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{{Short description|2007 single by My Chemical Romance}}
{{future single}}
{{good article}}
{{otheruses4|the [[My Chemical Romance]] song|age group|Adolescence}}
{{about|the My Chemical Romance song|other uses|Teenager (disambiguation)#Songs}}
{{Infobox Single
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
| Name = Teenagers
{{Infobox song
| Cover =
| Artistname = [[My Chemical Romance]]Teenagers
| fromcover Album = [[The Black Parade]]= MCRTeenagers.jpg
| alt = Cover artwork of "Teenagers": the band's logo, reading "My Chemical Romance", and the song's title in all caps, "TEENAGERS", appear over an image of a mushroom cloud
| Released = May 29, 2007
| Recordedtype = 2006single
| artist = [[My Chemical Romance]]
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]]<br>[[My Chemical Romance#Musical style|Disputed subgenres]]<!--DO NOT CHANGE THE GENRE WITHOUT FIRST DISCUSSING IN MAIN ARTICLE TALK PAGE-->
| Lengthalbum = 2:41[[The Black Parade]]
| Labelreleased = July 9, = [[Reprise Records]]2007
| Writer recorded = 2006
| Producerstudio = [[RobEldorado CavalloRecording Studios]]<br>[[My, Chemical Romance]]Burbank
| Certificationvenue =
| genre = {{flatlist|*[[Punk rock]]
| Chart position =
*[[glam rock]]
* #40 <small>([[Modern Rock Tracks|U.S. ''Billboard'' Modern Rock Tracks]])</small>
*[[southern rock]]
| Last single = [[Image:I Don't Love You (cover).jpg|60px]]<br>"[[I Don't Love You]]"<br>(2007)
*[[emo]]}}
| This single = [[Image:Nocover.png|60px]]<br>"'''Teenagers'''"<br>(2007)
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=41}}
| Next single =
| label = [[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
| writer = {{flatlist|*[[Bob Bryar]]
*[[Frank Iero]]
*{{nowrap|[[Ray Toro]]}}
*{{nowrap|[[Gerard Way]]}}
*{{nowrap|[[Mikey Way]]}}
}}
| producer = {{flatlist|*[[Rob Cavallo]]
*{{nowrap|My Chemical Romance}}}}
| prev_title = [[I Don't Love You]]
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = [[Desolation Row#My Chemical Romance|Desolation Row]]
| next_year = 2009
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|k6EQAOmJrbw|"Teenagers"}}<br />{{YouTube|zArEL_FLslM|"Teenagers" (Outtake Version)}}}}
}}
"'''Teenagers'''" is a song by the American rock band [[My Chemical Romance]] from their third studio album, ''[[The Black Parade]]'' (2006). An "anthemic" song which has been described as [[punk rock]], [[glam rock]], [[southern rock]], and [[emo]], "Teenagers" was inspired by frontman [[Gerard Way]]'s fear of teenagers, with lyrics addressing apprehension towards teenagers and teenage gun crime. The song was written by band members [[Bob Bryar]], [[Frank Iero]], [[Ray Toro]], Gerard Way, and [[Mikey Way]], and was produced by the group alongside [[Rob Cavallo]].
 
The track was released as the album's fourth and final single on July&nbsp;9,&nbsp;2007. "Teenagers" has charted in multiple countries, including in the United States where it reached #67 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] in 2007, and #16 on the [[Hot Rock & Alternative Songs]] chart in 2019 following the announcement of the band's reunion. The track was certified [[RIAA certification#Singles|six-times platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]], signifying certified sales of 6 million units. The single also peaked at #9 on the [[UK singles chart|UK Singles Chart]], becoming one of three by the band to reach the Top 10, and was certified [[BPI certification|two-times platinum]] by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).
"'''Teenagers'''" is the fourth [[Single (music)|single]] and eleventh [[Track (CD)|track]] from [[My Chemical Romance]]'s third studio album, ''[[The Black Parade]]''. It will be the third [[United States|U.S.]] single from the album, but is the fourth single released in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], as the previous single, "[[I Don't Love You]]", was a UK-only release. This song will also be the band's twelfth overall single.
 
The accompanying music video for "Teenagers", directed by frequent collaborator [[Marc Webb]], depicted the band performing in a high school gymnasium before being attacked by a horde of fans. The song has received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchiness and considered it a standout both on ''The Black Parade'' and in [[My Chemical Romance discography|the band's discography]] as a whole. My Chemical Romance has included "Teenagers" on the [[set list]]s of their various live performances, including that of their [[My Chemical Romance Reunion Tour|reunion tour]], and the track has been covered by various recording artists. "Teenagers" has also been widely used on the app [[TikTok]], particularly in July 2022 as both a [[protest song]] against the overturning of [[Roe v. Wade]] and as part of a social media trend.
==Song release ==
According to FMQB, the song was to be released to radio on [[April 23]], [[2007]]. This was then pushed forward to [[May 1]], [[2007]]. It was then pushed further to [[May 15]], 2007 as the final release date and FMQB has since stated the single is already out.<ref name="FMQB">{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Available for Airplay | date=2007-04 | publisher=FMQB | url =http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16770 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-17 | language = }}</ref>
 
== Background and release ==
The video premiered on the New Zealand music channel C4 much to the surprise of fans, viewers, and the presenter.
My Chemical Romance began writing their third studio album, ''The Black Parade'', in early 2006 at S.I.R. Studios in New York.<ref name=":0">{{Harvnb|Bryant|2014|p=147}}</ref> There, frontman [[Gerard Way]] expressed an interest to create an album which explored life and death, but contained his real fears "buried under layers of pomp and circumstance".<ref>{{Harvnb|Bryant|2014|p=149}}</ref> "Teenagers" was conceived as part of these early sessions;<ref name=":0" /> Gerard Way explained in an interview with ''[[Take 40 Australia]]'' that the song was primarily written while he was riding the [[New York City Subway]], as he found himself scared of high schoolers in a train car and began to wonder if he was out of touch with the youth.<ref>{{Cite interview |last=Way |first=Gerard |title=MCR's Gerard Way - scared of teenagers on the train! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkTz2Y-5fa4 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013221353/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkTz2Y-5fa4 |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Take 40 Australia]] |via=[[YouTube]] |date=April 16, 2008}}</ref>
 
