Gerard Way is quoted as saying that he wrote the song after finding himself in a New York subway car full of high schoolers: "That was the first time I felt old...I was nervous and I was a target. I felt like I had become a parent figure or part of the problem."
About the relationship between the song and concerns about gun violence, Way said:
“That song almost didn't fit on the record but it's a topic that's so important to our culture. It's about a really big problem in America where kids are killing kids. The only thing I learned in high school is that people are very violent and territorial.”
This song was #25 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. This song was also #80 on MTV Asia's list of Top 100 Hits of 2007. It uses the beat from the song Bang a Gong (Get It On) by the band T Rex. The single is certified Gold by the RIAA.
Teenagers
My Chemical Romance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all the lies in the books
To make a citizen out of you
Because they sleep with a gun
And keep an eye on you, son
So they can watch all the things you do
Because the drugs never workThey're gonna give you a smirk
'Cause they got methods of keepin' you clean
They gonna rip up your heads
Your aspirations to shreds
Another cog in the murder machine
They said all
Teenagers scare
The living shit out of me
They could care less
As long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me
The boys and girls in the clique
The awful names that they stick
You're never gonna fit in much, kid
But if you're troubled and hurt
What you got under your shirt
Will make them pay for the things that they did
They said all
Teenagers scare
The living shit out of me
As long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me
Oh yeah
They said all
Teenagers scare
The living shit out of me
They could care less
As long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me
All together now
Teenagers scare
The living shit out of me
They could care less
As long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me
Teenagers scare
The living shit out of me
They could care less
As long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes
Or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone
But not me
The lyrics of "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance are about the fears and anxieties that adults have regarding young people. The song starts by addressing the idea that society wants to change young people by using lies and manipulation, so they can become "good citizens." The song continues by discussing how drugs are used on young people to control them from going out of line, and how they are torn down and made into another "cog in the murder machine." The chorus of the song emphasizes how teenagers scare adults because they want to be heard and they have the potential to cause chaos. The song concludes by challenging young people to stand out and make themselves known by expressing themselves.
The track was released in 2006 as a single from the album "The Black Parade." The reason behind making this song was when Gerard Way read about the Columbine High School massacre after performing a show in Denver, it had a profound impact on him. Gerard had wanted to create something raw and honest about how he viewed teenagers and how they are often portrayed as a collective negative stereotype. The song has become an anthem for the misunderstood and rebellious teenagers all over the world with a message that teenagers can create a society that is fair, compassionate and just.
Line by Line Meaning
They're gonna clean up your looks
They intend to transform your appearance
With all the lies in the books
By using deceitful information from books
To make a citizen out of you
To turn you into a law-abiding member of society
Because they sleep with a gun
The people in control are paranoid and dangerous
And keep an eye on you, son
They closely monitor your every move
So they can watch all the things you do
To ensure you follow their rules and regulations
Because the drugs never work
Their methods of control are ineffective
They're gonna give you a smirk
They will mock you for trying to rebel
'Cause they got methods of keepin' you clean
Their means of making you conform are successful
They gonna rip up your heads
They will destroy your thoughts and dreams
Your aspirations to shreds
They will crush any hope or ambition you have
Another cog in the murder machine
You will be just another part of their oppressive system
They said all
It has been proclaimed by the powers that be
Teenagers scare
Adolescents are perceived as a threat
The living shit out of me
They cause great fear and panic
They could care less
The people in control have no regard for anyone's well-being
As long as someone'll bleed
Their only concern is the shedding of blood, even if it's innocent
So darken your clothes
To appear more intimidating
Or strike a violent pose
To give off an aggressive demeanor
Maybe they'll leave you alone
To avoid being targeted by the powerful opposition
But not me
The artist is determined not to be controlled by fear
The boys and girls in the clique
The popular people who ostracize those who are different
The awful names that they stick
They humiliate and bully anyone who doesn't fit in
You're never gonna fit in much, kid
You will never be accepted by them, so don't even try
But if you're troubled and hurt
If you are suffering in any way
What you got under your shirt
If you have a weapon hidden on your person
Will make them pay for the things that they did
You can use it to exact revenge on those who have wronged you
Lyrics © BLOW THE DOORS OFF CHICAGO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Bryar, Frank Iero, Gerard Way, Michael Way, Ray Toro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Proud_earthling_0
"Teenagers scare the living shit out of me"
Best line❤
@evamaria1866
same! also i love ur pfp <3
@Proud_earthling_0
@@evamaria1866 thank youu❤️
@imsoBImyself
yes 😂
@kaushiauchuen7092
Gyatt
@imjsanormalhumany
yes and true
@Honey_Dreamz
"You're never gonna fit in much, kid" I felt that, it's true. I love this song really.
@SusanDouglas-rb1de
same it hi T hang
@Weirdartkid666
True or false for TRUE MCR (My Chemical Romance) fans:
This (Teenagers) is THE BEST song on the album “The Black Parade”
@ROMV443
True, very Much true