My Chemical Romance - Ambulance Lyrics Meaning

Considering Gerard said this song is completely for the fans, I think this song is about MCR talking to its fans and anti-fans.

You don't know a thing about this life
And we are up for everything it takes
To prove we're not the same as them
And we will wear our masks
Again out after dark
'Cause we are up for everything it takes
And we are not the same

Saying to critics that MCR is different from "them" (perhaps other bands, mainstream artists, etc) and that MCR will do anything to prove it.

'Cause we are not afraid
And we are not ashamed

Anyone who's seen MCR during Projekt Revolution knows exactly how much MCR is not afraid or ashamed. :D

And if you save my life
I'll be the one who drives you home tonight
And if they ever let you down
I'll be the one who drives you home tonight

Talking to the fans. If you're MCR's fan, they'll take care of you. If you're let down by these other bands, MCR will take care of you.

Never want to walk this kind of life
Quietly I'll sleep behind the wheel
And passing every face you see

I thought a lot about this and I think it means that MCR didn't want this kind of pressure and stress (of being the unconventional band), so they want to "sleep behind the wheel" and pass "every face you see" (as in, they want to avoid all the other artists/celebrities we see).

But first I'll
Take in every piece as you walk by

But MCR (and Gerard especially) is extremely sensitive to the fans so they'll "take in every piece" as we walk by (i'm assuming this means both praise and criticism).

Proving that we follow my mistakes
And we are not the same

This could mean that MCR is saying it's more sensitive to its fans than other artists? Or perhaps that we all follow and watch MCR's mistakes like vultures.

'Cause we are not the same
And we are all to blame

MCR is different from other artists and this is everyone's fault. MCR for being different, other bands for not.

And if you save my life
I'll be the one who drives you home tonight
And if they ever let you down
I'll be the one who drives you home tonight
You home tonight

It's driving you down
It's driving you down
It's driving you down
It's driving you down
It's driving you down
'Cause it's driving you down
And it's driving you
Driving you down

I believe MCR is talking to us, the fans here. We're either being driven down from the criticism MCR gets and we get for being the "emo kids", and/or we're being driven down by the onslaught of other artists/bands/society telling us what's acceptable and cool (and driving down our individuality).

And you don't know a thing about this life
And you don't know a thing about this life
And you don't know a thing about this life

You anti-fans don't know, don't understand, and maybe will never know/understand.

MCR isn't about being "emo". MCR's songs aren't dark-themed to be cool. All the pain and emotion in the songs are based off life experiences. You don't know a thing about this life because you haven't experienced this kind of pain.

'Cause you don't know a thing about me
You don't know a thing
And if you save my life
I'll be the one who drives you home tonight
And if they ever let you down
I'll be the one who drives you home tonight
You home tonight
Drives you home tonight
'Cause it's driving you down
'Cause it's driving you down
'Cause it's driving you down
'Cause it's driving you
Driving you
Driving you down