The Radiance
Linkin Park Lyrics

The lyrics of Linkin Park's song "The Radiance" seem to be inspired by the events of World War II, particularly the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first line, "We knew the world would not be the same," suggests that the introduction of atomic weaponry forever changed the course of human history. The next few lines describe the different reactions to this momentous event, with some people laughing, some crying, and most remaining silent, perhaps stunned by the enormity of what had just occurred.

The third and fourth lines quote from the Bhagavad-Gita, a Hindu scripture that features a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna. In this excerpt, the god Vishnu (disguised as Krishna) is trying to persuade Arjuna to fulfill his duty as a warrior, even if it means going to war against his own relatives. Vishnu takes on his multi-armed form (known as the Vishvarupa) to impress Arjuna and drive home the point that he is a divine being. The final lines of the song echo Vishnu's statement about "becoming Death," expressing the idea that the atomic bomb created a new, terrifying force that unleashed destruction on an unprecedented scale.

Overall, "The Radiance" is a haunting and thought-provoking song that raises questions about the nature of power, duty, and humanity's capacity for violence. By drawing on ancient scripture and modern history, Linkin Park creates a complex meditation on one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century.