One of my earliest memories of Linkin Park was ritualistically listening to their hit numbers like Breaking The Habit, Crawling, Numb and In The End everyday on my old iPod Classic. I was probably 11 or 12 back then. They were my gateway to the world of alternative and rock music, introduced to me by my elder cousins who were already quite familiar with their music. It might sound a bit far-fetched but I would say that that moment changed the way I perceived music and eternally shaped my taste in music, having only listened to the mainstream Justin Beibers and Miley Cyruses till then.
Linkin Park’s journey is like an epic rock saga that keeps surprising us. They burst onto the scene with a raw, electrifying sound that had everyone hooked, and now even after all these years and the unfortunate passing of Chester Bennington (rest in power, legend), they’re still rocking with a fresh twist. Enter Emily Armstrong, the new powerhouse vocalist who’s adding a new dimension to their already legendary lineup. It’s like taking your favorite classic band and giving them a cool new upgrade.
From the timeless Numb, which turned all of us into emotional wrecks, to In The End, a track that’s practically a time capsule of early 2000s angst, their music has always been a staple. And just when you thought they might be settling into their past glories, they’ve reemerged with renewed energy and exciting new sounds. The band isn’t just riding the waves of the music world; they’re making them. Whether you’re jamming to their old hits or diving into their latest tracks, one thing’s for sure— they’re turning up the heat, baby!
1. Numb
Album: Meteora, 2003
Studio: NRG Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California) & Soundtrack Studios (New York City)
Imagine being trapped in a pressure cooker of expectations, where every glance feels like a spotlight demanding perfection—cue Numb. The final track on Meteora, it wasn’t just a song; it was an anthem for everyone who’s ever screamed into a pillow or blasted their headphones on max to drown out the noise. By the time Chester’s vocals hit their crescendo, the band had already established themselves as the reigning champions of millennial angst. But they didn’t stop there. Nope. Enter 2004: Jay-Z steps in like the coolest uncle at the rock-rap family reunion, and “Numb/Encore” catapults the song into a whole new universe. It wasn’t just music—it was a cross-genre collision that tore down the walls between rap and rock.
2. In The End
Album: Hybrid Theory, 2000
Studio: NRG (Los Angeles)
It’s wild to think that Chester Bennington nearly benched In The End from Hybrid Theory. Yeah, you read that right—the song that practically defines Linkin Park almost didn’t make the cut. Maybe it was because its haunting piano melody felt like it belonged in a therapy session rather than in the middle of a nu-metal meltdown. But thank the music gods they kept it, because once In The End hit the airwaves as the fourth single, it wasn’t just another track—it was a cultural moment. Chester’s voice, full of frustration and finality, delivered lines like “I’ve put my trust in you” with the kind of vulnerability that rips your heart out and stomps on it.
And that music video? A fever dream of crumbling statues and digital landscapes, like something out of a dystopian sci-fi film. Fast forward to today, and it’s one of those tracks that’s still dominating playlists and racking up YouTube views like it’s 2001 all over again. Funny how a song that almost didn’t exist ended up becoming the one that will never die.
3. Papercut
Album: Hybrid Theory, 2000
Studio: NRG (Los Angeles)
When Hybrid Theory kicks off with Papercut, it’s like a crash course in everything that they stood for—distilling their genre-bending magic into three furious minutes. Two decades later, it still sounds like a manifesto, a sonic declaration of war on the mundane. Mike Shinoda’s rapid-fire, introspective verses—”Why does it feel like night today?”—might not win awards for subtlety, but that’s the beauty of it. This wasn’t about delicate nuances; it was raw, urgent, and brimming with energy. It was a musical Molotov cocktail, fusing rap, rock, metal, and angst into a perfect storm.
Right from the jump, Linkin Park wasn’t just here to play—they were here to bulldoze the competition, armed with emotions cranked up to 11 and a sound that dared you to keep up. Papercut was the battle cry, and the world had no idea what was about to hit them.
