Background
"Breaking the Habit" features a strong electronica-influenced opening, live strings and guitar. It is an exception from their previous nu metal/rap rock performances as no distorted guitar riffs are included nor are there any rapping vocals from Mike Shinoda, a style they would further explore on their later albums.
A common misconception about the song is that it was written by lead singer Chester Bennington due to his struggles with substance abuse. Band member Mike Shinoda began writing the song before he met Bennington based on another close friend's drug addiction.
In the album notes, it was said that the song was originally going to be an instrumental track lasting a little over three and a half minutes, but Shinoda was convinced by the band to change it. The instrumental was later released on the Underground 9.0 Fan Club as a demo track titled "Drawing".
Shinoda had a lyrical idea of an emotion he had been trying to express for 5 to 6 years before the production of Meteora. To him, the lyrics had sounded wrong until listening to the "Drawing" demo one night and they fell together. He showed the lyrics he wrote to Bennington who read them and teared up, relating to the words to a point where he had difficulty performing the song live for almost a year after the release of Meteora.
An original 2002 demo of this song with different lyrics and Shinoda on lead vocals appears on LP Underground XIV.
Music video
The music video for "Breaking the Habit" was animated by Studio Gonzo; it was directed by Joe Hahn and co-produced by Eric Calderon. It uses an anime stylization which was supervised by Kazuto Nakazawa, who had previously directed the animated segment of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Volume 1 among other things. The video was shot of the band performing the song and was later rotoscoped. The video has gone on to be a favorite amongst MTV viewers, going as far as winning the 2004 MTV VMA Viewer's Choice Award.
As the video begins, a deceased man is shown lying on a car's roof. The surrounding area has been taped off and is littered with investigating police officers as well as onlookers. The video cuts to another character, a girl who breaks a mirror, then writes "I'm nothing" onto a sheet of paper. She picks up a shard of glass, clenches it in her hand, and smears her blood on the note. Throughout the different scenes, a wisp of smoke meanders around the characters as their stories play out, and the human face of Chester Bennington singing the song flashes various times. Another character is a young woman throwing tomatoes at a man. At a point, the ubiquitous smoke drifts over the deceased man's body and enters his mouth, and the video begins to seemingly rewind itself, the woman throwing tomatoes at the man who is her husband or boyfriend, is shown coming home to see the man with another woman in bed suggesting they just had sex. The body of the deceased man begins to rise, falling in reverse, towards the roof of a tall building. It is revealed that the body is that of Chester, who had apparently fallen to his death. Upon landing on the roof, he joins with the rest of the band in performing the remainder of the song.
As of October 2020, the song has 240 million views on YouTube.
There is also a second music video, titled "Breaking the Habit (5.28.04 3:37 PM)", showing the band in their studio performing the song. The video was directed by Kimo Proudfoot and is available on the Breaking the Habit DVD.
iTunes
The video for "Breaking the Habit" is available on iTunes, along with a live video version of the video. The live video was taken from the Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes DVD concert.
Reception
“Breaking the Habit” has been ranked among the best Linkin Park songs by Billboard (6th), Stereogum (2nd), and The Independent.
Live performances
"Breaking the Habit" was not initially performed in the tour for Meteora, until it received a full performance on November 15, 2003 in San Bernardino. Since then, it has found itself in the majority of their concerts. From its debut up until the end of the tour cycle for the band's 3rd album, Minutes to Midnight, "Breaking the Habit" was played with a piano intro, where the first verse and chorus were played, and after that, the actual song would start. "Breaking the Habit" is also sometimes played live with an extended outro consisting of an a cappella performance of the chorus. After Linkin Park's 'Concert for the Philippines' on January 11, 2014, "Breaking the Habit" was dropped from the band's setlist. It would not be played live again until May 17, 2015, at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio.
Breaking the Habit
Linkin Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again
I don't want to be the one the battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more than any time before
I have no options left again
I don't want to be the one the battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I'll never fight again
And this is how it ends
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity to show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
“Breaking the Habit” by Linkin Park is a song about self-realization and taking control over one’s life. The lyrics, "memories consume like opening the wounds, I'm picking me apart again," reflect the pain of reliving old memories that are incredibly painful. The singer then goes on to say that people assume he is fine because he is holed up in his room, but that is far from the truth. He struggles with internal battles and confusion, which causes him to instigate conflicts, but he no longer understands why he fights.
The phrase “clutching my cure” implies that he is seeking a way to heal himself. He is hurting more now than ever before and has no options left. He is tired of being caught up in battles and confusion and is finally breaking the habit of instigating conflicts and saying things he does not mean. By breaking the habit, he is taking control over his life and painting the walls to take responsibility for his actions.
Although the lyrics are vague, many people relate to "Breaking the Habit" because it touches on the common human struggles of pain, confusion, and the fight for clarity. It is a powerful and insightful song that encourages people to take control of their lives and not be afraid to let go of patterns that are harmful to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Memories consume like opening the wounds
I am haunted by painful memories that feel like fresh wounds that just won't heal.
I'm picking me apart again
I am criticizing and analyzing myself relentlessly.
