Points of Authority
Linkin Park Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Forfeit the game before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame
Cover up your face, you can't run the race
The pace is too fast, you just won't last

You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life, my pride is broken

You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

You love the things I say I'll do
The way I'll hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in
My life, my pride is broken

You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

Forfeit the game before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame
Cover up your face, you can't run the race
The pace is too fast, you just won't last

Forfeit the game before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame
Cover up your face, you can't run the race
The pace is too fast, you just won't last

You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

You like to think you're never wrong
(Forfeit the game) (you live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(Forfeit the game) (you live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(Forfeit the game) (you live what you've learned)




You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Points of Authority" are about someone who has been emotionally and mentally manipulated to the point where they have lost control of their life. The song describes the feeling of being in a relationship with someone who takes pleasure in seeing the singer suffer. The singer is unable to break free from this cycle of abuse and is stuck in a twisted game where their abuser is always one step ahead of them.


The chorus of the song encourages the singer to "forfeit the game" before their abuser "takes [them] out of the frame and puts [their] name to shame." The pace of their relationship is too fast for the singer to keep up with, and they are only hurting themselves by trying to win. The second verse addresses the abuser directly, accusing them of wanting to hurt others because they have been hurt in the past. The repeated phrase "you live what you've learned" suggests that the abuser is perpetuating a cycle of abuse that they themselves experienced.


Overall, "Points of Authority" is a powerful song about the devastating effects of emotional abuse and the struggle to break free from a toxic relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Forfeit the game
Give up before it's too late


Before somebody else
When you don't control the game, the game controls you


Takes you out of the frame
Removes you from the action


And puts your name to shame
Makes you a loser


Cover up your face
Hide your identity


You can't run the race
You can't keep up


The pace is too fast
The speed is too high


You just won't last
You will eventually fail


You love the way I look at you
You enjoy my attention


While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You enjoy hurting me


You take away if I give in
You take advantage of me if I don't resist


My life, my pride is broken
You damage my self-esteem and confidence


You like to think you're never wrong
You believe you're always right


(You live what you've learned)
(You behave as you have been taught)


You have to act like you're someone
You pretend to be someone you're not


You want someone to hurt like you
You seek revenge on others


You want to share what you've been through
You want others to understand your pain


You love the things I say I'll do
You like my promises


The way I'll hurt myself again just to get back at you
I will harm myself to get revenge on you


You take away when I give in
You exploit me when I surrender


You like to think you're never wrong
You think you're always right


(You live what you've learned)
(You behave as you have been taught)


You have to act like you're someone
You pretend to be someone you're not


You want someone to hurt like you
You seek revenge on others


You want to share what you've been through
You want others to understand your pain


Forfeit the game
Give up before it's too late


Before somebody else
When you don't control the game, the game controls you


Takes you out of the frame
Removes you from the action


And puts your name to shame
Makes you a loser


Cover up your face
Hide your identity


You can't run the race
You can't keep up


The pace is too fast
The speed is too high


You just won't last
You will eventually fail


You like to think you're never wrong
You believe you're always right


(Forfeit the game) (you live what you've learned)
(Abandon your approach because it's flawed)


(Forfeit the game) (you live what you've learned)
(Abandon your approach because it's flawed)


(Forfeit the game) (you live what you've learned)
(Abandon your approach because it's flawed)


(You live what you've learned)
(You behave as you have been taught)




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brad Delson, Chester Charles Charles Bennington, Joseph Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Robert G. G. Bourdon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@elitefoxes

LYRICS:

Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you outta the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run a race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

[Chester Bennington:]
You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life
My pride is broken

You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

You love the things I say I'll do
The way I hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in
My life
My pride is broken

You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

[Mike Shinoda:]
Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you outta the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you outta the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

[Chester Bennington:]
You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

[Chester Bennington (Mike Shinoda):]
You like to think you're never wrong
(Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You have to act like you're someone
(Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You want someone to hurt like you
(Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You want to share what you've been through
You live what you've learned



@EnchanteDGardeM

Vertical Limit (Points Of Authority Demo)
Linkin Park

Forfeit the game, stop the talk show
Product the one you were taught to know
Forfeit the game, 'cause tomorrow
When its all done you reap what you sow

You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life, my pride, is broken

You'd like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You only share what you've been through
(Do you live what you've learned?)

