After Linkin Park released 2007’s Minutes to Midnight, we saw that the well-accomplished rock band had put out three multi-platinum studio albums (the first being the greatest selling debut album of the new millennium), a platinum remix album, a platinum live CD/DVD, and a platinum mash-up EP with Jay-Z, among other things. It’s clear that this band has achieved a lot in its existence. But when browsing through their catalog, I couldn’t help wonder what their top ten songs were. Here’s my take.
At number ten is “Leave Out All The Rest,” the fifth single off Minutes. Mike Shinoda noted that producer Rick Rubin thought this track had massive single potential, and massive single potential it has. While relatively mellow for Linkin Park standards, the hook is strong and heartfelt. The lyrics call for someone to leave behind all the negative stuff when it’s the speaker’s time to pass away.
Number nine is “Shadow of the Day,” the third single off Minutes. Peaking at number fifteen on the Hot 100, this single showed for the first time that Linkin Park can gain a hit with a mellow song. This was their only single to date besides “Breaking the Habit” that did not contain crunching guitars in the chorus.
Number eight is “What I’ve Done.” The song soared to the top ten of many countries due to high digital sales preceding the largely delayed release of Minutes. With its regretful theme and moving guitar riffs, this single launched them back into the spotlight after a long period of working in the studio and side projects.
Number seven is “Crawling,” which won the band their first and well-deserved Grammy award. With its moody atmospherics during the verses and powerful vocals during the chorus, this was one of two songs that initially brought Linkin Park into the public eye earlier on in their career.
Number six is “Somewhere I Belong,” the lead single off Meteora. This song brought Linkin Park back to center stage after their remix project Reanimation. They claimed to have rewritten many different choruses for this song until they felt they had the best fit. And it shows. The sweeping chorus is breathtaking and structured similarly to “In The End.”
Number five, “One Step Closer,” is just about as angsty as you’ll ever see Linkin Park. With the beginning guitar reminiscent of Limp Bizkit, this was one of their earliest hits.
Number four is “Breaking the Habit,” something experimental and new for the band. While Chester’s voice clearly indicates Linkin Park, the electronic elements made for an interestingly successful single.
Number three is “Faint,” which was a ferocious record with Chester screaming his heart out during the chorus and Mike rapping during the verses, all over vicious strings.
Number two is “Numb,” the song which coerced me to buy Meteora and consequently turn into a fan.
Number one, of course, is their biggest hit to date, “In The End,” which reached as high as number two on the Hot 100 and propelled them to the top of the mainstream. Every element of the track shows the group at their best in terms of synchronizing. A true masterpiece.
