- 6 weeks ago
With his unforgettable voice and deeply personal lyrics, Chester Bennington helped make Linkin Park a defining band of a generation. Following his tragic passing in 2017, fans around the world continued to celebrate the music he helped create. Join us as we count down the greatest and most iconic tracks that cemented Linkin Park's incredible legacy!
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MusicTranscript
00:00Cause everything that you thought I would be is falling apart
00:05Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the greatest, most iconic and or impactful tracks from
00:13the band, Linkin Park.
00:15Nothing seems to go away
00:18Number 20. Burn It Down
00:21Harkening back to the past while still moving forward, the band felt completely in control on Burn It Down.
00:27The cycle repeated
00:31The central riff almost reminds us of earlier tracks like Numb with a twist.
00:37Combining both Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda's vocals, the track from Living Things keeps you guessing with its eclectic genre
00:44ideas.
00:45We're building it up
00:49The central lyrics suggest the way in which we put people on a pedestal only to celebrate their downfall.
00:55You lost that right to hold that crown
00:57I built you up but you let me down
01:00Swirling with thoughts on celebrity and other personal matters, the group combines their views on the entertainment industry with more
01:07relatable words for the listeners.
01:09We can't wait to burn it to the ground
01:17Number 19. New Divide
01:20It doesn't feel like a real Transformers movie without Linkin Park making their mark.
01:25I remember black skies
01:27The lightning all around me
01:32While this one isn't reaching the heights of what I've done, it's a worthy successor in many ways.
01:38New Divide is one of the highlights of the mixed reception surrounding Revenge of the Fallen.
01:43So give me reason
01:46To prove me wrong
01:48The song features references to an underdog story and an impending decision that will change someone's life.
01:54With the world on their shoulders, the band offered up this single with all of its climactic and cinematic glory.
02:00It's hard to argue with those high notes in the chorus, too.
02:03The crisis will divide
02:14Number 18. The Catalyst
02:16Leave it to Linkin Park to both scare and excite you.
02:20The Catalyst takes aim at societal struggles and oppression in multiple forms.
02:24God bless us everyone
02:27We were broken people living under loaded gun
02:30There's a forceful nature to every passing word, with the verses sounding like a rallying cry.
02:36It's both apocalyptic in its shimmering sounds and lyrics.
02:39When I close my eyes tonight
02:42To symphonies of blinding love
02:46Mike Shinoda sets up the stage of the world, with Chester Bennington hammering home the dangerous imagery.
02:52This single from A Thousand Suns seems to find the group in another phase of their career, and with a
02:58renewed sense of purpose.
03:06A decade into their recording career, they still seemed eager to push boundaries.
03:11And it can't be out fun
03:13It can't be outdone
03:14It can't be outmatched
03:16It can't be outrun
03:19Number 17. Given Up
03:22Channeling something close to punk rock, Linkin Park infuses Given Up with a fast-paced production that's full of surprises.
03:29Waking a sweat again
03:31Another day's been laid to waste
03:34This minutes to midnight single expands upon the record's kaleidoscopic influences.
03:39The guitar part lures you in with its rhythms, climbing with Chester Bennington's restrained vocals.
03:45Once this one hits the chorus, the singer lets loose with one of his more underrated high notes.
03:50I've given up
03:55This doesn't even count the scream that nearly doubles as its own bridge.
03:59Pushing his voice to the limit, Bennington turns this into a death metal song with the help of his bandmates.
04:05Tell me what the fuck is wrong with me!
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04:24I'm my own worst enemy
04:27Number 16 Castle of Glass
04:30On your first listen, you might think that Castle of Glass is among the more low-key tracks in Linkin
04:36Park's catalogue.
04:37Take me down to the river bend
04:40The lyrics slowly reveal themselves as the more delicate production goes along.
04:45It might be open to interpretation, but the narrator sounds like they're contemplating the past and hoping to start new.
04:52Bring me home in a blinding dream
04:56Obvious parallels could be made to the band members, but this particular single carries a universal quality.
05:02It's also an acknowledgment of fragility, vulnerability, and the need for community.
05:07Cause I'm only a crook in this castle of glass
05:16For listeners that prefer the group's more edgy works, this one functions like a beautiful palette cleanser.
05:22But you see
05:28Number 15
05:30One More Light
05:31Among the most somber songs in their entire canon, Linkin Park digs deep with the straightforward track.
05:38Should've stayed
05:40Were the signs
05:44I ignored
05:46One More Light shows you don't need to be complex to get your message across.
05:50Given that this single was among the last ones recorded before Chester Bennington's death,
05:55some listeners consider it to be a look into the vocalist's personal state.
05:59It's especially painful to listen to given that it sounds so profound in retrospect.
06:04Who cares if one more light goes out?
06:08Even if it's not as heavy as their earlier work, it features a central theme that's as moving as anything
06:14they've ever written.
06:15Bennington's performance floats above a guitar part that forces you to listen even harder to the lyrics.
