Formed in 1996, Linkin Park rose to international fame with their debut studio album, Hybrid Theory (2000), which became certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Released during the peak of the nu metal scene, the album's singles' heavy airplay on MTV led the singles "One Step Closer", "Crawling" and "In the End" all to chart highly on the US Mainstream Rock chart. The lattermost also crossed over to the nation's Billboard Hot 100. Their second album, Meteora (2003), continued the band's success. The band explored experimental sounds on their third album, Minutes to Midnight (2007). By the end of the decade, Linkin Park was among the most successful and popular rock acts.
The band continued to explore a wider variation of musical types on their fourth album, A Thousand Suns (2010), layering their music with more electronic sounds. The band's fifth album, Living Things (2012), combined musical elements from all of their previous records. Their sixth album, The Hunting Party (2014), returned to a heavier rock sound, and their seventh album, One More Light (2017), was a substantially more pop-oriented record. Linkin Park went on a hiatus when longtime lead vocalist Bennington died in July 2017. In April 2022, Shinoda revealed the band was neither working on new music nor planning on touring for the foreseeable future.
Linkin Park is among the best-selling bands of the 21st century and the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. They have won two Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, 10 MTV Europe Music Awards and three World Music Awards. In 2003, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth-greatest band of the music video era and the third-best of the new millennium. Billboard ranked Linkin Park No. 19 on the Best Artists of the Decade list. In 2012, the band was voted as the greatest artist of the 2000s in a Bracket Madness poll on VH1. In 2014, the band was declared as "The Biggest Rock Band in the World Right Now" by Kerrang!.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linkin_Park
Studio albums
Hybrid Theory (2000)
Meteora (2003)
Minutes to Midnight (2007)
A Thousand Suns (2010)
Living Things (2012)
The Hunting Party (2014)
One More Light (2017)
High_voltage
Linkin Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
(High voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out)
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
I've been digging into crates ever since I was living in space
Before the rat race, before monkeys had human traits
Mastered numerology and Big Bang theology
Performed lobotomies with telekinetic psychology
Invented the mic so I could start blessing it
And chin-checking kids to make my point like an impressionist
Many men have tried to shake us
But I twist mic cords to double helixes
And show them what I'm made of
I buckle knees like leg braces
Cast the spell of instrumental-ness on all of the MCs that hate us
So try on (try it), leave you without a shoulder to cry on
From now to infinity let icons be bygones
I firebomb, ghostly notes haunt this
I tried threats, but moved on to a promise
I stomp shit, with or without an accomplice (Mixed Media)
The stamp of approval is on this
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
(Akira) I put a kink in the backbones of clones
With microphones, never satisfy my rhyme jones
Spraying bright day over what you might say
Blood type Krylon, Technicolor type A
On highways, bright with road rage
I'm patient to win the cage and the tin to bounce all around
In surround sound, devouring the scene
Subliminal gangrene paintings overall the same thing
Sing-song karaoke copy madness
Break bones verbally with sticks-and-stone tactics
Fourth dimension, combat convention
Write rhymes at ease while the track stands at attention ('tention)
Meant to put you away with the pencil, pistol, official
Sixteen-line, rhyme missile
While you risk your all, I pick out all your flaws
Spin rah blah blah blah, you can say you saw
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock
Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
This production (this production)
Has been brought to you courtesy of (has been brought to you courtesy of)
Mixed Media (Mixed Media)
Akira (Akira)
Mr. Hahn (Mr. Hahn)
And (and)
Hybrid Theory (Hybrid Theory)
The song High Voltage by Linkin Park is a powerful rap/rock anthem, featuring driving beats and aggressive vocals. The lyrics are full of references to technology, science, and mythology, as well as moments of introspection and determination.
The opening lyrics, "Just do somethin' to tell you who I am, ya know?" seem to reflect the band's need to prove their identity and express their unique style. The repeated phrase "It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock" suggests that their music is electrifying and unstoppable, and that they refuse to be silenced or ignored.
