Top 10 Linkin Park Songs

“There’s just something about Linkin Park.” Countless fans have uttered those words. It’s hard to say just what Linkin Park’s appeal is. Their music has a number of likeable qualities- Meaningful lyrics, superb melodies, screaming vocals, high-energy backgrounds, and their trademark mixture of alternative rock, rap, and metal. While it’s difficult for LP fans to describe why they love Linkin Park, every one of them has a ‘Top Ten’ list sketched in their minds. Here’s a countdown of LP songs that maybe we can all agree with.

10. Numb, Meteora.
For some Linkin Park fans, Numb was their ‘gateway’ song. It was the first Linkin Park track they heard that hooked them. There’s something about its desolate intro vocals that touch our deep inadequacies. It fills listeners with tragic thoughts of times long forgotten. You feel like you’re falling apart, reliving your past mistakes. This is a double-edged sword because this is often a song that gets skipped on the CD due to those very feelings. This powerful song deserves to be recognized, even if it takes us down a road no one wants to venture upon.

9. Hit The Floor, Meteora.
It may start out quiet, but ‘Hit The Floor’ quickly unleashes that trademark LP energy. When you listen to it, you’ll feel betrayal- paranoia. You shut your eyes and think of all those that have cheated you, betrayed your trust. You’re suddenly reminded of every instance you felt alone and hurt. Next comes the desire for revenge. For isolation. To never be treated that way again. It’s an odd sensation that Hit The Floor captures perfectly. This is one of Linkin Park’s shorter songs which makes it perfect for the aforementioned emotion.

8. A Place For My Head, Hybrid Theory.
There’s something about that opening guitar that makes every LP fan close their eyes, smile, and nod. For those not introduced to LP by ‘Numb’ from Meteora, ‘A Place For My Head’ from Hybrid Theory did the trick. It carries a mix of ‘Hit The Floor’s betrayal & anger while also incorporating a little of ‘Lying From You’s self-pity. It sounds like a terrible concoction, but it works perfectly. Thanks to the clash of quiet, background rap vocals and frustrated screams, it’s an LP track worthy of any fan’s affection.

7. Crawling, Hybrid Theory.
Its opening has a soft, watery feeling to it. You get the sensation of floating whenever it begins. The first few lyrics act as a prelude to the later vocals. Soon the song starts letting loose its touching verses, reminding us of how vulnerable we are- as LP often does. Its occasional turn to invigorated lyrics is welcome and add sustenance to what would have otherwise been a lacking track. It’s the kind of song that you play when you just want to ‘mellow out’ to LP.

6. No More Sorrow, Minutes to Midnight.
Minutes to Midnight was seen as a needed departure by critics but a disappointment to fans. For many it was sad to see Linkin Park trade much of its loud, energized tracks for slower, quieter affairs. At least one song on the album was seen as a worthy successor to the tracks of ‘Hybrid Theory’ and ‘Meteora.’ That song is ‘No More Sorrow’. At the beginning it’s easy to assume you’re dealing with another of MTM’s soft disappointments. Wait about eight seconds and you’ll hear the familiar energy and power trademarked by Linkin Park. It’s a fair blend between ‘A Place for My Head’, ‘Faint’, and ‘Forgotten’ in terms of style. You get slower, drawn-out vocals that suddenly blast into the group’s powerful shouts.

5. High Voltage, Hybrid Theory EP.
It’s really too bad that not every Linkin Park fan has gotten the chance to hear the original ‘High Voltage’. More fans are familiar with its remix in ‘Reanimation’- but the original is by far superior. Its background is quiet and haunting while the vocals are powerful and clever. Linkin Park fans typically find themselves either discovering self-awareness through ‘High Voltage’ or thinking more critically of those around them. No one wants to be labeled- made into an easy-to-read tag. Especially not Linkin Park.

4. In The End, Hybrid Theory.
This track dwells somewhere between ‘Crawling’, ‘Somewhere I Belong’, and ‘Numb’ in terms of style and feeling. It isn’t as depressing as ‘Numb’ but brings us that feeling of fulfillment that ‘Somewhere I Belong’ has. ‘Crawling’ comes in when you consider the frustrating, indignant nature of the lyrics. ‘In The End’ is instantly recognizable- its first few seconds are a unique, indescribable melody. It’s considered one of LP’s masterpieces and is high on any fan’s lists thanks to its memorable tune, home-hitting lyrics, and unique background.

3. Somewhere I Belong, Meteora.
We all want to belong. That’s a fact. It’s human nature. Yet when we here the sweet, quiet lyrics of ‘Somewhere I Belong’, we feel lost. We question whether or not this is it. If this is where we are meant to be. No other song inspires LP fans to drift off better than this one. We lose sight of all around us and see the world through an outsider’s eyes. By the end of it, we feel satisfied. We’ve confirmed our existences. We seen through the veils we place on reality. We understand. We are at peace.

2. Papercut, Hybrid Theory.
If you thought ‘Hit The Floor’ inspired paranoia, prepare to be blown away. Papercut is on a whole new level. It’s an awesome blend of what energizes ‘Faint’ and makes ‘In The End’ so memorable. Its background vocals are haunting and elusive in a sense. Every time it plays you’ll find yourself hearing sounds and instruments you don’t expect. It makes you look at the nearest close door and wonder what’s on the other side. It makes you glance out the window and ponder what your neighbor is doing. It leaves you feeling vulnerable yet empowered at the same time. Has the light ever betrayed you?

1. Faint, Meteora.
Faint, is without a doubt, Linkin Park’s greatest hit. There are more remixes for this song, than there are Linkin Park songs in total. From its siren melody to the bursts of energy mixed between vocals, ‘Faint’ is a rollercoaster no Linkin Park fan wants to get off of. This one hits especially close to home for gaming fans. Start up a boss battle with this blaring in the background and you’ll be inspired. You’ll be determined to win as your blood starts pumping and your fingers master the buttons on your controller. From a gaming perspective, nothing can compare to muting the TV and playing an action-filled stage to Faint. At less than two minutes into the song, the song hits a point where no matter how bleak the situation is- you get up and conquer. LP fans should salute the group for this masterpiece.