Following the completion of ''The Black Parade'', My Chemical Romance biographer Tom Bryant noted how certain executives at [[Warner Records]] wished for "Teenagers" to be released as the album's first single; this was ultimately rejected in favor of "[[Welcome to the Black Parade]]".<ref>{{Harvnb|Bryant|2014|p=178}}</ref> The song was first announced as the eleventh song on the album on September&nbsp;13,&nbsp;2006,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Chris |date=September 13, 2006 |title=My Chemical Romance Unveil Black Parade Track List, Album Art |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1540817/my-chemical-romance-unveil-black-parade-track-list-album-art/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019013507/http://www.mtv.com/news/1540817/my-chemical-romance-unveil-black-parade-track-list-album-art/ |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> and was released alongside the album on October&nbsp;23,&nbsp;2006.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=The Black Parade — Album by My Chemical Romance — Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-black-parade/209388277 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103163319/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-black-parade/209388277 |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025}}</ref> "Teenagers" was subsequently released to American [[alternative radio]] stations on May&nbsp;15,&nbsp;2007,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2007 |title=AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly |url=http://www.allaccess.com/mail/archive/eweekly/alternative/2007-5-8.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822012507/http://www.allaccess.com/mail/archive/eweekly/alternative/2007-5-8.html |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2016 |website=AllAccess}}</ref> and was officially released as the album's fourth single on July&nbsp;9,&nbsp;2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2007 |title=My Chemical Romance release new single |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-141-1351174 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103162202/https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-141-1351174 |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref> The song was later included on the 2008 live album and DVD ''[[The Black Parade Is Dead!]]'', which featured the final show performed on The Black Parade Tour.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Bruce |first=Sophie |date=2008 |title=Review of My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade is Dead |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9z8c/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713163359/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9z8c/ |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=July 13, 2024 |website=[[BBC]]}}</ref> The song was also included on ''[[May Death Never Stop You]]'', the band's 2014 greatest hits album,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Aubin |date=January 21, 2014 |title=My Chemical Romance detail 'May Death Never Stop You,' launch pre-orders |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/54056/my-chemical-romance-detail-may-death-never-stop-you-launch-pre-orders |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714155941/https://www.punknews.org/article/54056/my-chemical-romance-detail-may-death-never-stop-you-launch-pre-orders |archive-date=July 14, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=Punknews.org}}</ref> and on ''[[The Black Parade/Living with Ghosts]]'' (2016), the 10th-anniversary reissue of ''The Black Parade''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Getz |first=Dana |date=July 29, 2016 |title=My Chemical Romance: 'The Black Parade' reissue gets release date |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/29/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-reissue-release-date/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105164003/https://ew.com/article/2016/07/29/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-reissue-release-date/ |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
From a [[November]] [[2006]] issue of ''[[Kerrang!]]'' magazine, [[Gerard Way]] quoted:
 
== Composition and lyrics ==
{{Cquote|It's a commentary on kids being viewed as meat; by the government and by society. That's how I felt in school, and after [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] happened that's how I felt in general. It's very important that this song is here because I always viewed this as about these kids in the parade who had killed themselves, who had made a big mistake. It's a very powerful song.}}
"Teenagers" is an anthemic<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Mortensa |first=Mala |date=April 11, 2023 |title=10 essential My Chemical Romance songs that encapsulate every era |url=https://www.altpress.com/essential-my-chemical-romance-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514182438/https://www.altpress.com/essential-my-chemical-romance-songs/ |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]}}</ref> song which has been described as [[punk rock]],<ref name="kerrang">{{cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Tom |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Every Song On My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade, Ranked From Worst To Best |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/every-song-on-my-chemical-romances-the-black-parade-ranked-from-worst-to-best/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122143644/https://www.kerrang.com/features/every-song-on-my-chemical-romances-the-black-parade-ranked-from-worst-to-best/ |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Kerrang!]]}}</ref> [[glam rock]],<ref name=":9">{{Cite magazine |last=Bacle |first=Ariana |date=July 22, 2016 |title=My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade: Ranking the songs |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/22/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-ranking-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824102356/https://ew.com/article/2016/07/22/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-ranking-songs/ |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |access-date=July 17, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> [[southern rock]],<ref name=":12">{{Cite magazine |date=December 11, 2007 |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2007 |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215210750/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007/7 |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> and [[emo]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=McAlpine |first=Fraser |date=June 27, 2007 |title=My Chemical Romance - 'Teenagers' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2007/06/my_chemical_romance_teenagers_1.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103172505/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2007/06/my_chemical_romance_teenagers_1.shtml |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=The Chart Blog |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Instrumentally, the song begins with a simple guitar riff consisting of [[hammer-on]] notes and [[Palm mute|palm muting]];<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Roche |first=Sam |date=November 19, 2019 |title=My Chemical Romance's 6 greatest guitar moments |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/my-chemical-romances-6-greatest-guitar-moments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913061453/https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/my-chemical-romances-6-greatest-guitar-moments |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Guitar World]]}}</ref> a [[vibraslap]] can also be heard prior to each chorus.<ref name=":3" /> During the song's bridge, a "funky" guitar solo,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leo |first=Ariana |date=May 5, 2021 |title=15 pop-punk songs that wouldn't be the same without these guitar solos |url=https://www.altpress.com/pop-punk-guitar-solos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207075451/https://www.altpress.com/pop-punk-guitar-solos/ |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref> described by Sam Roche of ''[[Guitar World]]'' as being "sing-along", is played.<ref name=":6" /> Both [[David Fricke]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' and Christopher R. Weingarten of ''[[The New York Times]]'' stylistically compared "Teenagers" to songs by [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]],<ref name=":22">{{Cite magazine |last=Fricke |first=David |author-link=David Fricke |date=October 16, 2006 |title=The Black Parade |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-black-parade-101350/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409180103/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-black-parade-101350/ |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |access-date=July 14, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Weingarten |first=Christopher |date=December 18, 2019 |title=Before & After 'The Black Parade' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/18/arts/music/my-chemical-romance-black-parade.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407064341/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/18/arts/music/my-chemical-romance-black-parade.html |archive-date=April 7, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> while both ''[[NME]]'' and Bryant compared it to those by [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=October 13, 2006 |title=My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-my-chemical-romance-8050-307539 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003002033/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-my-chemical-romance-8050-307539 |archive-date=October 3, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=NME}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Bryant|2014|p=194}}</ref> Weingarten additionally noted how "Teenagers" seemed influenced by the [[Slade]] song "[[Mama Weer All Crazee Now]]", while ''NME'' also compared the track to those by [[Roxy Music]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
 
