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| '''''May Death Never Stop You''''' is a ] compilation album by American rock band ]. It is a collection of 19 songs from across My Chemical Romance's discography from 2001 to 2013. Most of those songs are from previous albums, ranging from their commercially successful singles to fan-favorite songs. In addition to those songs, the album contains a previously unreleased song, "Fake Your Death", and three demos. | '''''May Death Never Stop You'''''{{Efn|Also known as '''''May Death Never Stop You: The Greatest Hits (2001-2013)'''''.<ref name=":4" />|name=b}} is a ] compilation album by American rock band ]. It is a collection of 19 songs from across My Chemical Romance's discography from 2001 to 2013. Most of those songs are from previous albums, ranging from their commercially successful singles to fan-favorite songs. In addition to those songs, the album contains a previously unreleased song, "Fake Your Death", and three demos. | ||
| The album was announced after My Chemical Romance announced their breakup in 2013, and was released on March 25, 2014. It was supported by "Fake Your Death", which was released as a single on February 17, and was the final song that the band had made before their breakup. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, who viewed the release as a good overview of the bands history, though some had mixed opinions on its track selection. It charted in several countries, and was later certified platinum by the ] and gold by ]. | The album was announced after My Chemical Romance announced their breakup in 2013, and was released on March 25, 2014. It was supported by "Fake Your Death", which was released as a single on February 17, and was the final song that the band had made before their breakup. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, who viewed the release as a good overview of the bands history, though some had mixed opinions on its track selection. It charted in several countries, and was later certified platinum by the ] and gold by ]. | ||
| == Background and release == | == Background and release == | ||
| On March 22, 2013, My Chemical Romance announced that they would be breaking up through a blog post on their official website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date= |
On March 22, 2013, My Chemical Romance announced that they would be breaking up through a blog post on their official website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=March 22, 2013 |title=My Chemical Romance Breaks Up |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/my-chemical-romance-breaks-up-430525/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125210056/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/my-chemical-romance-breaks-up-430525/ |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Efn|My Chemical Romance later reunited in 2019, and has since released new music.<ref name="RollingStone">{{cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=May 12, 2022 |title=My Chemical Romance Mark Musical Return With Six-Minute Epic 'The Foundations of Decay' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/my-chemical-romance-the-foundations-of-decay-song-video-1352386/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512222103/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/my-chemical-romance-the-foundations-of-decay-song-video-1352386/ |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |access-date=May 12, 2022 |magazine=]}}</ref>|name=a}} Two days later, band member ] confirmed the break up through a post on his ] account.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 25, 2013 |title=MCR Split: Gerard Way Confirms Break Up |url=http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/03/mcr_split_gerard_confirms_brea.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328081831/http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/03/mcr_split_gerard_confirms_brea.html |archive-date=March 28, 2013 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |work=]}}</ref> Later that year on December 13, the band announced that they would be releasing a greatest hits album, titled ''May Death Never Stop You'', in celebration of the bands history. In addition to containing songs from each of the bands studio albums, the band announced that the album would contain previously unreleased material.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=December 13, 2013 |title=Kerrang! My Chemical Romance announce details on greatest hits, May Death Never Stop You |url=http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/12/my_chemical_romance_greatest_hits.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219015000/http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2013/12/my_chemical_romance_greatest_hits.html |archivedate=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=February 17, 2014 |website=] |publisher=}}</ref> The albums cover art was designed by Way,''{{Sfn|Bryant|2014||p=306}}'' who previously revealed it on November 30.