The group was founded in 2004 by Puppini after she was inspired by the 2003 animated film Les Triplettes de Belleville. The Puppini Sisters' debut single, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", is a cover of the iconic hit single by The Andrews Sisters, and although the three are not actually related, they named themselves in tribute to them.
Puppini first studied fashion design at St. Martins School of Art, and later music at Trinity College of Music where she met Mullins and Rosanna Schura, who was later replaced by Stephanie O'Brien. The Sisters are currently supported by a three-piece band featuring the talents of Blake Wilner on guitar, Peter Ibbetson on drums/percussion and Henrik Jensen on upright bass.
The Puppini Sisters won a Gold Disc for international sales of their first CD, Betcha Bottom Dollar, in 2007. According to their official website, the album reached #2 on the US Jazz Charts and #9 on the US New Artist Chart.
Their second album The Rise & Fall of Ruby Woo was released on October 15th 2007, featuring classic covers, 1940s style reworkings of contemporary music, and a selection of original compositions. According to Billboard's official website, the album peaked at #5 in the US Jazz Charts in 2008.
The Puppini Sisters' retro-styled website won the 2008 Cream of Yorkshire awards "Gold Award" for best website.
http://www.thepuppinisisters.com
Panic
The Puppini Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Panic on the streets of Birmingham
I wonder to myself
Could life ever be sane again
On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down
I wonder to myself
Don't you know that hopes may rise on the Grasmeres
So you run down
To the safety of the town
But there's panic on the streets of Carlisle
Dublin, Dundee, Humberside
I wonder to myself
Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed D.J.
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life
Hang the blessed D.J.
Because the music they constantly play
On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down
On the provincial towns that you jog 'round
Hang the D.J, Hang the D.J, Hang the D.J
Hang the D.J, Hang the D.J, Hang the D.J
Hang the D.J,
Hang the D.J,
Hang the D.J.
The Puppini Sisters' song "Panic" is a cover of The Smiths' 1986 track with the same name. The lyrics describe a feeling of unrest and distress spreading through various cities in the UK, as panic breaks out "on the streets of London, Birmingham, Carlisle, Dublin, Dundee, Humberside" and beyond. The singer wonders if life could ever be "sane again" in the face of this chaos.
The second verse continues the theme of searching for safety and stability, as the singer recalls the hope that can be found in natural beauty ("the Grasmeres") but warns that even this idyllic setting cannot guarantee safety, addressing an unnamed person as "Honey Pie" and urging them to seek refuge. The chorus then takes a surprising turn as the singer shifts from simply observing the panic to calling for action, demanding that the DJ (and perhaps even the entire disco scene) be "hung."
The repeated refrain of "Hang the D.J." can be interpreted in a few different ways. Some commentators have seen it as a critique of the commercialization of music, or of popular DJs who play crowd-pleasers rather than more meaningful, relevant music. Others have read it as a commentary on the power of music itself, with the singer frustrated that the joyful, escapist sounds of the disco do not seem to offer any solace in the face of real-world concerns.
Overall, "Panic" paints a picture of a society struggling with the forces of change and uncertainty, and searching for ways to cope with the disruptions and anxieties that come with modern life.
Line by Line Meaning
Panic on the streets of London
There is widespread fear and disorder in London's streets.
Panic on the streets of Birmingham
There is widespread fear and disorder in Birmingham's streets.
I wonder to myself
Could life ever be sane again
The singer is questioning if the current chaos will ever end and life will return to normal.
On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down
I wonder to myself
The artist is contemplating about the side-streets in Leeds and their safety.
Don't you know that hopes may rise on the Grasmeres
But Honey Pie, you're not safe here
While there may be hopeful places like Grasmeres, the artist tells Honey Pie that they are not safe on the streets they are currently on.
So you run down
To the safety of the town
But there's panic on the streets of Carlisle
Dublin, Dundee, Humberside
I wonder to myself
The singer observes that panic has spread to other towns and cities, and questions if there are any safe places left.
Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed D.J.
The singer is so frustrated with the music and atmosphere that they advocate for burning down the disco and hanging the DJ responsible.
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life
The artist feels disconnected from the music being played, as it doesn't resonate with their experiences or emotions.
On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down
On the provincial towns that you jog 'round
Hang the D.J, Hang the D.J, Hang the D.J
The artist repeats their frustration with the DJ and urge to hang them, emphasizing that it isn't just isolated to one place but can be felt everywhere.
Hang the D.J,
Hang the D.J,
Hang the D.J.
The artist's frustration with the DJ continues to boil over, as they repeat the call for the DJ to be punished.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oliver Burke
Heard this for the 1st time just now 12/15/17. LOOOVE this version of Panic! The smooth transitions. Fabulous! Always been a fan of the Sisters (Wuthering Heights). This helps :)
David C S
I love his music
josef x
wow... just wow...
borges23
awesome :) thx
PopOff!
Doing it before Postmodern Jukebox.
Chernobyl Coleslaw
I remember listening to this during the blitz of 1369 when William the Conqueror fought Hitler at the battle of Waterloo. Ah yes we were rationed to half an hour of Facebook and 3 Instagram posts per day....