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Helena (My Chemical Romance song)

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"So Long and Good Night" redirects here. For the Flash episode, see So Long and Goodnight.

"Helena"
Single by My Chemical Romance
from the album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
ReleasedMarch 8, 2005 (2005-03-08)
Recorded2004
Genre
Length3:22
Label
Songwriter(s)My Chemical Romance
Producer(s)
My Chemical Romance singles chronology
"Thank You for the Venom"
(2004) 		"Helena"
(2005) 		"Under Pressure"
(2005)
Music video
"Helena" on YouTube
"Helena (Outtake Version)" on YouTube

"Helena" (sometimes titled "Helena (So Long & Goodnight)") is a song by American rock band My Chemical Romance from their second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004). It was released as the albums third single on March 8, 2005. An emo and gothic rock song, the song was created in memory of band members Gerard Way and Mikey Way's grandmother, who died while the band was creating the album. While the song was one of the last on the album to be written, the direction that Gerard Way took the song influenced the rest of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge's tracks. A music video, directed by Marc Webb and filmed at a church in Los Angeles, was also released.

The song and its music video were well received from critics. It was a commercial success, charting in several countries and becoming the bands first major hit on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as reaching number one on the UK Rock & Metal chart. It has since been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, British Phonographic Industry, and Recorded Music NZ. "Helena" is often considered to be the bands breakout hit, a contributor to the commercial success of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, and an influential song on the emo and goth rock music genres. It is among the bands most played songs at live concerts, typically used as an ending song.

Background and release

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While touring in 2003 for their first studio album, My Chemical Romance began writing material for their second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004). By the time the band had concluded the tour in November, a large part of the album was already written, and they had also signed a record deal with Reprise Records to publish their upcoming album.[1] The same day that the band had finished touring, the grandmother of band members Gerard and Mikey Way, whose name was Elena, died. The brothers were heavily impacted by her death, with Gerard being furious over how he was unable to see her one final time.[1] Determined to honor her legacy, Gerard began writing "Helena" in her honor.[2] He stated that he wrote the song with a lot of self-hatred towards himself, for not being there during the last year of his grandmothers life.[2][3]

While "Helena" was one of the latter songs from Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge to be created, the direction that Gerard took the song in influenced how the rest of the album would be produced.[2] He said that "the emotions I went through [when she died] and over the next six days were what completely fuelled Revenge", and that every emotion that someone could cope with loss with was present on the album.[2] The band began recording the album in 2004 after concluding a short, already scheduled tour in the United Kingdom.[4] The album was produced by Howard Benson.[5]

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge was released on June 8, 2004 through Reprise Records;[6] "Helena" is the albums opening song.[7] On streaming services such as iTunes, the songs full title is "Helena (So Long & Goodnight)".[8] It was released onto radio as the albums third single[9] on March 8, 2005, also through Reprise.[10] The song was later included on the bands greatest hits album, May Death Never Stop You, released on March 25, 2014.[11]

Composition and lyrics

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"Helena"
An excerpt of the introduction of "Helena", demonstrating Gerard Way's whispering and the beginning of the main song, which Arielle Gordon compared to a jump scare.[12]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Helena" is an emo[13][14][15][16] and gothic rock[17][18] song. It has also been considered It is 3 minutes and 22 seconds long.[8] It begins with an introduction of just a muffled, reverberating guitar with Gerard Way whispering the songs opening lines.[12] Sixteen seconds later, the song fully begins with what Billboard described as a "captivating raucous" of guitars and drums.[19] Pitchfork compared that moment in the song to a jumpscare.[12] The song is generally fairly fast paced, being sung at "manic speed", though each chorus slows the song down temporarily. Pitchfork described the song as going from "from funereal poise to unbound abandon".[20]

While Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge itself follows a specific narrative, "Helena" is completely separated from the story.[21] As aforementioned, the songs lyrics are about Gerard Way and Mikey Way's deceased grandmother, with a large amount of Gerard's self-hatred being incorporated into the track.[3][2] The song demonstrates this meaning with dark, "edgy" lyrics such as "just like the hearse you die to get in again".[13] Kerrang! believed that the song, alongside its original meaning as a personal song, also could fit as a continuation of a previous song by the band, "Demolition Lovers".[22] Similarly, Variety wrote that the song could also be interpreted as an mournful breakup song.[13]

Commercial performance

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In the United States, "Helena" reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100,[23] and 11 on Alternative Airplay.[24] It was the bands first high-charting song on the Hot 100, and is considered their first commercial success.[18][21] In the United Kingdom, it reached number 1 on the UK Rock & Metal chart,[25] and 20 on the UK singles chart.[26] Elsewhere, the song reached 19 on Scottish Singles and Albums,[27] 27 in New Zealand,[28] 46 in Ireland,[29] 67 in Germany,[30] and 78 in Australia.[31] The song has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America,[32] British Phonographic Industry,[33] and Recorded Music NZ.[28]

Critical reception and legacy

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Upon its release, several reviews for Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge highlighted "Helena" as a standout song on the album.[34][35][36] A staff editor of IGN described "Helena" as a song that "covers every base", featuring every element that one would typically expect out of an emo song.[37] Emily Zemler of Alternative Press stated that Gerard Way's performance on the song was "breathlessly compelling",[38] and Ian Mathers of Stylus highlighted the songs usage as an opening track.[39] In retrospective rankings, "Helena" is often regarded as one of the best songs from My Chemical Romance's discography.[21][40][41][42] Louder's Marianne Eloise and Margaret Farrell of Stereogum both ranked the song as the second best in the bands discography,[21][42] while Loudwire ranked it third[43] and both Billboard and Kerrang! ranked it fourth.[41][42] "Helena" has also been considered one of the best emo songs of all time by Variety and Vulture,[13][16] as well as one of the best gothic rock songs by Rolling Stone and NME.[17][16]

"Helena"'s commercial success is often credited with helping popularize emo music in the 2000s,[18][21][41] and is also considered My Chemical Romance's breakout hit.[18][21] With the popularity of "Helena" and it's music video, My Chemical Romance became one of the most emo bands of the 2000s.[18][21][41] It also contributed to the commercial success of its parent album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, which went on to sell over three million units.[3][44] The song remains My Chemical Romance's second most successful song in the United States, behind "Welcome to the Black Parade".[3] Louder's Marianne Eloise wrote that, while "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" was a more well remembered song from the album, "Helena" was a turning point for the band as their first widespread hit, as well as being a song that changed emo on a commercial level.[21] They further described the song as a "beautiful, mournful track", and one of the most unique from the band.[21] Bryan Reesman of American Songwriter described "Helena" as a song that not only stood out among the rest of My Chemical Romance's discography, but early 2000s rock music as a whole.[3] Aliya Chaudhry of Stereogum wrote that "Helena" and its associated music video were cultural touchstones for emo and pop-punk.[45]

Music video

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The music for "Helena" was filmed at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church (pictured in 2013) in Los Angeles.

The song's music video was directed by Marc Webb,[21] and was filmed from January 7-8, 2005[46] at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.[47] During filming, fans of the band were invited to appear in the video as mourners at a funeral.[46] While the original focus of the song was a real-world death, the music video shifts over its context to tell the story of a young girl (played by Tracy Phillips) who died, with Gerard Way standing in the pulpit. Throughout the music video, it cuts between shots of the band performing in the church to the funeral attendees participating in a dance number.[44]

After a while, the girl rises from her coffin and begins to dance through the church aisle, interacting with the attendees and at one point grabbing the camera to join her. Eventually, she collapses back into her casket, and is carried out of the church in the rain[21] by six pallbearers: the bands five members, plus one fan.[44] As the girl is carried out, the funeral attendees dance around the casket with black and red umbrellas.[21] This scene was not created with the rain in mind, though the crew felt that it made the video look better.[44] The dances in the video were choreographed by Michael Rooney.[21]