4. Breaking The Habit
Album: Meteora, 2003
Studio: NRG Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California) & Soundtrack Studios (New York City)
Breaking The Habit wasn’t just a song—it was the culmination of five years of trial and error, sitting in Mike Shinoda’s “maybe” pile until one fateful day it finally clicked into place. What started as an instrumental idea evolved into a cathartic anthem, and it hit like an emotional wrecking ball. This wasn’t your typical Meteora banger—there was something slicker, faster, and more experimental going on. It was like the band was testing the waters for their next chapter, blending sharp production with intense emotion.
At its heart, Breaking The Habit was about fighting the dark loops of self-destruction, and it clearly struck a chord with Chester Bennington, who once named it a personal favorite. Chester’s raw connection to the lyrics made every line feel like a confession. And just when you thought it couldn’t get more intense, Kazuto Nakazawa’s anime-style music video—fresh off the blood-soaked reels of Kill Bill—slammed into the scene, adding an artsy edge that made the whole package unforgettable. This wasn’t just a song—it was the sound of a band pushing their limits, and a frontman confronting his demons head-on.
5. What I’ve Done
Album: Minutes To Midnight, 2007
Studio: The Mansion (Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles) & NRG Recordings (North Hollywood, Los Angeles)
What I’ve Done wasn’t just a lead single; it was their mic drop moment, signaling that they were done with nu-metal. The scratching, the rap-rock dynamic, the heavy riffs—it all took a backseat as the band leaned into something more stripped-down and introspective. Rick Rubin was the mastermind behind the sound shift, guiding them to focus on simplicity with a hypnotic piano riff that laid the foundation. Chester’s vocals weren’t about the back-and-forth vocal interplay this time, but raw emotion—every word cutting through with a kind of honesty that left your heart in a chokehold.
Critics didn’t know what to make of it at first, throwing out comparisons to U2 and suggesting the band was abandoning the metal crowd for mainstream approval. But this wasn’t some sellout move; it was a reinvention. Instead of riding the wave they’d mastered, they jumped ship, ready to explore new horizons.
6. Crawling
Album: Hybrid Theory, 2000
Studio: NRG (Los Angeles)
When Crawling dropped as the second single from Hybrid Theory, it was like Linkin Park took a sledgehammer to the veneer of their usual sound. This wasn’t just another track—it was a soul-baring exposé of Chester Bennington’s internal struggles. Channeling his past experiences with methamphetamine, Chester laid bare the dark side of his psyche: the wild hallucinations, creeping anxiety, and the maddening sensation of something sinister writhing just under his skin. It was brutally honest, so much so that Chester himself found it tough to perform live, as if each performance was a personal exorcism.
Fans saw their own fears and frustrations in the lyrics, transforming Crawling from a song about Chester’s demons into a universal anthem for anyone battling inner turmoil. It’s no wonder it snagged the GRAMMY for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2002.
7. Shadow Of The Day
Album: Minutes To Midnight, 2007
Studio: The Mansion (Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles) & NRG Recordings (North Hollywood, Los Angeles)
When Shadow of the Day waltzed into the spotlight, it was like the band decided to swap their signature firepower for a heart-wrenching ballad. From their 2007 album Minutes to Midnight, this track serves up a heavy dose of introspection with a side of melancholy. Picture a dimly lit room where the only light comes from a flickering candle—this is the vibe Shadow of the Day brings, with Chester Bennington’s voice cutting through the gloom like a knife.
Critics might have scratched their heads at this mellow shift, but it’s this very vulnerability that turned Shadow of the Day into a hauntingly beautiful hit. It’s like they took a deep breath, delved into their darker side, and came out with a track that makes you feel every ounce of their soul—proving they could do heartbreak just as spectacularly as they did rage.
