Xiivi's Top 25 Linkin Park Songs
Aug 12, 2011 22:00:59 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2011 22:00:59 GMT -5
Originally I had done a top 50, then I remembered how irrelevant both LP & ZV were on pulse so I decided to just do the top 25 instead. :kii:
Linkin Park has been my favourite band/musical act in general since their first CD dropped. I kept this mostly limited to their main discography to prevent anything too weird slipping in.
This was actually really difficult for me; I had to listen to everything over and over again to determine what I enjoyed better, because honestly the vast majority of their discography is perfection. Many songs I look at the number beside them and go "Really?!". But they can't all be #1 of course, although they might as well be.
===============================================
25. "Given Up"
Honestly, I hated this song for the longest time. I had felt this and "No More Sorrow" were the two worst songs Linkin Park had recorded at the time. However, after around a year and a half of Minutes To Midnight being out, the song managed to creep up on me. Now it's one of my favourites from the album! Whereas my opinion of "No More Sorrow" has not changed and it will likely forever be Linkin Park's worst song ever (by a significant amount I might add). This song includes a single 17 second scream from Chester and is one of the more hard rock-leaning songs from the album. Only two other tracks from this album made the cut, which ones will they be?
24. "From The Inside"
The first of many songs from Meteora to make this list. The verses trading between Chester and Mike are absolutely wonderful. Mike's hook with Chester harmonizing in the background is also very well done. Once the bridge hits Chester starts screaming and it doesn't disrupt the flow or nature of the song at all.
23. "One Step Closer"
The lead single from their debut album Hybrid Theory, the song that established their rock following. The song that sparked their mainstream following is still to come. "Over and over again" just gets stuck in my head whenever I listen to this!
22. "Somewhere I Belong"
Going back to Meteora here is a significantly softer song than the previous, albeit still a midtempo. Chester's backdrop lyrics behind Mike's during the verses tied the song together very well. The lyrical content of the song itself is also very strong. The bridge is the highlight of the song for me though, just epic!
21. "Lying From You"
Continuing on with another Meteora track, "Lying From You" starts off strong and finishes with a final line and note that just gives you chills. Solid throughout the whole track, I can't choose a part of the song that outshines the rest.
20. "Wretches And Kings"
Our first of four tracks to hit this chart from A Thousand Suns this song is notably different from the rest of its album. At both the beginning and end of the track a speech from Mario Savio is beautifully cut in. When this track first leaked I disliked that choice. However now I adore it. In addition, this track is strong not because of its vocals, although they are done well. The instrumental for this track is simply perfection and I could listen to it for hours. The section before the chorus is bliss.
19. "Burning In The Skies"
The next entry here is also a track from A Thousand Suns. Although the song is rather light, it's lyrics are much darker than the song itself. What I love about this track is it gives a feel of the lyrics in the song itself. Weird, I know, but if any song sounded like "swimming in the smoke" it would be this one.
18. "Don't Stay"
The lead track off of Meteora this song pulls you straight into the album and keeps you hooked there. This song continually uses repetition at the beginning of lines in the verses, chorus, and bridge. And it executes the technique excellently!
17. "Leave Out All The Rest"
Our next entry from Minutes To Midnight is a stark contract to the previous entry "Given Up". Soft, soothing and with a beautiful message, this song shows a more vulnerable side. Only one more track from this album made this list (despite many of the tracks being perfect), which will it be and where will it land?
16. "Pushing Me Away"
Returning to Hybrid Theory brings us to this track. The intro to this song is captivating, and set the mood just where it needs to be for when Chester and Mike come on. Mike's lyrics during the hook are written well and are eerily true.
15. "Figure.09"
This track from Meteora has one of my favourite verses from the album. The post hook just pulls you into the chorus as well and just makes it all the better.
14. "Easier To Run"
Meteora's track selection remains the strongest with yet another track appearing on this list. Throughout the song, the verses, the hook, the chorus, and bridge all seem like their own standalone entities that fall right together like jigsaw puzzle pieces. Everything is exactly where it belongs.
13. "With You"
The first thirty seconds of this Hybrid Theory leave you wondering if you're in for a softer track or a harder one. And you aren't disappointed as you end up getting both. Mike offers the softer verses while Chester goes hard on the chorus and together the song finds strength. The instrumental before the bridge gives some excellent scratches as well.
12. "My<Dsmbr"
This track is the first of only two entries from Reanimation. While the original version of this track failed to make this list, this version is simply far superiour. The song itself fits the month it odes to perfectly. From both the lyrics to the music itself, the song is sure to gives chills.
