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)
Step Up/Nobody's Listening/It's Goin' Down
Linkin Park Lyrics
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Bring it to you every time like this?
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Step, step up, step, step up
Here we go!
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Bring it to you every time like this?
Step, step up, step, step up
Keep it up!
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Bring it to you every time like this?
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Step, step up, step, step up
Shh
Watch as the room rocks, mentally moonwalk
Mixed media slangs banging in your boom-box
Verbal violence, lyrical stylist
In a time when rock/hip-hop rhymes are childish
You can't tempt me with rhymes that are empty
Rapping to a beat doesn't make you an emcee
Lack of skills and facility you're killing me
And a DJ in your group just for credibility
I heard that some of you are getting help with your rhymes
You're not an emcee if someone else writes your lines
Rapping over rock doesn't make you a pioneer
'Cause rock and hip-hop been collaborating for years
But now they're getting randomly mixed-and-matched up
All after a fast buck and all the tracks suck
So how does it stack up? None of it's real
You wanna be an emcee, then help us out yall, come on!
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Bring it to you every time like this
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Step, step up, step, step up
Come on!
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Bring it to you every time like this
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Step, step up, step, step up
Mr. Hahn!
Check this out
Co-co-co-co-coming at you
Co-Coming at-co-coming at you
Peep the style and the kids checking for it
The number one question is how could you ignore it
LP back in the cut over basement tracks
With raps that got you backing this up like, rewind that
We're just rolling with the rhythm
Rise from the ashes of stylistic division
With these non-stop lyrics of life living
Not to be forgotten but still unforgiven
But in the meantime there are those
Who want to talk this and that so I suppose
That it gets to a point feelings got to get hurt
And get dirty with the people spreading the dirt, Chester!
I try to give you warning, but everyone ignores me (You say it!)
Told you everything loud and clear, but nobody's listening (That's right!)
Call to you so clearly, but you don't want to hear me
I told you everything loud and clear, but nobody's listening
Yup!
This song is called "It's Going Down", you ready?
Help me out, yall!
When I say it's going, you say down!
It's going - Down!
It's going - Down!
When I say it's going, you say down!
It's going - Down!
It's going - Down!
When I say it's going, you say down!
It's going - Down!
It's going - Down!
When I say it's going, everybody down
When I say it's going, you say down!
It's going - Down!
Check it out, It's going down
The rhythm projects around the next sound,
Reflects a complex hybrid dialect now,
Detect the mesh of many elements compressed down,
The melting pot, of a super-futuresque style,
The combination of a vocal caress, with lungs that gasp for breath,
From emotional stress, with special effects, and a distorted collage,
Carefully lodged between beats of rhythmic barrage,
It's going down
The logical progression on the time line,
The separation narrowed down to a fine line,
To blur the edges so they blend together properly,
Take you on an audible odyssey now, it's going down
A logical progression on the time line,
The separation narrowed down to a fine line,
To blur the edges so they blend together properly,
(You guys ready?) Take you on an audible odyssey now, it's going down
Put it out for the world to see,
LP and X-Men to the tenth degree (It's going down!)
Nobody in the world is safe when we melt down the wax in your record crate (It's going down!)
Put it out for the world to see, LP and X-Men to the tenth degree (It's going down!)
Nobody in the world is safe when we melt down the wax in your record crate
Ladies and Gentlemen, make some noise for our DJ
He goes by the name "Mr. Hahn"
You wanna listen to a little bit of Mr. Hahn right now?
We'll do it like, We'll drop the beat now, come on!
Mr. Hahn
If your feeling that then make some noise!
Yes? Your feeling it? Make some noise on this side, go!
People on this side, make some noise!
Thank you guys very much!
Thanks
The lyrics to Linkin Park's song "Step Up/Nobody's Listening/It's Goin' Down" are a critique of the rap genre and the lack of authenticity in many artists. The opening lines ask "Who can rock a rhyme like this?" and "Bring it to you every time like this?". This is followed by lyrics that criticize rappers who rely on empty rhymes and lack skill, and those who let other people write their lyrics for them. The song also touches on the idea that mixing rock and hip-hop is not new, but it has become commercialized and the result often lacks authenticity. The song ends with an upbeat, anthemic declaration of the band's prowess.
The song blends different genres and beats, and unique flow makes it stands out. The lyrics are a combination of rap and rock music which sums up the mixture of the various sounds the band was known for. The song also features DJ Joe Hahn, with whom the band collaborated on many of their songs, on turntables. The instrumental breakdowns throughout the song, especially at the end during the It's Goin' Down section are another distinguishing feature. "Step Up/Nobody's Listening/It's Goin' Down" is one of the band's most energetic songs, a perfect pick-me-up tune for when you need a boost.
Some interesting facts about the song include that it was released as part of a collaboration with the X-Ecutioners, a hip-hop group that had worked with numerous rap and rock artists. Additionally, it was part of a bigger project: the "Reanimation" album which featured remixes of songs from their debut album, "Hybrid Theory". The band worked with famous rappers on the project, including Black Thought, Jonathan Davis, and Pharoahe Monch. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA, with over one million copies sold.