8. Leave Out All The Rest
Album: Minutes To Midnight, 2007
Studio: The Mansion (Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles) & NRG Recordings (North Hollywood, Los Angeles)
Imagine Linkin Park throwing a farewell party with Leave Out All the Rest—it’s the track where they take off their usual rock star masks and show a softer, more reflective side. From their 2007 album Minutes to Midnight, this song is like a heartfelt letter to the world, saying, “Hey, remember me for the good stuff, okay?”
With Chester Bennington’s soothing vocals leading the charge, the track is less about smashing guitars and more about whispering farewells. The melody floats on a gentle breeze of piano and strings, making it the perfect song for those moments when you’re just trying to make sense of everything. The band hit the pause button, gave their emotions a makeover, and delivered a song that wraps you in a warm blanket of reflection.
9. Somewhere I Belong
Album: Meteora, 2003
Studio: NRG Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California) & Soundtrack Studios (New York City)
When Somewhere I Belong dropped in early 2003, it was like the band set off a firework show for their ravenous fans who’d been counting the days since Hybrid Theory exploded. This track might not have been the absolute star of Meteora, but it was like a megaphone announcing the band’s next big move. With one foot still planted in the angst-filled Hybrid Theory era and the other boldly stepping into new sonic territory, it was the perfect blend of old and new. The lyrics were raw and relatable, but they also showcased Linkin Park’s growing urge to carve out a fresh identity.
10. From The Inside
Album: Meteora, 2003
Studio: NRG Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California) & Soundtrack Studios (New York City)
When Linkin Park dropped From the Inside, it was like throwing a sonic grenade into the middle of their discography. The track, a gem from their 2007 album Minutes to Midnight, revs up with a gritty, driving energy that makes you want to hit the mosh pit without a second thought. Chester Bennington’s vocals are like a hurricane here, swirling with a raw intensity that feels like he’s baring his soul while ripping through the chorus.
But don’t let the ferociousness fool you—there’s a slick production finesse at play too, thanks to producer Rick Rubin’s magic touch. The track is brimming with explosive energy and a sense of urgency that makes it clear: Linkin Park wasn’t about to slow down.
11. Faint
Album: Meteora, 2003
Studio: NRG Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California) & Soundtrack Studios (New York City)
When Faint stormed onto the scene as the second single from Meteora, the band flipped the script altogether. The track kicks off with a frenetic beat that feels like it’s been marinated in drum ’n’ bass, then layers in a heady mix of electronic buzz and live orchestral flair.
Faint is a compact, adrenaline-packed burst of rock that fits right in on mainstream radio but still has the raw edge to knock your socks off. The music video, directed by the visionary Mark Romanek, only added to the spectacle—imagine a sea of fans with their arms in the air, illuminated by a blaze of lights, creating an electrifying atmosphere that screams crossover appeal.
12. The Catalyst
Album: A Thousand Suns, 2010
Studio: NRG Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California)
The band decided to mix their radio-friendly swagger with a hefty dose of experimental flair with The Catalyst . The track is a synth-soaked, dystopian anthem that’s as much about epic hooks as it is about making you ponder the big, cosmic questions. With lyrics like “God bless us every one, we’re a broken people living under loaded gun,” the song paints a vivid picture of a world teetering on the brink. It’s a bold dive into the deep end of artistic exploration, blending a pulsing electronic backdrop with a narrative that’s both haunting and provocative.
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Editor’s Pick: Points of Authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer
Album: Collision Course
LP’s 2004 experimental venture into the world of hip/hop with Jay-Z as co-pilot was a commercial success that is too good to be left out of a Linkin Park showcase. One of the stand out tracks was the collaboration between 99 Problems and Points of Authority/One Step Closer. Shinoda’s flow complements Jay-Z’s exceptionally well as Mr.Han shows off what he is made of. Add Chester as the icing and you’ve got the best cake to come out of a console desk of its era. In addition to the three songs from Meteora, Collision Course also features four tracks from Hybrid Theory.
Check out this live video of LP’s glory days below, and you’ll know why the 90s kids love them so much:
