POP SONG REVIEW: "ME!" by Taylor Swift feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco

Taylor Swift learns to love herself... yay? We learn that you can't spell AWESOME without ME but you can't spell LAME without it either, and what the hell happened to Panic! at the Disco anyway?
(Support Todd on Patreon! / toddintheshadows )

[@BlueKunai]

This song doesn't really scream "I'm back" so much as it mumbles "I'm still here."

[@rthanejehxbejws]

This it is chief

[@SRLovesPandas1]

Perfect summary

[@GideonGleeful95]

Oof. That's a painful truth right there.

[@aperson.7585]

That is actually the perfect description omg

[@planescaped]

To me it screams "......" >___>

[@lollypopp4240]

I audibly said "no" when Todd said that Urie was slowly becoming the next Levine. Not because I was angry at Todd for suggesting that, but because I heard that and immediately realized he was right.

[@totesme14]

Lolly Popp Honestly, same reaction

[@chipmunkwarcry]

I feel like the insurance commercials were also a give away

[@RosieGirlRose101]

Same!

[@skylarisms]

same lmao

[@merchantfan]

Honestly thinking about it I think what I liked about Panic! was probably the songwriter not him. His voice was only OK. And why on earth does his new single sound like Fallout Boy? That's still the same outdated decade! Paramore's new album sounded modern....

[@renatapaiva4805]

it sound and looks like an ad for fabric softener it's so generic

[@MTdaBlacking]

Why the Hell are you so right?

[@pathetic2399]

That’s what sells these days.

[@plurbehgubgub]

I can SMELL the febreeze

[@AirKangLocker]

Maybe that was her agenda lol

[@napalmblaziken]

And I saw it used in commercials immediately. You called it.

[@artemiswolf4508]

Brendon Urie going from emo alternative songwriter to literal Adam Lavigne is the greatest heel turn of our generation the likes of which Game of Thrones could never even hope to achieve

[@sks17873]

I don’t want to say he is the next Adam Levine but I think he should go to a more Broadway-esque sound. He’s naturally talented and he has a strong enough base to carry him through any projects he wants to do.

[@notthecity]

SKS 17873 Not to mention he HAS done Broadway before (he was in Kinky Boots for a while). That is the direction Panic! should take after DOAB. I hope he doesn’t go all Levine like PFTW and this seem to suggest.

[@sks17873]

Anna Stewart I flip flop between loving PFTW and hating it. I love the sound and energy but I miss music like Vices and Virtue.

[@discoinferno4885]

It’s hard to realize that this transition is inevitable, he was never really the main songwriter it’s was mostly Ryan Ross ( who basically fell off the face of the earth a couple years ago) and I really miss that deep quality it had. And that PFTW was not written by him, it was written mostly by other people, unlike death of a bachelor. It just makes me happy to see him happy and doing what he loves

[@LuckyyRat952]

Disco Inferno Ryan Ross is touring again and writing if you want to hear more stuff from him. Dallon Weeks also has two of his own bands now with Ryan Seaman from FIR (I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME, the Brobecks)

[@DiamondAxeStudiosMusic]

I cant tell you how cathartic it is to say that Post Malone, Taylor Swift, Brendon Urie, Shawn Mendes, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber have all been blocked from the Number 1 spot by Bullriding & Boobies ft. Hannah Montana's dad.

[@vocalcalibration8033]

Yeah... I guess this timeline isn't the worst...

[@mychaeljones7526]

Dont Thanos snap this!

[@windpotato]

The smile that spread across my face when he revealed the actual number one song :)

[@Meskarune]

@@windpotato I hope it stays there forever lmao

[@ArizMartinez18]

2019 is a wonderfully strange year and I love it. It's secretly an amazing year for music in the most batshit way possible.

[@micahstar5313]

"It just sounds like the Glee version of itself" BINGO.

[@harleymitchelly5542]

There is a joke about infinite regress in here somewhere...

[@killingthemood2000]

The best description I've ever heard of a Taylor Swift song

[@brooketrotter18]

Brendon really reminded me of Darren Criss in this, so I agree.

[@amityislandchum]

That line really nailed it for me. I like this song, but in such a mild way. "Glee version describes that to a T.

[@QteaTheSwag]

Brooke Trotter that’s such an insult to Darren

[@Bookworm579]

"Brendons undergoing what I can only call an Adam Levinization." *Weeps in fangirl*

[@AlectriXSharpness]

He's right tho

[@brandievan2678]

@@AlectriXSharpness yep, we must except the hard truth

[@argusgoose8758]

Bookworm579 sobs in emo

[@zachh.9065]

@@argusgoose8758 do emos usually listen to radio pop like patd now?

[@argusgoose8758]

Zach H. ya ever heard of a little song titled “I Write Sins not Tragedies”

[@puffedrice4624]

In middle school, I had a shirt that said "There's no U in awesome but there's a ME" and this song reminded me of that. Those were dark days.

[@marisadamiano4367]

Same

[@nothingforgrantedPS23]

I had to have my brother talk me out of an FBI shirt. You know the one..🤦🏻‍♂️

[@camikari2899]

@@nothingforgrantedPS23 Haha omg same

[@djspuddzz8116]

Here in Australia, we're really profane with our jokes, so we had pens in our pencil cases that said "There's no I in team but there's a U in cunt".

[@XandraHart]

That explains why I cringed so hard at this song. It reminds me too much of the bubble gum bullshit that came out when I was 11-14.

[@TheRealJims]

I don't know why Taylor Swift thought releasing a song that sounds like a middle school self-esteem assembly is a good idea.

[@iam9991000]

Hey glad to see you here! Nice work on the Stark Raving Dad video.

[@lolaab3842]

Exactly. Like a cult or something

[@roryreviewer6598]

TheRealJims That’s exactly what it sounded like to me too!

[@5196Tpffan]

When this first came out, people, even her stans, thought this was a song made for an animated movie, and she had to confirm that it wasn't. That says a lot...

[@jellyfishrock-hers7888]

@@lololee24 I mean Can't Stop the Feeling and Happy happened so why not speculate.

[@TheMAM]

Give it time, some animated movie'll pick it up.

