My Chemical Romance (MCR) just announced the South East Asian leg of their tour and MALAYSIA IS ONE OF THEIR STOPS! Sorry, I’ll (try to) calm down. They’re like one of my favourite bands of all time.
I officially became an MCR fan a few years after they had broken up (post-2013). I had actually started to listen to and vibe with some of their more popular songs while they were still together. Unfortunately, just as I was trying to get into the fandom, they disbanded. I didn’t want to get involved in that chaos, so I decided against it. Eventually, the universe brought me back to them, converting me into a fan (though they weren’t an active band at that time, but I held out hope they’d return—and they did!).
Here are some of my favourite MCR songs, plus the lyrics that resonated with me the most from each song (in no particular order):
Give ‘Em Hell, Kid
Favourite lyric: “Well don’t I look pretty walking down the street in the best damn dress I own?”
When this song comes up on my playlist, I just have to turn it up. The bass in this song is just *chef’s kiss*. The drums, the accompanying guitars, the unhinged vocals. This whole song is a masterpiece. When I hear this song, I get into a whole different headspace. A more confident one. Albeit the sassy lyrics, you can still feel the tinge of sadness and desperation.
I’m Not Okay (I Promise)
Favourite lyric: “You said you read me like a book, but the pages all are torn and frayed”
I actually embodied this song the whole of 2015 (SPM year, my grandpa died, some “disciplinary issues”, just overall a shit year tbh). The amount of times I had to go meet the school counselors that year was crazy, and the one thing I kept saying was “I’m okay” when in reality I was not. Screaming these lyrics out loud really helped me process some of my emotions.
Famous Last Words
Favourite lyric: “I am not afraid to keep on living, I am not afraid to walk this world alone”
Yeah, I know this is a cliché one. At one point, this was my most played song. I used to commute to my previous workplace using public transport, and sometimes, we had to stay late in the office. Taking the LRT after hours is kinda scary because you encounter some weird people. This song gave me the strength to get through it (nope, I’m not exaggerating).
Disenchanted
Favourite lyric: “You’re just a sad song with nothing to say”
Well, my favourite lyric just about explains this song. A sad song with nothing to say. Except there’s just so much that people can interpret from it. To me, I see it as an anthem of disenchantment. When you’ve lost the spark that once made you adore something. I’m sure everyone has something that was a lowkey obsession, but once the rose-coloured glasses came off, the magic was gone too.
Thank You For The Venom
Favourite lyric: “You’ll never make me leave, I wear this on my sleeve; Give me a reason to believe”
The song starts with “Sister…” and only gets better from there. The instrumentals, especially the guitar riffs, are AMAZING. If I’m ever in the mood to scream my lungs out, this is my go-to song. You can feel the pain in Gerard’s voice when he belts the lyrics. I just channel that and let my ugly wailing express my emotions.
You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us in Prison
Favourite lyric: “But nobody cares if you’re losing yourself; Am I losing myself?”
This song sounds both playful and serious at the same time. I love turning this song up whenever I’m driving because it’s a fun listen (not as fun to listen to in a traffic jam though). The range Gerard sings in is CRAZY. That cute little giggle at the end is everything to me.
I Don’t Love You
Favourite lyric: “Well, when you go, don’t ever think I’ll make you try to stay”
This song always makes me yearn for the lover I never had. There was once a time where this song was my karaoke go-to. It was fun to cursive sing while whining about the loss of love I felt for my “lover”. Especially the final bridge: “Would you have the GUTS to say” where the word guts actually felt like a punch in your gut. The music video is so poetic too, in black and white. All of them look so beautiful.
The Sharpest Lives
Favourite lyric: “If it looks like I’m laughing, I’m really just askin’ to leave”
First of all, I appreciate a good word play. Calling reckless existence “the sharpest lives” is insane (in a good way). This song has a lot more interesting lyrics too. Plus, as someone who tries to live life to the fullest, I understand that there’s a very fine line between having no regrets and living irresponsibly.
Dead!
Favourite lyric: “If life ain’t just a joke, then why are we laughing?”
I absolutely love this banger! This is one of my favourites from My Chemical Romance, mainly because it pokes fun at death. I really got into the fandom right about the time my grandpa passed away, and this song helped me process my grief a little bit. The upbeat tempo also adds to the playful feel of this song.
This is How I Disappear
Favourite lyric: “Can you hear me cry out to you? Words I thought I’d choke on, figure out”
I know that this song may sound like a needy person’s anthem, but hear me out. Ever have those moments where people you care so much about don’t seem to have the same amount of sentiment for you? This song, to me, clearly depicts that situation. It’s the feeling of disappearing from that person’s life. Or maybe it’s just me because I’ve been known to accidentally ghost people. Oopsie!
Honourable mention: Welcome to The Black Parade (YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music), our emo Bohemian Rhapsody. That G note triggers something in everyone who ever had an emo phase. Sad that they use a different key during their live shows.
Anyways, let’s hope all of us get to experience these songs in person next April, okay?