<ref name=":0" /> It features a ruined, half-destroyed statue in the center in a marching uniform from ''The Black Parade'' (2006), as well as memorabilia representing the bands other albums scattered throughout.''{{Sfn|Bryant|2014||p=306}}'' In January 2014, it was announced that the album would contain the final finished song the band had created, "Fake Your Death".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=NME |date=January 21, 2014 |title=My Chemical Romance to release greatest hits album 'May Death Never Stop You' next month |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-18-1246695 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=] |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{efn|name=a}} | ||
| Pre-orders for the album started on January 21, 2014.<ref name=":0" /> On February 17, "Fake Your Death" was released as a single on ] and ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Whitt |first=Cassie |date=February 17, 2014 |title=My Chemical Romance stream their final song, "Fake Your Death" |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/my_chemical_romance_stream_their_final_song_fake_your_death |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228070454/https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/my_chemical_romance_stream_their_final_song_fake_your_death |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |work=Alternative Press}}</ref> A trailer for the album was released that same day, containing clips of the bands music videos accompanied by the song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date= |
Pre-orders for the album started on January 21, 2014.<ref name=":0" /> On February 17, "Fake Your Death" was released as a single on ] and ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Whitt |first=Cassie |date=February 17, 2014 |title=My Chemical Romance stream their final song, "Fake Your Death" |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/my_chemical_romance_stream_their_final_song_fake_your_death |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228070454/https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/my_chemical_romance_stream_their_final_song_fake_your_death |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |work=]}}</ref> A trailer for the album was released that same day, containing clips of the bands music videos accompanied by the song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=February 18, 2014 |title=My Chemical Romance Debuts Final Song ‘Fake Your Death’ (Video) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/video-my-chemical-romance-debuts-681082/ |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> ''May Death Never Stop You'' was released on March 25, 2014<ref name=":0" /> through ].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Review of My Chemical Romance "May Death Never Stop You" |url=https://alternativeaddiction.com/Review/1505 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926020210/https://alternativeaddiction.com/Review/1505 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> The album was available in three editions: a standard version released on CD, a Deluxe edition containing a DVD with extra content, and a "Physical Deluxe" edition that included the CD as well as a two-piece vinyl set.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
| == Music == | == Music == | ||
| ''May Death Never Stop You'' is a greatest hits compilation album containing 19 songs from across My Chemical Romance's discography from 2001 to 2013.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/may-death-never-stop-you-the-greatest-hits-2001-2013-mw0002616758 |title=May Death Never Stop You – My Chemical Romance |publisher=] |accessdate=25 March 2014 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine}}</ref> Most of these are from their previous studio albums, with two songs from ] (2002), four each from ] (2004) and ] (2010), and five from ] (2006).<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date= |