06:21I do
06:26Number 14.
06:28Shadow of the Day
06:30On their third album, Minutes to Midnight, Linkin Park experimented even more with their ever-changing sound.
06:36I close both locks below the window
06:41Shadow of the Day is one of the slower, more contemplative tracks on the record.
06:46For many listeners, these lyrics sound as if they're delving into metaphors about depression.
06:51And the shadow of the day
06:55Whether you think it's about mental health struggles or the end of the world, this single hits home every time
07:01we hear it.
07:01It's a sobering look at life with all of its hopes and failures laid out in poetic words.
07:07Chester Bennington's more subtle performance holds back until a relatable chorus wishes for a setting sun.
07:21Number 13.
07:22Bleed It Out
07:24With the harsh guitar line guiding the way, Bleed It Out doesn't wait to get you revved up.
07:33It's another key part of the Minutes to Midnight record with its rap rock sensibility.
07:37The verses run wild with a breathless performance from Mike Shinoda, showcasing his talents with a cutthroat delivery.
07:43Mama help me, I've been cursed, death is rolling in every burst.
07:47Chester Bennington then unleashes the title and one of his trademark yells.
07:51I beat it out, take it deeper just to throw it away, just to throw it away, just to throw
07:57it away.
07:58Together as vocalists, these two musicians help to push this driving rocker to the brink.
08:03It's also a nice pairing with the album's other tracks like Given Up.
08:07Not to be outdone, the guitarist Brad Delson deserves a shout-out for his performance here.
08:12I've opened up these scars, I'll make you face us!
08:18Number 12.
08:19Points of Authority
08:21It's hard to go wrong with the original sound of Linkin Park.
08:25Forfeit the game before somebody else takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame.
08:30Points of Authority finds the band in their early comfort zone, harnessing some raw power for their hybrid theory album.
08:36It's a dynamic track that contains a dense production and a fully formed style all its own.
08:42You're about to think you're never wrong, you live what you do.
08:47From the guitar riffs to the record scratching, it knows how to set the tone even without the awesome vocals.
08:52The notion of authority and influence come into play while a vengeful story plays out.
08:58My life, my pride is broken!
09:02There's enough angst here for days, with entertaining performances to get any kind of listener hyped.
09:07You wanna share what you been through!
09:10I wanna share what you been through!
09:10I wanna share what you been through!
09:11To live what you love!
09:13You love!
09:14Love!
09:14Love!
09:16Number 11.
09:17Leave Out All The Rest
09:18Like many great Linkin Park songs, this one blends both quiet and loud dynamics into one memorable
09:25package.
09:26I dreamed I was missing… you were so scared…
09:31Leave Out All The Rest gives a voice to the complex emotions surrounding death and legacy, examining life
09:37life through our past regrets, the lyrics seem hopeful, about people being remembered
09:41for their best moments and not their worst.
09:44When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done.
09:49It's a mournful track that also asks us to reconsider how we affect each other.
09:54The band surrounds Chester Bennington with hypnotic instruments that carry through each
09:58engaging verse.
10:00By the time it's over, this single makes you want to go back over every word and contemplate
10:05your own existence.
10:1110.
10:12Somewhere I Belong It's a song about someone desperate to find
10:16something relatable, reaching out in a last-ditch effort to secure a connection.
10:28Much of Linkin Park's work revolves around similar themes of alienation.
10:32Somewhere I Belong finds a fresh and direct way to tackle important issues, speaking on
10:37behalf of so many younger and older listeners that feel the same way.
10:47It's also an example of how their music allows like-minded people to come together, with audiences
10:52hopefully sharing their experiences and finding each other in the process.
11:01This Meteora single isn't just a nostalgic favorite, but a bittersweet call to action.
11:19This song wastes no time in telling you what it's all about.
11:23Crawling in my skin Like a shot out of a cannon, Crawling
11:29kicks off with an amazing drop full of intense vocals and angry instruments.
11:34The production hits you like a freight train before sending you on a personal journey.
11:42In looking back on the metaphorical wounds we all carry with us, this single examines the
11:47reality of our biggest hang-ups.
11:49It's also a track that has one of the strongest hooks in Linkin Park's catalog.
11:53There's an unmatched energy that these musicians create together, turning the volume knobs
11:57up and letting the screams fly out of every speaker.
12:00It's practically a therapeutic experience.
12:10Number 8.
12:12Waiting For The End
12:13Among the more unique-sounding Linkin Park songs, Waiting For The End trades the chunkier
12:18riffs for a more withdrawn sound.
12:20This is not the end, this is not the beginning, just the voice like a riot rockin' every revision.
12:25There's also a blend of drum beats that keeps you on your toes.
12:29While Mike Shinoda's parts keep an interesting tempo, the chorus throws you for another loop.
12:38This song refrains from getting too big, even in its hook.