The verses are packed with references to symbolic systems and scientific concepts, from "numerology and Big Bang theology" to "microphones" and "telekinetic psychology." The imagery is often violent or aggressive, with lines like "I firebomb, ghostly notes haunt this" and "Spraying bright day over what you might say." However, the chorus returns to the idea that their energy and creativity are exciting and desirable, and listeners can't help but be drawn in.
Overall, High Voltage is a powerful, energetic song that showcases Linkin Park's unique blend of rap and rock, as well as their penchant for complex language and symbolism.
Line by Line Meaning
Just do somethin' to tell you who I am, ya know?
The singer wants to express their identity through their actions and artistry.
It's high voltage, you can't shake the shock Because nobody wants it to stop, check it out
The level of intensity of the performance is high, and the audience wants it to continue.
I've been digging into crates ever since I was living in space Before the rat race, before monkeys had human traits Mastered numerology and Big Bang theology Performed lobotomies with telekinetic psychology
The singer has been honing their art since a long time, and have mastery over unconventional subjects like numerology and psychology.
Invented the mic so I could start blessing it And chin-checking kids to make my point like an impressionist Many men have tried to shake us But I twist mic cords to double helixes And show them what I'm made of
The artist invented the microphone and uses it to educate and enlighten through their art, defying the critics.
I buckle knees like leg braces Cast the spell of instrumental-ness on all of the MCs that hate us So try on (try it), leave you without a shoulder to cry on From now to infinity let icons be bygones
The artist's unique and powerful approach to music intimidates and silences those who criticize them. They want to move ahead and leave the naysayers behind.
I firebomb, ghostly notes haunt this I tried threats, but moved on to a promise I stomp shit, with or without an accomplice (Mixed Media) The stamp of approval is on this
The singer warns that their words and music have the power to haunt and affect people deeply. Their art is powerful and has gained validation from various sources.
(Akira) I put a kink in the backbones of clones With microphones, never satisfy my rhyme jones Spraying bright day over what you might say Blood type Krylon, Technicolor type A
Akira, the collaborator, emphasizes that his music is not copied from anyone and that his rhymes are unique and unmatched.
On highways, bright with road rage I'm patient to win the cage and the tin to bounce all around In surround sound, devouring the scene Subliminal gangrene paintings over all the same thing
The artist is patient and strategic to establish their artistry and subliminal messages in mainstream music.
Sing-song karaoke copy madness Break bones verbally with sticks-and-stone tactics Fourth dimension, combat convention Write rhymes at ease while the track stands at attention ('tention)
The artist criticizes karaoke-style music and rhymes and claims that their words are powerful enough to cause physical harm. They also pride themselves on their ability to write effortlessly.
Meant to put you away with the pencil, pistol, official Sixteen-line, rhyme missile While you risk your all, I pick out all your flaws Spin rah blah blah blah, you can say you saw
The artist challenges other rappers to come at them with their best rhymes, but they are confident that they will outdo them with their lyrics and expose their flaws.
This production (this production) Has been brought to you courtesy of (has been brought to you courtesy of) Mixed Media (Mixed Media) Akira (Akira) Mr. Hahn (Mr. Hahn) And (and) Hybrid Theory (Hybrid Theory)
The song is a collaboration between the various artists mentioned and is part of the Hybrid Theory album.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brad Delson, Chester Charles Bennington, Joseph Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Robert G. Bourdon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SEF Meteora
THE LYRICS;
You know what I mean
You could put a label on a life
Put a label on a lifestyle
Sometimes...
