The Black Parade is the third studio album by the American band My Chemical Romance. The album was released in October of 2006 and earned the band their first number-one single in the UK with “Welcome to the Black Parade.” The Black Parade is a rock opera that revolves around the central character known as “The Patient,” who has cancer. The album tells the story of his death, his experiences in the afterlife and his life reflections. This album has many interpretations of the storyline so, understandings differ from listener to listener.

“We wanted ‘The End’ to make you feel like you were about to be taken on a journey.” – Gerard Way (2006)

In my interpretation, the album begins with the death of The Patient and follows his journey to the afterlife. The Patient dies during the first two songs on the album “The End.” and “Dead!”. “The End” starts with a heart monitor beeping, and “Dead!” begins with the sound of the machine flatlining. “Welcome to the Black Parade” is The Patient’s experience of dying. Death comes for The Patient in the form of a parade. Lead singer, Gerard Way, believed that you are met by a prominent memory from your life when you die. In the case of The Patient, he is met by a parade he attended as a child. “Welcome to the Black Parade” was the first single released for the album and arguably the most well-known. If you’re ever in need of a song that’ll hype you up, I would recommend “Welcome to the Black Parade.”

“I Don’t Love You” shows The Patient’s fears and regrets as well as all the mistakes he’d made in his life. He sees his past lovers and how terribly he treated them yet, he still doesn’t want to take responsibility for his actions. “House of Wolves” shows The Patient a glimpse of hell. “Cancer” is The Patient’s final realization of what his death means to those who love him, and “Sleep” represents The Patient finally apologizing for the destructive things he did throughout his life.

“Famous Last Words” represents The Patient’s passage into either heaven or hell. The song has many rock-heavy parts leading some to believe he goes to hell. The bridge, however, is peaceful, which leads others to think he goes to heaven.  

There is much debate about where The Patient dies. Some believe it is during “Welcome to the Black Parade,” meaning that “The End” is the initial thought of dying and “Dead!” is him realizing that he is going to die soon. There is also speculation that The Patient decides to fight back and keep living in the song “Famous Last Words.” The song “Blood” begins with a minute and thirty seconds of silence before the lyrics begin. These two songs together have led many to believe that The Patient survives and wakes up in the hospital as the music starts in “Blood.”

In their performances following the album’s release, the band would often dress in matching black marching band outfits. The performances were theatrical, with Gerard Way assuming a character as a member of The Black Parade, which I would have loved to see.

“The intention was to make something that was classic, something timeless.” - Ray Toro (2006)

The Black Parade was a staple during my wannabe-punk phase, and 15 years after its release, it is still being talked about and played.

Listen to MCR talk about The Black Parade

Molly Briggs-Webb

Molly is a student at Algonquin College. She loves writing, travelling and photography.