[@David.124]

I think she made it like that on purpose. There’s a lyric in the song that literally says “Key Kids! Spelling is Fun!” Just to extreme the topic of the song even more

[@2dtrash19]

It just... sounds like a Trolls movie.

[@taniaevans116]

“Brendon Uris IS panic at the disco” was my exact reaction when I first saw this song

[@qty1315]

@@hwfq34fajw9foiffawdiufhuaiwfhw I was there, way back when. I remember Panic as being in the same boat as 30 Seconds To Mars, a pop band adopting the emo aesthetic. I'd consider Stutterfly and MCR as emo bands, Panic always seemed like a pop band to me, or a band that really wanted to be a pop band.

[@mish375]

@@qty1315 I could never stand Panic at all. Between the poor vocals and mismatched compositions, you could tell they had no clue what they wanted to be.

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

@@mish375 ...poor vocals? Do you listen to music?

[@mish375]

@@DatBoi-mo9vc Panic seemed like typical emo noise with no good compositions and Urie trying to oversing like crazy. It was one of the few bands that I haven't been able to even get through an entire song of because I can't stand the vocals. Apparently the guy has a huge ego on him as well so that makes it a little easier to stay away.

[@thatisaduck]

900th like

[@namenam3]

I heard it on the radio earlier today and the actually cut out the “spelling is fun” part. I guess they realized how awful it is

[@camikari2899]

Yikesss

[@hannahwicks7197]

Yeah. It's not on Spotify.

[@lina-sc4pj]

Brendon wrote that line lmao

[@nobodysXghost]

@@lina-sc4pj of course he did the damn narcissistic asshole

[@eckmann88]

It just shows that they don’t even commit to it. Want to make a campy song? Great, but don’t try and take it back once it doesn’t work.

[@UnfortunatelyTheHunger]

also, "Spelling is fun!" is the most WTF out-of-nowhere line I've heard in a mainstream song in looong time. srsly, I was shocked when I first heard it

[@iam9991000]

"Who can relate? WOO!" I say is more WTF.

[@MissAlmostFine]

Me too. I automatically thought maybe she was making a song for Sesame Street or something.

[@kelvinnguyen7883]

@@iam9991000 Am I weird for not being taken aback by that line? I thought Logic was being ironic.

[@borednerd2100]

Sameee

[@clodheatens821]

pointPi No one can relate

[@chrislawuk]

“It sounds like the Glee version of itself” ... Todd you’re a genius, how do you drop several gems like this every time?!

[@woothtoo4399]

*attention throwbacks*

[@goheezy6744]

Holla back girl good

[@rosebyanyname]

I would also add “horrifying pastel nightmare” to that list

[@Flamestar320]

You answered the question yourself by calling Todd a genius. I fully agree with that, by the way.

[@kieranstark7213]

Taylor Swift songs in general sound like the Glee versions of themselves! Hence where Glee got its “inspiration”. 🤮

[@ffjreviews9029]

Saying “Brendon Urie of Panic at the Disco” is like saying “Adam Levine of Maroon 5”

[@EpicB]

"Featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco" needs to be a meme.

[@Defnotaraccoon]

Sonic 3: (feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco) And Knuckles!

[@TheLowBrassDude]

And Dante from the Devil May Cry Series.

[@thirteenfury]

And Zendaya as Meechee!

[@alexperkins5753]

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

[@DrOlimario]

With New Funky Mode!

[@Adelaide_Spence]

As a Panic! fan, saying Urie could be the next Levine gave me the exact reaction expected. That makes me so uncomfortable to think about

[@Wired4Life2]

Yes, Urie could be the next Levine. The only difference is that Levine somehow still has his bandmates with him.

[@bigpenny8223]

BlueFox94 and Brendon’s singing doesn’t sound like mud

[@dominic64tblightning24]

Difference is Brendon is both good and creative unlike Adam

[@indiramaya6713]

As a fan I still have hope for him. He isn’t as douchey as Adam. He is still down to earth I think.

[@geekwithglasses2897]

Yeah but at least Brendon has a lot of talent and I agree High hopes wasn’t that great but I disagree that he’s going full pop now. I think he’s just doing what he wants

[@OrNaurItsKat]

"Me!" sounds like a Trolls soundtrack reject

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

Didn't I read somewhere that it's supposed to be in a kids movie?

[@averagebritishguy7082]

How would something be rejected from that shitshow?

[@OrNaurItsKat]

@@averagebritishguy7082 by being a bigger shit show

[@Johnny-ux7yi]

Nihilistic Onion still better than Look What You Made Me Do which felt like a petty song written by a vengeful 20 year old who tries so hard to be edgy.

[@cinnabonsaii]

Sounds like a song Uglydolls would absolutely eat up

[@NieroshaiTheSable]

Brendon Urie (of Panic! at the Disco) is good at being bombastic, but it just isn't the same without edgelord lyrics.

[@sks17873]

Nieroshai Emperor’s New Clothes is the best example of that. That and Victorious were absolutely massive hits because he’s great at high energy songs.

[@Chlo255]

Nieroshai that’s true. His big, campy style matched the video but he felt restrained in the song

[@KidSnivy69]

I miss Ryan Ross

[@hazey_dazey]

Katherine Byers i wish i could like this comment 50 times, you hit the nail on the head

[@elizapancakes4911]

@@KidSnivy69 same :( but ryan deserves better than brendon

[@johnkoch9315]

I wonder if Taylor saw Brendon Urie as a way of bringing in a “sassy” “”gay best friend”” but was afraid to commit so wanted to sort of “play it safe” in a “I’m not saying I did, not saying I didn’t sort of way”. I could definitely see him being brought on to feature on pop songs or even present awards shows or network holiday celebrations in that sort of way. That would be a very strange and unfortunate career arc to watch unfold.

[@Chlo255]

John Koch yeah with his level of talent I sure hope not

[@maggiekoch9348]

Which would be odd because he's married to a woman, and by his own admission, pansexual with a preference for women. So he may be sassy, and he looks charming in camp outfits, but he won't fit the "gay best friend" box.

[@goatdeer8403]

Bisexual best friend*

[@Annafyz]

Very sad to see it's already happening. Brendon already disappeared.

