Everything’s better live. In the case of My Chemical Romance, that statement is truer than most, whose immersive storytelling, blistering energy, and massive production scale make every performance a spectacle. When the emo veterans made their legendary return at the end of 2019 at the Shrine in LA — their first show since 2012 — it was only the beginning of something deeper, with the band launching a full-scale reunion tour that dovetailed into a celebration of 2006’s The Black Parade. Given that they’re in the midst of that anniversary tour, we wanted to know what our readers think are the best My Chemical Romance live songs, of any era. Find the top fan picks ranked below.
Read more: My Chemical Romance: The Danger Days interview
5. “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”
I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love hinted at MCR’s storytelling abilities, but its follow-up, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, made them explode as emo had its mainstream moment. As the lead single, “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” was a misfit anthem from the start, bleeding with intention, teenage angst, and enough energy to fuel a hundred mosh pits. Live, the track became even more powerful — and such an emotional release for both the band and fans that they’ve played it hundreds of times. See for yourself below, straight from their Danger Days era.
4. “Helena”
As Gerard Way told AP back in 2004, “The death of my grandmother changed everything. I had this huge concept record worked out. That happened in November, when we were coming really close to finishing up writing… Basically everything I apply to this band, I got from her. So when that happened, I was like, ‘Fuck. Oh, God. How am I going to deal with this story? Does it even matter anymore? Is it just fucking pretentious? Is it bullshit?’ And then I came to grips with it and said, ‘Fuck it. I’m going to write the songs that I want.’” The result was “Helena,” whose live renditions remain potent, whether that’s on an arena stage or stripped back.
3. “Sleep”
The Black Parade was partially conceived at The Paramour — a notoriously haunted mansion in Silver Lake. Doors slammed and opened on their own, and the mood was disastrously eerie, resulting in some pretty dark moments. “Sleep” came from the frequent night terrors that Way had while staying at the house, recounting at the beginning that it felt like someone was gripping his throat. On their recent tour and beyond, they’ve translated that fear into a setlist high, building it into an experience filled with massive guitars, dramatic piano, and Way’s soaring cries. It’s a moment for everyone to lose themselves.
2. “Famous Last Words”
As the closing track to The Black Parade, “Famous Last Words” is packed with energy and a vow to carry on. As Way sings in its anthemic chorus, “I am not afraid to keep on living/I am not afraid to walk this world alone.” Quickly, it became a mantra that fans screamed back at them, made even more intense by pyro-heavy moments that match its immortal video. No matter the era, the band give that song their all, whether that’s during The Black Parade Is Dead! or at Reading Festival in 2011, right in the midst of their Danger Days.
1. “Mama”
Hands down, fans voted The Black Parade’s “Mama” as My Chemical Romance’s greatest live song — especially as of late. A song about the Patient and his mother’s complex relationship turns into all-out theater that you can’t look away from, brimming with dark vaudeville, pyrotechnics (to the point where a man burns onstage), and tension that reminds you of everything this band can be. Way’s ad-libbing takes the song over the top. “Mama” is a high point of the set for a reason.
