Top 20 Best Linkin Park Songs

#20: “Burn It Down” (2012)

Harkening back to the past while still moving forward, the band felt completely in control on “Burn It Down.” The central riff almost reminds us of earlier tracks like “Numb” with a twist. Combining both Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda’s vocals, the track from “Living Things” keeps you guessing with its eclectic genre ideas. The central lyrics suggest the ways in which we put people on a pedestal only to celebrate their downfall. Swirling with thoughts on celebrity and other personal matters, the group combines their views on the entertainment industry with more relatable words for the listeners.

#19: “New Divide” (2009)

It doesn’t feel like a real “Transformers” movie without Linkin Park making their mark. While this one isn’t reaching the heights of “What I’ve Done,” it’s a worthy successor in many ways. “New Divide” is one of the highlights of the mixed reception surrounding “Revenge of the Fallen.” The song features references to an underdog story and an impending decision that’ll change someone’s life. With the world on their shoulders, the band offered up this single with all of its climactic and cinematic glory. It’s hard to argue with those high notes in the chorus too.

#18: “The Catalyst” (2010)

Leave it to Linkin Park to both scare and excite you. “The Catalyst” takes aim at societal struggles and oppression in multiple forms. There’s a forceful nature to every passing word, with the verses sounding like a rallying cry. It’s both apocalyptic in its shimmering sounds and lyrics. Mike Shinoda sets up the state of the world, with Chester Bennington hammering home the dangerous imagery. This single from “A Thousand Suns” seems to find the group in another phase of their career and with a renewed sense of purpose. A decade into their recording career, they still seemed eager to push boundaries.

#17: “Given Up” (2007)

Channeling something close to punk rock, Linkin Park infuses “Given Up” with a fast-paced production that’s full of surprises. This “Minutes to Midnight” single expands upon the record’s kaleidoscopic influences. The guitar part lures you in with its rhythms, climbing with Chester Bennington’s restrained vocals. Once this one hits the chorus, the singer lets loose with one of his more underrated high notes. This doesn’t even count the scream that nearly doubles as its own bridge. Pushing his voice to the limit, Bennington turns this into a death metal song with the help of his bandmates.

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#16: “Castle of Glass” (2012)

On your first listen, you might think that “Castle of Glass” is among the more low-key tracks in Linkin Park’s catalog. The lyrics slowly reveal themselves as the more delicate production goes along. It might be open to interpretation, but the narrator sounds like they’re contemplating the past and hoping to start anew. Obvious parallels could be made to the band members, but this particular single carries a universal quality. It’s also an acknowledgement of fragility, vulnerability, and the need for community. For listeners that prefer the group’s more edgy works, this one functions like a beautiful palette cleanser.

#15: “One More Light” (2017)

Among the most somber songs in their entire canon, Linkin Park digs deep with a straightforward track. “One More Light” shows you don’t need to be complex to get your message across. Given that this single was among the last ones recorded before Chester Bennington’s death, some listeners consider it to be a look into the vocalist’s personal state. It’s especially painful to listen to given that it sounds so profound in retrospect. Even if it’s not as heavy as their earlier work, it features a central theme that’s as moving as anything they’ve ever written. Bennington’s performance floats above a guitar part that forces you to listen even harder to the lyrics.

#14: “Shadow of the Day” (2007)

On their third album “Minutes to Midnight,” Linkin Park experimented even more with their ever-changing sound. “Shadow of the Day” is one of the slower more contemplative tracks on the record. For many listeners, these lyrics sound as if they’re delving into metaphors about depression. Whether you think it’s about mental health struggles or the end of the world, this single hits home every time we hear it. It’s a sobering look at life with all of its hopes and failures laid out in poetic words. Chester Bennington’s more subtle performance holds back until a relatable chorus wishes for a setting sun.

#13: “Bleed It Out” (2007)

With the harsh guitar line guiding the way, “Bleed It Out” doesn’t wait to get you revved up. It’s another key part of the “Minutes to Midnight” record with its rap rock sensibility. The verses run wild with a breathless performance from Mike Shinoda, showcasing his talents with a cutthroat delivery. Chester Bennington then unleashes the title in one of his trademark yells. Together as vocalists, these two musicians help to push this driving rocker to the brink. It’s also a nice pairing with the album’s other tracks like “Given Up.” Not to be outdone, the guitarist Brad Delson deserves a shoutout for his performance here.

#12: “Points of Authority” (2000)

It’s hard to go wrong with the original sound of Linkin Park. “Points of Authority” finds the band in their early comfort zone, harnessing some raw power for their “Hybrid Theory” album. It’s a dynamic track that contains a dense production and a fully-formed style all its own. From the guitar riffs to the record scratching, it knows how to set the tone even without the awesome vocals. The notion of authority and influence come into play while a vengeful story plays out. There’s enough angst here for days, with entertaining performances to get any kind of listener hyped.

#11: “Leave Out All the Rest” (2007)

Like many great Linkin Park songs, this one blends both quiet and loud dynamics into one memorable package. “Leave Out All the Rest” gives a voice to the complex emotions surrounding death and legacy. Examining life through our past regrets, the lyrics seem hopeful about people being remembered for their best moments and not their worst. It’s a mournful track that also asks us to reconsider how we affect each other. The band surrounds Chester Bennington with hypnotic instruments that carry through each engaging verse. By the time it’s over, this single makes you want to go back over every word and contemplate your own existence.

