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By_Myslf
Linkin Park Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Myself
Myself

What do I do to ignore them behind me?
Do I follow my instincts blindly?
Do I hide my pride from these bad dreams
And give in to sad thoughts that are maddening?
Do I sit here and try to stand it?
Or do I try to catch 'em red-handed?
Do I trust some and get fooled by phoniness?
Or do I trust nobody and live in loneliness?
Because I can't hold on when I'm stretched so thin
I make the right moves but I'm lost within
I put on my daily façade but then
I just end up getting hurt again

By myself (myself)
I ask why, but in my mind
I find I can't rely on myself (myself)
I ask why, but in my mind
I find I can't rely on myself

I can't look around
It's too much to take in
I can't hold back
When I'm stretched so thin
I can't slow down
Watching everything spin
I can't look back
Starting over again

If I turn my back I'm defenseless
And to go blindly seems senseless
If I hide my pride and let it all go on
Then they'll take from me 'til everything is gone
If I let them go I'll be outdone
But if I try to catch them I'll be outrun
If I'm killed by the questions like a cancer
Then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer

By myself (myself)
I ask why, but in my mind
I find I can't rely on myself (myself)
I ask why, but in my mind
I find I can't rely on myself

I can't look around
It's too much to take in
I can't hold back
When I'm stretched so thin
I can't slow down
Watching everything spin
I can't look back
Starting over again

Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you

(Know) I can't tell you how to make it
(Go) No matter what I do, how hard I
(Try) I can't seem to convince myself
(Why) I'm stuck on the outside, don't you
(Know) I can't tell you how to make it
(Go) No matter what I do, how hard I
(Try) I can't seem to convince myself
(Why) I'm stuck on the outside, don't you
(Know) I can't tell you how to make it
(Go) No matter what I do, how hard I
(Try) I can't seem to convince myself
(Why) I'm stuck on the outside, don't you
(Know) I can't tell you how to make it
(Go) No matter what I do, how hard I
(Try) I can't seem to convince myself
(Why) I'm stuck on the outside, don't you
(Know) I can't tell you how to make it
(Go) No matter what I do, how hard I
(Try) I can't seem to convince myself
(Why) I'm stuck on the outside, don't you
(Know) I can't tell you how to make it
(Go) No matter what I do, how hard I
(Try) I can't seem to convince myself
(Why) I'm stuck on the outside, don't you

Overall Meaning

The Linkin Park song “By_Myslf” explores the struggle of facing difficult circumstances alone, and the internal conflict that arises from trying to decide whether to confront them or hide from them. The repeated line, “By myself”, emphasizes the feeling of isolation and the inner battle with a sense of helplessness. The lyrics present the listener with different options, questioning whether to follow one’s instincts blindly, hide one’s pride, or trust someone, all while feeling lost and stretched too thin.


The song’s protagonist talks about the fear of being vulnerable and defenseless by turning their back or going blindly into a situation. The lyrics also touch on the idea that allowing others to take advantage and being “outdone” leads to a feeling of emptiness, while trying to catch them will result in being outrun. The line “If I’m killed by the questions like a cancer, then I’ll be buried in the silence of the answer” suggests that facing the questions and challenges is necessary to overcome them, but the fear and confusion with dealing with them can be overwhelming.


Ultimately, the song’s message is one of inner turmoil and uncertainty, portraying the feeling of being stuck outside oneself and unable to make progress despite efforts. The line “I can’t seem to convince myself” highlights the challenge of managing one’s own thoughts and emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

What do I do to ignore them behind me?
How do I deal with the negative influences that constantly follow me?


Do I follow my instincts blindly?
Should I trust my gut despite potentially negative consequences?


Do I hide my pride from these bad dreams
Should I suppress my ego in order to avoid nightmares?


And give in to sad thoughts that are maddening?
Or should I succumb to depressing thoughts that drive me crazy?


Do I sit here and try to stand it?
Should I remain still and endure the situation?


Or do I try to catch 'em red-handed?
Or should I actively try to catch those causing me harm?


Do I trust some and get fooled by phoniness?
Should I trust others even if they may be insincere?


Or do I trust nobody and live in loneliness?
Or should I isolate myself and avoid relationships altogether?


Because I can't hold on when I'm stretched so thin
I cannot bear the weight of stress and pressure when they are overwhelming.


I make the right moves but I'm lost within
I may be making the correct decisions, but I still feel uncertain and directionless.


I put on my daily façade but then
I present a false version of myself to others, but it only masks my true feelings.


I just end up getting hurt again
I inevitably wind up feeling emotional pain.


I can't look around
I am overwhelmed by everything around me.


It's too much to take in
The situation is too overwhelming for me to handle.


I can't hold back
I can no longer restrain my emotions.


Watching everything spin
The world around me seems chaotic and uncontrollable.


I can't look back
I cannot dwell on past events and let them hold me back.


Starting over again
I must begin anew and move forward from past mistakes.


If I turn my back I'm defenseless
If I ignore my problems and try to forget them, I leave myself vulnerable.


And to go blindly seems senseless
Making decisions without thinking them through would be foolish.


If I hide my pride and let it all go on
If I let others belittle me and suppress my ego, I will be left with nothing left.


Then they'll take from me 'til everything is gone
Others will continue to take advantage of me until I have nothing left for myself.


If I let them go I'll be outdone
If I allow others to succeed at my expense, I will be the one who suffers.


But if I try to catch them I'll be outrun
If I try to confront those who are mistreating me, they will be able to evade me easily.


If I'm killed by the questions like a cancer
If I continue to let doubts and uncertainties consume me, I will be destroyed.


Then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer
The answer, whether it is positive or negative, will have crushing consequences on me.


Know I can't tell you how to make it
I do not have a solution for my problems that will work for everyone.


No matter what I do, how hard I try
Despite my best efforts, there is no guarantee of success.


I can't seem to convince myself
I am having difficulty believing in myself and my own abilities.


I'm stuck on the outside, don't you know
I am an outsider to the norm and cannot fit in, no matter how hard I try.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@godtiermedic

Linkin Park and Nu Metal need a full comeback. Thank you Mike and the boys for bringing this 20th out

@JaronIknershow

check out dropout kings

@SockEater4293

I think it is, or at least in meme form with Metal Gear Rising and In the Virtual End.

@C.A._Old

Make Best Revolutionary Times Ever !

@Karim_Shaiakhmetov

No, you can't classify Linkin Park as a genre. Chester said that their band is not nu metal.

@Atem_S.

I never left and still waiting!

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@CJFreeza

Reanimation was way ahead of its time. Underated vocals on this track.

@Txguy264

For sure. I fell in love with it when the album was released. I still have that cd

@CJFreeza

@that1guyfromTexas 2 same here!

@roku_nine

seriously underrated album! my favourite album by linkin park!

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