My Chemical Romance

Lyrics

[Intro]
Yeah
[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 1]
And if your heart stops beating
I'll be here wondering
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

[Pre-Chorus]
And if you get to Heaven
I'll be here waiting, babe
Did you get what you deserve?
The end, and if your life won't wait
Then your heart can't take this

[Chorus]
Have you heard the news that you're dead?
No one ever had much nice to say
I think they never liked you anyway
Oh, take me from the hospital bed
Wouldn't it be grand? It ain't exactly what you planned
And wouldn't it be great if we were dead?
[Post-Chorus]
Oh, dead

[Verse 2]
Tongue-tied and oh, so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

[Pre-Chorus]
And if you get to Heaven
I'll be here waiting, babe
Did you get what you deserve?
The end, and if your life won't wait
Then your heart can't take this

[Chorus]
Have you heard the news that you're dead?
No one ever had much nice to say
I think they never liked you anyway
Oh, take me from the hospital bed
Wouldn't it be grand to take a pistol by the hand?
And wouldn't it be great if we were dead?

[Bridge]
And in my honest observation, during this operation
Found a complication in your heart, so long
'Cause now you've got
Maybe just two weeks to live
Is that the most the both of you can give?
[Guitar Solo]

[Breakdown]
One, two, one, two, three, four
La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, well, come on
La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, oh, motherfucker

[Outro]
(La la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la)
If life ain't just a joke, then why are we laughing?
(La la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la)
If life ain't just a joke, then why are we laughing?
(La la la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la)
If life ain't just a joke, then why are we laughing?
(La, la, la, la, la, la, la)
If life ain't just a joke, then why am I dead?
Dead

My Chemical Romance has been a band known for their dark and theatrical style since their formation back in 2001.

Dead! is one of the songs included in their album called “The Black Parade,” which was released in 2006. As the second song in the album, it sets the stage for the record’s journey, as it introduces the listener to the main character, The Patient, who is struggling with cancer, and the doctor, who is trying to save his life. Dead! sets up the rest of the album to be the final two weeks of The Patient's life.

About Dead!

What makes Dead! a standout song is the way Gerry Way, My Chemical Romance's lead singer, intricately weaves several roles into one song. In Dead!, he takes on the roles of Mother War, The Patient, and the doctor in the first two verses. The character of Mother War is introduced to the listener as the character who will take the patient’s life, while the doctor tries to save him. The Patient himself then enters the song in the chorus, declaring that he will not give up. This sets up the character's arc through the rest of the album. He is determined to not give up and continues fighting through his illness.

The band's musical style in Dead! is powerful, with fast-paced guitars and drums that drive the song and lyrics that transition smoothly between the different characters. The chorus features the line "Hey, hey, give it all a moment / Try to brush it off," which reflects the message of the song: no matter how hard the struggle is, it's important to keep fighting, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Dead! showcases My Chemical Romance's creative storytelling abilities while underscoring the band's ability to deliver stylistically impressive, punchy rock tracks. The band's unique ability to incorporate several roles into a single song distinguishes them from the rest of the rock genre, and their diverse musical style adds an extra layer of interest for their listeners.

In addition to its meaningful lyrics, Dead! is an excellent musical composition that highlights their punk-rock roots. It has all the elements of a classic My Chemical Romance song- catchy hooks, dramatic and impassioned vocals, and intricate guitar riffs that entice the listener into a theatrical feast. It’s no wonder that it became one of the band's most beloved songs, even to this day.

Wrapping Up

Dead! is a perfect example of My Chemical Romance's ability to weave together several storylines into a single song while still delivering a powerful message through their lyrics. The instrumentation and vocals in this track remain top-notch, representing all of the band's hallmarks. It's no wonder that the song has gained a loyal following over the years as a fan favorite.

• Release Date: October 23, 2006
• Artist: My Chemical Romance