''May Death Never Stop You'' is a greatest hits compilation album containing 19 songs from across My Chemical Romance's discography from 2001 to 2013.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/may-death-never-stop-you-the-greatest-hits-2001-2013-mw0002616758 |title=May Death Never Stop You – My Chemical Romance |publisher=] |accessdate=25 March 2014 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine}}</ref> Most of these are from their previous studio albums, with two songs from ] (2002), four each from ] (2004) and ] (2010), and five from ] (2006).<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Sawdey |first=Evan |date=April 16, 2014 |title=My Chemical Romance: May Death Never Stop You: The Greatest Hits (2001-2013) |url=https://www.popmatters.com/180496-my-chemical-romance-may-death-never-stop-you-the-greatest-hits-2001-2495671509.html |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref> While the majority of songs featured on the album were successful singles, some were never released as standalone singles, instead being fan-favorites. These include "]", "]", and "]". Similarly, two of the bands singles, "]" and "]" were excluded, despite the latters commercial success in the United Kingdom.<ref name=":4" /> Alongside their songs from previous albums, ''May Death Never Stop You'' features three songs from their "Attic Demo" sessions, as well as the aforementioned "Fake Your Death",<ref name=":1" /> which serves as the albums opening track.<ref name=":4" /> | ||
| "Fake Your Death" is a ],<ref name=":1" /> that later incorporates drums and guitars.''{{Sfn|Bryant|2014||p=299}}'' Alongside the bands regular members, the song features ] on keyboard.<ref>{{Citation |title=Fake Your Death by My Chemical Romance |
"Fake Your Death" is a ],<ref name=":1" /> that later incorporates drums and guitars.''{{Sfn|Bryant|2014||p=299}}'' Alongside the bands regular members, the song features ] on keyboard.<ref>{{Citation |title=Fake Your Death by My Chemical Romance |date=February 14, 2014 |work=] |url=https://music.apple.com/dk/song/fake-your-death/811747393 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Evan Sawdey of ''PopMatters'' described the song as "bombastic", and felt that it was comparable to a song from ''The Black Parade''.<ref name=":4" /> It was previously recorded for their scrapped fifth studio album, and ended up being the last song the band had completed before breaking up.<ref name=":2" /> According to ], the song was the only recording from the project that was suitable for release and other tracks from it were unsalvageable and unlikely to ever be released officially.''{{Sfn|Bryant|2014||p=299}}'' Gerard Way stated that he viewed the song as a "eulogy for the band", as well as its "final fully realized collaboration", though he did not initially create the song with the idea that it would be the bands last.<ref name=":2" /> Jake Richardson of '']'' highlighted the songs lyric "I choose defeat, I walk away and leave this place the same today" as reflecting the songs unintentional meaning as a eulogy.<ref name=":6" /> | ||
| == Reception == | == Reception == | ||
| {{Album ratings | {{Album ratings | ||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
| ''May Death Never Stop You'' received generally positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator ], it holds a score of 79 based on 4 critic reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/> | ''May Death Never Stop You'' received generally positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator ], it holds a score of 79 based on 4 critic reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/> | ||
| Evan Sawdey of ''PopMatters'' described ''May Death Never Stop You'' as a "fitting monument" to My Chemical Romance's legacy and discography.<ref name=":4" /> Similar thoughts were written by Carla Washbourne of ] He felt that, in most cases, creating a compilation of the bands work would have been difficult, and highlighted bands decision to use fan-favorite songs over what he considered to be "less interesting" radio singles as helping combat this.<ref name=":4" /> Similar thoughts were echoed by ]'s Stephen Erlewine and Carla Washbourne of ].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=DiS/> Erlewine further described the compilation as highlighting how most of the bands best songs were able to stand on their own, even when taken out of their associated albums.<ref name=":3" /> | Evan Sawdey of ''PopMatters'' described ''May Death Never Stop You'' as a "fitting monument" to My Chemical Romance's legacy and discography.<ref name=":4" /> Similar thoughts were written by Carla Washbourne of ] He felt that, in most cases, creating a compilation of the bands work would have been difficult, and highlighted bands decision to use fan-favorite songs over what he considered to be "less interesting" radio singles as helping combat this.<ref name=":4" /> Similar thoughts were echoed by ]'s ] and Carla Washbourne of ].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=DiS/> Erlewine further described the compilation as highlighting how most of the bands best songs were able to stand on their own, even when taken out of their associated albums.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
