Interpretation.

Welcome to The Black Parade

By Chemical Romance

Review

As someone who typically would be caught jamming out to Megan Trainor or Taylor Swift in her car, the genera that Welcome to The Black Parade falls into would not be my first pick. I was first exposed to the song at as chow choir competition. The show choir wore black trench coats and the beginning of the song was sung by a soloist who slowly walked down the center stage. The next time I heard it was in my classroom while we were working and the beginning of the song caught my attention and for the rest of the day I was determined to find it. In my opinion, the beginning of the song is the best part. And this may be due to the fact that I don't usually listen to the heavy metal, screaming boy band type of music. 

The first thing that caught my attention was the lone piano notes that start off the song, followed by a simple melody that's pretty catchy and the addition of more and more instruments and chords. Until you end up with this very full, rock medal, instrumental background. 

After actually listening to the whole entire song, I could pull multiple meaning from the lyrics, both of which I feel are very relevant to our world but more specifically to our generation today. The first message is stated in the chorus when it says 

"We'll carry on,

We'll carry on

And though you're dead and gone believe me

Your memory will carry on

We'll carry on

And though you're broken and defeated

Your weary widow marches on"

In my opinion, this section is hinting towards a positive message to get out to people and let them know that what they do does matter. That people will remember them when they die, even if their broken and defeated. Despite the tone of the whole song.

But if you tie that part in with the rest of the song, I think it's describing his childhood where his father expected too much from him, asking 

"Son when you grow up,

would you be the saviour of the broken, 

the beaten and the damned?"

He said "Will you defeat them,

your demons, and all the non-believers, 

the plans that they have made?"

This whole time while his dad is explaining what he wants if his son, he's not listening, instead he was entranced with the marching band.

His father then passes away but the rest of the song describes how his father will always live on in his memories but that won't stop him from doing what he wants. Which is explained in the bridge.

The title comes from the place where he believes people go when they die, or where his father is now, in the black parade. 

Regardless of how the music means to me, there are plenty of other opinions out there. The beauty of opinions is that they can all be right, there is no wrong ones, unless they are in your opinion.

JSL

How to Win an Argument.

Arguments happen in all of our lives. Some may call them discussions, but due to the fact we all have our own opinions, differences in them lead to arguments in our conversations all the time. Now, for the mature people you may be lucky enough to argue with, these conversations will hopefully be thought provoking and useful for future discussions. 

There are many things that make a good arguer a good one. A large vocabulary is always impressive, along with extensive knowledge of what their argument is. Having an argument with one who only gives false information is of no use to you, but people do it quite often. One of the best attributes to a great arguer is the ability to keep calm. The whole point of an argument is a difference in opinion, as I stated earlier, and differences mean conflict. The key to winning an argument is that you must go into it knowing you may not change their opinion, winning may even mean that your opinions change in a subject. Learning from the arguments we have is what winning really is. 

Now, if that is what winning is, I will tell you what losing an argument is. I have told you that mature arguers can listen and keep calm while arguing, and truly think about what information is being presented. Immature ones are simple-minded, and refuse to compromise or even agree to disagree. They are stubborn, and can make even the most mature people stoop to yelling and fighting, which is why "arguments" has such a negative connotation to it. If only there were more mature people in the world, arguments would not be looked on as bad thing, when the truth is that it is something we all need to grow as individuals. If you are ever placed in the situation of arguing with someone who is simply not worth your time because of their immaturity, just start laughing (to yourself, so they will not be offended) and agree to disagree before wasting your breath. Maybe, if I can convince just a few people to take this approach to their arguments, there will be that many more mature people in the world.

JSL

New Year New Me.

This trending tweet that annoys all of us as the new year comes around, if used in the right context, has great intentions if you think about it. Gym memberships and church attendances spike during the first month or so of the year, which is fantastic, but why do so many give up so easily? I do know what it is like to have life get in the way, but if someone is determined to better themselves why would they not make things that better themselves, apart of their life? Make going to the gym part of your routine, I know it is possible. I feel as if when it comes to going to the gym, people get frustrated with no results, and with the new rage of loving your own body, people are less motivated to go. People these days want things now, and are too lazy to have to work for things they want. 

New Year's resolutions motivate individuals into putting in the work that is required to better themselves. The idea of starting over lights a fire under them. Life can get to a person, and new beginnings give people hope of things being better than they were. This gets people to want to change for the better. Mid-February is when people start giving up, some sooner, some push a little longer, but I think it is a generally assumed fact that the majority of people are expected to resort back to their old ways shortly after New Years. Do not let yourself be put into that category of assumed giver-uppers. Make plans to better yourself and stick to them. It is not as difficult as people make it out to be, it just takes something that no one our age likes to hear, effort. Hopefully you can stick to whatever your New Year's resolution and just start laughing at the people who doubt you. 

JSL

Procrastination.

There are many things that you will learn in high school; time management, the Pythagorean theorem, how to text without looking, which thing is the power house of the cell, and many more things. However, one thing in particular is something that all high schoolers get very good at in high school is the fine art of procrastination. Surprisingly enough, some of the most difficult classes you will take are the classes that teach you it best. There are some that tell me of their stories, pulling all nighters, waking up at three that morning, and as an underclassmen, I would just sit and gape at them. Now, as I get older and more familiar with the practice at it, I still cannot believe some of the stories but am no longer shocked by extreme procrastinators. 

Although sometimes your best and most qualified work appears the night before your paper is due, this blog is not telling you that this is the right choice. It may not happen all the time and if you think every paper you write will be better if you wait longer to do it, you will be sadly disappointed. I do not doubt that entering high school will push students to procrastinate, but I aim to preach the fact that life can be less stressful without it. Earlier I stated that I had procrastinated before, I would not say that I am as talented as some are, but I to for some reason like to test my limits when it comes to deadlines. One would think, with an already over booked schedule, an appreciation for planning, and one who holds their grades to a high standard, would not be one to add more stress on themselves by waiting until the last minute. Sometimes, my busy schedule is what pushes me to procrastinate, sleep is often the motivator to not get things done. However, my time management skills due to my schedule have played an important role in maximizing my ability to procrastinate. I feel as if, to some extent, is it a good ability to have. When you are placed in time crunched situations where there is a limited amount of time to complete something, it is good to have the experience of being rushed, which procrastination gives you. As stated earlier, you will procrastinate, my only hope is that after reading this post you will be more morivated to get stuff done for a week or so. 

JSL