"The Ghost of You" is the fourth and final single of My Chemical Romance's second studio album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. "The Ghost of You" was released to radio on September 27, 2005.[2] The song deals with the fear of loss. The song's title is an allusion to an ad from Watchmen, reading "Oh, how the ghost of you clings".[3] The ad itself was an allusion to the song, "These Foolish Things". The song's lyrics deal with losing a loved one.
| "The Ghost of You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by My Chemical Romance | ||||
| from the album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge | ||||
| Released | August 29, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 2003 | |||
| Genre | Emo[1] | |||
| Length |
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| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | My Chemical Romance | |||
| Producer(s) | Howard Benson | |||
| My Chemical Romance singles chronology | ||||
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| Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge track listing | ||||
13 tracks
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| Music video | ||||
| "The Ghost of You" on YouTube | ||||
Music video
edit
The music video was shot over two days in Malibu, California, and cost just over US $1,000,000 to make. Marc Webb directed the video. In an interview with Fuse, My Chemical Romance said "We shot a movie and just edited it to be a video. It's like if you put 'Helena' and 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)' together to make one long music video, it still would top that." It closely parallels the Omaha invasion scene from the movie Saving Private Ryan. Most of the video takes place at a USO dance where the band is performing, but, often switches over to a D-Day scene, in which the band members play as United States soldiers in fierce combat. (At the dance, one soldier's uniform bears the 101st Airborne Division "Screamin' Eagles" patch, however the 101st Airborne Division was not involved in beach landings, but were parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day, suggesting that several units were present at the ball. 1st Infantry Division, and Ninth Air Force patches can also be seen.) Ranger lozenge patch can be seen on one shoulder, as well as the orange diamond on the back of one Soldier's helmet indicating the 2nd Ranger Battalion.
The video takes an emotional turn when bassist Mikey Way is shot and killed by Axis fire despite the medic's (played by Ray Toro) attempts to save him, adding emphasis to the aspects of loss in the song. This is foreshadowed in a bar scene where vocalist Gerard Way, his brother, appears to be reassuring him that he will be alright, and that there is no reason to be afraid. He is seen wearing a 1st Infantry Division patch in the video. Mikey "dies" with his eyes open. Gerard is restrained by his squadmates/band members as he sees his brother die, and is seen screaming (although there is no sound other than the song) as he tries to run to him. The 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One", were among the first wave on Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944. In Life on the Murder Scene, Ray is told to talk to Mikey to look like he is trying to save him. Obligingly, he shouts "Mikey! You're dead! [How do you feel!?]"
Track listing
edit- All songs written by My Chemical Romance.
US promotional CD
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Ghost of You" (album version) | 3:14 |
UK promotional CD
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Ghost of You" | 3:23 |
UK 7" vinyl
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Ghost of You" | 3:23 |
| 2. | "Helena" (live) | 4:31 |
UK CD1
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Ghost of You" | 3:23 |
| 2. | "Helena" (live) | 4:32 |
UK CD2
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Ghost of You" | 3:23 |
| 2. | "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" (live) | 2:59 |
| 3. | "Cemetery Drive" (live) | 2:58 |
iTunes EP
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Ghost of You" (audio from video edit) | 3:16 |
| 2. | "I'm Not Okay – I Promise" (live; Warped Tour 2005) | 2:59 |
| 3. | "Cemetery Drive" (live; Warped Tour 2005) | 2:58 |
Charts
edit| Chart (2005–06) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records)[4] | 28 |
| Scotland (OCC)[5] | 27 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 27 |
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[7] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 84 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[9] | 38 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10] | 9 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2005 | CD | PROCDR101610 | |
| United Kingdom | PRO15547 | |||
| August 29, 2005 | 7" vinyl |
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| CD |
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References
edit- ^ "19 Years Later, I Still Can't Believe Saving Private Ryan Was The Basis For This Emo Music Video". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
- ^ My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way says it's been 'so difficult' to keep 'Watchmen' Bob Dylan cover under wraps
- ^ "R&R Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. December 9, 2005. p. 93. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "My Chemical Romance (Billboard Hot 100™)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "My Chemical Romance (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "My Chemical Romance (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – My Chemical Romance – The Ghost of You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 29, 2024.