TOP 15 SONGS
One More Light
Final Masquerade
Nobody Can Save Me
Friendly Fire
Burning in the Skies
Wretches and Kings
Bleed It Out
New Divide
Heavy
Halfway Right
Burn It Down
The Catalyst
Valentine's Day
Hands Held High
Points of Authority
Linkin Park is an alternative rock band I was introduced to in the early 2000s. I remember one lonely summer, all I did was listen to music and watch music videos on MTV and VH1. The first Linkin Park song I heard was Breaking the Habit and I was mesmerized by the video at that time. That was my first and early memory of them and I'm pretty sure this kickstarted my little emo phase that I don't think I've grown out of.
At first, I wasn't really too into Linkin Park. Not because they weren't good, far from it, but I wasn't thoroughly invested yet. It wasn't until my partner knew I liked the band and he kept me in the loop. He was a much bigger Linkin Park fan and we bonded over it. Other songs like Pushing Me Away, Easier to Run, and Numb, kept my creativity flowing. The emotions I felt then as a teenager were validated by the music and I always imagined my various characters as if they were in a music video with these songs.
My partner and I grew with the band, always hearing it on our drives to schools and singing our little hearts out. He kept me informed on new songs and even gifted me with the Living Things album, which is my top favorite album from Linkin Park, next to One More Light. While I consider myself a casual fan, I still very much enjoyed their songs and found it fascinating how much they grew up alongside us.
But then, tragedy struck in 2017. I remember I wasn't feeling well and was on my way home from work when I heard on the radio that Chester Bennington passed away. My heart sank and I immediately contacted my partner to tell him the news. We were both heartbroken by what happened, especially since we never got a chance to see them live. However, I found out about tickets to a memorial concert later that year and I made sure my partner and I got seats. It was an incredible, emotional moment that I will never forget. I know this is nothing compared to an actual band concert, but I think this is the best we were gonna get.
My partner and I still listen to Linkin Park to this day, and that will never change. I try my best to be more invested in things that spark joy and inspiration in me, especially after that memorial concert. I look forward to what more this band will offer and I will try my best to keep going in life, to #MakeChesterProud. To everyone reading this: Never give up on yourself and I believe you will go far in life. ♥