The chords for "Step Up/Nobody’s Listening/It's Goin' Down" are as follows:
[Intro]:
D|-----------------|
A|-----------------|
F|------3--0-------|
C|--3-3------3-1---|
G|-----------------|
D|-----------------|
[Verse]:
D|-----------------------|------------------------|
A|-----------------------|------------------------|
F|-3-3---------3-----3---|------------------3--0--|
C|---------1-1--1-1---1---|-5-5---------5----3-------|
G|-----------------------|---------1-1--1---3-------|
D|-----------------------|------------------------|
[Chorus]:
D|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
A|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
F|--------------|--------------|--------------|-3-3----------|
C|--------------|--------------|--------------|---------5-5--|
G|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
D|-5-5-5-5-4-4-4-4|-2-2-2-2-3-3-3-3|-0-0-0-0-1-1-1-1|--------------|
Line by Line Meaning
Who can rock a rhyme like this?
Who has the ability to perform a rap like this?
Bring it to you every time like this
Deliver it flawlessly every time like this
Step, step up, step, step up
Take action, show up with confidence
Here we go!
Let's begin!
Watch as the room rocks, mentally moonwalk
Observe the energetic atmosphere, as if dancing backwards
Mixed media slangs banging in your boom-box
Various forms of artistic expression hitting hard in your speakers
Verbal violence, lyrical stylist
Intense words and poetic skills
In a time when rock/hip-hop rhymes are childish
In an era where rock and hip-hop lyrics lack depth
You can't tempt me with rhymes that are empty
Empty rhymes don't interest or entice me
Rapping to a beat doesn't make you an emcee
Just performing to music doesn't make you a skilled rapper
Lack of skills and facility you're killing me
Your lack of talent and ability is disappointing
And a DJ in your group just for credibility
Including a DJ in your group only for the sake of appearing authentic
I heard that some of you are getting help with your rhymes
I've heard that some of you are receiving assistance in writing your lyrics
You're not an emcee if someone else writes your lines
If another person is writing your lyrics, you're not a true emcee
Rapping over rock doesn't make you a pioneer
Combining rock and hip-hop in your music doesn't make you revolutionary
'Cause rock and hip-hop been collaborating for years
Rock and hip-hop have been working together for a long time
But now they're getting randomly mixed-and-matched up
Currently, they are being combined haphazardly
All after a fast buck and all the tracks suck
Just trying to make quick money and the resulting tracks are poor
So how does it stack up? None of it's real
So how does this hold up? None of it is genuine
You wanna be an emcee, then help us out yall, come on!
If you want to be a skilled rapper, then support us and contribute
Shh
Be quiet
Keep it up!
Continue doing well
Not to be forgotten but still unforgiven
We should not be overlooked, but the past wrongs are still not forgiven
But in the meantime there are those
But in the meantime, some people
Who want to talk this and that so I suppose
Who want to discuss irrelevant things, so I guess
That it gets to a point feelings got to get hurt
That it reaches a point where emotions are hurt
And get dirty with the people spreading the dirt, Chester!
And confront those causing the rumors, Chester!
I try to give you warning, but everyone ignores me (You say it!)
I attempt to provide a cautionary message, but everyone disregards me
Told you everything loud and clear, but nobody's listening (That's right!)
I communicated everything clearly, but nobody is paying attention
Call to you so clearly, but you don't want to hear me
I reach out to you clearly, but you refuse to listen
Yup!
Yes!
This song is called "It's Going Down", you ready?
This song is titled "It's Going Down", are you prepared?
Help me out, yall!
Assist me, everyone!
When I say it's going, you say down!
When I mention it's happening, respond with down!
Put it out for the world to see
Release it publicly
LP and X-Men to the tenth degree (It's going down!)
Linkin Park and X-Men with unwavering intensity
Nobody in the world is safe when we melt down the wax in your record crate
No one is protected when we destroy your vinyl records
LP and X-Men to the tenth degree (It's going down!)
Linkin Park and X-Men with unwavering intensity
Ladies and Gentlemen, make some noise for our DJ
Audience, applaud our DJ
He goes by the name 'Mr. Hahn'
His name is 'Mr. Hahn'
You wanna listen to a little bit of Mr. Hahn right now?
Would you like to hear some of Mr. Hahn's music now?
We'll do it like, We'll drop the beat now, come on!
We'll do it by starting the music, let's go!
If your feeling that then make some noise!
If you are enjoying it, show your excitement!
Yes? Your feeling it? Make some noise on this side, go!
Are you enjoying it? Show your enthusiasm on this side, go!
People on this side, make some noise!
Audience on this side, demonstrate your excitement!
Thank you guys very much!
Thank you all very much!
Contributed by Aubrey T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
For 2 minutes only…
The thing I love about Chester, he sounds like he does on the studio recordings.
Karlo Mihelcic
***** well he used to sound like that, not anymore...
Argon
+
MihhAa Well if you listen to any recent concert he sings like on the studio record, just without his raspy voice.skittlz101T
I don't think it's that he can't but singing the same songs over and over for years can probably make you subconsciously not put your all into the song. Who knows lol.
Sonic The Hedgehog
+
ANANDChester Can Also Rap A Little Bit As WellCarlos Villanueva
A N A N D
Ian M
Mike Shinoda is hands down one of the most underrated MC's of all time
austinvon96
I appreciate you calling him an MC and not a rapper
David Ll
Underrated?
Luciene Alvarenga
RIP. Linkin park. 🙏🙏