Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge cover art

  Studio Album · No. 2

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge Songwriting Credits by My Chemical Romance

2004 Reprise Records 13 tracks 40 min

Produced by Howard Benson  ·  Engineered by Mike Plotnikoff, Eric J. Miller, Paul DeCarli, Rich Costey

Reprise Records EmoPop PunkPost-HardcoreAlternative Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether My Chemical Romance carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
13 trackswritten by My Chemical Romance 0 tracksoutside writers
My Chemical Romance's roles on this album

Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

13
Tracks
5
Lyricists
1
Producers
3 million
US Copies Sold
2004
Released
Data Insight

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge was My Chemical Romance's major-label debut, with songs credited to the full band, Gerard Way writing the lyrics, and Ray Toro a key musical writer. The album was produced by Howard Benson, who tightened the band's sound for a wider audience while keeping its theatrical, revenge-driven narrative intact. Way drew on personal loss for the material: 'Helena' is a tribute to the Way brothers' late grandmother, Elena Lee Rush, who helped raise them. The album broke the band commercially and yielded their first Billboard Hot 100 entry with 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise).'

The second studio album by My Chemical Romance, released on June 8, 2004 through Reprise Records. Produced by Howard Benson, the album was the band's major-label debut and marked a leap in production and songwriting ambition. All 13 tracks are credited jointly to all five members. Lead single "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" brought the band to mainstream attention, while "Helena" became their first top-40 hit and remains among their best-known songs. The record sold over a million copies in the United States and established the band as one of the defining acts of the mid-2000s emo wave. Matt Pelissier's final album with the band; Bob Bryar joined as drummer later in 2004.

Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Helena #33
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
2
Give 'Em Hell, Kid
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
3
To the End
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
4
You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt PelissierBert McCracken
5
I'm Not Okay (I Promise) #86
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
6
The Ghost of You #84
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
7
The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
8
Interlude
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
9
Thank You for the Venom
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
10
Hang 'Em High
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
11
It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Fucking Deathwish
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
12
Cemetery Drive
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier
13
I Never Told You What I Do for a Living
Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier Howard Benson Gerard WayRay ToroMikey WayFrank IeroMatt Pelissier

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 7 contributors

More from My Chemical Romance

Frequently Asked Questions Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

What is Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge?
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge is My Chemical Romance's second studio album, released June 8, 2004 on Reprise Records. It was the band's major-label debut and their commercial breakthrough, featuring the singles 'Helena,' 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise),' and 'The Ghost of You.' The album has been certified multi-platinum in the US, UK and Canada.
Did My Chemical Romance write Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge?
Yes. The songs are credited to the band collectively, with Gerard Way writing the lyrics and Ray Toro central to the music. The album was produced by Howard Benson, who shaped the band's sound for a major-label audience.
Who produced Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge?
Howard Benson produced the album. Recording was handled by engineer Mike Plotnikoff, with Rich Costey mixing select tracks. It was the band's first album for Reprise Records after their independent debut on Eyeball.
What is Helena by My Chemical Romance about?
'Helena' is a tribute to Gerard and Mikey Way's late grandmother, Elena Lee Rush, who helped raise them. The song's funeral-themed music video, directed by Marc Webb, is built around that grief. It became one of the album's defining singles, peaking at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Was I'm Not Okay (I Promise) a hit?
'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)' was the band's first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 86. Its prep-school-themed music video, directed by Marc Webb, helped introduce the band to a mainstream audience in 2004.
What is The Ghost of You about?
'The Ghost of You' is a song about loss and the impact of war. Its music video depicts a World War II USO dance intercut with D-Day combat scenes. The single peaked at number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 on Alternative Airplay.

Sources