| Sawdey criticized the demos included in the album, describing them as "weak and disposable". He also criticized the lack of some fan-favorite songs, such as B-sides or songs from '']'', feeling that those should have been included over the demos.<ref name=":4" /> ] felt that the songs included on the album weren't the best choices, criticizing the lack of material from ''Conventional Weapons'' and the exclusions of "Thank You for the Venom" and "]"''.'' And while he believed that these omissions were flaws, he felt that they didn't significantly impact the release.<ref name=":5" /> Washbourne liked the inclusion of the demos, and felt that while the album slightly prioritized the bands more popular material, the track list effectively functioned as an "evolutionary tree" of My Chemical Romance's discography, with the addition of "Fake Your Death" converting it into a "smartly chronological last hurrah". |
Sawdey criticized the demos included in the album, describing them as "weak and disposable". He also criticized the lack of some fan-favorite songs, such as B-sides or songs from '']'', feeling that those should have been included over the demos.<ref name=":4" /> ] felt that the songs included on the album weren't the best choices, criticizing the lack of material from ''Conventional Weapons'' and the exclusions of "Thank You for the Venom" and "]"''.'' And while he believed that these omissions were flaws, he felt that they didn't significantly impact the release.<ref name=":5" /> Washbourne liked the inclusion of the demos, and felt that while the album slightly prioritized the bands more popular material, the track list effectively functioned as an "evolutionary tree" of My Chemical Romance's discography, with the addition of "Fake Your Death" converting it into a "smartly chronological last hurrah".<ref name=DiS/> | ||
| The albums single, "Fake Your Death", was met with a mixed response. ''Alternative Addiction'' described the song as comparable in quality to those from ''Conventional Weapons'', which he viewed as simply "decent".<ref name=":5" /> Sawdey described the song as a "solid anthem for the group to go out on", though felt that the song was likely written with the main intent of being mainstream.<ref name=":4" /> In a 2022 ranking of the bands discography, Cassie Whitt and Jake Richardson of '']'' placed the song at #43, stating that the song was a "final reminder" of the bands discography being "grandiose, visionary and, above all, full of heart".<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Whitt |first=Cassie |date= |
The albums single, "Fake Your Death", was met with a mixed response. ''Alternative Addiction'' described the song as comparable in quality to those from ''Conventional Weapons'', which he viewed as simply "decent".<ref name=":5" /> Sawdey described the song as a "solid anthem for the group to go out on", though felt that the song was likely written with the main intent of being mainstream.<ref name=":4" /> In a 2022 ranking of the bands discography, Cassie Whitt and Jake Richardson of '']'' placed the song at #43, stating that the song was a "final reminder" of the bands discography being "grandiose, visionary and, above all, full of heart".<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Whitt |first=Cassie |date=March 24, 2019 |title=Every My Chemical Romance Song Ranked From Worst to Best |url=https://loudwire.com/every-my-chemical-romance-song-ranked/ |access-date=December 10, 2024 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| == Commercial performance == | == Commercial performance == | ||
| Line 61: | Line 61: | ||
| ==Track listing== | ==Track listing== | ||
| {{Track listing | {{Track listing | ||
| | headline = Standard tracklist<ref name=applemusicalbum/> | |||
| | extra_column = Originally from | | extra_column = Originally from | ||
| | title1 = Fake Your Death | | title1 = Fake Your Death | ||
| Line 87: | Line 88: | ||
| | length6 = 3:08 | | length6 = 3:08 | ||
| | title7 = ] | | title7 = ] | ||
| | note7 = |
| note7 = | ||
| | extra7 = ''Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge'' | | extra7 = ''Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge'' | ||
| | writer7 = Iero, Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | | writer7 = Iero, Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | ||
| Line 112: | Line 113: | ||
| | length12 = 5:00 | | length12 = 5:00 | ||
| | title13 = ] | | title13 = ] | ||
| | note13 = |
| note13 = | ||
| | extra13 = '']'' | | extra13 = '']'' | ||
| | writer13 = Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | | writer13 = Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | ||
| Line 134: | Line 135: | ||
| | length17 = 3:30 | | length17 = 3:30 | ||
| | title18 = Knives/Sorrow | | title18 = Knives/Sorrow | ||
| | note18 = demo version |
| note18 = demo version | ||
| | extra18 = Previously unreleased | | extra18 = Previously unreleased | ||
| | writer18 = Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | | writer18 = Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | ||
| Line 147: | Line 148: | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Track listing | {{Track listing | ||
| | headline |
