Casual Affair

Obviously it's about an affair. I suspect one is married (the sinner) and the other isn't (the lover). "Just lay in the atmosphere" = that weightless, post-coital feeling of relaxation? "Break involuntary ties" = wedding vows?

Although the obvious interpretation would be that its about an affair, I believe its about a threesome (his partner (lover) and sinner (third party)). Also says its only for tonight and the idea of an atmosphere brings about ideas that its more than just two people...I don't know just an idea

I believe that this song is obviously about love. A casual affair is pretty much having sex and no permeant commitment as in thinking of getting married. When he sings "A lover on the left, A sinner on the right" I believe he is saying that he has a choice to either go with the the lover for a committed relationship or the sinner to have a 'casual affair' which he obviously goes with the sinner. Then when he sings "Break involuntary ties, A secret so the spies, Could never find us out" he is just saying that its just a one time thing that no one needs to know about. And in the very beginning when he sings "Hey, a casual affair, That could go anywhere ,And only for tonight" I believe he is talking to the person he is having the causal affair with and is saying that if they want to it could go beyond just a casual affair they could make it serious but for tonight lets just keep it casual.

Hope that makes sense, and its just my interpretation so it's more than likely far from what it was meant to be.

First I think it's important that not all songs or songwriters have an intended meaning or sometimes they have a personal meaning to them but they encourage their listeners to interpret it for themselves to make it theirs. That being said...

My interpretation is this, Two people in a forbidden relationship, such as two people from different cultures. But they decide that if they can't have a lasting relationship with approval, they choose to be together for at least the one night despite the repercussions.

"Take any moment, any time A lover on the left A sinner on the right", is simply about their options on how to go about it(make love or have more carnal relations).

"Lay in the atmosphere A casual affair (Hush-hush, don't you say a word) Lay in the atmosphere A casual affair" Is just about enjoying the limited time they have for the night, enjoying the atmosphere and to not ruin it by saying anything.

"Break involuntary ties A secret so the spies Could never find us out

Stay for as long as you have time So the mess that we'll become Leaves something to talk about"

It's a forbidden relationship, breaking the unnecessary ties to diminish the possibility of anyone, such as associates or family(spies) finding out. Staying for as long as possible, obviously because he knows it can only be for the one night, the inevitable backlash actually creating a memory they can have forever.

Essentially, true forbidden love realized in the only way they can.

When I saw them live, Brendon said, "This song is about casual sex." Or something like that.

In the beginning of the official song there's a man's voice, saying something like "looks innocent enough, doesn't it? but sometimes there are dangers involved that never meet the eye. no matter where you're meeting strangers, be careful of the idea friendly." I did a little research and it turns out that that piece of audio comes from an anti-gay commercial from the 1960's. Since the band Panic! At The Disco is highly AGAINST homophobia and fully supports all kinds of sexuality and gender, I wonder what meaning it has in the song.

its about ryan and we all know it