You love the things I say I'll do
The way I'll hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in
My life, my pride, is broken

You'd like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You only share what you've been through
(Do you live what you've learned?)

Forfeit the game, stop the talk show
Product the one you were taught to know
Forfeit the game, 'cause tomorrow
When its all done you reap what you sow
(2x)

You'd like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You only share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

You'd got to think you're never wrong
[Forfeit the game](You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
[Forfeit the game](You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
[Forfeit the game](You live what you learn)
You only share what you've been through
(Do you live what you've learned?)



@claudiaprytek8940

[Intro: Mike Shinoda]
Forfeit the game before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame
Cover up your face, you can't run the race
The pace is too fast, you just won't last

[Verse 1: Chester Bennington]
You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life, my pride is broken

[Chorus: Chester Bennington]
You like to think you're never wrong
You live what you've learned
You have to act like you're someone
You live what you've learned

You want someone to hurt like you
You live what you've learned
You want to share what you have been through
You live what you've learned

[Verse 2: Chester Bennington]
You love the things I say I do
The way I hurt myself again, just to get back at you
You take away, when I give in
My life, my pride is broken

[Chorus: Chester Bennington]
You like to think you're never wrong
You live what you've learned
You have to act like you're someone
You live what you've learned

You want someone to hurt like you
You live what you've learned
You want to share what you have been through
You live what you've learned

[Bridge: Mike Shinoda]
Forfeit the game before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame
Cover up your face, you can't run the race
The pace is too fast, you just won't last

Forfeit the game before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame
Cover up your face, you can't run the race
The pace is too fast, you just won't last

[Chorus: Chester Bennington]
You like to think you're never wrong
You live what you've learned
You have to act like you're someone
You live what you've learned

You want someone to hurt like you
You live what you've learned
You want to share what you've been through
You live what you've learned

[Outro: Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda]
You like to think you're never wrong (Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You have to act like you're someone (Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned

You want someone to hurt like you (Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You want to share what you have been through
You live what you've learned



@Kojirao

Desista do jogo
Antes que alguĂ©m tire vocĂȘ do esquema
E envergonhe seu nome
Esconda seu rosto, vocĂȘ nĂŁo pode correr a corrida
O ritmo Ă© muito rĂĄpido, isso nĂŁo vai durar

VocĂȘ ama o jeito que eu olho para vocĂȘ
Enquanto sente prazer com as coisas horrĂ­veis que me faz passar
VocĂȘ vai embora se eu ceder
Minha vida, meu orgulho estĂŁo quebrados

VocĂȘ gosta de pensar que nunca estĂĄ errada
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer agir como se fosse alguĂ©m
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer alguĂ©m para machucar como vocĂȘ
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer dividir o que passou
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu?

VocĂȘ ama as coisas que eu digo que farei
O jeito que me machucarei de novo sĂł para voltar para vocĂȘ
VocĂȘ vai embora se eu ceder
Minha vida, meu orgulho estĂŁo quebrados

VocĂȘ gosta de pensar que nunca estĂĄ errada
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer agir como se fosse alguĂ©m
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer alguĂ©m para machucar como vocĂȘ
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer dividir o que passou
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu?

Desista do jogo
Antes que alguĂ©m tire vocĂȘ do esquema
E envergonhe seu nome
Esconda seu rosto, vocĂȘ nĂŁo pode correr a corrida
O ritmo Ă© muito rĂĄpido, isso nĂŁo vai durar

Desista do jogo
Antes que alguĂ©m tire vocĂȘ do esquema
E envergonhe seu nome
Esconda seu rosto, vocĂȘ nĂŁo pode correr a corrida
O ritmo Ă© muito rĂĄpido, isso nĂŁo vai durar

VocĂȘ gosta de pensar que nunca estĂĄ errada
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer agir como se fosse alguĂ©m
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer alguĂ©m para machucar como vocĂȘ
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer dividir o que passou
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu?

