Gerard Arthur Way (born April 9, 1977 in Belleville, New Jersey, United Sta… Read Full Bio ↴Gerard Arthur Way (born April 9, 1977 in Belleville, New Jersey, United States) is an American musician and comic book writer who is the lead vocalist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance. He is the executive producer of the band LostAlone's second album I'm a UFO in This City. Way also wrote the comic mini-series The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, and wrote the Eisner Award-winning comic book The Umbrella Academy. His debut solo album Hesitant Alien was released on September 30, 2014 via Reprise Records.

Juarez
Gerard Way Lyrics

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I can't swim, don't rub it in
I'm gonna run a little faster
I can't swim, so plug it in
Me and my heavy metal master

Down and around when the cops come down and
Down and around when the cops come down on you
Jump around to the cop-show sound

Sing death to the crown, man

I can't swim, don't rub it in
I'm gonna run a little faster
I'm breaking
I'm running scared
I'm selling glitter for the plaster
Down and around when the cops come down and
Down and around when the cops come down on you
Jump around to the cop-show sound
Sing death to the crown, man

We got it
You got it, you got it, you got it, you got it, we got it now
I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it now

I can't swim, so plug it in
I'm gonna run a little faster
I can't swim, so plug it in
Me and my heavy, my heavy girl
Down and around when the cops come down and
Down and around when the cops come down on you
Jump around to the cop-show sound
Get straight 'cause I'm down, man

I can't swim

Overall Meaning

At first glance, Gerard Way's song "Juarez" may seem like a nonsensical and disjointed collection of lyrics. However, upon closer examination, the song actually has a deep and powerful meaning. The repeated line "I can't swim, don't rub it in" seems to represent a feeling of inadequacy or helplessness. The singer is unable to do something as basic as swimming and feels that this makes them worthy of ridicule. However, rather than giving up, the singer resolves to "run a little faster" and try harder. The line "plug it in" may also be a metaphor for trying to find some way to power through difficulties, perhaps by turning to music or another activity that provides a sense of energy or purpose.

The next part of the song seems to take on a more political tone, with references to the police and the crown. The singer exclaims "sing death to the crown" and jumps around to the "cop-show sound." This could be interpreted as a call to overthrow oppressive systems and replace them with something new and more just. Again, the repeated line "down and around when the cops come down on you" suggests that the singer is fighting against some kind of injustice.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't swim
I am not capable of staying afloat in water

Don't rub it in
Please do not make me feel worse about my inability to swim

I'm gonna run a little faster
I will try to compensate for my lack of swimming ability by running faster

So plug it in
I will use whatever means necessary to achieve my goals

Me and my heavy metal master
My musical taste is heavy and loud

Down and around when the cops come down and
When authorities arrive, I find myself moving in unexpected patterns

Jump around to the cop-show sound
I react to police presence with frenetic movement, as if mimicking a TV cop show

Sing death to the crown, man
Expressing disillusionment with authority and power, wishing for their downfall

I'm breaking
I am falling apart, losing my grip on my situation and my emotions

I'm running scared
I am paranoid and afraid, constantly on the run from potential danger or consequences

I'm selling glitter for the plaster
I am masking my problems and pain with superficial distractions and illusions of happiness and success