| headline = Bonus "Video Outtakes" DVD<ref name=":1"/> | ||
| | title1 |
| title1 = I'm Not Okay (I Promise) | ||
| | note1 |
| note1 = version 1 | ||
| | length1 |
| length1 = 1:48 | ||
| | title2 |
| title2 = I'm Not Okay (I Promise) | ||
| | note2 |
| note2 = version 2 | ||
| | length2 |
| length2 = 7:43 | ||
| | title3 |
| title3 = Helena | ||
| | length3 |
| length3 = 23:06 | ||
| | title4 |
| title4 = The Ghost of You | ||
| | length4 |
| length4 = 4:26 | ||
| | title5 |
| title5 = Welcome to the Black Parade | ||
| | length5 |
| length5 = 24:20 | ||
| | title6 |
| title6 = Famous Last Words | ||
| | length6 |
| length6 = 11:30 | ||
| | title7 |
| title7 = ] | ||
| | length7 |
| length7 = 14:54 | ||
| | title8 |
| title8 = Teenagers | ||
| | length8 |
| length8 = 6:07 | ||
| | title9 |
| title9 = Blood | ||
| | length9 |
| length9 = 1:30 | ||
| | note9 |
| note9 = previously unreleased | ||
| | title10 |
| title10 = Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" / "Art Is the Weapon | ||
| | |
| length10 = 9:34 | ||
| | |
| title11 = Sing | ||
| | |
| length11 = 4:37 | ||
| | |
| title12 = Planetary (Go!) | ||
| | |
| length12 = 16:55 | ||
| | length12 = 16:55 | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| == Personnel == | == Personnel == | ||
| Credits adapted from ].<ref>{{Citation |title=May Death Never Stop You by My Chemical Romance |
Credits adapted from ].<ref name="applemusicalbum">{{Citation |title=May Death Never Stop You by My Chemical Romance |date=February 21, 2014 |work=] |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/may-death-never-stop-you/811630084 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
| '''Band members''' | '''Band members''' | ||
| Line 214: | Line 214: | ||
| {{album chart|Germany|66|artist=My Chemical Romance|album=May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013|rowheader=true|refname="Germanypeak"|accessdate=March 31, 2013}} | {{album chart|Germany|66|artist=My Chemical Romance|album=May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013|rowheader=true|refname="Germanypeak"|accessdate=March 31, 2013}} | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| {{album chart|Hungary|2|year=2014|week=13|rowheader=true |
{{album chart|Hungary|2|year=2014|week=13|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 4, 2014|refname=hungary}} | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| {{album chart|Ireland|13|year=2014|week=13|rowheader=true |
{{album chart|Ireland|13|year=2014|week=13|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 31, 2014|refname=ireland}} | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| {{album chart|Italy|67|artist=My Chemical Romance|album=May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 4, 2016}} | {{album chart|Italy|67|artist=My Chemical Romance|album=May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 4, 2016}} | ||
| Line 243: | Line 243: | ||
| == Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| <references group="lower-alpha" |
<references group="lower-alpha" /> | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{Reflist|2}} | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
| === Biblography === | |||
| * {{Cite book |last=Bryant |first=Tom |title=Not the Life It Seems: The True Lives of My Chemical Romance |publisher=] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0306823497 |location=Boston}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Latest revision as of 01:52, 28 December 2024
2014 greatest hits album by My Chemical Romance| May Death Never Stop You | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Greatest hits album by My Chemical Romance | ||||
| Released | March 25, 2014 | |||
| Length | 73:20 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| My Chemical Romance chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from May Death Never Stop You | ||||
| ||||
May Death Never Stop You is a greatest hits compilation album by American rock band My Chemical Romance. It is a collection of 19 songs from across My Chemical Romance's discography from 2001 to 2013. Most of those songs are from previous albums, ranging from their commercially successful singles to fan-favorite songs. In addition to those songs, the album contains a previously unreleased song, "Fake Your Death", and three demos.
The album was announced after My Chemical Romance announced their breakup in 2013, and was released on March 25, 2014. It was supported by "Fake Your Death", which was released as a single on February 17, and was the final song that the band had made before their breakup. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, who viewed the release as a good overview of the bands history, though some had mixed opinions on its track selection. It charted in several countries, and was later certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry and gold by Recorded Music NZ.
