Famous Last Words (My Chemical Romance song)
Encyclopedia
"Famous Last Words" is a song by the American alternative rock
band My Chemical Romance
. It was released as the band's second single
on January 22, 2007 from their third studio album, The Black Parade
. It is also the band's ninth overall single. The music video premiered on December 12, 2006 on MTV2
and on December 13, 2006 on the Much Music program, and on MuchOnDemand
in Canada
.
In the United Kingdom and other territories, the single was released as a two-part square shaped vinyl picture disc. Part one came in a gatefold stickered clear sleeve, with a space to 'slot' part two into.
on the January 11 episode of Total Request Live
, and debuted on the countdown the following Tuesday at #5, the band's highest TRL debut for a video. It went onto become their third #1 video on the countdown (following "Helena
" and "The Ghost of You
"). On March 26, 2007 the video retired at #5 on TRL. On March 12, 2007, they performed this song on The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno
. It was made available for download for the Xbox 360's Guitar Hero II
game on August 15, 2007, along with "Teenagers
", and "This Is How I Disappear", adding to their song shipped with the game, "Dead!".
and was filmed before the band had even named the song. The music video shows the Black Parade float that My Chemical Romance
were performing on in "Welcome to the Black Parade
" burning, while looking like it has been through a substantial amount of wear and tear. The rest of the background is scattered with burning props from the video of "Welcome to the Black Parade", and fire is seen all around. All of the followers of The Black Parade have abandoned the band, and the band seems to be in a desperate state. Gerard Way
looks particularly rough, and he appears to look like he is dying or is very ill because of the make-up he is wearing, especially around his eyes. This make-up is similar to that worn by "The Patient" in the "Welcome to the Black Parade" video, albeit without the hospital gown. He also adopts a wide eyed, insane-looking facial expression. In some parts of the video, he can be seen wearing a skull-designed mask. The band's 'condition' gets worse as the song goes on until the band revert to thrashing around in the dirt while performing. Although this video was a fairly basic concept compared to past videos, it is regarded by fans as by far the darkest video the band has created. In an interview for the music video, Gerard Way
says that it was written at "the darkest period in this band's career. "A shortened edit of the song is used in the video with one bridge and two chorus repeats removed. The instrumentals at the end of the song are continued in the video with a sustained guitar chord accompanying the last few vocal lines, whereas, in the album version, they were faded out by engineer Chris Lord-Alge
until only lead singer Gerard Way
's voice, as well as a harmony of other band members can be heard along with a backing of soft organ chords. At the end of the video, the float from the "Welcome to the Black Parade
" video is seen burning. The band drops their instruments and runaway from the fire.
In the shooting, band member Bob Bryar sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns on the back of his calves while shooting the video, yet persisted in staying till the recording was finished. (This later resulted in gangrene
.) Other injuries include Gerard tearing muscle in his lower leg and foot (caused by Frank Iero tackling him when he was in a power slide-like kneeling position), which left him in a hospital for several days. Gerard recalls that during the filming they were all "mortified" from the engulfing flames surrounding the set. After the stay in the hospital, the doctors refused to let them perform in San Diego as the band originally planned.
The video premiered in the United States
on Total Request Live
on January 11, 2007. On January 24, 2007, the video reached the #1 spot on TRL, and spent nine days at the top of the countdown, before becoming the band's first video to retire on the countdown, on March 26, 2007. The U.S. version of the video is mostly the same as the version first seen in the UK, the only difference being that it completely cuts out Bryar's incident with the heat at the end of the video. This version has started to air on British television, or at least on the music channel Scuzz TV, and Kerrang! TV
. The video has also been viewed more than 50 million times on YouTube. As of January 19, it is the fourth most-viewed clip in the "music" section (behind such videos as "Girlfriend
", by Avril Lavigne
and the band's video for "Teenagers
"), and the 7th most-viewed clip on the entire site.
, singer Gerard Way was quoted as saying, "At first I thought [the patient died], but the more I think about it, the more I think he's not dead. Maybe this is all in his head. Maybe he can fight. Now I think he has a choice to live." The song's meaning is generally open to interpretation, as said before, because its lyrics never really tell one way or the other whether the patient dies. Ray Toro (the lead guitarist) said this is his favorite song on the album because it leaves you with a little hope.
version of Guitar Hero II
, along with "Teenagers
" and "This Is How I Disappear".
