What makes Panic by The Smiths notable?

'Panic' was a commercial success, reaching number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming an anthem for a generation disillusioned with mainstream culture. Its bold lyrics sparked discussions about political apathy and youth discontent, enhancing The Smiths' reputation as voices of a troubled youth. Released on July 21, 1986, 'Panic' came during The Smiths' peak period, shortly after their critically acclaimed album 'The Queen Is Dead'. This single encapsulated the band's signature blend of angst and wit, further solidifying their stature in the British indie rock scene as they were gaining significant commercial traction.

How many songs are on Panic?

Panic has 3 tracks, running approximately 9 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Panic

The Smiths · 1986

9 min · 3 tracks · indie rock

A sharp critique of societal disillusionment wrapped in jangly guitars and Morrissey's cutting lyricism.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Panic — The title track captures the essence of urban anxiety, intertwining catchy melodies with biting social commentary that resonates with listeners.
→
Vicar in a Tutu — This track showcases Morrissey's lyrical humor while tackling themes of repression and eccentricity, reflecting the band's unique approach to controversial topics.
→
The Draize Train — With its darker undertones, this song critiques societal norms through vivid imagery and inventive wordplay, highlighting the band's literary influences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting and production, balancing urgency with introspection across its tracks.

What we noticed

The title track features a driving rhythm with jangly guitars that create an urgent atmosphere, while Morrissey's vocal delivery oscillates between melodic and spoken word.
The second track, 'Vicar in a Tutu', employs a more playful tone with its upbeat tempo and whimsical lyrics, contrasting the intensity of 'Panic'.
The final track, 'The Draize Train', shifts to a darker mood with a slower tempo and haunting instrumentation, providing a stark contrast to the preceding songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Panic 2:19
2 Vicar in a Tutu 2:21
3 The Draize Train 5:08

What to play next

Listen next

Strangeways, Here We Come

1987

Go back to

The Queen Is Dead

1986

Full The Smiths discography Where to start with The Smiths Artists like The Smiths

indie rock new wave post-punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata