT UP
NOT HAVE RYAN LEAVE
@charlottewantstodie2308
FUCK YOU
@nicovilla1227
Panic! at the Tesco I'm fucking crying
@LaprasLiv
Mentally married to Billie Joe. I just saw you on an onision video Fuck me
@Amy-mw1zl
"What's your favourite song?"
*sighs*
@marsy9959
sharp breath theonlydifferencebetweenmartyrdomandsuicideispresscoverage
@marsy9959
Jessie Jenkins lmao yes
@thatperson_whoplaysguitar2455
mine-theresagoodreasonthesetablesarenumberedhoneyyoujusthaventthoughtofityet