Background and release
On March 22, 2013, My Chemical Romance announced that they would be breaking up through a blog post on their official website. Two days later, band member Gerard Way confirmed the break up through a post on his Twitter account. Later that year on December 13, the band announced that they would be releasing a greatest hits album, titled May Death Never Stop You, in celebration of the bands history. In addition to containing songs from each of the bands studio albums, the band announced that the album would contain previously unreleased material. The albums cover art was designed by Way, who previously revealed it on November 30. It features a ruined, half-destroyed statue in the center in a marching uniform from The Black Parade (2006), as well as memorabilia representing the bands other albums scattered throughout. In January 2014, it was announced that the album would contain the final finished song the band had created, "Fake Your Death".
Pre-orders for the album started on January 21, 2014. On February 17, "Fake Your Death" was released as a single on iTunes and BBC Radio 1. A trailer for the album was released that same day, containing clips of the bands music videos accompanied by the song. May Death Never Stop You was released on March 25, 2014 through Reprise Records. The album was available in three editions: a standard version released on CD, a Deluxe edition containing a DVD with extra content, and a "Physical Deluxe" edition that included the CD as well as a two-piece vinyl set.
Music
May Death Never Stop You is a greatest hits compilation album containing 19 songs from across My Chemical Romance's discography from 2001 to 2013. Most of these are from their previous studio albums, with two songs from I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002), four each from Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004) and Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2010), and five from The Black Parade (2006). While the majority of songs featured on the album were successful singles, some were never released as standalone singles, instead being fan-favorites. These include "You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison", "Cancer", and "Mama". Similarly, two of the bands singles, "Thank You for the Venom" and "I Don't Love You" were excluded, despite the latters commercial success in the United Kingdom. Alongside their songs from previous albums, May Death Never Stop You features three songs from their "Attic Demo" sessions, as well as the aforementioned "Fake Your Death", which serves as the albums opening track.
"Fake Your Death" is a piano ballad, that later incorporates drums and guitars. Alongside the bands regular members, the song features James Dewees on keyboard. Evan Sawdey of PopMatters described the song as "bombastic", and felt that it was comparable to a song from The Black Parade. It was previously recorded for their scrapped fifth studio album, and ended up being the last song the band had completed before breaking up. According to Frank Iero, the song was the only recording from the project that was suitable for release and other tracks from it were unsalvageable and unlikely to ever be released officially. Gerard Way stated that he viewed the song as a "eulogy for the band", as well as its "final fully realized collaboration", though he did not initially create the song with the idea that it would be the bands last. Jake Richardson of Loudwire highlighted the songs lyric "I choose defeat, I walk away and leave this place the same today" as reflecting the songs unintentional meaning as a eulogy.
Reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 79/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Alternative Addiction |    |
| AllMusic | |
| Drowned in Sound | 7/10 |
| PopMatters |   |
May Death Never Stop You received generally positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator Metacritic, it holds a score of 79 based on 4 critic reviews.
Evan Sawdey of PopMatters described May Death Never Stop You as a "fitting monument" to My Chemical Romance's legacy and discography. Similar thoughts were written by Carla Washbourne of Drowned in Sound. He felt that, in most cases, creating a compilation of the bands work would have been difficult, and highlighted bands decision to use fan-favorite songs over what he considered to be "less interesting" radio singles as helping combat this. Similar thoughts were echoed by AllMusic's Stephen Erlewine and Carla Washbourne of Drowned in Sound. Erlewine further described the compilation as highlighting how most of the bands best songs were able to stand on their own, even when taken out of their associated albums.