The music videos for "Welcome to the Black Parade
" and "Famous Last Words" were filmed back to back. Both were filmed in Downey, California
. Originally, MCR dubbed the second video as a "secret" that they couldn't reveal yet. It was later announced that the "secret" second video
from the new My Chemical Romance album The Black Parade
would be "Famous Last Words", directed by Samuel Bayer
, the same director that worked on "Welcome to the Black Parade
". When the video was being filmed, the band still hadn't decided on the song title. This is the video that caused vocalist Gerard Way
and drummer Bob Bryar to sustain severe injuries. Bryar received a 3rd degree burn
to the leg which subsequently turned into a staph infection
, and Way tore all of the ligaments in his foot when Frank Iero
decided to repeat the rawness of the old underground days, and tackled him to the ground. The aftermath of these injuries forced the band to cancel a handful of their 2006 dates.
on downloads alone on January 14, 2007. It was physically released as a single on January 22. It climbed to #38 in its second week, still on downloads. "Famous Last Words" marked My Chemical Romance's second Top 10 hit in the UK, reaching #8. On January 24, 2007, the video for "Famous Last Words" reached the #1 spot on TRL after a seven day climb to the top from their debut at #5. In early February, the song debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
at number 93 before reaching its peak at number 88."
Version 1 (promotional CD)
Version 2 (CD and 7" vinyl)
Version 3 (7" vinyl)
Version 4 (CD)
Version 5 (digital download)
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
. It was released as the band's second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on January 22, 2007 from their third studio album, The Black Parade
The Black Parade
The Black Parade is the third studio album by American rock band My Chemical Romance. Released on October 23, 2006 through Reprise Records, it was produced by Rob Cavallo, who has also produced albums for Green Day. The album is the first on which Bob Bryar plays drums. It is a rock opera centering...
. It is also the band's ninth overall single. The music video premiered on December 12, 2006 on MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
and on December 13, 2006 on the Much Music program, and on MuchOnDemand
MuchOnDemand
MuchOnDemand was an hour-long per broadcast viewer interactive television program aired on MuchMusic, Monday through Friday at 5pm ET. It was broadcast live from the Much broadcasting studio on 299 Queen Street West in Toronto. The Best of MuchOnDemand, aired Sundays at 10am ET, highlighting the...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
In the United Kingdom and other territories, the single was released as a two-part square shaped vinyl picture disc. Part one came in a gatefold stickered clear sleeve, with a space to 'slot' part two into.
Promotion
The video was officially premiered in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on the January 11 episode of Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
, and debuted on the countdown the following Tuesday at #5, the band's highest TRL debut for a video. It went onto become their third #1 video on the countdown (following "Helena
Helena (song)
"Helena" is a song by American rock band My Chemical Romance, and is the third single from their second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge...
" and "The Ghost of You
The Ghost of You
"The Ghost of You" is the fourth and final single and sixth track from My Chemical Romance's second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. The song deals with the fear of loss. The song also crossfades into "The Jetset Life is Gonna Kill You". This song is the band's seventh overall single...
"). On March 26, 2007 the video retired at #5 on TRL. On March 12, 2007, they performed this song on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
with Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
. It was made available for download for the Xbox 360's Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero II is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by RedOctane. It is the second installment in the Guitar Hero series and is the sequel to Guitar Hero...
game on August 15, 2007, along with "Teenagers
Teenagers (song)
"Teenagers" is the fourth single and the eleventh track from My Chemical Romance's third studio album, The Black Parade. It is the third U.S. single from the album, but it is the fourth single released in the UK, the Philippines, Australia and Canada...
", and "This Is How I Disappear", adding to their song shipped with the game, "Dead!".
Music video
The official video for Famous Last Words was directed by Samuel BayerSamuel Bayer
Samuel David Bayer is an American commercial, music video and film director, and cinematographer.-Early life:Bayer was born in Syracuse, New York...
and was filmed before the band had even named the song. The music video shows the Black Parade float that My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
were performing on in "Welcome to the Black Parade
Welcome to the Black Parade
"Welcome to the Black Parade" is the first single and fifth track from My Chemical Romance's third studio album, The Black Parade. It was released on September 11, 2006 on iTunes and October 9, 2006 on CD. It is the band's eighth single...