Lyrically, "Teenagers" was inspired by Gerard Way's fear of teenagers.<ref name=":0" /> It is distinctive from the rest of ''The Black Parade'' in that it does not directly follow the album's overarching narrative about the death of The Patient; Way instead described the song as a "commentary on kids being viewed as meat; by the government and by society".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Travers |first=Paul |date=October 24, 2022 |title="Overcoming darkness is a beautiful thing": How My Chemical Romance battled ghosts, addiction, the Daily Mail and Kasabian to take over the world with The Black Parade |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/overcoming-darkness-is-a-beautiful-thing-how-my-chemical-romance-battled-ghosts-addiction-the-daily-mail-and-kasabian-to-take-over-the-world-with-the-black-parade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901031911/https://www.loudersound.com/features/overcoming-darkness-is-a-beautiful-thing-how-my-chemical-romance-battled-ghosts-addiction-the-daily-mail-and-kasabian-to-take-over-the-world-with-the-black-parade |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Louder Sound]]}}</ref> April Prince of ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]'' noted how the song was both a "rallying cry" for teenagers against the prejudice placed on them by adults, and commentary on how adults like Way could adopt those prejudices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prince |first=April |date=July 1, 2021 |title=11 tracks that perfectly encapsulate their entire era of music |url=https://www.altpress.com/songs-that-define-an-era/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415224547/https://www.altpress.com/songs-that-define-an-era/ |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref> Josiah Gogarty of ''[[GQ]]'' also perceived "Teenagers" as a self-referential look at the band's own teenage fanbase.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gogarty |first=Josiah |date=December 2, 2024 |title=I'll never forget ''The Black Parade'' |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/my-chemical-romance-bob-bryar-the-black-parade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101140604/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/my-chemical-romance-bob-bryar-the-black-parade |archive-date=January 1, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=[[GQ]]}}</ref>
 
The song's lyrics also address teenage violence and gun crime. [[Andy Greenwald]] of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' interpreted the track as Way taking the role of a military recruiter drafting teenagers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenwald |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Greenwald |date=October 24, 2006 |title=My Chemical Romance, 'The Black Parade' (Reprise) |url=https://www.spin.com/2006/10/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-reprise/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409175350/https://www.spin.com/2006/10/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-reprise/ |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> while [[Sia Michel]] of ''The New York Times'' observed how it blamed teenage violence on adults.<ref>{{cite news |last=Michel |first=Sia |author-link=Sia Michel |date=October 22, 2006 |title=Fresh from the Garden State, in Black Leather and Eyeliner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/22/arts/music/22mich.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115125607/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/22/arts/music/22mich.html |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In an interview with ''NME'', Way brought up [[the Smiths]] song "[[The Headmaster Ritual]]",<ref name=":8" /> which Weingarten called a "direct lyrical influence" on "Teenagers" due to their similar lyrical depictions of violence in schools.<ref name=":4" /> He also acknowledged the severity of gun crime among teenagers in the United States, and explained how the track "almost didn't fit on the record, but it's a topic that's so important to our culture".<ref name=":8">{{cite news |date=October 25, 2006 |title=My Chemical Romance discuss teen gun crime |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-127-1347470 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502210957/http://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-127-1347470 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |work=NME}}</ref>
 
==Critical reception==
"Teenagers" received positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], who praised its sound and wit. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of ''[[AllMusic]]'' called it the best and simplest song by the band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=The Black Parade Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-black-parade-mw0000563300 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407222903/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-black-parade-mw0000563300 |archive-date=April 7, 2025 |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Fricke highlighted the energy of the song's chorus, and wrote how it would have been the best song to close the album with.<ref name=":22" /> In a review of the single for the [[BBC]], Fraser McAlpine gave it a five-star review, noting its upbeat sound juxtaposed against its themes of teen angst.<ref name=":3" /> Wren Graves of ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' praised "Teenagers" for its "mocking humor" in a retrospective review of the album,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Wren |date=June 6, 2022 |title=A 35-Year-Old Man Listens to My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade for the First Time |url=https://consequence.net/2022/06/my-chemical-romance-the-black-parade-first-listen-essay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525023826/https://consequence.net/2022/06/my-chemical-romance-the-black-parade-first-listen-essay/ |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]}}</ref> while ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'s}} Clark Collis lauded its theatricality.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=October 23, 2006 |title=The Black Parade |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/10/23/black-parade/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312123920/https://ew.com/article/2006/10/23/black-parade/ |archive-date=March 12, 2025 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> Rou Reynolds of the band [[Enter Shikari]] called the song his favorite by the band due to its catchiness and lyrical content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2020 |title=My Chemical Romance's Best Songs, Picked By Your Favourite Bands |url=https://www.kerrang.com/my-chemical-romances-best-songs-picked-by-your-favourite-bands |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713044713/https://www.kerrang.com/my-chemical-romances-best-songs-picked-by-your-favourite-bands |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=Kerrang!}}</ref> However, Sean Howe of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' criticized the line "If you're troubled and hurt&nbsp;/ What you got under your shirt&nbsp;/ Will make them pay for the things that they did" for being "too [[Trenchcoat Mafia]] for comfort".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howe |first=Sean |date=October 17, 2006 |title=Blackened Meatloaf |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0643%2Chowe%2C74799%2C22.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223061857/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0643,howe,74799,22.html |archive-date=February 23, 2008 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[The Village Voice]]}}</ref>
 
