You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison

My Chemical Romance & Bert McCracken * Track #4 On Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

Download "You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison"

Album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

ALBUM

My Chemical Romance

2004

You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison by My Chemical Romance (Ft. Bert McCracken)

Release Date

Tue Jun 08 2004

Performed by

My Chemical RomanceBert McCracken

Produced by

Howard Benson & My Chemical Romance

Writed by

Matt Pelissier & Ray Toro & Frank Iero & Mikey Way & Gerard Way

About

“You Know What They Do…” is a narrative told from the perspective of a felon who never expected to be caught, but is and sent to jail. While he’s in custody, he battles with mental health problems and doesn’t get along with the other inmates.

This song is featured on the band’s 2004 album Three Che...

You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison Lyrics

[Intro: Gerard Way]
In the middle of a gunfight
In the center of a restaurant
They say, "Come with your arms raised high"

[Verse 1: Gerard Way]
Well, they're never gonna get me
Like a bullet through a flock of doves
To wage this war against your faith in me
Your life will never be the same
On your mother's eyes, say a prayer
Say a prayer, yeah

[Chorus: Gerard Way]
Now, but I can't, and I don't know
How we're just two men as God had made us
Well, I can't, well, I can, yeah
Too much, too late, or just not enough of this
Pain in my heart for your dying wish
I'll kiss your lips again

[Verse 2: Gerard Way & Bert McCracken]
They all cheat at cards and the checkers are lost
My cellmate's a killer, they make me do push-ups in drag
But nobody cares if you're losing yourself
Am I losing myself?
Well, I miss my mom
Will they give me the chair?
Or lethal injection, or swing from a rope if you dare?
Ah, nobody knows
All the trouble I've seen

[Chorus: Gerard Way]
Now, but I can't, and I don't know
How we're just two men as God had made us
Well, I can't, well, I can, yeah
Too much, too late, or just not enough of this
Pain in my heart for your dying wish
I'll kiss your lips again

[Bridge: Gerard Way]
To your room
What they ask of you will make you want to say, "So long"
Well, I don't remember
Why remember you?

[Interlude: Bert McCracken]
Do you have the keys to the hotel?
'Cause I'm gonna string this motherfucker on fire
Fire

[Guitar Solo]

[Outro: Gerard Way]
Life is but a dream for the dead
And well I, I won't go down by myself
But I'll go down with my friends, yeah
Now, now, now, now (I can't explain)
Now, now, now, (I can't complain)
Now, now, yeah, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, haha

You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison Q&A

Who wrote You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison's ?

You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison was written by Matt Pelissier & Ray Toro & Frank Iero & Mikey Way & Gerard Way.

Who produced You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison's ?

You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison was produced by Howard Benson & My Chemical Romance.

When did My Chemical Romance release You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison?

My Chemical Romance released You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison on Tue Jun 08 2004.

Have any members of My Chemical Romance gone to prison?

No — the song is one of the few on Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge that strictly relates to the album’s concept. The protagonist of the album goes to prison for murder because he made a deal with the devil that requires him to kill a thousand evil souls.

Why did they sing the bridge differently at live shows?

The bridge in the studio version of the track is performed by Bert McCracken of The Used. They couldn’t get Bert to perform with them at every show, and Gerard can’t scream the way Bert can, so they altered the lyrics to fit their needs. It also gave the audience a fun surprise at their concerts.

What did My Chemical Romance say about "You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison"?

In May Death Never Stop You lead guitarist Ray Toro described the song as

Really captured a lot about what the band was trying to say about itself… Always expect the unexpected. And stay the fuck out of our way.

Is the line 'Just two men as God had made us' referring to homosexuality?

It’s safe to assume yes, since this song has many references to homosexuality.

Then again, this song was recorded with Bert McCracken—who was a close friend of Gerard’s at the time—so it could be referring to their odd friendship of sorts.