" burning, while looking like it has been through a substantial amount of wear and tear. The rest of the background is scattered with burning props from the video of "Welcome to the Black Parade", and fire is seen all around. All of the followers of The Black Parade have abandoned the band, and the band seems to be in a desperate state. Gerard Way
Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way is an American musician and comic book writer who has served as lead vocalist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance since its formation in 2001...
looks particularly rough, and he appears to look like he is dying or is very ill because of the make-up he is wearing, especially around his eyes. This make-up is similar to that worn by "The Patient" in the "Welcome to the Black Parade" video, albeit without the hospital gown. He also adopts a wide eyed, insane-looking facial expression. In some parts of the video, he can be seen wearing a skull-designed mask. The band's 'condition' gets worse as the song goes on until the band revert to thrashing around in the dirt while performing. Although this video was a fairly basic concept compared to past videos, it is regarded by fans as by far the darkest video the band has created. In an interview for the music video, Gerard Way
Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way is an American musician and comic book writer who has served as lead vocalist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance since its formation in 2001...
says that it was written at "the darkest period in this band's career. "A shortened edit of the song is used in the video with one bridge and two chorus repeats removed. The instrumentals at the end of the song are continued in the video with a sustained guitar chord accompanying the last few vocal lines, whereas, in the album version, they were faded out by engineer Chris Lord-Alge
Chris Lord-Alge
Chris Lord-Alge is a mixer who has worked on various albums. He is the brother of Tom Lord-Alge, another audio engineer. Chris Lord-Alge is known for his extreme use of dynamic range compression in both hardware and software plug-in versions....
until only lead singer Gerard Way
Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way is an American musician and comic book writer who has served as lead vocalist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance since its formation in 2001...
's voice, as well as a harmony of other band members can be heard along with a backing of soft organ chords. At the end of the video, the float from the "Welcome to the Black Parade
Welcome to the Black Parade
"Welcome to the Black Parade" is the first single and fifth track from My Chemical Romance's third studio album, The Black Parade. It was released on September 11, 2006 on iTunes and October 9, 2006 on CD. It is the band's eighth single...
" video is seen burning. The band drops their instruments and runaway from the fire.
In the shooting, band member Bob Bryar sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns on the back of his calves while shooting the video, yet persisted in staying till the recording was finished. (This later resulted in gangrene
Gangrene
Gangrene is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises when a considerable mass of body tissue dies . This may occur after an injury or infection, or in people suffering from any chronic health problem affecting blood circulation. The primary cause of gangrene is reduced blood...
.) Other injuries include Gerard tearing muscle in his lower leg and foot (caused by Frank Iero tackling him when he was in a power slide-like kneeling position), which left him in a hospital for several days. Gerard recalls that during the filming they were all "mortified" from the engulfing flames surrounding the set. After the stay in the hospital, the doctors refused to let them perform in San Diego as the band originally planned.
The video premiered in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
on January 11, 2007. On January 24, 2007, the video reached the #1 spot on TRL, and spent nine days at the top of the countdown, before becoming the band's first video to retire on the countdown, on March 26, 2007. The U.S. version of the video is mostly the same as the version first seen in the UK, the only difference being that it completely cuts out Bryar's incident with the heat at the end of the video. This version has started to air on British television, or at least on the music channel Scuzz TV, and Kerrang! TV
Kerrang! TV
Kerrang! TV is a digital television station owned by Box Television, which is loosely connected to the magazine, Kerrang!. As of 2005, all of its programme content is music videos, the majority of which is open scheduled, for text requests from their playlist....
. The video has also been viewed more than 50 million times on YouTube. As of January 19, it is the fourth most-viewed clip in the "music" section (behind such videos as "Girlfriend
Girlfriend (Avril Lavigne song)
"Girlfriend" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne. The song was written by Lavigne with her producer Dr. Luke for Lavigne's third studio album, The Best Damn Thing . "Girlfriend" was released as the lead single from The Best Damn Thing on 27 February 2007...
", by Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
and the band's video for "Teenagers
Teenagers (song)
"Teenagers" is the fourth single and the eleventh track from My Chemical Romance's third studio album, The Black Parade. It is the third U.S. single from the album, but it is the fourth single released in the UK, the Philippines, Australia and Canada...
"), and the 7th most-viewed clip on the entire site.
Meaning
In an interview with The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, singer Gerard Way was quoted as saying, "At first I thought [the patient died], but the more I think about it, the more I think he's not dead. Maybe this is all in his head. Maybe he can fight. Now I think he has a choice to live." The song's meaning is generally open to interpretation, as said before, because its lyrics never really tell one way or the other whether the patient dies. Ray Toro (the lead guitarist) said this is his favorite song on the album because it leaves you with a little hope.
