Top 10 Greatest Linkin Park Songs

Featuring elements of nu metal, rap rock and alternative rock, Meteora’s first single is a blast of energy that’s trademark Linkin Park. Bolstered by Chester Bennington’s vocals and Mike Shinoda’s rapping skills and moody, relatable lyrics, the 3-and-a-half minute track didn’t only chart within the Billboard Hot 100’s top forty but also found a home within the top twenty of multiple charts worldwide.

With its layered synths, heavy drums and Bennington’s melodious vocals, this top ten track was the perfect theme song for Michael Bay’s “Transformers” sequel. Mixing alternative rock with industrial and electronic rock influences, its high-tech and ultramodern sound made a high impact among fans and critics alike: the song simultaneously topped the U.S. Rock Songs, Modern Rock Tracks and Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts and became one of the band’s most well-received tracks.

After the heavy electronic feel of A Thousand Suns disappointed many fans, Linkin Park won them back with the lead single off Living Things. “Burn It Down” was positively reviewed for its fusion of guitars and synths, which created a fitting atmosphere for Bennington’s and Shinoda’s vocals. It may have only charted within the Billboard Hot 100’s top thirty, but it was also the band’s eighth million selling single.

Meteora’s second single quickly grabs hold of our eardrums with its nu metal and rap rock sound. And while it’s only a little over 2-and-a-half minutes long, “Faint” still manages to pack a powerful punch thanks to its break beats and synth-heavy melody. Charting within the Billboard Hot 100’s top fifty, the track was later mashed-up with a Jay-Z song on the Collision Course EP, further ensuring it “won’t be ignored.”

This Grammy-winning single off Linkin Park’s debut may not feature Shinoda’s rapping as much as their other songs, but it does show off Bennington’s range, requiring him to use soft-spoken vocals as well as hard-hitting screams. Inspired by the frontman’s personal experiences, “Crawling” continued their journey to conquer the masses following the release of their debut single.

It may not have any of Shinoda’s rapping or distorted guitar riffs, but Meteora’s fifth single still stands out thanks to its use electronica and live strings. Concentrating on dark themes like addiction, “Breaking the Habit” was a top twenty smash that made history when it became Linkin Park’s fifth single in a row to top the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Let’s not forget its anime-influenced music video, which is also a fan favorite.

Our introduction to the nu metal sound that Linkin Park would soon become known for was this intense 2-and-half-minute number. Incorporating distorted guitars and DJ-scratching with Bennington and Shinoda’s vocals, the band’s first single brought them one step closer to mainstream success after it cracked the Billboard Hot 100. Not surprisingly, this aggressive track really comes alive when played live and has often found its way into the band’s sets.

Shinoda’s lead vocals may be absent, but this doesn’t take anything away from the track that plays double duty as Minutes to Midnight’s first single and the Transformers movie’s theme song. With its raw guitar, use of piano and urban-inspired drums, this alt-rock and hard-rock number allowed Shinoda to showcase his other musical talents. Debuting within the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10, “What I’ve Done” was accompanied by a powerful socio-politically charged music video.

By charting within the Billboard Hot 100’s top twenty, Meteora’s third single proved Linkin Park had found a successful formula for blending nu metal and alternative rock. As one of the band’s most famous songs, it leaves you far from feeling numb; in fact, it’s a sonic assault with meaningful lyrics that were highly received by critics. It has further maintained its popularity as part of a Grammy-winning collaboration with Jay-Z.

“Don’t Stay”
“Lying From You”
“Castle of Glass”
“Given Up”
“Bleed It Out”
“Waiting for the End”

Topping our list is the song that truly defines everything the band stands for: with Shinoda’s extraordinary rapping, Bennington’s flawless vocals and a haunting but unforgettable piano riff, “In the End” turned Linkin Park into veritable rock stars. Hitting the Billboard Hot 100’s second spot, the Hybrid Theory track remains their highest-charting single to date. It’s also one of their signature tunes and a live staple.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Linkin Park song? Be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more entertaining top 10s.