Linkin Park has officially reunited, and fans and the music industry alike are all buzzing with excitement.
The American rock band announced their return with a new album titled From Zero, which is set to release on November 15. This will be their first return to new music in seven years following the death of former lead vocalist Chester Bennington in 2017.
The band has also officially welcomed new members, including new vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who replaces longtime drummer and co-founder Rob Bourdon, the first change to the band since 1999.
We all love a good comeback! So, to celebrate Linkin Park’s reunion and release of their new single and upcoming album, we’ve come up with our own list of the Top 10 Linkin Park songs that have defined their illustrious career so far. P.S. No. 10 will shock you, haha.
Numb
Choosing just one best Linkin Park song? Yeah, that’s an impossible task. Many of the band’s songs are masterpieces in their own right, but the fiery passion that the lyrics and tune that Numb evokes makes it a huge favorite among fans. The rocky melancholy of this song – chef’s kiss. It’s no surprise that it has gone on to become one of the band’s most recognizable songs.
In The End
In the End features a mix of hard-hitting rap verses and a melodic chorus that worked so well in introducing Linkin Park to the world. In many ways, it showcased Linkin Park’s signature style of blending both rock and rap into one.
Breaking the Habit
Probably the track with some of the deepest lyrics in Linkin Park’s whole discography, Breaking the Habit might be the most unique song the band has ever recorded. If you want to hear all the members of the band shining in their respective roles, make sure you give it a listen.
Leave Out All the Rest
Leave Out All the Rest is one damn smooth alt rock song! Hits like a lullaby that will instead psych you up while still working as a great farewell song filled with hope, pain, love, and everything in between. Just listen to the lyrics, and you’ll understand why it ranks so high on this Top 10 Linkin Park songs list.
Crawling
Crawling is the track that clearly spotlights Bennington’s vocal range, from soft-spoken lyrics to hard-hitting screams that shift from one line to the next. A powerful song that beautifully conveys deep emotions, Crawling features a memorable tune that is powered by Chester’s spectacular range. Oh, by the way, it’s also a Grammy-winning hit song!
What I’ve Done
For decades now, Linkin Park has proved its ability to infuse their lyrics with haunting melodies. This unique talent is best encapsulated in What I’ve Done, a track that matches well with the subtlety and flow of the album Minutes to Minutes, a major directional shift from the rawness of Meteora. Ironically, we have Michael Bay to thank for popularizing this track in his 2007 film, Transformers.
Somewhere I Belong
Somewhere I Belong is where the rock-rap mix is at its finest and Nu Metal is at its best. Shinoda’s breathtaking raps, Chester’s metal vocals, and screams synced with some fine lyrics – you name it! How the track’s bridge perfectly crescendo into the chorus will have you listening to Somewhere I Belong on repeat. That’s a promise!
The Catalyst
The Catalyst is considered one of the most methodological songs by the band, and it also marked a shift into their electronic rock phase. While change is not always welcomed by fans, Linkin Park’s passionate approach to this track raised it to the ranks of one of its most original sounds.
Faint
Faint is exactly what it sounds like – a short yet impactful track with great beats and synth-heavy melody. It’s a great tune to blast when you need to let out some pent-up energy and restore some balance to your life.
From the Inside
How do you capture that feeling of being trapped in your own self through music? The answer is From the Inside. Joe Hahn’s scratching, Delson and Phoenix on the guitars, Rob on the drums, and the vocal play between Chester and Mike take this Meteora track to heights only reserved for the iconic. This is without a doubt the epitome of Linkin Park’s Nu Metal sound.
