Annotations for Save Yourself Ill Hold Them Back

Lyric: Who gives a damn if we lose the war?
Annotation:
He’s willing to fight for what he believes in even if they die trying (which the characters portrayed in the album did)

Lyric: You motherfucker! (Woah)
Annotation:
This is the most threatening “motherfucker” of all time and should be praised as such.

Lyric: We can leave this world, leave it all behind
 We can steal this car if your folks don’t mind
 We can live forever if you’ve got the time
Annotation:
“We can leave this world…” could be referring to the general killjoys concept who reject authority as an escapist movement. This also ties in with the bands reputation for being a musical means of escape from the real world with their sometimes cynical, protesting and hard lyricism. The “steal this car” line should be referring to a part of the comic series in which the killjoys steal a car which is also shown in the music video for Na Na Na as they shoot down BLI. This is simply addressing the rebellious and punk nature presented with the killjoys concept, elaborating on how the killjoys can be an escape from authority. “We can live forever…” is a self-contradicting lyric because nobody could have the time to live forever since living is limited by time itself. This could be a statement saying that the Killjoys bend the rules and are so rebellious that they reject even death itself. However, because this works with the latter line “we’ll never die” it could also be stating that if you put in the dedication, the Killjoys as a whole won’t be stopped by authority. As a chorus, it keeps saying “we” can do this “we” we can steal this car which is used to invite the listener to this movement for escapism. This could be MC embracing that their music is a huge form of escape for their fans and that he wants the listener to live, discouraging suicide also.

Lyric: We can leave this world, leave it all behind
 We can steal this car if your folks don’t mind
 We can live forever if you’ve got the time
Annotation:
“We can leave this world…” could be referring to the general killjoys concept who reject authority as an escapist movement. This also ties in with the bands reputation for being a musical means of escape from the real world with their sometimes cynical, protesting and hard lyricism. The “steal this car” line should be referring to a part of the comic series in which the killjoys steal a car which is also shown in the music video for Na Na Na as they shoot down BLI. This is simply addressing the rebellious and punk nature presented with the killjoys concept, elaborating on how the killjoys can be an escape from authority. “We can live forever…” is a self-contradicting lyric because nobody could have the time to live forever since living is limited by time itself. This could be a statement saying that the Killjoys bend the rules and are so rebellious that they reject even death itself. However, because this works with the latter line “we’ll never die” it could also be stating that if you put in the dedication, the Killjoys as a whole won’t be stopped by authority. As a chorus, it keeps saying “we” can do this “we” we can steal this car which is used to invite the listener to this movement for escapism. This could be MC embracing that their music is a huge form of escape for their fans and that he wants the listener to live, discouraging suicide also.

Lyric: We can leave this world, leave it all behind
 We can steal this car if your folks don’t mind
 We can live forever if you’ve got the time
Annotation:
“We can leave this world…” could be referring to the general killjoys concept who reject authority as an escapist movement. This also ties in with the bands reputation for being a musical means of escape from the real world with their sometimes cynical, protesting and hard lyricism. The “steal this car” line should be referring to a part of the comic series in which the fantastic four steal a car which is also shown in the music video for Na Na Na as they shoot down BLI. This is simply addressing the rebellious and punk nature presented with the killjoys concept, elaborating on how the killjoys can be an escape from authority. “We can live forever…” is a self-contradicting lyric because nobody could have the time to live forever since living is limited by time itself. This could be a statement saying that the Killjoys bend the rules and are so rebellious that they reject even death itself. However, because this works with the latter line “we’ll never die” it could also be stating that if you put in the dedication, the Killjoys as a whole won’t be stopped by authority. As a chorus, it keeps saying “we” can do this “we” we can steal this car which is used to invite the listener to this movement for escapism. This could be MC embracing that their music is a huge form of escape for their fans and that he wants the listener to live, discouraging suicide also.

Lyric: Can you save yourself tonight?
Annotation:
The Fabulous Four could be wondering if they’ll make it out of their next fight alive.

Lyric: So just save yourself and I’ll hold them back tonight
Annotation:
A Killjoy talking to his/her/their partner (in crime, in a relationship, in friendship, in a gang, etc.) saying they’ll hold the BL/ind draculoids back and they should just go.

