Famous concept album, The Black Parade by American alternative rock band, My Chemical Romance depicts themes of loss, depression, and suicidality through the lens of a young cancer patient. Released in 2006,  it delves into the multitude of emotional experiences on such a difficult personal journey, often empathizing with and even inspiring the listener.

The final ‘proper’ track on this album, “Famous Last Words” not only speaks to the patient’s hardship, but found resolve to keep pushing forward. Sung by frontman Gerard Way, the patient expresses the pain and difficulty of his life that has him exhausted and drained.

A life that’s so demanding

I get so weak

However, he goes on to sing that out of all of this suffering he has found a shred of hope, and that hope is worth going on for. 

I am not afraid to keep on living

I am not afraid to walk this world alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bbTtPL1jRs (Youtube)

https://open.spotify.com/track/2d6m2F4I7wCuAKtSsdhh83?autoplay=true (Spotify)

The song conveys how even alone, whether in actuality or in feeling, you can make it through dark and lonely times, if you allow yourself to have a bit of hope. In doing so it can feel like company or hope itself to the listener.

Image Credit: Marc-Olivier Jodoin on unsplash