The track has performed generally well in rankings of songs on ''The Black Parade'', with both [[Robert Christgau]] and Theon Weber of ''[[Stylus Magazine|Stylus]]'' identifying "Teenagers" as a standout on the album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |title=My Chemical Romance: ''The Black Parade'' |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=13540 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018103501/https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=13540 |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=Robertchristgau.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Theon |date=October 24, 2006 |title=My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade - Review |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/my-chemical-romance/the-black-parade.htm/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616171550/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/my-chemical-romance/the-black-parade.htm/ |archive-date=June 16, 2008 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Stylus Magazine|Stylus]]}}</ref> ''[[American Songwriter]]''{{'s}} Lauren Boisvert called the song the third-best song on ''The Black Parade'', noting how it resonated with her both as an adult and as a teenager.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boisvert |first=Lauren |date=November 12, 2024 |title=My Chemical Romance is Going On Tour in 2025, So Here's How I Rank Every Track on 'The Black Parade' |url=https://americansongwriter.com/my-chemical-romance-is-going-on-tour-in-2025-so-heres-how-i-rank-every-track-on-the-black-parade/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127014829/https://americansongwriter.com/my-chemical-romance-is-going-on-tour-in-2025-so-heres-how-i-rank-every-track-on-the-black-parade/ |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[American Songwriter]]}}</ref> Ariana Bacle of ''Entertainment Weekly'' placed "Teenagers" fourth, writing of its "confident, captivating swagger".<ref name=":9" /> Tom Shepherd of ''[[Kerrang!]]'' ranked the song at seventh, recognizing it as a "[[black sheep]]" on the album yet praising its themes and chorus.<ref name="kerrang" /> However, ''Alternative Press''{{'s}} Mackenzie Templeton called "Teenagers" the album's third-worst song, writing that it "didn't age as gracefully" as the other tracks on the album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Templeton |first=Mackenzie |date=January 22, 2020 |title='The Black Parade' ranked from good to peak My Chemical Romance |url=https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-the-black-parade-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717153509/https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-the-black-parade-ranked/ |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |access-date=November 30, 2024 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref>
 
"Teenagers" has also been featured in rankings of [[My Chemical Romance discography|My Chemical Romance's discography]] as a whole. The staff of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' included the track in their list of the band's 15 best songs, highlighting how many fans&nbsp;— being teenagers during the band's peak of popularity&nbsp;— began to fear teenagers themselves, thus causing the song to "slap even harder".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Weatherby |first=Taylor |date=November 14, 2019 |title=The 15 Best My Chemical Romance Songs: Staff Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/my-chemical-romance-best-songs-8543517/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713044714/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/my-chemical-romance-best-songs-8543517/ |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> Similarly, ''[[Louder Sound|Louder]]''{{'s}} Marianne Eloise placed "Teenagers" in her list of the 20 greatest songs by the band due to its relatability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eloise |first=Marianne |date=May 27, 2024 |title=The 20 greatest My Chemical Romance songs ever |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-20-greatest-my-chemical-romance-songs-ever |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807091240/https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-20-greatest-my-chemical-romance-songs-ever |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=Louder Sound}}</ref> Margaret Farrell of ''[[Stereogum]]'' ranked it as My Chemical Romance's fourth-best song, calling it a "disturbingly fun anthem for exploited youth",<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=Margaret |date=December 19, 2019 |title=The 10 Best My Chemical Romance Songs |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2067999/my-chemical-romance-best-songs/lists/10-best-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716200454/https://www.stereogum.com/2067999/my-chemical-romance-best-songs/lists/10-best-songs/ |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=[[Stereogum]] }}</ref> while the staff of ''Spin'' included "Teenagers" in their list of their 10 best songs, noting how it served as a good break within the otherwise-dramatic album.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2019 |title=Three Cheers for Sweet Career: My Chemical Romance's 10 Best Songs |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/04/my-chemical-romance-songs-best-hits-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250118063719/https://www.spin.com/2019/04/my-chemical-romance-songs-best-hits-list/ |archive-date=January 18, 2025 |access-date=January 18, 2025 |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> Roche specifically lauded the track as being one of My Chemical Romance's 6 greatest guitar moments, highlighting the simplicity of its guitar riff and solo, and praised the track's "infectiously interactive" nature.<ref name=":6" /> A ''Rolling Stone'' list of the best songs of 2007 placed "Teenagers" at #25, calling it the band's "catchiest and most fun song".<ref name=":12" />
 
==Commercial performance==
In the United States, "Teenagers" debuted at #2 on the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100|Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles]] chart on June&nbsp;23,&nbsp;2007,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date= |title=My Chemical Romance Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/my-chemical-romance/chart-history/hbu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819135216/https://www.billboard.com/artist/my-chemical-romance/chart-history/hbu/ |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> before debuting at #87 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] the following week<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard Hot 100 — Week of June 30, 2007 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-06-30/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307221948/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-06-30/ |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> and peaking at #67 on August&nbsp;4,&nbsp;2007.<ref name=hot /> The single also peaked at #23 on the [[Pop Airplay]] chart.<ref name="pop" /> In 2019, following the announcement of the band's reunion, "Teenagers" debuted and peaked at #16 on the [[Hot Rock & Alternative Songs]] chart.<ref name="hotrock" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=November 15, 2019 |title=My Chemical Romance's 'Black Parade' Marches Back to Billboard 200 After Reunion Announcement |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-billboard-200-return-reunion/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118110300/https://www.billboard.com/pro/my-chemical-romance-black-parade-billboard-200-return-reunion/ |archive-date=January 18, 2025 |access-date=January 23, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) certified "Teenagers" [[RIAA certification#Singles|six-times platinum]] in the United States on July 11, 2025.<ref name="RIAA" /> In Canada, "Teenagers" reached #53 on the [[Canadian Hot 100]] chart on September&nbsp;15,&nbsp;2007,<ref name="canada" /> and peaked at #21 on the [[Canada Rock]] chart;<ref name="canadarock" /> [[Music Canada]] certified "Teenagers" [[Music Canada#Singles|five-times platinum]] in the country on April 25, 2025.<ref name="canadacert" />
 