The music video was among the 100 most requested videos on MTV2 for several weeks in 2005,[48] and was also frequently played on Fuse.[3] It was nominated for five awards at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards: "Best Rock Video",[49] "Best New Artist in a Video",[50] "Best Choreography",[51] "MTV2 Award", and "Viewer's Choice".[52] It did not win any of these nominations.[53] In 2017, Paste's Ashley Laderer ranked it as the best music video for an emo song.[14] In 2024, a readers poll for Alternative Press placed "Helena" as the best music video from the 2000s, with staff writers describing the video as one of My Chemical Romance's "most stunning and impressive performances".[54] Aliya Chaudhry of Kerrang! ranked it as the bands best music video, writing that it demonstrated the bands artistic ability. They further wrote that the music video could be considered one of the greatest ever made.[55]

Live performances

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"Helena" is among My Chemical Romance's most performed songs at their concerts.[56] It is typically played as a final song of their shows.[43] By February 2024, the song had been performed over 600 times and was the bands second most performed song live behind "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)".[56] "Helena" was performed at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, with audience members participating in the performance by unfolding white umbrellas.[53] During the bands 2007 tour to promote their third studio album The Black Parade (2006), "Helena" was typically the last song performed on the standard set list.[57] Before the bands temporary breakup in 2013, "Helena" was the last song they performed live, as the closing song of their final performance on May 19, 2012 at Asbury Park, New Jersey.[58]

Track listing

[edit]
UK CD and 7" vinyl[59][60]
No.TitleLength
1."Helena"3:22
2."I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" (live)3:37
UK DVD[61]
No.TitleLength
1."Helena" (live video) 
2."I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" (video) 
Australian CD[62]
No.TitleLength
1."Helena"3:22
2."I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" (live)3:37
3."You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us In Prison" (live)3:40
iTunes single[63]
No.TitleLength
1."Helena" (live from the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey)4:14

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from iTunes.[8]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Helena"
Chart (2005) Peak
positions
Australia (ARIA)[31] 78
Germany (GfK)[30] 67
Ireland (IRMA)[29] 46
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[28] 27
Scotland (OCC)[27] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[26] 20
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[25] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 33
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[24] 11
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[64] 32

