WhileMy Chemical Romancehas thankfully reunited in recent years, one track from their beloved back catalog is unlikely to make a grand return. This iconic group, led by lead vocalist and songwriter Gerard Way, was one of the defining bands of the 2000s whose pop punk and emo stylings made them one of the most talked-about groups of their era, even if they themselves rejected being labeled emo. With a talent for putting on incredible live shows, MCR has no issue playing their hits, but there’s one track fans will never hear again live.
Following the release of their major label debut,Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge,MCR quickly rose from being an underground alternative rock group into one of the biggest acts on the planet. This success led to the concept albumThe Black Parade, which topped charts all over the world and helped contribute to the loyal and committed fan following they have garnered. With a discography that includes nearly 100 songs, there’s just one cursed track that MCR has banished from their setlist forever.
My Chemical Romance Rarely Play Some Of Their Songs Live
MCR have played some songs hundreds of times and others only a handful of instances
With essential classic songs like “I’m Not Okay” and “Welcome to the Black Parade,” there are some tracks that audiences can be certain they’ll hear at an MCR show. However, those who love moreobscure tracksfrom their lesser-known albums may be disappointed, as there are several songs that the band rarely plays live. Little-known compositions like “Burn Bright” from their collection of previously unreleased tracks,Conventional Weapons,or B-sides such as “My Way Home Is Through You” have rarely found their way into their setlists, although fans may still get lucky with a surprise performance.
MCR’s breakup from 2013 to 2019 meant no shows were being performed during that time.
It may be true that these days, long-time lovers of My Chemical Romance are just happy that the group is performing at all, as MCR’s breakup from 2013 to 2019 meant no shows were being performed during that time. Instead, listeners had to be satisfied with the band’s four studio albums or check out the members' solo work made during the in-between years. WhileMCR’s long-awaited reunionwas a cause for celebration, those hoping to hear a revival of a particular classic track from their debut will be left wanting.
Why MCR Stopped Playing “Drowning Lessons” Live (Was It Cursed?)
In 2014, Gerard Way explained the reason MCR decided to stop playing “Drowning Lessons”
While My Chemical Romance has opted to revive their classic concept album,The Black Parade, for a 2025 concert tour featuring them performing theexciting albumin its entirety, one song from their past unlikely to make a comeback is “Drowning Lessons.” As the fourth track from their debut,I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, “Drowning Lessons” contributed to the album’s story about two murderers in love who are shot down in the desert. Although many MCR fans would love to hear it live,the band last performed the song on June 03, 2025.
Gerard Way also said the track “was also too personal for me to want to sing it live.”
In aReddit AMA, Gerard Way explained that anytime MCR tried to play “Drowning Lessons,” “various stuff would go wrong,” from “starting the song at different times” to “amps and drums breaking.” As if this wasn’t enough to put MCR off playing the song, Way also said the track “was also too personal for me to want to sing it live.” As an essential moment within the conceptual story of theBulletsrecord, it’s sad that fans willnever get to hear it performed, but thankfully, the rest ofMCR’sincredible back catalog more than makes up for this.