12:42The lower volume entices you to listen a few more times, with the band bringing you back
12:46with its piercing lyrics. There's a feeling that Chester Bennington sings into the void,
12:51mirroring the emotional state of the narrator. Dialing everything back, the musician's talents
12:56rise up with this heartfelt tune.
13:05Number 7.
13:07Papercut
13:08Among the many classic tracks from Linkin Park's first album, Papercut might have become underrated
13:13after being overshadowed by other hits. Real fans know it as one of the finer examples of their
13:25new metal style along favorites like In The End. It's also another showcase for their lyrical prowess,
13:31combining Mike Shinoda's raps and Chester Bennington's singing.
13:34It's like I'm paranoid looking over my back. It's like a whirlwind inside of my head.
13:41The chorus speaks to the second-guessing, paranoia, and inner thoughts that plague our
13:45darkest moments. You can't deny that the musical climax here reaches the heights of their best
13:50releases. For anybody facing a rough patch in their lives, they can find potential relief
13:56through this song.
14:02Number 6.
14:04Breaking the Habit
14:05This track from Meteora finds a way to channel frustration and metaphors about
14:10substance use disorder into a song.
14:17You could pull an entire novel out of Breaking the Habit, full of allusions to every obstacle that
14:23confronts us. The driving beat refuses to let go as it ticks away and doubles as the spiraling
14:33thoughts that never seem to quit. While the band provides an electronic foundation, they're priming
14:38the audience for some thrilling twists. You might even find the lyrics too close to home through all
14:43of the jolting rock elements. One thing is for sure, the group yet again finds a way to turn a
14:48state of
14:49mind into music.
14:57Number 5. One Step Closer
15:00Writing songs for the voiceless, this band also knows how to write about being pushed around.
15:11One Step Closer chronicles those feelings we have on the brink of collapse. Sometimes it's good to
15:17explore the darkness rather than hiding everything behind a mask. Using hard rock and pointed lyrics,
15:27Linkin Park sends audiences on a full-throttle ride through the oppressive nature of existence.
15:32The single has the spontaneous feeling of something that needs to get out.
15:40It gives you the impression that it's also a catharsis for the band, enhancing the overall
15:45experience as a result.
15:52Break!
15:53Number 4. What I've Done For all of their genre-bending efforts,
15:58this one might be Linkin Park's best and most traditional rock song.
16:09It also holds a few unique quirks that fans of the band will enjoy. What I've done is often
16:15associated with the first Michael Bay Transformers movie, likely achieving more mainstream success
16:20because of its appearance on the soundtrack. Younger fans might have even discovered the
16:32group thanks to its place in 2000s pop culture. The opening piano prepares you for a profound
16:38experience, giving audiences healthy doses of both triumph and melancholy.
16:54The crown jewel of Minutes to Midnight still sounds staggering two decades later.
17:09Number 3. Faint For all of the scratches and electronic
17:13sounds in Linkin Park songs, the best ones might be in Faint.
17:17A little bit of loneliness, a little bit of disregard,
17:20a handful of complaints, but I can't help the fact that everyone can see these scars.
17:24There's an undeniable quality to this mesmerizing opening that further supports this high-quality
17:29single. Mike Shinoda opens the verses by building up a complicated person,
17:33never slowing down with an expert flow. He and Chester Bennington talk about how it's okay to not
17:39make sense. Just when you think the chorus might be the apex of this track, you get to hear one
17:49of
17:50the group's most captivating bridges. This Meteora number kicks off an
17:58exciting second half to an impressive sophomore album.
18:04Number 2. Numb
18:07Starting with an electronic lick, Numb grabs your attention before luring you into a twisted
18:13tale of a toxic relationship. Chester Bennington's words spill out like a cathartic confession.
18:24You also get smacked in the face by Brad Delson's guitar, with the added boost of a powerful rhythm section.
18:30Every step that I take is not a mistake to you.
18:37As one of the cornerstones of their second album, this track shows the band pushing the furious sounds
18:42of their debut even further. Some listeners might know the remix with Jay-Z even better, further
18:53highlighting the wonderful foundation set by the group. In both the Meteora and Collision Course versions,
18:59you're hit by some of their finest musical impulses.
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19:28It starts with one thing, I don't know why, it doesn't even matter how hard you try.
19:34Building with intensity from the first note, this track represents the peak of Linkin Park's powers.
19:40Their formula feels best utilized here, from the varied instrumentations to the heavy rock riffs.
19:45I kept everything inside, and even though I tried, it all fell apart.
19:49From their very first album, the band were already mastering their ability to blend diverse genres
19:54into one incredible package. Mike Shinoda's verse lines ramp up the tension before Chester
20:00Bennington's explosive work in the chorus.
20:03I tried so hard, and got so far.
20:08The late singer delivers one of his greatest performances, not leaving anything behind in a
20:13career-defining achievement.
20:24Did we forget another highlight from Linkin Park's extensive career?
20:27Let us know in the comments below.