Top 10 My Chemical Romance Songs

To kick off our list, we head straight to the front-line. “Mama” is a brutal portrayal of the life of a soldier, the horror of the battlefield and the cruelty of combat. The title is likely a reference to a character in the rock opera The Black Parade, known as ‘Mother War’. With its mini-marching beat and blood-laden lyrics, Gerard Way is rallying his troops against her dark influence. Let’s not forget that Liza Minelli makes a guest vocal appearance as well!

Our pick for number 9 could have been written with war in mind – the “Saving Private Ryan”-esque video certainly seems to suggest so. “The Ghost of You” actually tackles the theme of loss in a more general sense, which can also be applied to much of their entire second album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. The 3-and-a-half minute tune is slow paced but full-on, and has an unforgettable refrain that hits hard and haunts us.

Compared to some of My Chemical Romance’s other songs, the story behind this single is a little easier to figure out: boy meets girl, they fall in love, they fall out of love, and then this happens. The third single from The Black Parade, “I Don’t Love You” is a reminder that there’s more to MCR than punk lyrics and a mosh-pit sound. It’s heartbreak in audio form – and it’s something we all experience, but at least this song can guide us through.

As the first single from their fourth album, “Na Na Na” signals the start of something new for the boys from New Jersey. With the departure of drummer Bob Bryar and increasingly stagnant recording sessions, they were quickly losing drive and direction. This tune put a stop to that by taking the music industry by its vitals and pulling real hard! It’s also able to raise the bar with its simple but unbelievably catchy chorus.

The last track on The Black Parade, this song’s also the last chapter in the story of ‘The Patient,’ who is the album’s main character. He’s made it this far, and this looks to be the end – so here’s his last hurrah. So, does he live? Or, does he die? Does it really matter? “Famous Last Words” is one helluva jam that can turn hard times into happy ones.

“Na Na Na” may’ve set the example, but “SING” is the call to arms. It’s an anthem and a critique - it’s MCR showing that, in music, conformity is a disease! Dismayed by the modern standard, the band goes genre-free and hits us with this punky, dance-y, new-age concoction. Their eventual death in the futuristic video is perhaps a reminder that they’re gonna need help – so don’t make them martyrs to the cause!

When it comes to being emo, this song has got you covered. Paying homage to the high-school reject, “I’m Not Okay” is mostly recollections of Gerard Way’s younger days. Upon its release, My Chemical Romance confirmed themselves as the emo-punk pioneers, lighting the way for the innumerable imitators that followed. More than just a trendsetter though, the single is all-out energy, and lyrically, it’s spot-on!

Having more or less created ‘emo’ with the song that’s our fourth entry, MCR continues to tame the style and also try to break away from it with this track. Angry at modern society’s ‘murder machine’, rather than encourage disillusionment about gun violence, the band makes us see that there is another way! A belter from The Black Parade, it’s a reality check for listeners everywhere - and a wake-up call to the powers that be! More music, less guns!

Written in response to the passing of Gerard and Mikey Way’s grandmother, “Helena” also outlines the concept for the band’s second album. With Gerard singing about the story of a girl and guy, and the death that breaks them apart, we find love and loss as its key themes. Drawing upon the brevity of life, it’s the signature closing track at an MCR show and a haunting tune that’ll surely stick with you.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It’s a Fucking Deathwish” Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (2004)
- “Dead!” The Black Parade (2006)
- “Headfirst for Halos” I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002)
- “You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison” Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)
- “Cancer” The Black Parade (2006)

One of the most ambitious projects the band has ever undertaken, “Welcome to the Black Parade” became their first and only top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Concerned, once again, with the crossover between living and dying, the song details the passing of ‘The Patient’ and his acceptance into the ‘Parade’ of Death. It’s an image-rethink, an instrumental master-class, and a stand-alone achievement in music. Though none of us is immortal, this track very well could be.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favourite MCR song? For more rock ‘n’ roll Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.