Panic

"The influence of T-Rex is very profound on certain songs of The Smiths i.e. 'Panic' and 'Shoplifters'. Morrissey was himself also mad about Bolan. When we wrote "Panic" he was obsessed with 'Metal Guru' and wanted to sing in the same style. He didn't stop singing it in an attempt to modify the words of 'Panic' to fit the exact rhythm of "Metal Guru". He also exhorted me to use the same guitar break so that the two songs are the same!!!"

"'Panic' came about at the time of Chernobyl. Morrissey and myself were listening to a Newsbeat radio report about it. The stories of this shocking disaster comes to an end and then immediately we're off into Wham's 'I'm Your Man'. I remember actually saying 'what the fuck has this got to do with people's lives?' And so 'hang the blessed DJ'. I think it was a great lyric, important and applicable to anyone who lives in England. I mean, even the most ardent disco fan wouldn't want to be subject to that stuff would they?"


- Johnny Marr

I have uploaded a Guitar Pro file for this song here.



Here is the complete score from the "Louder Than Bombs:Off The Record" book:














Here are the scans from the Singles tab book:








I have also uploaded a different tab below, and I have uploaded it's corresponding backing tracks here(right click to save as).









Here are the scans from the Smiths Best Complete Score:









Here's Craig Gannon demonstrating the cool arpeggio part he plays in the intro and verses:

Here's a great cover by johnnymare, on guitar:



and on bass as well:




Here's a cover by xtc80lbs: