Panic Attack
The Vaccines Lyrics


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Wrap me up in hammered velvet
Hide under the sheets with me
Get into the television
Sugarcoat Reality
Paralysing trepidation
I'm beaten by anxiety
Lift the weight of the world that is hanging on me
It's got my body shaking
I'm hiding in my room
It put me out and on my back
Panic attack

You know simply optimistic
and altogether overcome with self-destructive irritation
I resented everyone
I was always well-adjusted
but I'm going down a rabbit hole
further and further and further out of control

And now I'm feeling dizzy
And I'm giving up
I shut my eyes, the room went black
Panic attack

It is all-consuming
And now I can't be fucked




My legs give up and I fall back
Panic attack, panic attack

Overall Meaning

The Vaccines's song "Panic Attack" is an emotional exploration of the crippling anxiety that one feels in the face of overwhelming circumstances. The lyrics are raw and poignant, and speak directly to a collective experience of feeling as though the world is closing in around us. The song starts with the line "Wrap me up in hammered velvet," which sets the tone for a deeply introspective and almost nostalgic mood. The verses that follow paint a picture of someone who is struggling to cope with the weight of the world, feeling paralyzed by trepidation and beaten down by anxiety.


The repeated phrase "Panic attack" functions like a verbal crutch, a way of acknowledging the profound sense of fear and vulnerability that the singer is experiencing. The lines "You know simply optimistic / and altogether overcome with self-destructive irritation / I resented everyone" reveal the internal struggle of the singer, who resents the people who seem to be able to face life with a sense of optimism and who is experiencing self-destructive tendencies. The song ends on a devastatingly honest note - "It is all-consuming / And now I can't be fucked / My legs give up and I fall back" - which speaks to the sense of helplessness that comes with anxiety.


Overall, "Panic Attack" is a powerful and emotive song about the experience of anxiety that will speak to anyone who has ever struggled with this debilitating condition.


Line by Line Meaning

Wrap me up in hammered velvet
I'm seeking comfort, security and protection from the outside world.


Hide under the sheets with me
I'm afraid of facing reality and need someone or something to hide behind.


Get into the television
I'm trying to escape my problems by getting lost in entertainment.


Sugarcoat Reality
I'm trying to ignore the harshness of reality by surrounding myself with comforting lies.


Paralysing trepidation
I'm overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, to the point where I feel helpless.


I'm beaten by anxiety
My anxiety has defeated me and taken control of my life.


Lift the weight of the world that is hanging on me
I'm burdened by the weight of my problems and need relief.


It's got my body shaking
My anxiety is causing physical symptoms like trembling and shaking.


I'm hiding in my room
I'm isolating myself from the world because it feels safer.


It put me out and on my back
My anxiety has knocked me down and left me feeling helpless.


Panic attack
I'm experiencing an intense episode of anxiety and fear.


Simply optimistic and altogether overcome with self-destructive irritation
I'm trying to maintain positivity but am struggling with negative emotions that are causing harm.


I resented everyone
I'm experiencing anger and bitterness towards others, likely due to feeling misunderstood or unsupported.


I was always well-adjusted
I used to be in control of my emotions and actions.


But I'm going down a rabbit hole, further and further and further out of control
My anxiety is spiraling out of control and I feel like I'm losing myself in it.


And now I'm feeling dizzy
My body is reacting to my anxiety with symptoms like dizziness and lightheadedness.


And I'm giving up
I'm losing hope and feel like there's no way out of my anxiety.


I shut my eyes, the room went black
My anxiety has become so overwhelming that it's consuming my senses and perception of reality.


It is all-consuming
My anxiety has taken over my life entirely.


And now I can't be fucked
I'm experiencing an apathetic response to my anxiety, feeling too exhausted or hopeless to do anything about it.


My legs give up and I fall back
My body is reacting to my anxiety by becoming weak and unsteady.


Panic attack, panic attack
I'm experiencing a terrifying and intense episode of anxiety, which is causing a significant negative impact on my life.




Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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