[@YourLocalOpossum]

I love how the song was so childish it was theorized to be on the soundtrack of secret life of pets 2

[@kieranstark7213]

When 24 Frames of Nick made *The Secret Life of Pets Causes Me Physical Pain* not only could he’ve referred to the original, he could’ve also gone through THE WHOLE DUOLOGY, that way the episode would be complete!

[@ffjreviews9029]

The movies aren’t too bad, but this song is really bad

[@David.124]

But I think she made it childish on purpose. Why else would they literally say “Hey *Kids* spelling is fun!”

[@Calzaki]

This seems more like a Katy Perry project. The song, the color pallete. The predictable underperforming charting

[@seamusburke639]

Zing!

[@sophiebirch1672]

The problem with Katy Perry's last album is that she released a song slamming how pop is making our minds numb and then followed up with a song that was probably the grossest sex metaphor

[@chrisbuttonshaw2088]

wouldn't be surprised if this was SUPPOSED to be Katy's.

[@sophiebirch1672]

@Matthew Caddis Is it just me though or has Katy Perry just become a filler artist? Like since 'Part of Me', she's not really done anything of note. Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Kesha, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato have evolved since they started out (to varying degrees of success depending on your own opinion) but Katy Perry just seems to be stuck in Teenage Dream, only not good. And I think it is because she's lost the edge she had in 2008 so she's faded into the background as artists like Lorde, Halsey and Billie Eilish have emerged.

[@Calzaki]

@@sophiebirch1672 Once your on the Voice or American Idol I think it's an admission that your career is completely stagnant and your just releasing stuff to qualify as a musician in name only so you can justify your own sense of smug superiority while you sit on your ass getting paid to judge people who for better or worse still have more passion than them.

[@JTheVisionaryVA]

Tod.. I was such a big panic fan, but High Hopes killed me. It felt like imagine Dragons’s Thunder, but with a quarter teaspoon more star power. The Emperor’s New Clothes was the sound I wanted at the top! I climbed this cliff of success with him, then Brendon Sparta kicked me off the ledge while singing “Gotta have high high high falls.”

[@loveyourlife9166]

I like High Hopes (overplayed but still) but I REALLY like how you phrased that ;)

[@bellad0nna145]

The way you worded this could not have been better.

[@catsinwonderland7473]

High high hopes... is the most shitty song Ive ever heard besides Dance Monkey. I dont think Taylor's bad songs could ever be as bad as those songs.

[@FormalFilmsProductions]

Absolutely well worded

[@afoolishfopdoodle3284]

When the song's creator says that they don't like the song that they made, that's how you know it's bad

[@brycehendricks2790]

This is so fascinating to listen to after Folklore and Evermore. Just such an absurd career

[@AllWordsAreDust]

I'm not a big fan, but I never doubted her career until this and You Need to Calm Down. Incredible how she bounced back in 2020, arguably stronger than ever (maybe not in terms of chart success, but her fanbase feels stronger than ever).

[@birajkhadka3904]

@@AllWordsAreDust yea and now shes bounced back with chart success too lol

[@AllWordsAreDust]

@@birajkhadka3904 Since I wrote that comment, I feel she's on the downslide again lol. I only listened to her last album once, but it was the first when I can honestly say I didn't like a single track, and it got mocked plenty online from what I saw. Her old material may be enough to carry her and maintain the fanbase though I suppose.

[@user-xk1rm5di2t]

@@AllWordsAreDust well you were completely off hahah, shes bigger than ever now

[@AllWordsAreDust]

@@user-xk1rm5di2t I meant more in artistry not popularity - and it takes a while with established artists for lower quality output to affect their popularity anyway. It hasn't been a year.

[@aquabreeze7612]

Brendon Urie could follow Adam Levine’s exact career path from here on out and I’d STILL find him more likable than Adam Levine

[@chaosqueen20]

Fucking preach

[@benkenobi_]

No they're both douschbags

[@KaijaSchmauss]

Same. Brendon has always seemed like the type who would offer you some of his weed if you met him at a house party. Adam seems like he'd avoid eye contact so you wouldn't start a conversation with him.

[@Chlo255]

Aquabreeze yeah.

[@serixskylark]

Ron Ray “both douchebags” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA you’re funny. Brendon is far from a douchebag.

[@Shovlaxnet]

I was hoping "Me!" was gonna be like Soulja Boy's "You!"

[@isaac_759]

taylor swift i hit that ME! watch me rollie watch me yee! EDITEY BOI: more than ONE LIKE!?!?!?

[@UnorthodoxIndividual]

same

[@bethwoodring]

taylor swift off in this oh, watch ME! crank it watch ME! roll,

[@maryyeet7918]

You know thinking about it a little, I think it's actually the opposite because unlike the other it's 1)uninspired 2)sounds like garbage 3)comes across as inauthentic in an unironic way

[@EpicB]

I'd crank that.

[@wendynerd1199]

"There's a lot of cool girls out there!" "There's a lot of lame guys out there." Guess we know who the one with options is.

[@shotgun6X]

Lucky lesbians, eh?

[@yourlocaltrashcan4438]

@Stellvia Hoenheim wUt?

[@Momogamer9]

@Stellvia Hoenheim I like this

[@michellebrowne9100]

LilNasX is such a sweetheart. He just got a pair of puppies. :D

[@michellebrowne9100]

@@meetmeatmidn1ght The rapper, Lil NasX, just got puppies! I saw a screenshot.

[@alanmooreisrasputinreincar8106]

@@michellebrowne9100 Yeah but what the hell does that have to do with this video?

[@michellebrowne9100]

@@alanmooreisrasputinreincar8106 he's in the video1

[@michellebrowne9100]

@@alanmooreisrasputinreincar8106 Oh, he's in this video!

[@alanmooreisrasputinreincar8106]

@@michellebrowne9100 barely

[@morgangarrison7725]

I LEGITIMATELY FORGOT ABOUT REPUTATION FOR A MINUTE. YOU SAID "REMEMBER THE LAST ALBUM" AND I WENT YEAH! 1989 HAD A FEW BANGERS ON IT

[@juicebox5124]

I mean, we all wanna forget about that album.