In Europe, "Teenagers" reached #13 on the [[Euro Digital Tracks]] chart.<ref name="eurodigital" /> In the United Kingdom, the single peaked at #9 on both the [[UK Singles chart|UK Singles]]<ref name="uk" /> and the [[UK Singles Downloads Chart|UK Singles Downloads]]<ref name="ukdownload" /> charts, becoming one of three songs by the group to reach the Top 10 on the former.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=George |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Official Charts Flashback 2006: My Chemical Romance's Welcome To The Black Parade rises to Number 1 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-flashback-2006-my-chemical-romances-welcome-to-the-black-parade-rises-to-number-1__34262/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008101346/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-flashback-2006-my-chemical-romances-welcome-to-the-black-parade-rises-to-number-1__34262/ |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref> The song was also listed at #87 on the UK Singles year-end chart of 2007,<ref name="ukyear" /> and was certified [[BPI certification|two-times platinum]] in by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI).<ref name="BPI" /> "Teenagers" has also charted on the [[Scottish Singles Chart]] (6),<ref name="scotland" /> the [[Irish Singles Chart]] (7),<ref name="ireland" /> the Czech Republic's [[Rádio – Top 100 (Czech Republic)|Rádio – Top 100]] chart (21),<ref name="czech" /> Austria's [[Ö3 Austria Top 40]] chart (50),<ref name="austria" /> and Germany's [[GfK Entertainment charts|singles chart]] (74).<ref name="germany" /> The song has been certified gold in Italy by the [[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana]] (FIMI),<ref name="FIMI" /> in Denmark by [[IFPI Danmark]],<ref name="IFPID" /> and in Spain by [[Productores de Música de España]].<ref name="SpainCert" /> Additionally, "Teenagers" peaked at #6 on New Zealand's [[Official Aotearoa Music Charts|singles chart]],<ref name="newzealand" /> #15 on Venezuela's [[Record Report|pop rock chart]],<ref name="venezuela" /> and at #16 on Australia's [[ARIA Charts|singles chart]].<ref name="australia" /> The song was certified three-times platinum in New Zealand by Recorded Music NZ.<ref name="RMNZ" /> "Teenagers" has become the band's most-played song on [[Spotify]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Jack |date=January 23, 2023 |title=My Chemical Romance's 'Teenagers' Certified 2x Platinum In UK |url=https://rocksound.tv/news/my-chemical-romances-teenagers-certified-2x-platinum-in-uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104180726/https://rocksound.tv/news/my-chemical-romances-teenagers-certified-2x-platinum-in-uk |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=[[Rock Sound]]}}</ref> being their first track to surpass one billion streams on the platform in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiVita |first=Joe |date=September 27, 2024 |title=The 10 Rock + Metal Songs That Passed One Billion Spotify Streams This Summer |url=https://loudwire.com/spotify-billion-streams-rock-metal-songs-summer-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216055509/https://loudwire.com/spotify-billion-streams-rock-metal-songs-summer-2024/ |archive-date=December 16, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Loudwire}}</ref>
 
==Music video==
[[File:Marc Webb by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|The music video of "Teenagers" was directed by [[Marc Webb]] (''pictured''), a frequent collaborator of the band.]]
Several photos of the [[music video]] shoot have been [[Internet leak|leaked]] onto [[Buzznet]]. The photos show the band performing in a high school [[auditorium]], with [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]]s prancing around them. In some of the photos, the cheerleaders appear to be wearing [[gas mask]]s.
An accompanying music video for "Teenagers", directed by frequent collaborator [[Marc Webb]], was released on May&nbsp;30,&nbsp;2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Darus |first=Alex |date=May 29, 2020 |title=QUIZ: Do you know the lyrics to My Chemical Romance's "Teenagers"? |url=https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-teenagers-lyrics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415233040/https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-teenagers-lyrics/ |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anitai |first=Tamar |date=October 16, 2007 |title=Fergie's New 'Clumsy' Video |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2291467/fergies-new-clumsy-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322050013/http://www.mtv.com/news/2291467/fergies-new-clumsy-video/ |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=MTV News}}</ref> The video depicts the band performing the song inside a high school gymnasium to a group of teenage fans, while cheerleaders with [[gas mask]]s and batons dance. The group of fans pump the air in unison, before a riot ensues and the band members are "attacked without any regard for their safety".<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Bezer |first=Terry |date=December 20, 2019 |title=The Black Parade: Revisiting the album that made My Chemical Romance superstars |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-black-parade-revisiting-the-album-that-made-my-chemical-romance-superstars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219200237/https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-black-parade-revisiting-the-album-that-made-my-chemical-romance-superstars |archive-date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Louder Sound}}</ref> The video ends with a message supporting National Save, a youth violence prevention organization.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Chaudhry |first=Aliya |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Every My Chemical Romance music video, ranked from 'worst' to best |url=https://www.kerrang.com/every-my-chemical-romance-video-ranked-from-worst-to-best |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227113106/https://www.kerrang.com/every-my-chemical-romance-video-ranked-from-worst-to-best |archive-date=December 27, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Kerrang!}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2017 |title=Every My Chemical Romance music video ever made, ranked |url=https://www.altpress.com/every_my_chemical_romance_music_video_ever_made_ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250104053944/https://www.altpress.com/every_my_chemical_romance_music_video_ever_made_ranked/ |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref>
 
