I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
My Chemical Romance · Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
I never want to let you down or have you go, it's better off this way.
For all the dirty looks,
For photographs your boyfriend took,
Remember when you broke your foot from jumping out the second floor?
I'm not okay.
I'm not okay.
I'm not okay.
You wear me out.
What will it take to show you that it's not the life it seems?
(I'm not okay)
I told you time and time again you sing the words but still don't know what they mean
To be a joke and look
Another line without a hook
I held you close as we both shook for the last time
Take a good hard look!
I'm not okay.
I'm not okay.
I'm not okay.
You wear me out.
Forget about the dirty looks
The photographs your boyfriend took
You said you read me like a book, but the pages are all torn and frayed
I'm okay.
I'm okay!
I'm okay, now
(I'm okay, now)
wish you were really here listening to me
Because I'm telling you the truth
I mean this I'm okay!
(Trust me.)
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
Well, I'm not okay
I'm not o-fucking-kay
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
(Okay)
About I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
"I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" serves as the opening track on My Chemical Romance's 2004 album *Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge*, establishing the band's signature blend of theatrical rock and emotional vulnerability. Released during the height of the post-hardcore and emo revival, the song utilizes a driving rhythm and soaring vocals to articulate the themes of anxiety and self-doubt that would become central to the group's identity. The recording features frontman Gerard Way's distinctive delivery, which balances aggression with a raw, confessional tone that resonated deeply with a generation of listeners. As a cornerstone of the album's narrative arc, the track helped propel the record to critical acclaim and commercial success, cementing My Chemical Romance's status as a defining act of the mid-2000s alternative scene. Its enduring popularity stems from its ability to capture the complex feelings of modern adolescence, making it a staple in countless live performances and a cultural touchstone for fans of the genre.