[@Baider808]

You and me both!

[@KaijaSchmauss]

1989 IS her best album. And I say that as someone who actually liked a lot of Reputation and felt she picked the wrong songs for singles (ie: Getaway Car, I Did Something Bad, and Don't Blame Me would have done much better, I think).

[@lucapeyrefitte6899]

Faith Rai 😂 that's what I was thinking too

[@TheSongwritingCat]

Reputation has grown on me. "Don't Blame Me," "Delicate," "I Did Something Bad," "This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things," etc. have improved with repeated listens. But do I often forget that they weren't on 1989? Absolutely.

[@juliav5312]

"well i'm back i guess" is a 2019 motto

[@LeftyPlaat]

Its Bidens unofficial slogan

[@crbgamer]

correction “well I guess I’m back or something”

[@richarddorazi8565]

You also forgot to mention that ME! uses the four chord 50s doo wop chord progression adding to the genericness of the song.

[@triplerfx]

Richard D’Orazi I FLY LIKE PAPER GET HIGH LIKE PLANES

[@Evielicious]

No it doesn't

[@Zyrkseas]

Brendon Urie is going to do one of two things: -Become Adam Levine -Retreat back to his older sounds like Death of Batchelor or Pretty Odd

[@Chlo255]

Dylan Vickers oh god, please the second one

[@marx2282]

Please be the second one

[@Turtl3b0i]

I hope for the second one...but it'll sadly most likely be the first one.

[@toxicstarbot6701]

PLEASE SECOND ONE

[@heckicusdoomicuswizardus1382]

Lmao "older sounds". That's his second latest album for Christ's sake.

[@Mooksz]

“it sounds like the glee version of itself” Took the darn w-o-r-d-s out of my mouth

[@jmann6130]

hot bread have to remember that zinger for another song 😆

[@mj-yo7vt]

Meatloaf reference?

[@PuppetMasterIX]

I almost choked on my drink the moment I heard "Hey kids! Spelling is fun!"

[@trinifernandez8870]

it made me cringe so hard

[@Rgh_01]

Also, "You can't spell awesome without me!" makes my whole body cringe.

[@enthiegavoir5955]

That whole spelling part makes me think it was purposely there to get irratated reactions, cause bad publicity is still publicity.

[@sketchyjulia]

12:14 The labeling of the single referring to Brendon Urie as “Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco” reminds me of something they’d do on BoJack Horseman (ie Character Actress Margo Martindale)

[@binary_terror2]

“Why is my monocle still firmly in my eye?!” Loved it.

[@Freeter2k]

Overtaken by a faux country song. Now that's irony at its finest.

[@SithCats]

I never even thought of it that way, but that's totally right.

[@Ghost-rb5tg]

Ouch... The fridge logic here... Poor Taylor.

[@OdaKa]

But aren't most hit country songs faux country songs nowadays?

[@Ghost-rb5tg]

@@OdaKa i'd say anywhere between 99% to 100% of them are, yeah.

[@calumbishop7082]

@@OdaKa I think the irony is that Taylor began as a country star who basically turned pop to become bigger and more famous, who's star has dwindled so much in the last 3 years that she is now losing out to songs from the genre she abandoned.

[@stranget92]

That *SPELLING IS FUN* part gave me flashbacks of _Shopping A to Z_ from Toni Basil

[@PrincessNinja007]

I was thinking My ex man brought his new girlfriend She was like oh my god So I'm just gonna shake

[@patricklauer4452]

stranget92 oh god

[@fortecyveria769]

NOTHING!

[@hungryonmain9705]

@A Bear with phone 408 An artist mostly known for "Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mine hey Mickey " song

[@calvininsf]

Toni Basil sweetie I'm so sorry

[@2-Way_Intersection]

ngl, watching this in a post eras tour world is wild. like, to think we thought taylor swift was on her way out

[@Snazzeo]

I mean it looked like she was!

[@GoldenRose116]

​​@@Snazzeoeven during that time it only took a month for Todd to take back his words

[@blakgumshoo]

When I first heard this song it was during that "Spelling is fun!" bit. I thought to myself, "How did this Sesame Street song get on the radio?"

[@CNWhatImSaiyan]

They have the best reaction for things like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2Oudnl9lNadibc

[@izzy1221]

ME is like a Katy Perry song from an alternate dimension.

[@aria5614]

A dimension where Katy Perry and Taylor Swift are the same entity.

[@TheMAM]

Implying ME compares to any of Katy's hits.

[@lissaquon607]

Ooof I was thinking that - but it was more the asthetic shes trying to push than the sound. But ooof.

[@RokuroCarisu]

EVERY female-sung pop song in this decade might as well be a Katy Perry song! THAT'S THE PROBLEM!

[@tsukiyumetan5362]

😂😂😂

[@SRLovesPandas1]

I would've thought with Urie's Broadway experience that he'd add more camp and spectacle to the song. Guess not. Hope the Levine-ization dwindles soon

[@chuckbatman5]

What is he doing on Broadway right now? I was just thinking watching this video that his performance in it is very "corny Broadway musical". Honestly if he's gonna go pop he should just go straight past popstar and make himself a Broadway star

[@ienzio7795]

@@chuckbatman5 With his range he could become a Broadway star

[@chuckbatman5]

@@ienzio7795 yeah he's got the talent for it for sure. He honestly gives me Lin Manuel Miranda vibes sometimes with his music, although he's not quite the same clever lyricist

[@SRLovesPandas1]

Coolman Hahn he was in Kinky Boots

[@goodjobeli]

@@chuckbatman5 He was in Kinky Boots in 2017 as Charlie Price

[@bluetoothschizophrenic]

See, I only listened to this song because of Brendon Urie. Absolutely love Panic!, but I completely agree with the Adam Levine-ization point. A sad downward spiral that I hope does not continue

[@Somebodyelse141]

Your pfp is old Brendon listening to new Brendon

[@toxicstarbot6701]

Same

[@heyitsella2944]

I hope he does another kind of album, like Pretty. Odd. Or Vices and Virtues (my 2 favorite albums)

[@Flowtail]

I'm surprised that Sexyback wasn't one of the examples

[@RenaldyCalixte]

😂😂😂...literally has the word back in it. Don't forget JT collabed with Jay Z to do Suit & Tie and it premiered during the Super Bowl. Its my favorite I'm Back song in pop music.