#10: “Somewhere I Belong” (2003)

It’s a song about someone desperate to find something relatable, reaching out in a last ditch effort to secure a connection. Much of Linkin Park’s work revolves around similar themes of alienation. “Somewhere I Belong” finds a fresh and direct way to tackle important issues, speaking on behalf of so many younger and older listeners that feel the same way. It’s also an example of how their music allows like-minded people to come together, with audiences hopefully sharing their experiences and finding each other in the process. This “Meteora” single isn’t just a nostalgic favorite, but a bittersweet call to action.

#9: “Crawling” (2000)

This song wastes no time in telling you what it’s all about. Like a shot out of a cannon, “Crawling” kicks off with an amazing drop full of intense vocals and angry instruments. The production hits you like a freight train before sending you on a personal journey. In looking back on the metaphorical wounds we all carry with us, this single examines the reality of our biggest hang-ups. It’s also a track that has one of the strongest hooks in Linkin Park’s catalog. There’s an unmatched energy that these musicians create together, turning the volume knobs up and letting the screams fly out of every speaker. It’s practically a therapeutic experience.

#8: “Waiting for the End” (2010)

Among the more unique-sounding Linkin Park songs, “Waiting for the End” trades the chunkier riffs for a more withdrawn sound. There’s also a blend of drum beats that keeps you on your toes. While Mike Shinoda’s parts keep an interesting tempo, the chorus throws you for another loop. This song refrains from getting too big even in its hook. The lower volume entices you to listen a few more times, with the band bringing you back with its piercing lyrics. There’s a feeling that Chester Bennington sings into the void, mirroring the emotional state of the narrator. Dialing everything back, the musicians’ talents rise up for this heartfelt tune.

#7: “Papercut” (2000)

Among the many classic tracks from Linkin Park’s first album, “Papercut” might have become underrated after being overshadowed by other hits. Real fans know it as one of the finer examples of their nu-metal style alongside favorites like “In the End.” It’s also another showcase for their lyrical prowess, combining Mike Shinoda’s raps and Chester Bennington’s singing. The chorus speaks to the second-guessing, paranoia, and inner thoughts that plague our darkest moments. You can’t deny that the musical climax here reaches the heights of their best releases. For anybody facing a rough patch in their lives, they can find potential relief through this song.

#6: “Breaking the Habit” (2003)

This track from “Meteora” finds a way to channel frustration and metaphors about substance use disorder into a song. You could pull an entire novel out of “Breaking the Habit,” full of allusions to every obstacle that confronts us. The driving beat refuses to let go as it ticks away and doubles as the spiraling thoughts that never seem to quit. While the band provides an electronic foundation, they’re priming the audience for some thrilling twists. You might even find the lyrics too close to home through all of the jolting rock elements. One thing is for sure, the group yet again finds a way to turn a state of mind into music.

#5: “One Step Closer” (2000)

Writing songs for the voiceless, this band also knows how to write about being pushed around. “One Step Closer” chronicles those feelings we have on the brink of collapse. Sometimes it’s good to explore the darkness rather than hiding everything behind a mask. Using hard rock and pointed lyrics, Linkin Park sends audiences on a full-throttle ride through the oppressive nature of existence. The single has the spontaneous feeling of something that needs to get out. It gives you the impression that it’s also a catharsis for the band, enhancing the overall experience as a result.

#4: “What I’ve Done” (2007)

For all of their genre-bending efforts, this one might be Linkin Park’s best and most traditional rock song. It also holds a few unique quirks that fans of the band will enjoy. “What I’ve Done” is often associated with the first Michael Bay “Transformers” movie, likely achieving more mainstream success because of its appearance on the soundtrack. Younger fans might’ve even discovered the group thanks to its place in 2000s pop culture. The opening piano prepares you for a profound experience, giving audiences healthy doses of both triumph and melancholy. The crown jewel of “Minutes to Midnight” still sounds staggering two decades later.

#3: “Faint” (2003)

For all of the scratches and electronic sounds in Linkin Park songs, the best ones might be in “Faint.” There’s an undeniable quality to this mesmerizing opening that further supports this high-quality single. Mike Shinoda opens the verses by building up a complicated person, never slowing down with an expert flow. He and Chester Bennington talk about how it’s okay to not make sense. Just when you think the chorus might be the apex of this track, you get to hear one of the group’s most captivating bridges. This “Meteora” number kicks off an exciting second half to an impressive sophomore album.

#2: “Numb” (2003)

Starting with an electronic lick, “Numb” grabs your attention before luring you into a twisted tale of a toxic relationship. Chester Bennington’s words spill out like a cathartic confession. You also get smacked into the face by Brad Delson’s guitar, with the added boost of a powerful rhythm section. As one of the cornerstones of their second album, this track shows the band pushing the furious sounds of their debut even further. Some listeners might know the remix with Jay-Z even better, further highlighting the wonderful foundation set by the group. In both the “Meteora” and “Collision Course” versions, you’re hit by some of their finest musical impulses.

#1: “In the End” (2000)

There’s no other song that can top the spirit of “In the End.” Building with intensity from the first note, this track represents the peak of Linkin Park’s powers. Their formula feels best utilized here from the varied instrumentations to the heavy rock riffs. From their very first album, the band were already mastering their ability to blend diverse genres into one incredible package. Mike Shinoda’s verse lines ramp up the tension before Chester Bennington’s explosive work in the chorus. The late singer delivers one of his greatest performances, not leaving anything behind in a career-defining achievement.

Did we forget another highlight from the band’s extensive career? Let us know in the comments below.