So I finally got around to replying to everyone’s comments. For some people, it’s been a few months, um. Sorry?
This post has been sitting in my drafts folder for a while. I know it’s so stereotypical, and completely unoriginal, but I kind of love My Chemical Romance’s music, because I think Gerard Way can totally save my life. It’s not so much a secret that I’m slightly screwed up, and music is about the only thing left that I truly find pleasure in.
In the past, I’ve scoffed at MCR; thought that they were emo, punk wannabes, etc etc. To be perfectly honestly, this was purely due to ignorance on my part. I knew of them, but never really gave them any thought. Then, through the gateway drug that is Panic at the Disco, I discovered MCR in bandslash. It sort of gives me the creeps a little that these are real people, so I try not to think about it. And I didn’t want to know about the real people, for the same reason.
Eventually though, I got my hands on the albums: Three Cheers… and The Black Parade. First, I liked maybe 2 songs, so the albums went back to the depths of my iTunes folder. Then, around February/March time, I hit my low, and all I could think about was how crap everything was. Somehow, it occured to me that hey, The Black Parade! All death and depressing things! With my tendency to wallow instead of trying to make myself feel better, I put the album on repeat and fully intended to never feel good again.
Surprisingly, I liked it. Surprisingly, it meant things to me. My initial reaction was: fuck, what is this? Then I thought, if this is emo, I don’t particularly care any more. MCR’s lyrics to me are about growing up, about facing life and all the shit that it throws at you. About not letting it swamp you and take you over. We’re here, and we may not be so happy about it, but we should do everything we can to make it a good place, and live. Living is important.
I’d always laughed at the idea of Gerard Way saving lives, but now I’m all for it. Okay, so, he’s not the only reason why I managed an up slope for a while there, but he definitely contributed. Good music is music that can make me feel, that changes me when I listen to it. The Black Parade certainly changed me. What an album. What a band!
I promise that I’m about to write something (relatively) meaningful, but first: *flails because Gerard Way totally saves lives*
I love MCR. It’s weird, because I used to think that they were just kind of weird and I really didn’t have time for them. “Their music is too sad” was my main concern. But this year, it seriously was a main component of me holding all my shit together.
You said in your comment that you suffer from depression? Yeah, I feel you. People don’t take it seriously enough here either. Like, a while ago (well, Saturday to be honest), I hit an all time low. And the one friend I thought I could trust was basically like “Deal with it.” Wow. Your support is overwhelming. BUt music helps, it helps a lot. Especially music that means something. My favorite feeling is that feeling I get when I listen to a really powerful song: I want to cry and laugh and run and fall over all at the same time!
Anyway, since this post is about MCR, my favorite thing about them is the fact that the music is like “Are you sad? Well, that’s ok, just don’t ever give up.” That’s the message I need to hear the most I guess.
Speaking of, have you heard Bullets? I love Three Cheers and The Black Pararde (two of the few albums I can play straight through), but I’m still up in the air about Bullets. It’s a lot more raw, but it does have some beautiful tracks.
I hope you feel ok, if not The Black Parade can only sound better the billionth time. ;D
By: yayasita on July 9, 2008
at 7:44 am
I get what you mean about good music! A good song to me is one that changes you a little, gives a little bit of the band to the listener, you know?
I have special pick-me-up music that I play on repeat when I’m feeling down, like Stars and Bowie, and that can totally get me through the day.
I have to admit, I’ve not managed to get my hands on Bullets; not really seen it around. I went out and picked up ‘The Black Parade is Dead!’ today, and let me tell you, it’s seriously awesome. My face is all
right now.
By: xinsui on July 10, 2008
at 10:06 pm