Certifications

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Certifications for "Helena"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[65] Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[32] Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Bryant 2014, p. 81.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bryant 2014, p. 82.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Reesman, Bryan (May 9, 2024). "The Pangs of Regret and Grief that Haunt "Helena" by My Chemical Romance". American Songwriter. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Bryant 2014, p. 83.
  5. ^ "My Chemical Romance's 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge' Turns 20". Stereogum. June 6, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "My Chem's Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge Has Re-Entered The Billboard…". Kerrang!. November 17, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  7. ^ Mathers, Ian (August 19, 2004). "My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  8. ^ a b c Helena by My Chemical Romance, iTunes, June 8, 2004, retrieved December 27, 2024
  9. ^ Reesman, Bryan (May 9, 2024). "The Pangs of Regret and Grief that Haunt "Helena" by My Chemical Romance". American Songwriter. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  10. ^ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  11. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "May Death Never Stop You – My Chemical Romance". AllMusic. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Gordon, Arielle. "My Chemical Romance: Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d "The 25 Best Emo Songs of All Time". Variety. October 18, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "The 10 Best Emo Music Videos". Paste Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  15. ^ "Dusting 'Em Off: My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge". Consequence. June 8, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c Cohen, Ian (February 13, 2020). "The 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time". Vulture. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Harriman, Andi (October 31, 2022). "The 50 Best Goth Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e Soghomonian, Talia (March 5, 2009). "Release The Bats - It's The 20 Greatest Goth Tracks". NME. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Weatherby, Taylor (November 14, 2019). "The 15 Best My Chemical Romance Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  20. ^ Pitchfork (October 25, 2017). "The Story of Goth in 33 Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Eloise, Marianne (August 31, 2023). ""Death is something that we'll always write about because it's tragic, negative and beautiful at the same time." The story of Helena: the song about Gerard Way's grandmother that confirmed My Chemical Romance as emo's first superstars". louder. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  22. ^ "The 20 greatest My Chemical Romance songs – ranked". Kerrang!. April 9, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "My Chemical Romance Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  24. ^ a b "My Chemical Romance Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "Rock Singles Chart Top 40". BBC Radio 1. Archived from the original on June 1, 2005. Retrieved April 20, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  26. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  28. ^ a b c "My Chemical Romance – Helena". Top 40 Singles.
  29. ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography My Chemical Romance". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  30. ^ a b "My Chemical Romance – Helena" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  31. ^ a b "Issue 813" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  32. ^ a b "American single certifications – My Chemical Romance – Helena". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  33. ^ a b "British single certifications – My Chemical Romance – Helena". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  34. ^ JR (September 20, 2005). "My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge". IGN. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  35. ^ Miller, Kirk (July 8, 2004). "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  36. ^ Greenwald, Andy. "My Chemical Romance: Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge". Blender. Archived from the original on December 31, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  37. ^ JR (September 20, 2005). "My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge". IGN. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  38. ^ Zemler, Emily (June 8, 2004). "My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  39. ^ Mathers, Ian (August 19, 2004). "My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  40. ^ "The 20 greatest My Chemical Romance songs – ranked". Kerrang!. April 9, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  41. ^ a b c d Weatherby, Taylor (November 14, 2019). "The 15 Best My Chemical Romance Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  42. ^ a b c "The 10 Best My Chemical Romance Songs". Stereogum. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  43. ^ a b Whitt, Cassie (March 24, 2019). "Every My Chemical Romance Song Ranked From Worst to Best". Loudwire. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  44. ^ a b c d "A deep dive into My Chemical Romance's video for Helena". Kerrang!. June 8, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  45. ^ "My Chemical Romance's 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge' Turns 20". Stereogum. June 6, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  46. ^ a b "For The Record: Quick News On 50 Cent, Dimebag Darrell, Korn, My Chemical Romance, 3 Doors Down & More". MTV News. December 22, 2024. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  47. ^ Carroll, Rob (May 22, 2024). "Emo Lovers Have Dream Wedding in My Chemical Romance Church". Loudwire. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  48. ^ Montgomery, James (March 9, 2005). "50 Cent's The Massacre Makes Huge Chart Debut". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  49. ^ "MTV Video Music Awards 2005". MTV. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  50. ^ "MTV Video Music Awards 2005". MTV. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  51. ^ "MTV Video Music Awards 2005". MTV. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  52. ^ Mancini, Robert (July 25, 2005). "Green Day, Gwen, Missy Nab Most Nominations For MTV Video Music Awards". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  53. ^ a b Fuoco, Christina (August 29, 2005). "Green Day Rock the VMAs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  54. ^ "Fan poll: 5 best 2000s music videos". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  55. ^ "Every My Chemical Romance music video, ranked from 'worst' to best". Kerrang!. July 15, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  56. ^ a b Childers, Chad ChildersChad (February 27, 2024). "The Most Played Song Live by 27 Big Emo + Pop-Punk Bands". Loudwire. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  57. ^ Bryant 2014, pp. 207–208.
  58. ^ Bryant 2014, p. 294.
  59. ^ My Chemical Romance (2005). Helena (Media notes). Reprise Records. W671CD.
  60. ^ My Chemical Romance (2005). Helena (Media notes). Reprise Records. W 671.
  61. ^ My Chemical Romance (2005). Helena (Media notes). Reprise Records. W671DVD, 75993 8635 2.
  62. ^ My Chemical Romance (2005). Helena (Media notes). Reprise Records. 9362428022.
  63. ^ "Helena by My Chemical Romance". iTunes. May 23, 2005.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  64. ^ "My Chemical Romance - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  65. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – My Chemical Romance – Helena". Radioscope. Retrieved December 23, 2024. Type Helena in the "Search:" field.

Sources

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