Nicotine (song) explained

Nicotine
Cover:Panic at the Disco Nicotine.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Panic! at the Disco
Album:Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!
Label:Fueled by Ramen
Producer:Butch Walker
Prev Title:Girls / Girls / Boys
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Hallelujah
Next Year:2015

"Nicotine" is a song by American rock band Panic! at the Disco. It appears as the fifth song on the band's fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!, which released on October 8, 2013. A music video for the song released in early 2014, with "Nicotine" becoming the album's fourth single on May 6, 2014, alongside a promotional EP.

Background and composition

While in New York, Panic! at the Disco's frontman Brendon Urie began writing "Nicotine" with Amir Salem and band member Dallon Weekes.[1] During this time, Urie was quitting smoking and Salem was going through relationship issues, so they merged the two concepts and wrote about a girl metaphorically being a cigarette.[2]

"Nicotine" personifies addiction, lyrically describing continuing to be in a relationship despite knowing the negative consequences that will follow.[1] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Urie stated "it's that drunk text you know you shouldn’t answer. It feels good in the moment but the next day, you know, you get that shame hangover".[3] This is instrumentally backed by house-style drums with "catchy hooks and powerful guitar riffs".[4]

Music video

A music video for "Nicotine", directed by Kai Regan, was released on February 28, 2014. The video alternates between black-and-white shots of Urie walking and driving through snow and Urie sulking in a hotel room.[3] On YouTube, the song's video has received over 21 million views.

Track listing

Nicotine EP[5]

  1. "Nicotine" – 3:06
  2. "Can't Fight Against the Youth" – 2:44
  3. "All the Boys" – 3:12
  4. "Nicotine" (Instrumental) – 3:06

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]

Panic! at the Disco

Production

Additional musicians

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rock Sound. Brendon Urie On 'Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!': Part 1. YouTube video. Rock Sound. 4:29. October 7, 2013. January 8, 2024.
  2. Web site: Urie. Brendon. I wrote this with this guy Amir in New York.. Genius. December 15, 2015. January 8, 2024.
  3. Web site: Luerssen. John. Watch Panic! At the Disco Get Addicted to Love in 'Nicotine' Video. Rolling Stone. February 28, 2014. January 8, 2024.
  4. Web site: Marzouqi. Razan. Panic! delivers mature, energetic sounds. Daily Trojan. October 6, 2013. January 8, 2024.
  5. Web site: Nicotine EP - Album by Panic! at the Disco. Apple Music. en-us. January 8, 2024.
  6. Web site: Credits / Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! / Panic! At The Disco . October 7, 2013 . . January 9, 2024.