Sawdey criticized the demos included in the album, describing them as "weak and disposable". He also criticized the lack of some fan-favorite songs, such as B-sides or songs from Conventional Weapons, feeling that those should have been included over the demos. Alternative Addiction felt that the songs included on the album weren't the best choices, criticizing the lack of material from Conventional Weapons and the exclusions of "Thank You for the Venom" and "Dead!". And while he believed that these omissions were flaws, he felt that they didn't significantly impact the release. Washbourne liked the inclusion of the demos, and felt that while the album slightly prioritized the bands more popular material, the track list effectively functioned as an "evolutionary tree" of My Chemical Romance's discography, with the addition of "Fake Your Death" converting it into a "smartly chronological last hurrah".
The albums single, "Fake Your Death", was met with a mixed response. Alternative Addiction described the song as comparable in quality to those from Conventional Weapons, which he viewed as simply "decent". Sawdey described the song as a "solid anthem for the group to go out on", though felt that the song was likely written with the main intent of being mainstream. In a 2022 ranking of the bands discography, Cassie Whitt and Jake Richardson of Loudwire placed the song at #43, stating that the song was a "final reminder" of the bands discography being "grandiose, visionary and, above all, full of heart".
Commercial performance
In the United States, May Death Never Stop You debuted and peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200, spending 6 weeks on that chart. In the United Kingdom, it reached #15 on the UK Albums chart, and was later certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. In New Zealand, it peaked at #22 on the New Zealand Albums chart and has been certified gold by Recorded Music NZ. Elsewhere, it charted on the album charts for Hungary (#2), Australia (#11), Ireland (#13), Scotland (#17), and Czechia (#25).
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Originally from | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fake Your Death" | James Dewees, Frank Iero, Ray Toro, Gerard Way, Mikey Way | Previously unreleased | 3:21 |
| 2. | "Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us" | Iero, Matt Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love | 3:53 |
| 3. | "Vampires Will Never Hurt You" | Iero, Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love | 5:26 |
| 4. | "Helena" | Iero, Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge | 3:26 |
| 5. | "You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison" | Iero, Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge | 2:55 |
| 6. | "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" | Iero, Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge | 3:08 |
| 7. | "The Ghost of You" | Iero, Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge | 3:57 |
| 8. | "Welcome to the Black Parade" | Bob Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | The Black Parade | 5:14 |
| 9. | "Cancer" | Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | The Black Parade | 2:25 |
| 10. | "Mama" | Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | The Black Parade | 4:39 |
| 11. | "Teenagers" | Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | The Black Parade | 2:42 |
| 12. | "Famous Last Words" | Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | The Black Parade | 5:00 |
| 13. | "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" | Bryar, Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys | 3:26 |
| 14. | "Sing" | Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys | 4:31 |
| 15. | "Planetary (Go!)" | Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys | 4:07 |
| 16. | "The Kids from Yesterday" | Iero, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys | 5:26 |
| 17. | "Skylines and Turnstiles" (demo version) | Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Previously unreleased | 3:30 |
| 18. | "Knives/Sorrow" (demo version) | Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Previously unreleased | 2:14 |
| 19. | "Cubicles" (demo version) | Pelissier, Toro, G. Way, M. Way | Previously unreleased | 4:00 |
| Total length: | 73:20 | |||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" (version 1) | 1:48 |
| 2. | "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" (version 2) | 7:43 |
| 3. | "Helena" | 23:06 |
| 4. | "The Ghost of You" | 4:26 |
| 5. | "Welcome to the Black Parade" | 24:20 |
| 6. | "Famous Last Words" | 11:30 |
| 7. | "I Don't Love You" | 14:54 |
| 8. | "Teenagers" | 6:07 |
| 9. | "Blood" (previously unreleased) | 1:30 |
| 10. | "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" / "Art Is the Weapon" | 9:34 |
| 11. | "Sing" | 4:37 |
| 12. | "Planetary (Go!)" | 16:55 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from iTunes.