11. "Waiting For The End"
The second highest entry from A Thousand Suns, this track is definitely a journey. At the beginning of the song it does feel as is the track is going to disappoint and leave you feeling empty. However it picks up steadily and everything clicks into place and the beauty of the track shows itself. Because of this, the song took some time to warm up to me, but eventually I was able to appreciate and enjoy it. With another track from A Thousand Suns still in the waiting, the top 10 includes at least one track from all five albums mentioned thus far.
Co-come, come, come, comin' at you
Come, comin' at you
Come, comin' at you
===============================================
10. "Nobody's Listening"
As we go into the top 10, we're met with a track that originally stuck out like a sore thumb on Meteora. Originally I was confused what to think of this track. Over time it's magic and charm have sunk in and I simply couldn't live without it. The vibe from this track is awesome, from the start of it you know you're in for something special and the ending just leaving you wanting to put it on replay. It's hard to believe that there are actually three tracks from Meteora that managed to rank higher than this!
09. "The Catalyst"
The highest ranking track from A Thousand Suns is special in that it is the only song that includes a reference to the CD title from any of their studio albums. Which is even more ironic in that it includes no reference to its own title! This song is just crazy fun and just sounds like what you would expect "epic" to sound like. From the hard-scratched start to the hard-hitting lyrics and chorus to the hold-up-your-lighters inducing bridge to the end.
08. "In The End"
Easily Linkin Park's most recognisable song, this Hybrid Theory track is what gave Linkin Park their mainstream beginnings. The highlight of this amazing track for me is definitely the bridge. The song as a whole gives one of the best blends of Mike's and Chester's vocals you can find. It's piano-intro is sure to be one that even the casual listener can hear and instantly know what song they are about to here.
07. "Bleed It Out"
The highest entry from Minutes To Midnight on this list, this song goes strong and simply does not stop. It always feels like it's being continually cranked up another notch. If "The Catalyst" is what "epic" sounds like, then "Bleed It Out" is what "sick" sounds like. Because this track is simply sick. The background chatter/screaming from the crowd is awesome and the clapping just keeps you going the whole time!
06. "Faint"
Our third highest entry from Meteora is another strong hard-hitting song. This song is short and sweet but is worth every second. I just love the contrast between Chester's screaming during the bridge, straight into another build-up to screaming that starts off almost-vulnerable sounding.
05. "Crawling"
Our second highest ranking from Hybrid Theory this song was every angsty teenager's anthem back in the day. It still manages to hold up as an amazingly strong track after all of this time. The song itself doesn't have anything 'different' that would separate it from a 'standard song formula'. But it doesn't need to, it's simply a really well-crafted song all around. What will be the highest entry from this album?
04. "Breaking The Habit"
Meteora has two songs in the top four with this as the second highest ranking song from the album. This song is a surprisingly heavy-hitting mid-tempo that chills to the bone when you really stop and listen. The change in the hook from the beginning and in the end is excellently done and helps to give the song that extra layer of depth that makes it just that much more perfect. What will be the highest entry for this anthem?
I don't think y'all ready
Yo
I don't think y'all ready
===============================================
03. "Rnw@y"
The highest entry from Reanimation definitely ranks surprisingly high. However, it's spot is well deserved. This mix of Hybrid Theory original "Runaway" comes equipped with its very own warning at the beginning. Are you ready for a song this hot? It takes the original and just expands in plenty of experimental ways that just make it all that much more interesting. Point blank, I love what they did here. All remixes should have this much work put into them.
02. "Numb"
Despite having the most entries on this list, Meteora does not claim the top spot as its highest entry ranks here in second. This is another one of those tracks that's simply flawlessly executed. No attempts at being different or trying too hard for a hit. Just a song with real feeling and soul and sets the bar high all on its own worth. Easily worthy of its place here.
01. "Runaway"
Hybrid Theory really got it right with this track. This is the track that took me from liking Linkin Park back in the day from when I heard their tracks on the radio to becoming a real fan of them. I remember the first time I heard this track, it was at the start of a field trip to King's Island. I sat on the bus next to my friend Robbie for the ride and he had this track on a CD. Once I heard it, I was hooked, and I soon owned the CD and was going to see them in concert. The song has held up well and will likely always be my favourite track of theirs. You know you're in for something awesome with the intro. While the theme itself isn't particularly the best idea for anyone, its lyrical content is strong and really does follow the psyche of someone in that position well. While the remix is excellent in its own right, nothing beats the original here.
===============================================
And there it is! It still seems crazy to me that there are still songs I think are absolutely amazing in all regards that didn't make the list, but that's a testament to how good the material is for me. I didn't feel like breaking this into separate posts, but for those of you who need tension on what will rank highest, I put little divides in to help with that! I also made up the single covers for songs that didn't have any artwork, so woo! I know that this isn't as exciting as a "top *divagoeshere* songs" and that no1curr and this is tl;dr, but I hope you enjoyed it!