Overview
The song was recently used for a commercial HBO's upcoming season and was featured in a downloadable track pack for the Xbox 360Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version of Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero II is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by RedOctane. It is the second installment in the Guitar Hero series and is the sequel to Guitar Hero...
, along with "Teenagers
Teenagers (song)
"Teenagers" is the fourth single and the eleventh track from My Chemical Romance's third studio album, The Black Parade. It is the third U.S. single from the album, but it is the fourth single released in the UK, the Philippines, Australia and Canada...
" and "This Is How I Disappear".
The music videos for "Welcome to the Black Parade
Welcome to the Black Parade
"Welcome to the Black Parade" is the first single and fifth track from My Chemical Romance's third studio album, The Black Parade. It was released on September 11, 2006 on iTunes and October 9, 2006 on CD. It is the band's eighth single...
" and "Famous Last Words" were filmed back to back. Both were filmed in Downey, California
Downey, California
Downey is a city located in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city is best known as the birthplace of the Apollo space program, and is the city where folk singer Karen Carpenter lived and died...
. Originally, MCR dubbed the second video as a "secret" that they couldn't reveal yet. It was later announced that the "secret" second video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
from the new My Chemical Romance album The Black Parade
The Black Parade
The Black Parade is the third studio album by American rock band My Chemical Romance. Released on October 23, 2006 through Reprise Records, it was produced by Rob Cavallo, who has also produced albums for Green Day. The album is the first on which Bob Bryar plays drums. It is a rock opera centering...
would be "Famous Last Words", directed by Samuel Bayer
Samuel Bayer
Samuel David Bayer is an American commercial, music video and film director, and cinematographer.-Early life:Bayer was born in Syracuse, New York...
, the same director that worked on "Welcome to the Black Parade
Welcome to the Black Parade
"Welcome to the Black Parade" is the first single and fifth track from My Chemical Romance's third studio album, The Black Parade. It was released on September 11, 2006 on iTunes and October 9, 2006 on CD. It is the band's eighth single...
". When the video was being filmed, the band still hadn't decided on the song title. This is the video that caused vocalist Gerard Way
Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way is an American musician and comic book writer who has served as lead vocalist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance since its formation in 2001...
and drummer Bob Bryar to sustain severe injuries. Bryar received a 3rd degree burn
Burn (injury)
A burn is a type of injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction. Most burns affect only the skin . Rarely, deeper tissues, such as muscle, bone, and blood vessels can also be injured...
to the leg which subsequently turned into a staph infection
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...
, and Way tore all of the ligaments in his foot when Frank Iero
Frank Iero
Frank Anthony Iero Jr is the rhythm guitarist, co-lead guitarist and backup vocalist of the alternative rock band My Chemical Romance as well as the vocalist of the post-hardcore band Leathermouth.-Early life:...
decided to repeat the rawness of the old underground days, and tackled him to the ground. The aftermath of these injuries forced the band to cancel a handful of their 2006 dates.
Charts
"Famous Last Words" debuted at #68 on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
on downloads alone on January 14, 2007. It was physically released as a single on January 22. It climbed to #38 in its second week, still on downloads. "Famous Last Words" marked My Chemical Romance's second Top 10 hit in the UK, reaching #8. On January 24, 2007, the video for "Famous Last Words" reached the #1 spot on TRL after a seven day climb to the top from their debut at #5. In early February, the song debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 93 before reaching its peak at number 88."
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
20 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 57 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
52 |
| Czech Singles Chart | 84 |
| European Hot 100 | 30 |
| German Singles Chart | 68 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 30 |
| RIANZ Singles Chart | 6 |
| Norway Singles Top 20 | 11 |
| Sweden Singles Chart | 37 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
8 |
| UK Rock Chart UK Rock Chart The UK Rock Chart usually refers to the Top 40 Rock Singles and the Top 40 Rock Albums Chart compiled by the Official Charts Company from physical record sales in British retail outlets with larger than average genrespecific sales.... |
1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
88 |
| US Billboard Pop 100 Pop 100 The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009... |
87 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
23 |
| US Billboard Alternative Songs | 4 |
Chart successions
Track listing
- All songs written by My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
.
Version 1 (promotional CD)
Version 2 (CD and 7" vinyl)
Version 3 (7" vinyl)
Version 4 (CD)
Version 5 (digital download)