Lyric: You’re the broken glass in the morning light
Annotation:
Broken glass is sharp and dangerous but if you saw it reflecting morning light it would look beautiful. The narrator is talking to/about someone who is beautiful but dangerous PROPOSED SUGGESTION: I think alludes to the “Night of Broken Glass” at the beginning of the Holocaust. There are several other call outs to Nazi Germany in this album and parallels with BLi and the SS. This line could be referring to the beginning of tragedy PROPOSED SUGGESTION: The next line also references a burning star, as in the Star of David

Lyric: I’m the only friend that makes you cry
Annotation:
He’s the only one who won’t sugarcoat it, even though it’s not what you want to hear. He understands what you’re going through, but you have to pull yourself out of it, find a way past it through blood, sweat, tears; whatever it takes.

Lyric: For all of us who’ve seen the light
 Salute the dead and lead the fight
Annotation:
Gerard is singing his respect for the people that have seen the ‘light’, as in what is right. He is telling the people to respect or ‘salute’ those that died trying to fight for it and is telling his fans to speak up and lead the fight for whatever it is they believe is right.

Lyric: So just save yourself and I’ll hold them back tonight
Annotation:
Gerard Way has stated many times how much it means to him that his fans have faith, hope, and keep living. This line is probably meant to communicate the idea that he’s willing to use what power he has, with his music, to make things better; and that he’s trusting the listener, urging them to keep living for themselves.

Lyric: They say we’re never leaving this place alive
 But if we sing these words, we’ll never die
Annotation:
Here, Gerard is trying to convey that people will tell you you are worthless, and it will make you  want to die.  However, if you are  singing these songs,  it is more than likely apparent as to what Gerard is trying to convey.  Consequently, what he is trying to say throughout the rest of the song is purely an attempt to influence the band’s fans to stay alive, and conquer oppression. The wording of this line seems almost as if it is implying that these people that are threatening the fans are the demons in their heads. Demons are often characterized as the fears (or things that provoke fears) that make you depressed.   Gerard could possibly be directing the attack on your depression, and not on the others who invoke it.

Lyric: I’ll tell you all how the story ends
 Where the good guys die and the bad guys win (Who cares?)
Annotation:
This is exactly what happens between  the Killjoys and BLI. It is the opposite of what one normally expects the ending to be, though.

Lyric: Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
 Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Annotation:
“Na” is a pretty common filler on the album – there’s even a  whole song of them!

Lyric: You’re a heart attack in black hair dye
Annotation:
This line could be referring to Gerard Way’s wife, Lindsey Way, who has naturally brown hair, or it could be referring to Gerard Way himself who dyed his hair black for a long time.  Here, “heart attack” is being used as a metaphor for love, as if your love for someone was so strong that it stopped your heart. Alternatively, this could be talking about how the band’s fans often look a certain way.  “Heart attack” here would be referring to how the fans scare people, relating back to the My Chem song,  “Teenagers”.

Lyric: Get off the ledge and drop the knife
 Not a victim of a victim’s life
Annotation:
A reference to two ways of self-harm and/or suicide: jumping from a high place and cutting or stabbing. People who do these things fall victim to the awful things happening in their lives. However, the conditions of your life don’t define you. Don’t feel sorry for yourself, and don’t expect others to feel sorry for you. Feel hope instead, and don’t let yourself fall victim to life’s messed-up ways.

Lyric: I hope you’re ready for a firefight
 ’Cause the Devil’s got your number tonight
Annotation:
Danger Days is set in a futuristic California, where our heroes fight against the government—BLI— and their corporations. Here, the speaker urges us to prepare for an attack. ‘The devil’s got your number’ would refer to how the band was found by BLI, and must now stand and fight. This was how they all died, as seen in the  comic series and  music video.

Lyric: It ain’t about all the friends you made
 But the graffiti they write on your grave
Annotation:
As Gerard sings on  “The Kids From Yesterday,” “you only live forever in the lights you make.” Whatever you do in life, you’ll leave behind a legacy, whether it’s a positive one or a negative one. In addition, some people might forget about certain things you’ve done and only remember a few things. It’s interesting that the “friends” deface the subject’s grave, since this is usually seen as a disrespectful act. This could mean that people are not always who they seem to be, and may hide their true thoughts from you. The second line of this couplet may have been the inspiration for the album art of  May Death Never Stop You, the group’s greatest hits album.

Lyric: This ain’t a room full of suicides
 We’re believers, I believe tonight
Annotation:
Gerard says we are all believers because he wants us to have faith in  something.  Whether it be simply a brighter future, or someones safety, this faith will help give you a purpose: a reason to live. MCR has faith in their fans and listeners to get through whatever hardships they’re facing. The band members themselves have been through some sticky situations, like bullying and substance abuse, but they made it out alive and hope that others will stay strong.

