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Padam Padam! Kylie Minogue’s latest song has become the internet’s new favourite meme

Doctor, I have a severe case of ‘Padam Padam’ fever

By Hollie Geraghty

Kylie Minogue press shot for 'Padam Padam', 2023
'Tension' is out on September 22. (Photo: Erik Melvin)

Last week, Kylie Minogue teased her new studio album with first single ‘Padam Padam’ – and the internet is having a ball with it.

The Australian music icon previously announced that she will release Tension on September 22, which will open with her outrageously catchy single ‘Padam Padam’. “When your heart goes / Padam Padam / I hear it and I know / Padam Padam / I know you wanna take me home,” she sings atop a pounding electronic beat.

Since its release, there have been memes aplenty flooding Twitter from fans of the pop star and confused onlookers alike.

While Kylie stans quickly caught on that the song title and its catchy chorus was mimicking the thud of a heartbeat, others were a little confused about the new entry into the Kylie lexicon.

“I thought Padam Padam was a hunger games reference,” on Twitter user wrote, referring to the dystopian version of America, called Panem, from the Suzanne Collins novels. “Wtf is ‘Padam’?! I’m seeing it everywhere and I think y’all are talking about something Hunger Games related,” another added. “Someone fill me in.”

https://twitter.com/theocarrena/status/1660982145890897921?s=46&t=I39FXC_3djy_bwC-EDjNgA

Others thought ‘Padam’ was just a sound the singer was making. “Just realised Padam Padam is her heartbeat,” one person wrote on Twitter. “It’s HIS heartbeat she literally says that,” someone replied, with another adding: “hmmm it’s explicitly stated in the lyrics i fear.”

https://twitter.com/DRAINGARDENS/status/1661177520710983680?s=20

Elsewhere, Kylie fans are celebrating ‘Padam Padam’ as an instant queer anthem. “listened to the song that makes you gay (padam padam),” one person wrote.

“Gay coworker just messaged me ‘padam padam’ through Google chats and nothing else,” another user shared. “They’re doing the ground work!” a fan replied.

“Gays dragging the song…. It’s about to be a #1 I fear,” another viral tweet read.

https://twitter.com/alsoabouteve/status/1661799956141801497?s=46&t=I39FXC_3djy_bwC-EDjNgA
https://twitter.com/callmejiggly/status/1660762183070875651?s=46&t=I39FXC_3djy_bwC-EDjNgA

‘Padam Padam’ has also already been proudly claimed by the day one Kylie fans.

More than anything, though, ‘Padam Padam’ is having a moment just for being a pure dance floor banger.

“Kylie Minogue saving pop music once again,” someone wrote. “i just think padam padam,” another tweeted. Same.

https://twitter.com/fkajack/status/1660321603392098304?s=46&t=I39FXC_3djy_bwC-EDjNgA
https://twitter.com/getwellsoongeri/status/1661795103789154304?s=46&t=I39FXC_3djy_bwC-EDjNgA
https://twitter.com/ste_tonks/status/1661408954935648265?s=46&t=I39FXC_3djy_bwC-EDjNgA

Tension will be the singer’s first album since 2020’s Disco, with a press release describing the new album as “a record of pleasure-seeking, empowered dance floor bangers and sultry pop cuts”.