VocĂȘ tem que pensar que nunca estĂĄ errada
Desista do jogo
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ tem que agir como se fosse alguĂ©m
Desista do jogo
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer alguĂ©m para machucar como vocĂȘ
Desista do jogo
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu
VocĂȘ quer dividir o que passou
VocĂȘ vive o que aprendeu?



@consobredosis

Forfeit the game / Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame / Puts your name to shame
Cover up your face / You can’t run the race
The pace is too fast / You just won't last

You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life
My pride is broken

You like to think you’re never wrong
(You live what you’ve learned)
You have to act like you’re someone
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want to share what you’ve been through
(You live what you’ve learned)

You love the things I say I’ll do
The way I’ll hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in / my life
My pride is broken

You like to think you’re never wrong
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want to act like you’re someone
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want to share what you’ve been through
(You live what you’ve learned)

Forfeit the game / Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame / Puts your name to shame
Cover up your face / You can’t run the race
The pace is too fast / You just won't last

You like to think you’re never wrong
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want to act like you’re someone
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want to share what you’ve been through
(You live what you’ve learned)

You like to think you’re never wrong / forfeit the game
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want to act like you’re someone / forfeit the game
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want someone to hurt like you / forfeit the game
(You live what you’ve learned)
You want to share what you’ve been through / forfeit the game
(You live what you’ve learned)



All comments from YouTube:

@heresheis2063

Hybrid Theory is a absolute classic. Those who say that it's an album that is filled with teen angst are dead wrong. I'm nearing my thirties and I still find this album to be a timeless classic and is adored by all ages

@JackPoppy

I am in my thirties, and let me tell you, this album still rings true as an anthem of my generation sending a message to the boomers in my life. They like to think they're never wrong, they like someone to hurt like they do. When faced with compassion, they lash out.

Yes, our generation created emo music, but it was never meant as self pity; it was meant as a message for love and compassion.

@razkable

Hybrid theory is one of the best albums ever not just cause of all the hits but the effort that went into every song...the instruments the metal screech and hip hop infusions with record scratching and piano deserves more credit for changing the genre...anyone saying it's just angst underrated the effort put into each unique sound..meteora is lazier and thus can get that criticism....but hybrid theory was everyone being introduced to linkin park...and it's perfect for the new millieuim as a new wave of music

@WFly101

​@@JackPoppy this is Nu Metal not Emo lol

@phanatic215

​@@JackPoppyI saw a dude in the market with an LP shirt on, and I said Hybrid Theory still bangs to this day. We stood there next to the apples and talked about how awesome Linkin Park was for 20 minutes. Complete stranger, but we bonded over music.

@Emyrock88

Agree

8 More Replies...

@elitefoxes

LYRICS:

Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you outta the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run a race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

[Chester Bennington:]
You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life
My pride is broken

You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

You love the things I say I'll do
The way I hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in
My life
My pride is broken

You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

[Mike Shinoda:]
Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you outta the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you outta the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

[Chester Bennington:]
You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

[Chester Bennington (Mike Shinoda):]
You like to think you're never wrong
(Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You have to act like you're someone
(Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You want someone to hurt like you
(Forfeit the game)
You live what you've learned
You want to share what you've been through
You live what you've learned

@titanfabulousunicyclerolle8368

Thank you

@EnchanteDGardeM

Vertical Limit (Points Of Authority Demo)
Linkin Park

Forfeit the game, stop the talk show
Product the one you were taught to know
Forfeit the game, 'cause tomorrow
When its all done you reap what you sow

You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life, my pride, is broken

You'd like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You only share what you've been through
(Do you live what you've learned?)

You love the things I say I'll do
The way I'll hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in
My life, my pride, is broken

You'd like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You only share what you've been through
(Do you live what you've learned?)

Forfeit the game, stop the talk show
Product the one you were taught to know
Forfeit the game, 'cause tomorrow
When its all done you reap what you sow
(2x)

You'd like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You only share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

You'd got to think you're never wrong
[Forfeit the game](You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
[Forfeit the game](You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
[Forfeit the game](You live what you learn)
You only share what you've been through
(Do you live what you've learned?)

@uzockerx9972

đŸ€“

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