A Fever You Can't Sweat Out - Pop Culture References

Pop Culture References

  • The first track, "Introduction", contains a sample of what appears to be a radio broadcast in Polish. The speaker is saying "...spotkało się z szerokim rozgłosem", which means "...gained significant popularity".
  • The title of "London Beckoned Songs About Money Written by Machines" is part of a line from Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland: "extremely torrid tunage from London beckoned songs about money written by machines".
  • "Intermission" includes a sample from Orson Welles' famous radio adaptation of the classic novel The War of the Worlds: "Due to circumstances beyond our control..."
  • The titles of the songs "Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off" and "But It's Better If You Do" come from a line said by Alice Ayres (portrayed by Natalie Portman) in the movie Closer: "Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off... but it's better if you do."
  • The title of "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" was inspired by a line from Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland: "What I write are not sins, I write tragedies."
  • The song "I Constantly Thank God for Esteban" is a direct reference to the 2004 Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which starred Bill Murray.
  • The bridge melody of "Build God, Then We'll Talk" is derivative from the chorus of "My Favorite Things".
  • "Nails for Breakfast, Tacks for Snacks" is a quote from Ryan Ross' father.

Several tracks on the album reference novels by Chuck Palahniuk:

  • The title of "The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage" is a line from Survivor.
  • "London Beckoned Songs About Money Written by Machines"'s bridge, "Just for the record, the weather today is..." is a recurring phrase in Diary.
  • "Time to Dance" is entirely based on Invisible Monsters.

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