My Chemical Romance’s “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” is a popular song with a deep meaning that resonates with fans. The song was released in 2004 and later became one of their most popular songs. The song is a tribute to the band’s former manager, Helena, who passed away from cancer. The lyrics describe the feeling of loss, the wish to say goodbye, and the hope that the dead will find peace.

The Lyrics

The first verse starts with the lines, “What’s the worst thing I can say? / Things are better if I stay / So long and goodnight.” These lines suggest that it’s better to say goodbye than to hold on to something that isn’t working. The next verse talks about regret, “If you carry on this way / Things are better if I stay / So long and goodnight / So long and goodnight.” The repetition suggests that the speaker wants to be proven wrong, that things are better if they stay, and the goodbye is actually just temporary.

The Music Video

The music video of “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” is as deep as the song itself. The video is a tribute to Helena and features all of the band members dressed in black funeral attire. Each band member is carrying one side of the casket that carries Helena’s body. The video shows the members walking down the street, and the city behind them is in black and white. Then the casket gets placed on the ground, and when the band plays music, Helena’s coffin lifts into the air. The end shows Helena flying into the sky while the band bows down in honour.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is the song “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” dedicated to?

The song “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” is a tribute to the band’s former manager, Helena, who died of cancer. The song was written as a tribute to her, and the band members had her funeral in mind while creating the music video.

2. What does the line “Things are better if I stay” mean in the song?

The line “Things are better if I stay” is used as a repetition in the song and suggests that the speaker, despite wanting to say goodbye, would happily stay if things were different. It’s a symbol of regret, the hesitation to say goodbye, and the hope for change.

3. Why is the song called “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)”?

The song is called “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” because it is about Helena, the band’s former manager who passed away from cancer. The phrase “So long and goodnight” is a symbol of saying goodbye to her and wishing her rest in peace in the afterlife.

4. What did the band members want to convey through the music video?

The music video of “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” was created as a tribute to Helena, the band’s former manager. The band members wanted to show her funeral and the song’s message symbolically through the music video. The video’s visuals show the band members carrying Helena’s casket, with each member dressed in black, and the city behind them in black and white.

5. What was the inspiration behind the song?

The song “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” was inspired by the band’s former manager, Helena, who died of cancer. The band members decided to write a tribute song for her to honour her memory and all that she had done for them.

6. What is the genre of the song?

The song “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” is a rock song and falls into the emo and punk rock genres. The song’s music style and the band’s vocals contribute to its genre classification.

7. What album is “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” on?

The song “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” is on the album “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.” The album was released in 2004 and is considered one of the band’s most popular.

8. What is the meaning of the goodnight in the song title?

The phrase “so long and goodnight” is a symbol of saying goodbye to someone. In the song “Helena (So Long & Goodnight),” the goodnight represents a farewell and symbolizes hope in the afterlife.

9. What is the significance of the bowing down in the music video’s ending?

The significance of the band bowing down at the end of the music video of “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” is to pay tribute to Helena, the band’s former manager whom they dearly loved. The bow represents respect, honour, and the final goodbye.

10. How did the fans react to the song and the music video?

The fans of My Chemical Romance loved “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” and appreciated the music video’s tribute to Helena. The song became one of the band’s most popular and is still cherished by fans worldwide.

11. What awards did the song and the band receive for “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)”?

The song “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” won numerous awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction. The band also won various awards throughout their career, including Alternative Press Band of the Year and Kerrang! Hall of Fame.

12. Has the band ever revealed what the song means to them personally?

Yes, the band members have opened up about their personal feelings and what “Helena (So Long & Goodnight)” means to them. The song’s message resonated with the band members, and it was challenging for them to say goodbye to their beloved manager, Helena.