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”.^[13]
• “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…”^[13]
• 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 Ayers (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.”^[13]
• 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.”^[13]
• 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.^[13]
• The bridge melody of “Build God, Then We’ll Talk” is derivative from the chorus of “My Favorite Things”.^[14]
• “Nails for Breakfast, Tacks for Snacks” is a quote from Ryan Ross’ father.^{[citation needed]}
• “There’s a Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven’t Thought of It Yet” features the villain music video including Hercules, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Little Mermaid, a non-Disney film Anastasia, Aladdin, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.

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.^[13]
• “London Beckoned Songs About Money Written by Machines“‘s bridge, “Just for the record, the weather today is…” is a recurring phrase in Diary.^[13]
• “Camisado” contains several references to Fight Club.^[13]
• “Time to Dance” is entirely based on Invisible Monsters.^[13]