[@GamerTowerDX]

Judging by older videos,Suit and Tie also fits.

[@XenIsWhen]

And where's Elton John's "The Bitch is Back"? That was long before the others.

[@EmperorTigerstar]

Todd saying Brendon Urie was being Adam-Levinized made me feel so validated. I'm glad I'm not alone on thinking that.

[@galacticpenguintv6752]

EmperorTigerstar - Well well fancy seeing you here

[@Jonnyc448]

Well, greetings comrade, I quite enjoy your videos

[@Legitpenguins99]

Your the last person i expected to see here

[@vard000]

Good to see you here, can't agree more!

[@RubyDynamite]

I cracked my ass up laughing at that because he's absolutely fucking spot on! lol

[@natmar8308]

Todd: Says that at some point, Taylor's music has got to stop being about her own image Taylor: Releases a song titled "Me!"

[@raghavpant3251]

Todd: Am I a joke to you?

[@BollyBibby]

Feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco reminds me of how it always has to say Feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore

[@issaphae9659]

except hayley williams is actually part of a band, she’s not the entire band

[@leoissleeping]

While Hayley is the most dominant member of Paramore there are still other constant members. Panic!s only member is Brendon Urie, that bassist girl and other people are only tour members.

[@nokostunes]

CAN WE PRETEND THAT AIR

[@aberrantapocrypha]

hearing "is the taylor swift moment over" in 2024 is so so funny

[@LSSTmusic]

"you can't spell awesome without me" I actually cringed so hard I turned into a black hole. I'm writing this comment from outside time itself.

[@blackstar9816]

Steven, A.D. I have no idea what this comment means but it is an absolute delight

[@haleymist09]

@StevenAD LOL

[@jony5075]

I didn't know they had internet in dimension 1.5 where do you find it it's quite boring traveling to the second demension

[@knightofoctober]

Is it cold out there? Do you need anything from the shops?

[@WileyKoyote]

Until I read this comment, I thought the lyric was "You can't spell 'us' without me," and that it was actually kinda clever.

[@thewalrusaurus]

The whole song sounds like a rejected Katy Perry track from 7 or 8 years ago

[@stevethepocket]

It does have that "Roar" sound that's been infesting pop music for a while (including Swift's own "Blank Space"), doesn't it. Aside from "Blank Space" the only one of those songs that's ever worked for me was "Stand by You" by Rachel Platten. I hope the trend dies off soon.

[@chrisbuttonshaw2088]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was supposed to be. we all know how music studios stockpile songs

[@cookielafoo3848]

thewalrusaurus actually 8 years ago Katy was more creative, it sounds like current katy😒

[@SviramAn]

Tbf every Katy Perry song for the last 5 years also sounds like a rejected Katy Perry song from 8 years ago

[@bartbengal]

'It sounds like the Glee version of itself' is the harshest burn I've ever heard

[@BeccaMoses]

apparently all the people who are convinced she’s gay think this was her coming out song. which is wild, because this is the straightest song I’ve ever heard oml

[@keelanbarron928]

...how do you get "coming out" out of this song? (the only way I could see that is with the rainbows in the music video. But the problem with that is 1. It's the music video and not the song itself. And 2. Rainbows don't always mean gay.)

[@dellayassine]

Todd said that the Adam Levinesation of Brendon Urie hurts to see. And boy is he right!

[@matthewkuechler8342]

That ripped at my soul because it's 100% true :(

[@chuckbatman5]

Yeah hearing him sing "can't spell awesome without me" is viscerally PAINFUL. I hope he turns it around because I don't want to have to deal with 10 more years of Mild Excitement! At The Disco

[@Bluecho4]

It chilled me to my core. _Because he's right_ .

[@CoolExcite]

Fall Out boy 2.0, going from a variety of musical styles and good lyricism to "gotta have high high hopes!"

[@fakenamebunchonumbers]

That statement punched my soul outta my body.

[@unlimitedgracelessnoise7849]

The music with the spelling just made me think, "A B C, easy as, 1 2 3"

[@johngleason1776]

So this song is what happens if you tried to make a mashup of Bad and ABC

[@SithCats]

Except the Jackson 5 song was actually good.

[@keukenkastje05]

Which, coincidentelly, is a better song as well

[@pleasebenice3520]

Honestly, my problems with this can be summed up into just one line: *It sounds like a kids’ song.* Like, I know songs like Barbie Girl sound juvenile, but they’re fun, super campy, and hilarious to listen to until you eventually start to love them sincerely. Me! just sounds like unironic Kidz Bop and it makes me want to claw my ears off with how lame and unentertaining it is. I agree with you about how they needed to commit to something, because they just didn’t go strong enough in any direction, and it shows.

[@Lochness19]

That's how I feel about Shake It Off and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, but ME! missed the mark. It is catchy but when I watch the live performances I feel torn between wanting to join in the fun that she seems to be having and get carried away by her enthusiasm (ex Wango Tango performance) and the fact that the song itself isn't doing for me what it seems to be doing for her.

[@benedictrogers1478]

Barbie Girl, that song that's about a really quite kinky (by mainstream standards) sexual relationship? That's mostly hidden by kids just not knowing what sexual roleplay is? The reason Barbie Girl is so likeable is that it's actually quite good at getting an idea across.

[@fruity_boi2355]

It sounds like a song you'd hear in a Jc Pennys bathroom

[@CNWhatImSaiyan]

I heard it in a Marshall’s, so not too far off 😅

[@KadenRenz]

The whole "Brandon Urie of panic at the Disco" reminds me of "smooth by Santana featuring Rob Thomas of matchbox 20"

[@kimifw58]

It was actually called that at the time?

[@KadenRenz]

@@kimifw58 still is I believe

[@mastermarkus5307]

I was thinking of "Dante from the Devil May Cry series" but whatever.

[@TheMadwomen]

Kimi FW Is that not how everyone calls it? I just say the entire thing in full whenever I mention it.

