Touring worldwide, post-hardcore and pop-punk band My Chemical Romance is bringing their “Long Live the Black Parade” tour to the Alamodome Sept. 12. As one of MCRs self-proclaimed biggest fans and future attendee of the show, I bring to you my top 11 songs from across their discography.
The four main albums are abbreviated as:
I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love – Bullets
Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge – Revenge
The Black Parade – Black Parade
Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys – Danger Days
- Give Em Hell Kid – Revenge Deluxe/Remix Version
Kicking off with a strong bassline, this song is great for when you’re in an angry mood and need to punch some pillows. In the remixed version, there’s overlapping vocals in some parts and it’s a lot grittier than the original. The instruments are clear yet have a scratchy, real feel to it. It’s hard and heavy, perfect for blowing off steam.
- You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison – Revenge
My favorite thing about the song is the backing vocals done by none other than The Used’s very own, Bert McCracken. The song is so fun and heavy at the same time, the fry screams from Bert combined with the overlapping vocals of Gerard, MCRs lead singer, make the song one of my favorites. This song is perfect for sketching drawings of your zombie characters at lunch alone.
- Dead! – Black Parade
An incredibly fun start to their most well-known album, it has such a cool transition from the song before it. This song has my favorite riff by Ray Toro, the lead guitarist. Towards the end, he plays a riff that is meant to sound like laughter, mainly replicating the laughter of the main character from the old cartoon “Woody the Woodpecker”. A good song for the drive home after a local show, when your ears are still ringing and the adrenaline is still flowing.
- : Planetary (GO!) – Danger Days
Warning sirens aren’t a bad thing in this song’s case, it kicks off with electronic sounding sirens and beeps that have hyped up stadiums of people waiting for Gerard’s voice to jump in. It’s upbeat, fast and loud, making it perfect for highway driving in the summer sun.
- Headfirst For Halos – Bullets
A funky and loud song from their first album, it really captures how raw and scratchy they originally were. Bullets is by far their most actually emo sounding album, from the vocals to the heavy instruments, the song is such a fun listen, especially for learning how to fry scream.
- I’m Not Okay (I Promise) – Revenge
An absolute classic I couldn’t bear to leave off the list. People argue that it’s overplayed, but that just goes to show how good it is. It’s popular for a reason. The music video for it is cinematic, and really ties in the theme of revenge. The song itself is so catchy that no matter how many times I hear it, I still put it on repeat. Perfect for throwing a dance party by yourself at 2 a.m.
- Demolition Lovers – Bullets
A bittersweet song, no part is predictable or the same. Listening to the first few seconds then skipping to the middle, you wouldn’t believe you’re listening to the same song. An enchanting voice mixed with the contrasting instrumentals makes this song addicting to listen to on late night drives in the rain.
- Disenchanted – Black Parade
Starting off slow, Disenchanted is a song that was originally going to be scrapped off the album, but after giving it a listen, you’ll be grateful that Mikey Way, the bassist, convinced them to keep it. A soft start to one of the most beautiful songs, it morphs into a heavier but still charming tune. Several lines still stick in my head, it is lyrically genius. “I spent my high school career, spit on and shoved to agree, so I can watch all my heroes sell a car on TV” is one of my top MCR lines of all time. Definitely the song for crying over high school troubles.
- DESTROYA – Danger Days
Arguably one of MCRs most political songs, criticizing the system in a heavy but still upbeat way. DESTROYA is one of the most powerful and loud songs I’ve heard, and listening to live versions where Gerard usually asks “Where are you DESTROYA?” will make you want to get up and scream with them. The lyrics are intense, raw and angry. “If what you are, is just what you own, what have you become, when they take from you, almost everything?” The overlapping vocals that sing different perspectives show the absolute genius of the writing. “I don’t believe in God (you don’t believe in God), I don’t believe in luck (I don’t believe in luck), I don’t believe in you (They don’t believe in us), I just believe we’re the enemy (but I believe we’re the enemy)” Designing protest posters or a battle jacket? This is the song for it.
- Black Dragon Fighting Society – The Mad Gear and Missile Kid EP
A fast-paced, short but super epic song that is meant to describe what the Fabulous Four from the Danger Days album would listen to in their universe. A good beginner song to learn any instrument, I’ve played this song with my bandmates and they loved it. Such a fun run through, not so short that it’s over in a second, but not long enough that it leaves you wanting more.
Honorable Mention 3: Make Room!! – Conventional Weapons Number Four
Fun and upbeat, this song goes with the themes of Danger Days for that colorful and rebellious stage of teen years. A song that’ll make you wanna stand up and shout about what you believe in.
Honorable Mention 2: House Of Wolves – Black Parade
A funky and fun, loud and proud song on the very dark and brooding Black Parade album. Such a good listen for any sort of fast-paced activity.
Honorable Mention 1 The Light Behind Your Eyes – Conventional Weapons Number Three
One of the most heartfelt songs Gerard Way has ever written and sang. The instrumental is beautiful and in a way angelic, the vocals are soft but stern, and overall brings me to tears anytime it comes on. The song for crying over not saying goodbye to someone for the last time.
- The Ghost Of You – Revenge
An absolute array of raw emotion and feelings, a good song for post-breakup blues or missing someone that’s gone. The cries and gutted vocals of the song make it so real and genuine, and the music video doesn’t make it any easier on the soul. Set on D-Day, the video switches between the guys laughing and talking together to them on the beach fighting for their lives, which definitely ties well with the song. The soft starting guitar and bass that eventually turns into heavy instrumental drums and a harder bassline has a perfect transition that goes great with vocals. Lyrics that display regret and sorrow, “You are never coming home, never coming home, could I? Should I? And all the things that you never ever told me, and all the smiles that are ever gonna haunt me… And all the wounds that are ever gonna scar meFor all the ghosts that are never gonna catch me.”
Kate Hall • Apr 27, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Absolute cinema.