The music video pays homage to the Pink Floyd film ''[[Pink Floyd – The Wall|The Wall]]'', with both containing a similar scene of teenagers breaking through a padlocked door.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Ali |date=October 23, 2020 |title=16 things about 'Black Parade' even My Chemical Romance probably forgot |url=https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-the-black-parade-facts-trivia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250104060651/https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-the-black-parade-facts-trivia/ |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref> The video was nominated for Best Video at the 2008 [[NME Awards|''NME'' Awards]], losing to that of "[[Teddy Picker#Music video|Teddy Picker]]" by [[Arctic Monkeys]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 29, 2008 |title=Shockwaves NME Awards 2008: Winners' list |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-awards-61-1321576 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220172759/https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-awards-61-1321576 |archive-date=December 20, 2024 |access-date=January 5, 2025 |website=NME}}</ref> Aliya Chaudhry of ''Kerrang!'' ranked the music video for "Teenagers" the sixth best by the band, praising its over-the-top yet captivating nature.<ref name=":02" />
On [[May 8]], [[2007]], a short clip of the music video was shown during [[Linkin Park]]'s 3-minute ''[[Projekt Revolution]]'' [[2007]] trailer on [[YouTube]] (which is seen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U1euetopoE here]). About 55 seconds into the trailer, it shows a 30 second portion of My Chemical Romance performing their three [[United States|U.S.]] singles from ''[[The Black Parade]]''.
== Live performances and legacy ==
"Teenagers" has been a staple in My Chemical Romance live performances, having been performed during events such as the 2007 [[Projekt Revolution]] tour,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olszewski |first=Tricia |date=August 21, 2007 |title=Projekt Revolution: It's All the Rage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/style/2007/08/21/projekt-revolution-its-all-the-rage/3ca8f857-fc6d-4bc3-ab1c-4b9091d67205/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250203173411/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/style/2007/08/21/projekt-revolution-its-all-the-rage/3ca8f857-fc6d-4bc3-ab1c-4b9091d67205/ |archive-date=February 3, 2025 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> the [[2007 MTV Europe Music Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2007 |title=My Chemical Romance Tour |url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/s0o1u7/my-chemical-romance-tour |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104201635/https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/s0o1u7/my-chemical-romance-tour |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=MTV News UK}}</ref> the [[10th Annual Honda Civic Tour]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bayer |first=Jonah |date=August 9, 2011 |title=Blink-182 & My Chemical Romance Kick Off Tour |url=https://www.spin.com/2011/08/blink-182-my-chemical-romance-kick-tour/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604081451/https://www.spin.com/2011/08/blink-182-my-chemical-romance-kick-tour/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Spin}}</ref> the 2011 [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodwyn |first=Tom |date=August 26, 2011 |title=My Chemical Romance joined by Queen's Brian May at Reading Festival |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-44-1286510 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204115303/https://www.nme.com/news/music/my-chemical-romance-44-1286510 |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=NME}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frith |first=Holly |date=August 27, 2011 |title=My Chemical Romance Bring 'Danger Days' To Leeds Festival 2011 |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/66283/My-Chemical-Romance-Bring-Danger-Days-To-Leeds-Festival-2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829163347/http://www.gigwise.com:80/news/66283/My-Chemical-Romance-Bring-Danger-Days-To-Leeds-Festival-2011 |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |website=Gigwise}}</ref> the 2022 [[Riot Fest]] and [[When We Were Young (festival)|When We Were Young]] festivals,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Sam |date=September 18, 2022 |title=What happened when My Chemical Romance headlined Riot Fest |url=https://www.kerrang.com/what-happened-when-my-chemical-romance-headlined-riot-fest |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223035019/https://www.kerrang.com/what-happened-when-my-chemical-romance-headlined-riot-fest |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Kerrang!}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheckells |first=Melinda |date=October 24, 2022 |title=When We Were Young: The Festival That Almost Wasn't |url=https://consequence.net/2022/10/when-we-were-young-festival-2022-recap/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107221004/https://consequence.net/2022/10/when-we-were-young-festival-2022-recap/ |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Consequence}}</ref> and the band's [[My Chemical Romance Reunion Tour|reunion tour]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Phull |first=Hardeep |date=December 21, 2019 |title=My Chemical Romance Return to 'The Black Parade' and More at First Show Since 2012 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/my-chemical-romance-2019-reunion-show-recap-los-angeles-8546949/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203100325/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/my-chemical-romance-2019-reunion-show-recap-los-angeles-8546949/ |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardman |first=Neville |date=May 16, 2022 |title=Here's My Chemical Romance's setlist from the first night of their 2022 tour |url=https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-setlist-2022-tour/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418163646/https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-setlist-2022-tour/ |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref> The band has also played the song in performances of ''The Black Parade'' as a whole, including during the [[The Black Parade World Tour|Black Parade Tour]],<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Ed |date=March 21, 2007 |title=My Chemical Romance Bring Ostentatious Behavior To The Masses |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/22/my-chemical-romance-bring-ostentatious-behavior-to-the-masses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104200026/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/22/my-chemical-romance-bring-ostentatious-behavior-to-the-masses |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> the 2024 When We Were Young festival,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Abby |date=October 20, 2024 |title=Watch My Chemical Romance Break Out Live Rarities At When We Were Young |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2284654/watch-my-chemical-romance-break-out-live-rarities-at-when-we-were-young/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126191852/https://www.stereogum.com/2284654/watch-my-chemical-romance-break-out-live-rarities-at-when-we-were-young/news/ |archive-date=November 26, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Stereogum}}</ref> and the [[Long Live The Black Parade Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Emily |date=July 12, 2025 |title=MCR: Here’s the setlist from The Black Parade stadium tour |url=https://www.kerrang.com/my-chemical-romance-setlist-at-t-mobile-park-seattle-wa-tour-long-live-the-black-parade-north-american-stadium-tour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250712190427/https://www.kerrang.com/my-chemical-romance-setlist-at-t-mobile-park-seattle-wa-tour-long-live-the-black-parade-north-american-stadium-tour |archive-date=July 12, 2025 |access-date=July 12, 2025 |website=Kerrang! |language=}}</ref> Additionally, "Teenagers" has been covered by various artists, including by [[Palaye Royale]] in live performances,<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2019 |title=10 My Chemical Romance covers from all over the place |url=https://www.altpress.com/best-my-chemical-romance-covers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229045714/https://www.altpress.com/best-my-chemical-romance-covers/ |archive-date=December 29, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref> [[Macy Gray]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodwyn |first=Tom |date=February 2, 2012 |title=Macy Gray to cover My Chemical Romance, Kanye West, Radiohead on new LP |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/macy-gray-2-1268799 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104194155/https://www.nme.com/news/music/macy-gray-2-1268799 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=NME}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=Marc |date=March 28, 2012 |title=Macy Gray Does Her Raspy My Chemical Romance Cover on 'Conan' |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/03/macy-gray-does-her-raspy-my-chemical-romance-cover-conan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201203856/https://www.spin.com/2012/03/macy-gray-does-her-raspy-my-chemical-romance-cover-conan/ |archive-date=February 1, 2020 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Spin}}</ref> [[Save Face]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenwood |first=Koltan |date=September 12, 2019 |title=My Chemical Romance get near-perfect "Teenagers" cover by Save Face |url=https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-teenagers-cover-save-face/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128032524/https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-teenagers-cover-save-face/ |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref> and [[Against the Current (band)|Against the Current]] for the compilation album ''[[Rock Sound Presents: The Black Parade]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Lauren |date=September 11, 2016 |title=Against the Current's Chrissy Costanza on the Warped Tour and Pokemon Go |url=https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3069470/against-currents-chrissy-costanza-warped-tour-and |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104181721/https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/entertainment/music/article/3069470/against-currents-chrissy-costanza-warped-tour-and |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref>
 