[@KadenRenz]

@@mastermarkus5307 that also works

[@samburnham2758]

Credit to Brendon Urie for making his featured credit as long as his song titles By fall out boy

[@seamusburke639]

My Overly Long Song Credits Know What You Did In the Dark (Remix)

[@waddle4647]

And Patrick was like, “Yo I got a soul voice”

[@momomo0805]

i would love an updated analysis on taylor now that she skyrocketed higher than anyone ever thought possible

[@douglasrau5094]

"Spelling is fun". Can't wait to hear Elmo yell that out when she does this song on Sesame Street. Doesn't have to be rewritten at all. "Can't spell awesome without me." Oh good. 50 year old soccer mom Taylor pretending to be young and hip is back. This is just downright embarrassing.

[@michaelhuh8397]

I usually can’t pick out bad songs when I first hear them, but as soon as I heard “spelling is fun!” I knew exactly what type of song this was.

[@BabysitterSky]

"It sounds like the glee version of itself" I think we have a name for the album!!!

[@WordsFlowMagnetic]

"Glee!" with lead single "Me!"

[@we5ley227]

the spelling is fun part made me want to weep actual tears

[@clodheatens821]

actually noodle SPELLING IS PAINFUL AND HORRIFYING

[@catsinwonderland7473]

I love that line because it makes everyone go CRAZY.

[@KoalaTulip47]

Came back to this after Brendon Urie ended P!ATD. Guess there's no one to replace Adam Levine now

[@cdvideodump]

HEY KIDS BREAKING UP'S FUN

[@pickles224]

Morgan Wallen.

[@JohnDoe-xf8ew]

Can't spell mediocre without me

[@ohifonlyx33]

or mEH!

[@kieranstark7213]

“You can’t spell mediocre without me!” would’ve been the ONE thing that could’ve redeemed “ME”!

[@SkolneyVikings]

All Taylor songs should basically be titled "Me" tbh

[@chelsiesawyer7465]

Or “that one ex that I tOtAlLy don’t care about anymore”

[@caitlinrix294]

I had a dream a couple of months back, which involved me having an argument with her that ended with me calling her "a spoilt middle-class bitch who only got where she was because her daddy bought shares in the record label she's signed to". The more I read about her, the more validated that dream feels.

[@killingthemood2000]

Well, Brendon is in a downward spiral, is it time to Panic! at the Disco?

[@GarfieldiusPrime]

kudos for the pun!

[@mariaemiliacuevalarreategu9652]

Brendon**

[@toxicstarbot6701]

Y u p, I love him, but like... I kinda hate this song-

[@lefromage2001]

YES IT IS **VIOLENTLY PANICS**

[@abigailc8829]

Yes

[@heeeyyy2947]

“Going full Adam Levine” NOOOOO NOT MY BOY BRENDON SAY IT AINT SO

[@Chlo255]

F00L C00L i honestly don’t agree with that part

[@heeeyyy2947]

india j. I literally agree with you (a lot of people have found out a lot in a year) so I’m wondering what’s the point of this hateful comment towards me?

[@ewilliams4410]

I absolutely agree that this sounds like a Megan Trainor song.

[@ClaireSamuelsVA]

Elias Williams And looks like it.

[@teethcoat4274]

It’s not nearly infuriating enough to be a Megan Trainor song. It’s just boring.

[@josephine1465]

@@teethcoat4274 but the it's too pinkish enough to be a megan Trainor MV

[@RobiningwiththeTitan]

Bruh I've been waiting for this and looking forward to it for so long.

[@charliewenzday]

‘It sounds like the Glee version of itself’ is the most amazing insult I’ve ever heard

[@KendallKelly]

"I don't think Taylor's ever had chemistry with anyone"...eek

[@aspyn.j_]

Kendall Kelly she’s gay that’s why (not being funny she really is)

[@joshdunham7167]

@@aspyn.j_ Dude I'm taking this as a joke cause you can't possibly be serious!

[@maggiekoch9348]

It's because she doesn't put off fun or sweet vibes with Brendon Urie.They're physically cute together, but they lack that spark, like the old-time performers had, where they were corny, fun, or even flirty in a nice way.

[@someoneelse4579]

@@maggiekoch9348 She sounds really good with the Dixie Chicks on Soon You'll Get Better.

[@Evielicious]

@@aspyn.j_ No she's not! She's had a boyfriend, named Joe Alwyn for years now and they are very happy together

[@HeyLetsDoAThing]

"It sounds like the Glee version of itself" God, what an incredibly accurate indictment of this song. And I say that having watched all of Glee

[@KariIzumi1]

Hey! Let's Do A Thing! It’s painfully accurate and true

[@RayBlendertube]

''Someone's gotta fill that void and cash those checks, KA-CHING.'' OH GOD NO, NOT TWO ADAM LEVINE.

[@serixskylark]

Ray Blendertube Lol, I’m gonna call it that he’s gonna flip this whole narrative of “IM THE NEXT ADAM LEVINE” on its fucking head with the next album. Just y’all watch

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

Goddamn that "I got the horses in the back" really is the "WITH THE LIGHTS OUT" of the Pop Song Reviews series. If only Lil Nas X represented a shift in pop music the way Nirvana did. Instead we still got a ton of boring monogenre hits in 2020.

[@captainayaaya28]

I mean Todd really like 2020 as a year in popular music and so did I. It was actually a solid year.

[@gimmefeedback]

“Brendon Urie *is* panic at the disco” thank you

[@evgeniapetraki7021]

The song is so cheesy, it wouldn't even win Eurovision (Europeans ensemble)

[@siray3232]

shots fired (you're absolutely right)

[@Desert_Rose_]

This is the song that would be go out in the first semifinal and get immediately forgotten about

[@maggiekoch9348]

Are you kidding? This is so cheesy and overblown, telenovelas and Bollywood would tell them to turn it down a few notches.

[@jun-hs4eo]

When I hear about Eurovision, I immediately think about Hatari, and then I remember the mess that was whoever Iceland sent over for 2020

[@elizabethcarroll8987]

Not all of those songs are cheesy. Most of them though.

