The Foundations of Decay

"The Foundations of Decay"
Single by My Chemical Romance
Released	May 12, 2022
Genre	Progressive rock emo gothic rock post-hardcore
Length	6:00
Label	Reprise
Songwriter(s)	My Chemical Romance
Lyricist(s)	Gerard Way
Producer(s)	Doug McKean Gerard Way Ray Toro
My Chemical Romance singles chronology
"Fake Your Death" (2014) "The Foundations of Decay" (2022)
Music video
"The Foundations of Decay" on YouTube

"The Foundations of Decay" is a song by the American rock band My Chemical Romance. It was surprise-released as a single on May 12, 2022, by Reprise Records. It was produced by Doug McKean alongside band members Gerard Way and Ray Toro. The band wrote the song, while Way wrote the lyrics. Alongside the band's main lineup, the song features Jarrod Alexander and Jamie Muhoberac on drums and keyboard respectively.

A progressive rock, gothic rock, post-hardcore, and emo song with elements from other genres like doom metal and arena rock, its lyrics discuss the band's history, legacy, as well as events like the September 11 attacks, which played a role in the creation of the band. It also explores ideas such as incorruptibility, canonization and misogyny.

"The Foundations of Decay" was the first song released by the band since "Fake Your Death" (2014). It was later released to mainstream rock radio on May 17 through Warner Records, and the band debuted it live at the Eden Project that same day. The song was well received from critics, who highlighted the song's composition and themes. Some media outlets considered it one of the best songs released in 2022. It charted in several countries, reaching number 1 on the Rock & Metal chart in the United Kingdom and number 132 on the Billboard Global 200.