Linkin Park has been my favourite band/musical act in general since their first CD dropped. I kept this mostly limited to their main discography to prevent anything too weird slipping in.
This was actually really difficult for me; I had to listen to everything over and over again to determine what I enjoyed better, because honestly the vast majority of their discography is perfection. Many songs I look at the number beside them and go "Really?!". But they can't all be #1 of course, although they might as well be.
===============================================
25. "Given Up"
Honestly, I hated this song for the longest time. I had felt this and "No More Sorrow" were the two worst songs Linkin Park had recorded at the time. However, after around a year and a half of Minutes To Midnight being out, the song managed to creep up on me. Now it's one of my favourites from the album! Whereas my opinion of "No More Sorrow" has not changed and it will likely forever be Linkin Park's worst song ever (by a significant amount I might add). This song includes a single 17 second scream from Chester and is one of the more hard rock-leaning songs from the album. Only two other tracks from this album made the cut, which ones will they be?
24. "From The Inside"
The first of many songs from Meteora to make this list. The verses trading between Chester and Mike are absolutely wonderful. Mike's hook with Chester harmonizing in the background is also very well done. Once the bridge hits Chester starts screaming and it doesn't disrupt the flow or nature of the song at all.
23. "One Step Closer"
The lead single from their debut album Hybrid Theory, the song that established their rock following. The song that sparked their mainstream following is still to come. "Over and over again" just gets stuck in my head whenever I listen to this!
22. "Somewhere I Belong"
Going back to Meteora here is a significantly softer song than the previous, albeit still a midtempo. Chester's backdrop lyrics behind Mike's during the verses tied the song together very well. The lyrical content of the song itself is also very strong. The bridge is the highlight of the song for me though, just epic!
21. "Lying From You"
Continuing on with another Meteora track, "Lying From You" starts off strong and finishes with a final line and note that just gives you chills. Solid throughout the whole track, I can't choose a part of the song that outshines the rest.
20. "Wretches And Kings"
Our first of four tracks to hit this chart from A Thousand Suns this song is notably different from the rest of its album. At both the beginning and end of the track a speech from Mario Savio is beautifully cut in. When this track first leaked I disliked that choice. However now I adore it. In addition, this track is strong not because of its vocals, although they are done well. The instrumental for this track is simply perfection and I could listen to it for hours. The section before the chorus is bliss.
19. "Burning In The Skies"
The next entry here is also a track from A Thousand Suns. Although the song is rather light, it's lyrics are much darker than the song itself. What I love about this track is it gives a feel of the lyrics in the song itself. Weird, I know, but if any song sounded like "swimming in the smoke" it would be this one.
18. "Don't Stay"
The lead track off of Meteora this song pulls you straight into the album and keeps you hooked there. This song continually uses repetition at the beginning of lines in the verses, chorus, and bridge. And it executes the technique excellently!
17. "Leave Out All The Rest"
Our next entry from Minutes To Midnight is a stark contract to the previous entry "Given Up". Soft, soothing and with a beautiful message, this song shows a more vulnerable side. Only one more track from this album made this list (despite many of the tracks being perfect), which will it be and where will it land?
16. "Pushing Me Away"
Returning to Hybrid Theory brings us to this track. The intro to this song is captivating, and set the mood just where it needs to be for when Chester and Mike come on. Mike's lyrics during the hook are written well and are eerily true.
15. "Figure.09"
This track from Meteora has one of my favourite verses from the album. The post hook just pulls you into the chorus as well and just makes it all the better.
14. "Easier To Run"
Meteora's track selection remains the strongest with yet another track appearing on this list. Throughout the song, the verses, the hook, the chorus, and bridge all seem like their own standalone entities that fall right together like jigsaw puzzle pieces. Everything is exactly where it belongs.
13. "With You"
The first thirty seconds of this Hybrid Theory leave you wondering if you're in for a softer track or a harder one. And you aren't disappointed as you end up getting both. Mike offers the softer verses while Chester goes hard on the chorus and together the song finds strength. The instrumental before the bridge gives some excellent scratches as well.
12. "My<Dsmbr"
This track is the first of only two entries from Reanimation. While the original version of this track failed to make this list, this version is simply far superiour. The song itself fits the month it odes to perfectly. From both the lyrics to the music itself, the song is sure to gives chills.
11. "Waiting For The End"
The second highest entry from A Thousand Suns, this track is definitely a journey. At the beginning of the song it does feel as is the track is going to disappoint and leave you feeling empty. However it picks up steadily and everything clicks into place and the beauty of the track shows itself. Because of this, the song took some time to warm up to me, but eventually I was able to appreciate and enjoy it. With another track from A Thousand Suns still in the waiting, the top 10 includes at least one track from all five albums mentioned thus far.
