Annotations for House of Wolves Version 1 Live Demo

Lyric: And scalpels bring back this face
Annotation:
This line works as an allusion to plastic surgery. Here, the song’s protagonist is unhappy himself and wants to change, either from poor self-image or from shame of himself due to his actions. MCR has similar lines relating to these themes, such as  “The End.”, where clear themes of disliking himself are shown. If you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see, you can find out firsthand what it’s like to be me. Additionally, plastic surgery is referred to more directly in their song  “Na Na Na”: Eat plastic surgery

Lyric: Don’t believe what you read
 Or sometimes what you see
Annotation:
Likely an out of context reference to what being famous is really like. Rumours are created, spread around, and subsequently believed. The band may be pleading the fans not to believe every detail they read about My Chemical Romance on the web. As far as the album concept goes, this may also relate to rumours being spread about The Patient and his crimes (including murder).

Lyric: Tell the judge that I’m innocent
 Tell the jury I’m no one at all
Annotation:
This lyric proves that The Patient was finally caught for his crimes, which would be First-Degree Murder, and is placed on trial: he begs the witness, most likely in his head, to tell the judge and jury that he’s innocent, even though he’s obviously not.

Lyric: Love was just a passing phase
 A fever that ran away
Annotation:
His feelings of love were temporary, like a fever. They went away quickly.

Lyric: But don’t leave me here
 Don’t leave me here
Annotation:
He’s begging the person that he’s singing to, not to leave him in the “house of wolves”, which might be a metaphor for his depression, or the thoughts and/or voices that are in his mind (similar to Gerard’s song, Maya The Psychic  https://genius.com/Gerard-way-maya-the-psychic-lyrics ) that are “eating away” at his mind violently. As if he was in a house full of wolves.

Lyric: Blood, they smell it from miles away
Annotation:
This section is reminiscent of the final  TBP track,  “Blood.” These graphic lyrics depict a feeling of pain, probably of those who are upset about The Patient’s death. He’s eating up their sorrow, and is glad they cared enough to grieve him.

Lyric: And don’t walk away, and let me die
 Oh, in this house of wolves
 And pray for my soul, now that I go
 Into this house of wolves
Annotation:
The Patient is pleading with his loved ones not to abandon him in death. The phrase “house of wolves” is referring to Hell, and is explained in the  finished track of the song where The Patient realizes which way he’s going. The word ‘pray’ in this verse could have a double meaning. In addition to the religious connotations, it could also be a play on the word ‘prey’, relating back to wolves.