Prior to July 2022, "Teenagers" had been used by some [[TikTok]] users to soundtrack videos of politically active members of [[Generation Z]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serra |first=Maria |date=September 16, 2020 |title=10 times My Chemical Romance's "Teenagers" became a protest anthem |url=https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-teenagers-tiktok-protests/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130112811/https://www.altpress.com/my-chemical-romance-teenagers-tiktok-protests/ |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Alternative Press}}</ref> The track was also adopted by parents on the platform, who used it in videos of rebellious actions taken by their teenage children.<ref name=":14">{{Cite magazine |last=Goldberg |first=Madison |date=October 13, 2022 |title=10 Rock Songs from the Mid-2000s That Have Gotten TikTok Revivals |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/rock-songs-tiktok-revivals-2000s-emo-pop-punk-list-feature/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524213514/https://www.billboard.com/lists/rock-songs-tiktok-revivals-2000s-emo-pop-punk-list-feature/ |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In July 2022, "Teenagers" saw a significant renewal in popularity on the app due to a trend where users would post pictures of their parents as teenagers, followed by popularity as a [[protest song]] used by Generation Z after the overturning of [[Roe v. Wade]].<ref name=":14" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Casalena |first=Em |date=July 27, 2024 |title=4 Pop Punk Songs That Were Revived by TikTok |url=https://americansongwriter.com/4-pop-punk-songs-that-were-revived-by-tiktok/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812043132/https://americansongwriter.com/4-pop-punk-songs-that-were-revived-by-tiktok/ |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=American Songwriter}}</ref>
The music video is directed by [[Marc Webb]] who also directed three previous My Chemical Romance music videos, from their ''[[Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge]]'' album and the music video for "[[I Don't Love You]]". In the music video, My Chemical Romance performs "Teenagers" in an empty auditorium with cheerleaders behind them. As they begin to sing the chorus, teenagers break down a locked door and run through the hall way to the auditorium. The high school students fill the auditorium and stay seated until the chorus. When the chorus ends, the cheerleaders put on gas masks. They then dance around the stage. At the chorus, the red Teenagers flag in the back of the stage falls. It reveals what appears to be a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion. Also, the teenagers all stand up throwing their right fists in the air. The cheerleaders have a weapon of some sort and use it "to strike a violent pose" as the song suggests. As the chorus ends, the teenagers begin to jump up and down like they are at a concert and the cheerleaders dance more wild on stage. As the chorus picks up again, the teenagers and cheerleaders continue their dancing. When the chorus plays again, the teenagers climb onto the stage and begin to take the bands instuments and take over the stage. The last scene we see is Gerald on the ground with a scared look on his face.
 
== Credits and personnel ==
The video can be watched and downloaded on google video[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6703068397085050608&q=My+Chemical+Romance+Teenagers+-site%3Ayoutube.com]
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of ''The Black Parade''<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |last=My Chemical Romance |title=[[The Black Parade]] |year=2006 |publisher=[[Reprise Records]] |type=liner notes}}</ref> and [[Apple Music]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teenagers — Song by My Chemical Romance — Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/my/song/teenagers/260548666 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250126040808/https://music.apple.com/my/song/teenagers/260548666 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}</ref>
 
'''Locations'''
According to the TRL website, the video will be premiering on May 30th[http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/trl/schedule.jhtml]
* Recorded at [[Eldorado Recording Studios]] ([[Burbank, California|Burbank]], California)
* Mixed at Resonate Music (Burbank, California)
* Mastered at [[Sterling Sound]] (New York City, New York)
'''Credits'''{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}'''My Chemical Romance'''
* [[Gerard Way]] – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
* [[Raymond Toro]] – background vocals, lead guitar, songwriter, producer
* [[Frank Iero]] – background vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriter, producer
* [[Mikey Way]] – bass guitar, songwriter, producer
* [[Bob Bryar]] – drums, percussion, songwriter, producer
'''Additional performing artists'''
* [[Rob Cavallo]] – piano, producer
* [[Jamie Muhoberac]] – keyboards, synthesizer, [[Hammond organ]], [[Wurlitzer electronic piano|Wurlitzer piano]]
{{col-2}}'''Additional personnel'''
* [[Chris Lord-Alge]] – [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] engineer
* [[Ted Jensen]] – [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]] engineer
* Lars Fox – [[Audio engineer|recording engineer]]
* Chris Steffen – recording engineer
* Mike Fasano – drum technician
* Andrew Busher – [[guitar tech]]nician
* Tyler Dragness – guitar technician
* Doug McKean – engineer
* Keith Armstrong – assistant engineer
* Jimmy Hoyson – assistant engineer{{col-end}}
 
==Charts==
The video will also premiere on MTV 2's Elite 8 on May 31th, 2007
{{col-begin}}
[http://www.mtv2.com/#home/]
{{col-2}}
 