[@parforet6988]

Panic at the Disco hasn't been the same since it virtually became a Brendon Urie solo project.

[@ariellabellaboo3217]

I think he should have just left the Panic name behind, personally

[@cattledogandstaffy]

*Brendon

[@TheArceusftw]

Like he said; It's like Brandon Urie is the Adam Levine of Panic at the Disco.

[@imsadlol4528]

he changes the sound every album, he has talked about wanting to do metal next, calm your tits

[@parforet6988]

@@imsadlol4528 I mean in terms of songwriting. Urie is clearly a talented singer but his lyrics are kinda lacking.

[@miastevans7392]

this video is so retrospectively fascinating, considering cruel summer is climbing up the charts and was just announced as an official single. the initial success of lover vs it’s longevity needs to be studied fr.

[@ectopasta]

The entirety of Pray for the Wicked sounds like cut demo songs from Death of a Bachelor imo They all sound horrifically incomplete, like, they're missing that extra "oomph" that Death of a Bachelor had, it all just sounds like you're waiting for something to happen, and then nothing does.

[@Chlo255]

ohcrapmyfishwhy it WAS rushed by the studio, Brendon was told to make an album with a really tight deadline. That would kinda explain it

[@morley364]

I've heard this song once. In an Uber. I kept forgetting the song *while I was listening to it*. Like I would hear the chorus and blink, like 'oh, huh. Still playing'.

[@revuesdeminuit4071]

Morley that’s the best way to describe my experience with this song too

[@KoiPuff]

I’m actually really sad about Panic. Because Brendan is a nice guy who has an amazing set of pipes and can play a million instruments. Death of a Bachelor was his baby and he poured everything into it... and it went nowhere. So he recalibrated, turned up the Pop/Hooks and went as radio friendly as possible to catch a hit. It worked but I wish it hadn’t. Bachelor has some real bangers and I’m really sad he’s never gonna wrote shit like that again.

[@Udontkno7]

Dead ass :/

[@imsadlol4528]

he changes the sound every album, he has talked about wanting to do metal next, calm your tits

[@redhillbones7672]

@@imsadlol4528 I'm holding out hope due to this. I mean, so far it's been so true so next time will be... not whatever the fuck he thinks PftW is? Pray for the Wicked is... so mis-named, damn it. There were a few songs, including the title one, on Death of a Bachelor that I wasn't so fond of but it had heart.

[@kensiem8252]

“swear to shake it up if you swear to listen”

[@mia-qs8jz]

i’m sorry but i’m gonna have to be this person, brendon*

[@ty_teynium]

"You'll never find a another like me" Me: YAY!

[@i3yaz]

Bad Taylor cannot come to phone right now. Why? Because she's flopped.

[@peptobismolveins]

Taylor clearly hasn’t flopped ever. I mean reputation era (bad Taylor) can’t flop if it can make her highest earning celeb of 2019 with whopping 185M $, about hundred million ahead of other contenders. Wouldn’t call that a flop era for sure! Lol. And yeah, the tour became the best selling US tour OF HISTORY with 266M $ in JUST 28 shows (4 months, not like a 3 year U2 tour), so yeah, whatcha saying?

[@dvt1393]

@@peptobismolveins It was definitely not a flop in the financial sense. But, I would say in the minds of the consumers, that alter-ego just didn't work. I would say that the controversy is the reason that people bought the album and went to see her in concert. Just to be able to see the spectacle. But, I would say that only a small percentage of her fanbase would call Reputation her best or their favorite. In fact, I would say that it was mostly the memes online making fun of her for how ridiculous it all ended up being that will be most remembered for this period of her career. Even if it was profitable doesn't mean that it wasn't retrospectively seen as a low point for her career both critically and to many of her fans.

[@justintimberlake5206]

She has Never flopped so far. We all know it clearly.🤔

[@someoneelse4579]

@@dvt1393 Actually a lot of her fans think Reputation is her best album. As a Swiftie, I have to disagree. It's not a terrible album, but an underwhelming one and her weakest one since Fearless. Plus, people went to the Rep tour because they knew Taylor is a performer who puts on a hell of a show. Just look at the reviews of the show.

[@Evielicious]

@@hwfq34fajw9foiffawdiufhuaiwfhw 🖕

[@308473mb]

Serious question - does anyone like these grating overproduced voices? When played on proper speakers, it sounds like what I imagine Hell must be like.

[@seamusburke639]

Here's the thing: music started getting more and more compressed in the CD era (Oasis records and Rick Rubin productions being huge offenders). Then it got even MORE compressed so it'd stand out on computer speakers and smart phones. So now we're at a state where everything is distorted, even pop music. Someone clocked the drums on Katy Perry and found they were mastered louder than early Megadeth records.

[@dvt1393]

@@seamusburke639 Yep. Brickwalling albums because of the Loudness Wars has basically ruined the sound of modern records. Everybody just wanted to make the album as loud as possible that it killed any sort of dynamics. Because everything on the recording is constantly being pushed in to the red, it makes it difficult to make out what the fuck is actually there on the recording because of the compression. And this isn't new. Like was stated before, Oasis and Rick Rubin productions were early offenders. Records like Be Here Now and Californication were just harbingers of modern pop production and mastering. That's because most people listen to music through laptop/phone speakers or cheap earbuds so just make it as loud and compressed as possible.

[@Somebodyelse141]

@@dvt1393 question from someone who doesn't know anything about this stuff- how would uncompressed music sound on cheap speakers/ phones/ etc.? Would they be too quiet? Would the instrumental kind of mush together?

[@tatehildyard5332]

@@seamusburke639 There's actually a great Ted Talk David Byrne gave on how the architecture of venues overtime and their acoustic properties influenced the popularity of certain types of music that's pretty similar to what you're touching on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmfYiX2NrdV-eK8 It's actually really informative and insightful.

[@seamusburke639]

@@Somebodyelse141 The thing is you can mix loud or heavy music fine without clipping. Cheap speakers are always going to sound like cheap speakers, so mixing exclusively for them only hurts the music in the long run. You want a good example of heavy music mixed well? "Appetite for Destruction". The mix on that record is immaculate.