Co-come, come, come, comin' at you
Come, comin' at you
Come, comin' at you
===============================================
10. "Nobody's Listening"
As we go into the top 10, we're met with a track that originally stuck out like a sore thumb on Meteora. Originally I was confused what to think of this track. Over time it's magic and charm have sunk in and I simply couldn't live without it. The vibe from this track is awesome, from the start of it you know you're in for something special and the ending just leaving you wanting to put it on replay. It's hard to believe that there are actually three tracks from Meteora that managed to rank higher than this!
09. "The Catalyst"
The highest ranking track from A Thousand Suns is special in that it is the only song that includes a reference to the CD title from any of their studio albums. Which is even more ironic in that it includes no reference to its own title! This song is just crazy fun and just sounds like what you would expect "epic" to sound like. From the hard-scratched start to the hard-hitting lyrics and chorus to the hold-up-your-lighters inducing bridge to the end.
08. "In The End"
Easily Linkin Park's most recognisable song, this Hybrid Theory track is what gave Linkin Park their mainstream beginnings. The highlight of this amazing track for me is definitely the bridge. The song as a whole gives one of the best blends of Mike's and Chester's vocals you can find. It's piano-intro is sure to be one that even the casual listener can hear and instantly know what song they are about to here.
07. "Bleed It Out"
The highest entry from Minutes To Midnight on this list, this song goes strong and simply does not stop. It always feels like it's being continually cranked up another notch. If "The Catalyst" is what "epic" sounds like, then "Bleed It Out" is what "sick" sounds like. Because this track is simply sick. The background chatter/screaming from the crowd is awesome and the clapping just keeps you going the whole time!
06. "Faint"
Our third highest entry from Meteora is another strong hard-hitting song. This song is short and sweet but is worth every second. I just love the contrast between Chester's screaming during the bridge, straight into another build-up to screaming that starts off almost-vulnerable sounding.
05. "Crawling"
Our second highest ranking from Hybrid Theory this song was every angsty teenager's anthem back in the day. It still manages to hold up as an amazingly strong track after all of this time. The song itself doesn't have anything 'different' that would separate it from a 'standard song formula'. But it doesn't need to, it's simply a really well-crafted song all around. What will be the highest entry from this album?
04. "Breaking The Habit"
Meteora has two songs in the top four with this as the second highest ranking song from the album. This song is a surprisingly heavy-hitting mid-tempo that chills to the bone when you really stop and listen. The change in the hook from the beginning and in the end is excellently done and helps to give the song that extra layer of depth that makes it just that much more perfect. What will be the highest entry for this anthem?
I don't think y'all ready
Yo
I don't think y'all ready
===============================================
03. "Rnw@y"
The highest entry from Reanimation definitely ranks surprisingly high. However, it's spot is well deserved. This mix of Hybrid Theory original "Runaway" comes equipped with its very own warning at the beginning. Are you ready for a song this hot? It takes the original and just expands in plenty of experimental ways that just make it all that much more interesting. Point blank, I love what they did here. All remixes should have this much work put into them.
02. "Numb"
Despite having the most entries on this list, Meteora does not claim the top spot as its highest entry ranks here in second. This is another one of those tracks that's simply flawlessly executed. No attempts at being different or trying too hard for a hit. Just a song with real feeling and soul and sets the bar high all on its own worth. Easily worthy of its place here.
01. "Runaway"
Hybrid Theory really got it right with this track. This is the track that took me from liking Linkin Park back in the day from when I heard their tracks on the radio to becoming a real fan of them. I remember the first time I heard this track, it was at the start of a field trip to King's Island. I sat on the bus next to my friend Robbie for the ride and he had this track on a CD. Once I heard it, I was hooked, and I soon owned the CD and was going to see them in concert. The song has held up well and will likely always be my favourite track of theirs. You know you're in for something awesome with the intro. While the theme itself isn't particularly the best idea for anyone, its lyrical content is strong and really does follow the psyche of someone in that position well. While the remix is excellent in its own right, nothing beats the original here.
===============================================
And there it is! It still seems crazy to me that there are still songs I think are absolutely amazing in all regards that didn't make the list, but that's a testament to how good the material is for me. I didn't feel like breaking this into separate posts, but for those of you who need tension on what will rank highest, I put little divides in to help with that! I also made up the single covers for songs that didn't have any artwork, so woo! I know that this isn't as exciting as a "top *divagoeshere* songs" and that no1curr and this is tl;dr, but I hope you enjoyed it!