===Weekly charts===
The music video had its world premiere in New Zealand on Tuesday May 29th during the jukebox show [[Select Live]].
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
[http://www.c4tv.co.nz/LineUp/SelectLive/tabid/58/Default.aspx]
|+2007–2008 weekly chart positions for "Teenagers"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2007–2008)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|16|artist=My Chemical Romance|song=Teenagers|rowheader=true|refname=australia}}
|-
{{single chart|Austria|50|artist=My Chemical Romance|song=Teenagers|rowheader=true|refname=austria}}
|-
{{single chart|Canada|53|artist=My Chemical Romance|rowheader=true|refname=canada}}
|-
!scope="row|Canada Rock (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="canadarock">{{Cite magazine |title=My Chemical Romance Chart History (Canada Rock) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/my-chemical-romance/chart-history/car/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127221948/https://www.billboard.com/artist/my-chemical-romance/chart-history/car/ |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
|21
|-
{{single chart|Czech Republic|21|year=2008|week=05|artist=My Chemical Romance|rowheader=true|refname=czech}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[Euro Digital Tracks]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="eurodigital">{{Cite magazine |title=My Chemical Romance Chart History (Euro Digital Tracks) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/my-chemical-romance/chart-history/idt/ |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105060629/https://www.billboard.com/artist/my-chemical-romance/chart-history/idt/ |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |access-date=January 5, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
|13
|-
{{single chart|Germany|songid=257561|74|artist=My Chemical Romance|song=Teenagers|access-date=January 4, 2018|rowheader=true|refname=germany}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|7|song=Teenagers|access-date=January 4, 2018|rowheader=true|refname=ireland}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|6|artist=My Chemical Romance|song=Teenagers|rowheader=true|refname=newzealand}}
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|6|date=20070721|rowheader=true|refname=scotland}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|9|date=20070721|artist=My Chemical Romance|song=Teenagers|rowheader=true|access-date=January 4, 2018|refname=uk}}
|-
{{single chart|UKdownload|9|date=20070721|artist=My Chemical Romance|song=Teenagers|access-date=January 4, 2018|rowheader=true|refname=ukdownload}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|67|artist=My Chemical Romance|artistid={{BillboardID|My Chemical Romance}}|song=Teenagers|rowheader=true|access-date=December 1, 2013|refname=hot}}
 
|-
==References==
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|23|artist=My Chemical Romance|artistid={{BillboardID|My Chemical Romance}}|song=Teenagers|rowheader=true|access-date=March 12, 2024|refname=pop}}
<references/>
|-
!scope="row"|Venezuela Pop Rock ([[Record Report]])<ref name="venezuela">{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2007 |title=Pop Rock |url=http://www.recordreport.com.ve/publico/?i=poprock |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001174500/http://www.recordreport.com.ve:80/publico/?i=poprock |archive-date=October 1, 2007 |publisher=[[Record Report]] |access-date=January 4, 2025 |language=es}}</ref>
|15
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+2019 weekly chart positions for "Teenagers"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2019)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|16|artist=My Chemical Romance|artistid={{BillboardID|My Chemical Romance}}|song=Teenagers|rowheader=true|access-date=December 1, 2013|refname=hotrock}}
|}
{{col-2}}
 
 
==External links==
===Year-end charts===
* [http://www.mychemicalromance.com/ "Teenagers" sound track at the official My Chemical Romance website]
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
* [http://www.imnotokay.net/my-chemical-romance/lyrics/teenagers/ "Teenagers" lyrics]
|+2007 year-end chart positions for "Teenagers"
|-
!Chart (2007)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref name="auyear">{{Cite web |title=ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2007 |url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2007/singles-chart |access-date=April 28, 2020 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921083852/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2007/singles-chart |url-status=live }}</ref>
|65
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)<ref name="nzyear">{{cite web |title=Top Selling Singles of 2007 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2007-12-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511184208/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=2088 |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=May 19, 2022 |publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]}}</ref>
|35
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref name="ukyear">{{cite web |title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2007 |url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2007.pdf |access-date=April 28, 2020 |publisher=UK ChartsPlus |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724023542/http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2007.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|87
|}
{{col-end}}
 
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|artist=My Chemical Romance|title=Teenagers|relyear=2006|certyear=2025|access-date=April 25, 2025|refname="canadacert"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Gold|artist=My Chemical Romance|title=Teenagers|relyear=2006|certyear=2024|id=14731|access-date=December 6, 2024|refname="IFPID"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|award=Gold|artist=My Chemical Romance|title=Teenagers|relyear=2006|certyear=2024|id=12061|access-date=February 19, 2024|refname="FIMI"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|artist=My Chemical Romance|title=Teenagers|relyear=2006|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=December 23, 2024|refname="RMNZ"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Gold|artist=My Chemical Romance|title=Teenagers|relyear=2006|certyear=2024|access-date=December 24, 2024|refname="SpainCert"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=My Chemical Romance|title=Teenagers|relyear=2006|certyear=2023|id=10291-1010-1|access-date=January 20, 2023|refname="BPI"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=6|artist=My Chemical Romance|title=Teenagers|relyear=2006|certyear=2025|access-date=July 11, 2025|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
 
== Release history ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Region
!Date
!Format
!Label(s)
!{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|United States
|May&nbsp;15,&nbsp;2007
|[[Modern rock|Alternative radio]]
|[[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|United Kingdom
|July&nbsp;9,&nbsp;2007
|[[CD single]]
|[[Warner Records|Warner]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teenagers: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyls |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teenagers-My-Chemical-Romance/dp/B000S1KQ5A |access-date=January 2, 2025 |publisher=Amazon.com (UK)}}</ref>
|-
|Various
|July&nbsp;30,&nbsp;2007
|Digital [[extended play]] (EP)
|{{flatlist|* Reprise
* Warner}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teenagers - EP — Album by My Chemical Romance — Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/my/album/teenagers-ep/260548658 |access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref>
|-
|Australia
|August&nbsp;31,&nbsp;2007
| rowspan="2" |CD single
| rowspan="2" |Warner
| rowspan="2" | <ref name=australia />
|-
|Germany
|September&nbsp;14,&nbsp;2007
|}
 
==See also==
* [[Ephebiphobia]]
 
== References ==
 
=== Source ===
 
* {{Cite book |last=Bryant |first=Tom |title=Not the Life It Seems: The True Lives of My Chemical Romance |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0306823497 |___location=Boston}}
 
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}
 
{{My Chemical Romance}}
{{Authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Teenagers (Song)}}
[[Category:2006 songs]]
[[Category:2007 singles]]
[[Category:My Chemical Romance songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Gerard Way]]
 
[[Category:Songs written by Frank Iero]]
[[es:Teenagers]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ray Toro]]
[[sv:Teenagers]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mikey Way]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Rob Cavallo]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Marc Webb]]
[[Category:Reprise Records singles]]
[[Category:Glam rock songs]]
[[Category:American protest songs]]
[[Category:Songs about teenagers]]
[[Category:Southern rock songs]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenagers_(song)"