My Chemical Romance, Cancer | FIERCE Pop + Rock

In the 24th edition of FIERCE Pop + Rock , we highlight “Cancer” performed by My Chemcal Romance.

Bring on the bold, FIERCE tracks! FIERCE Pop + Rock provides background information and insight into pop, rock, and metal songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 24th edition of FIERCE Pop + Rock (2023), we explore “Cancer” performed by My Chemical Romance. 

via GIPHY

“If you could get me a drink / Of water ‘cause my lips are chapped and faded.” Of course, of course – that is not asking much. “Call my Aunt Marie / Help her gather all my things / And bury me in all my favorite colors.” Um, bury? Uh-oh – this is getting morbid! “Cancer” is one of the best songs by My Chemical Romance.  Arguably, it is the crowning achievement of their conceptual, 2006 album, The Black Parade. Sometimes, the best songs are sad like “Cancer,” which finds Gerard Way portraying a character who is diagnosed with cancer .  The patient understands his cancer is terminal –  his death sentence.  That is incredibly tough to cope with.

“Cancer” is filled with pain, which the listener perceives from Way’s assertive performance as well as the dramatic lyrics.  The lyrics don’t sugarcoat the experience – they keep it by all means.  In the second verse, the patient sings, “Now turn away / Cause I’m awful just to see / Cause all my hairs abandoned all my body / Oh, my agony / Know that I will never marry / Baby, I’m just soggy from the chemo.” After reading some annotations of this song, specifically regarding the second verse, it is notable that the patient shows some legit disappointment and sadness about his lot before blaming that vulnerable moment on chemotherapy. “But counting down the days to go / It just ain’t living,” the patient – well Way – sings in the chorus.  Also, fittingly, he adds, in his goodbye message, “‘Cause the hardest part of this is leaving you.” #Fuck Cancer feels appropriate here.

Appears in :  

• Simply Morbid: 16 Songs Referencing Various Causes of Death (2017) 

My Chemical Romance • The Black Parade • Reprise • 2006 

My Chemical Romance, “Cancer”: FIERCE Pop + Rock No. 24 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Conna Lee, Madelin Berry, anna-m. w., Johan Duran, RODNAE Productions via Pexels; Pete Linforth via Pixabay]