[@Terra_1998]

At least Brendon sings a whole lot better than Adam

[@chrisbuttonshaw2088]

and he's hotter in both personality AND body.

[@serixskylark]

Rybread 28 I don’t think he has as big as an ego as you think. He hates watching himself, perform, doesn’t think he sounds good most of the time, and is honesty more thankful for his fans than I’ve seen other people. Just tune into one of his twitch streams and this is completely obvious. That whole ego thing is just an act for some of his songs

[@mateom1691]

XscapeTheThriller Yeah I do agree, but I also think that he’s being extremely nice to a very toxic fandom that 1: Doesn’t support his newer music and collaborations that he is genuinely excited about, and 2: Also thinks they have a say in what his personal and musical life is like. If Brendon wants to go Pop, who tf are we to tell him no. The man is following his dreams and he was really excited about ME! But nearly his entire fandom ruined the moment for him. If people actually cared for the guy beyond his appearance (because he is extremely attractive) then they wouldn’t have ruined this project for him, they wouldn’t have shitted on Sarah when he got married to her, and they wouldn’t be complaining about the transition of his music. They would just support him in everything he does, and just listen to the songs they like and respect the ones they don’t because he still put a lot of work into them.

[@sethp8947]

I like how Todd was expecting some back lash for his comments on Brendon but all the Panic! fans are just like "no you right"

[@miche8868]

Me: you already know Todd's gonna talk shit on your faves, it's fine don't be sad Todd: *talks shit on faves* Me: :(

[@kaeykes]

Michelle F i couldnt relate more :

[@EmB856]

Yes! This is a Glee song through and through. It sounds like Lea Michelle and Darren Criss.

[@goodjobeli]

Don't do Darren Criss like that man

[@writerspen010]

Don't drag Lea's name through the mud like that

[@amollo01]

Lea Michelle can sing circles around Taylor Swift, but I see where you are coming from.

[@cherries_and_wine]

Brendon Urie even looks like Darren Criss

[@Avasaks123]

I’ve been wanting Todd to talk about Brendon all these years and now I’m sad

[@TheEtherny]

Why? He just did!

[@Avasaks123]

TheEtherny because it was negative lol

[@kahn5234]

Tbh it has started to go downhill since High hopes and the album

[@chipmunkwarcry]

Yeah... I had hoped he might talk about Panic/Urie in a more positive situation...

[@nowyuosee109]

For good reason. High Hopes was just bad. Death of a Bachelor was a great album but the recent one is just.... all over the place.

[@jjthepikazard212]

When you played the spelling part, I immediately thought of Dont Hug Me I'm Scared

[@bpansky]

which also jumped the shark.

[@maxresdefault_]

Of all Todd's failed predictions, this is by far my favourite. What a fascinating person Taylor is

[@itspricila]

the song grew on me but i understand why it flopped. its a very childish song. i mean it has lyrics like “spelling is fun” and “ theres alot of lame guys out there” ...

[@theblindsniper]

It's her weakest single so far which is saying ALOT cause *look at what you made me do" was a dumpster fire and though not innovative, at least it was different. This single was created just for the sole purpose of being the song played at the end credits of a mid 2000s rom-com.

[@modusoperandiunknown]

I gave it an shot, because Brendan was in it... but "Spelling is fun!" Gag me. And it's like they told Brendan not to touch her at all. I almost feel like he got talked into this and he's regretting it big time.

[@JLynnEchelon]

I agree with Todd's assessment of it sounding like a glee version of itself, I thought Sesame Street. That's the only place I can imagine this song being awesome.

[@hellotherefriendss]

theblindsniper Yeah this song reminds me of middle school in a bad way. Especially the “you can spell awesome with out me” part.

[@joshs7160]

@@modusoperandiunknown yeah, massive exposure, ughhh how terrible

[@TheSpicyFalafel]

I thought I was the only one who hated this song Then I remembered you, Todd

[@nickmesogianes4638]

I'm sure there is a secret underground club who hates this song xD

[@dansvoices]

@@nickmesogianes4638 if there is how do I join?

[@kimifw58]

Todd never lets us down when it comes to Taylor Swift.

[@thatonegai]

You have me brother

[@125loopy]

@@dansvoices I'm not a member but this song is next level boring.

[@FrostBitey10]

"It just sounds like the Glee version of itself" is literally the precise perfect way to describe this song.

[@MythicSuns]

CGI Artist: "so uh, what do you want me to do?" Video Director: "YES!"

[@sweetwater88]

Old Town Road is just Country Nine Inch Nails. Of course it's #1 material.

[@mychaeljones7526]

Excellent

[@murciadoxial8056]

I wanna see Trent Reznor making a industrial country album, I mean... This isn't even the first time a country singer has taken a NIN song and turned it into a hit.

[@mikerivera373]

Murcia doxial sure, but the other time it was by Johnny Cash. You might have heard of him, he’s only the most famous country artist of all time. It’s different coming from a dude called Lil Nas X.

[@murciadoxial8056]

@@mikerivera373 Oh yeah, but something tells me that, if Johnny Cash decided to cover heresy or the perfect drug then it wouldn-t have been a hit, not to mention that his cover of hurt became a hit because it was recorded like a week or so before he died. Point is, NIN going industrial country would be an interesting thing to see, and I'm curious.

[@merchantfan]

I think the most remarkable thing about Old Towne Rd is that return to great sampling.

[@thermitekitty9070]

I love Brendon but man, bringing him on was an awful choice. His presence really just highlights everything wrong with the song in both concept and execution. Maybe if he'd done a more combative verse for Taylor to fight against, or if he'd just been credited as Panic! at the Disco and they'd injected a little of his darker DoaB sound to make the rest of the song feel brighter by contrast?

[@sks17873]

Brendon can do anything with his voice because he has the power and range, however, I just think he was a bandaid shoved over a severed artery.

[@JonathanLedbetter]

2:28 Todd in 2019: "Is the Taylor Swift moment over?" Me watching this in 2023: "lmao noooooo not by a long shot"

[@user-er5mg6zj4v]

2024: “when will the taylor swift moment be over?”

[@beathecat6604]

Coming back to this years later… Old Town Road beating Taylor for the top spot is a true win for the LGBT+ community