You know
Put a label on how you wake up every morning
And go to bed at night
Hybrid
I've been digging into crates ever since I was living in space
Before the rat race, before monkeys had human traits
I mastered numerology and Big Bang theology
Performed lobotomies with telekinetic psychology
Invented the mic so I could start blessing it
Chin-checking kids to make my point like an impressionist
Many men have tried to shake us
But I twist mic cords to double helixes and show them what I'm made of
I buckle knees like leg braces
Cast the spell of instrumentalness
And all of you MCs who hate us
So you can try on
Leave you without a shoulder to cry on
From now to infinity let icons be bygones
I fire bomb ghostly notes haunt this
I tried threats but moved on to a promise
I stomp shit with or without an accomplice
And run the gauntlet with whoever that wants this
High voltage
The unforgettable sound
High voltage
Bringing you up and taking you down
High voltage
Coming at you from every side
High voltage
Making the rhythm and rhyme collide
Akira
I put a kink in the backbones of clones
With microphones
Never satisfy my rhyme jones
Spraying bright day
Over what you might say
My blood type's Krylon
Technicolor type A
On highways ride with road rage
Cages of wind
And cages of tin
That bounce all around
Surround sound
Devouring the scene
Subliminal gangrene
Paintings
Overall the same thing
Sing song karaoke copy bullshit
Break bones verbally with sticks-and-stone tactics
Fourth dimension
Combat convention
Write rhymes at ease while the track stands at attention
Meant to put you away with the pencil
Pistol, official
16 line a rhyme missile
While you risk your all
I pick out all your flaws
Spin rah blah blah blah
You can say you saw
[2x]
High voltage
The unforgettable sound
High voltage
Bringing you up and taking you down
High voltage
Coming at you from every side
High voltage
Making the rhythm and rhyme collide
And like the rock and rap
You know what I mean
People act like you know
Wow that's a new invention
That shit's brand new
We're constantly evolving
It is constantly changing
Sometimes...
There's a lot of change
Everybody's always up with labels
There ain't no label for this shit
They're always gonna try to put a label on it
Try to create something
So they can water it down
[2x]
Sometimes I feel like a prophet
Misunderstood
Under the gun like a new disease
[4x]
High voltage
The unforgettable sound
High voltage
Bringing you up and taking you down
High voltage
Coming at you from every side
High voltage
Making the rhythm and rhyme collide
You know what I mean, you can put a label on a lifestyle
B VS
"And like the rock and rap
You know what I mean
People act like you know
Wow that's a new invention
That shit's brand new
We're constantly evolving
It is constantly changing"
I love how this is in the song. It just fits. I like the message too.
We're constantly evolving.
jmwFILMS
2:24 Best part. Probably my favorite from LP.
Spizon
same
mathewjones293
jmwFILMS i totally agree with you
Javi Calderon
:')
Ca
Yes that's the best part <3
Max Musterman
dont forget figure no9 :D
Alberto Neurohr
Bit of Trivia: This song is actually a remix of the original High Voltage which came out in a EP the band made before their first album, when the name of the band was Hybrid Theory. After they renamed to Linkin Park, they kept Hybrid Theory as the name of their first album, but High Voltage was not included in it, likely because it had no Chester vocals, or because the theme of the lyrics isn't in line with the rest of the album. When the album was re-released in Asia, it included this re-do of the song, which completely revamped it to be more in-line with the sound of the rest of the album. This song is mostly unknown because when people hear about 'the original High Voltage' its likely to be the one on the EP, and when they hear about 'the remix of High Voltage' they usually get the version on Reanimation with Pharoahe Monch and DJ Babu. I think most Linkin Park fans would agree that this song showcases the best of Mike Shinoda's rapping. The the complex structure and rhyme scheme, the numerous references to everything from the occult to philosophical concepts to criticism of society, and the aggressive delivery and layering of the vocals all serve as evidence for Shinoda's mastery over rap, as he puts it. He brought some of this into Fort Minor, but in general The Rising Tied shed the conceptual depth and went with a more mainstream approach, even when Shinoda talked about personal subjects.
FiNiSH Random
this song has chester vocals, and no songs from the EP is on the album
Fairy C Rat
Actually yeah, there was a "High Voltage" without Chester on the EP. It had slightly different lyrics and a completely different instrumental part.
wes m
(FiNiSH Random) Yeah, it does. Chester sings the "Sometimes I feel like a prophet" part.