You all assume
People think they know me, but they don't really understand what's going on inside.
I'm safe here in my room
I feel safer isolating myself from the world and its problems.
Unless I try to start again
I am hesitant to take action because I fear failure and disappointment.
I don't want to be the one the battles always choose
I don't want to be constantly engaged in struggles and hardships.
'Cause inside I realize that I'm the one confused
I am aware that I am lost and unsure of what steps to take next.
I don't know what's worth fighting for
I am uncertain about the things in life that are worth putting up a fight for.
Or why I have to scream
I am frustrated and agitated, feeling like I have to shout to be heard.
I don't know why I instigate
I don't know why I always initiate conflict or tension with others.
And say what I don't mean
I often say things that I don't truly believe or feel.
I don't know how I got this way
I am unsure of how I ended up in this state of confusion and turmoil.
I know it's not alright
I am aware that something is wrong and needs to be fixed.
So I'm breaking the habit
I am making a conscious effort to change my ways and habits.
I'm breaking the habit tonight
I am taking immediate action to break my negative patterns and habits.
Clutching my cure
I am holding tightly to what I believe will help me overcome my struggles.
I tightly lock the door
I am shutting myself off from the outside world and potential triggers for my problems.
I try to catch my breath again
I am struggling to regain control of myself and find inner peace.
I hurt much more than any time before
My pain and suffering are becoming more intense and unbearable with each passing day.
I have no options left again
I feel powerless and trapped, unable to see a way out of my predicament.
I'll paint it on the walls
I will express my emotions and thoughts openly and honestly for all to see.
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I take responsibility for my actions and acknowledge that I am responsible for my current situation.
I'll never fight again
I am done with struggling and fighting against obstacles, instead choosing to find new solutions and approaches.
And this is how it ends
This chapter of my life and my old ways of thinking and behaving is coming to a close.
But now I have some clarity to show you what I mean
I am gaining a new perspective and understanding of my problems, and can articulate them more clearly to others.
I'll never be alright
I am still grappling with my inner demons and know that true resolution will take time and effort.
So I'm breaking the habit
I am committed to actively working on my problems and habits to create a better future for myself.
I'm breaking the habit
I am actively taking steps to break the vicious cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors that have been holding me back.
I'm breaking the habit tonight
I am starting my journey toward a better life and brighter future right now, without delay.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brad Delson, Chester Charles Bennington, Dave Farrell, Joseph Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Robert G. Bourdon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sebastianmonterroso8834
Lyrics
Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
You all assume
I'm safe here in my room
Unless I try to start again
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside I realize
That I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more
Than anytime before
I had no options left again
I don't want to be the one
The battles always choose
'Cause inside, I realize
That I'm the one confused
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate
And say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonight
I'll paint it on the walls
'Cause I'm the one at fault
I'll never fight again
And this is how it ends
I don't know what's worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity
To show you what I mean
I don't know how I got this way
I'll never be alright
So, I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit
I'm breaking the habit tonigh
@raw_dah
From my experience, I know that no amount of positive words can help someone in depression to feel good and get back on track to live life with hopes for prosperity.
Truth is I doesn't matter. This is what you're going through, and trying to give ourselves a cathartic narrative for what happened to you will only prolong the suffering.
Be your own witness until you find another person to share you emotions with, and life is all about sharing.
I am not writing this just to make myself feel good that I've helped someone in some way or to make you feel less alone, I'm writing this as an attempt to make myself feel less alone
I'm sharing my thoughts and what I felt to you.
Maybe this is all life is about, sharing. I'm hope you'd reply. To share something.
Or maybe I'm wrong, in that case share what you feel is right.
@dnaa
one man can save millions, but millions couldn't save one.
@yeisonleonardorodriguezrey3146
Le WorkShopeur yea... i feel pain
@susu959
Yeah well he left for a reasons
@yaboylotty1
Le WorkShopeur u said a lot for real
@jordanludlum7066
Corny Panda He left for many and to save others from his demons that he couldn't keep calm
@XxJuiceManxX198
😢
@frmh1nsd
YouTube, are you serious? This song and the video itself can be also taken as a suicide prevention message. It makes you wanna break the habit of giving up on everything and you become stronger. Linkin Park has saved so many lives and has healed millions of broken hearts and you dare to do such a thing...
Update: this issue got fixed by YouTube! So happy! We love you, Chester!✨️🤍
@marsha4253
FR
@ryanwatson7365
Weirdly enough thats exactly what this song done for me, I was in a dark place and had the album blasting as I went to attempt suicide but this song came on and I broke down just playing this song on repeat for hours, it was the song that has saved my life when I had nothing and it’s why I’ll always be thankful to linkin park and what they’ve done as I’m sure I am not the only one that has been saved by them.
@godmademepansexualsodealwi1355
@@ryanwatson7365 no, they have saved me too during my time of suicidal tendencies and depression. They are the one rock band that has comforted me through my times of trouble and i owe them everything. And, how DARE YT for censoring it when it isn't about wanting to commit suicide or drug addiction. If they would listen to the lyrics they would know, that that's not what it is talking about. Damn YT!!!