Band members
- Bob Bryar – drums, percussion (on tracks 8–12)
- James Dewees – keyboards (on track 1)
- Frank Iero – guitars, backing vocals (on tracks 1–2, 4–16)
- Matt Pelissier – drums, percussion (on tracks 2–7, 17–19)
- Ray Toro – guitars, backing vocals; bass guitar (on track 9)
- Gerard Way – lead vocals
- Mikey Way – bass guitar
Additional musicians
- Jarrod Alexander – drums, percussion (on track 1)
- John Miceli – drums, percussion (on tracks 13–16)
- Rob Cavallo – acoustic piano (on tracks 8–12)
- Howard Benson – organ (on tracks 4–7)
- Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards (on tracks 8–16); organ, synthesizers, Wurlitzer (on tracks 8–12)
- Bert McCracken – additional vocals (on track 5)
- Liza Minnelli – additional vocals (on track 10)
Charts
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 11 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 147 |
| Czech Albums (Czech Albums Chart) | 25 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 66 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) | 2 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA) | 13 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) | 67 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 37 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 22 |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV) | 37 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 17 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) | 61 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 15 |
| US Billboard 200 | 9 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 7,500 |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 300,000 |
|
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Notes
- Also known as May Death Never Stop You: The Greatest Hits (2001-2013).
- ^ My Chemical Romance later reunited in 2019, and has since released new music.
References
- ^ Sawdey, Evan (April 16, 2014). "My Chemical Romance: May Death Never Stop You: The Greatest Hits (2001-2013)". PopMatters. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
- Halperin, Shirley (March 22, 2013). "My Chemical Romance Breaks Up". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- Blistein, Jon (May 12, 2022). "My Chemical Romance Mark Musical Return With Six-Minute Epic 'The Foundations of Decay'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- "MCR Split: Gerard Way Confirms Break Up". Kerrang!. March 25, 2013. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
- ^ "Kerrang! My Chemical Romance announce details on greatest hits, May Death Never Stop You". Kerrang!. December 13, 2013. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ Bryant 2014, p. 306.
- ^ NME (January 21, 2014). "My Chemical Romance to release greatest hits album 'May Death Never Stop You' next month". NME. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
- ^ Whitt, Cassie (February 17, 2014). "My Chemical Romance stream their final song, "Fake Your Death"". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
- Rutherford, Kevin (February 18, 2014). "My Chemical Romance Debuts Final Song 'Fake Your Death' (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
- ^ "Review of My Chemical Romance "May Death Never Stop You"". Alternative Addiction. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "May Death Never Stop You – My Chemical Romance". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ^ Bryant 2014, p. 299.
- "Fake Your Death by My Chemical Romance", Apple Music, February 14, 2014, retrieved December 26, 2024
- ^ Whitt, Cassie (March 24, 2019). "Every My Chemical Romance Song Ranked From Worst to Best". Loudwire. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Carla Washbourne. "Review: My Chemical Romance". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Reviews for May Death Never Stop You by My Chemical Romance". Metacritic. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ^ "My Chemical Romance Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ "My Chemical Romance | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "British album certifications – My Chemical Romance – May Death Never Stop You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "Charts.nz – My Chemical Romance – May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – My Chemical Romance – May Death Never Stop You: Greatest Hits". Radioscope. Retrieved December 23, 2024. Type May Death Never Stop You: Greatest Hits in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2014. 13. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – My Chemical Romance – May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 13, 2014". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "TOP50 Prodejní" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
- ^ "May Death Never Stop You by My Chemical Romance", Apple Music, February 21, 2014, retrieved December 26, 2024
- "Ultratop.be – My Chemical Romance – May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- "Italiancharts.com – My Chemical Romance – May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- "Chart Track". Oricon. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- "Spanishcharts.com – My Chemical Romance – May Death Never Stop You - The Greatest Hits 2001-2013". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
Biblography
- Bryant, Tom (2014). Not the Life It Seems: The True Lives of My Chemical Romance. Boston: Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0306823497.
External links
- May Death Never Stop You at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
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| Singles |
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| Other songs |
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| Related articles | |
