This song was written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr and is the first song to be recorded with the new member at the time, Craig Gannon. The song is influenced by the T.Rex song “Metal Guru” musically, with Marr using similar guitar chords.

The repetition of “Hang the DJ” and the lyric, “Burn down the disco” intrigued listeners, making this song extremely popular. However, although the song has received negative reviews from critics, one of them, Nick Kent, calls the song a commission for “rock terrorism”.

NME placed “Panic” at number 21 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever in 2007.

Some believe this song is the inspiration for the name of the pop-rock band Panic! At the Disco, however, this is not true.

“Panic” also served as inspiration for a 2017 episode of Black Mirror, which drew its title from the chorus of the song – “Hang the DJ.”