Numb
★Linkin Park Lyrics

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I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

Can't you see that you're smothering me?
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

And I know I may end up failing too
But I know you were just like me with someone disappointed in you

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be

Overall Meaning

The song "Numb" by Linkin Park expresses the frustration and exhaustion of feeling trapped by the expectations of others. The verses describe a person who is tired of living up to someone else's standards and feeling like every move they make is seen as a mistake. The lyrics suggest that the pressure to live up to these standards has made this person feel numb and detached from their own feelings.

The chorus shows the person breaking free from this pressure and becoming more aware of their own desires and identity. They reject the idea of becoming what someone else wants them to be and instead strive to be more true to themselves. The bridge acknowledges that failure is a possibility but reminds the listener that everyone has experienced disappointment and the struggle to find their own path.

The repetition of the chorus line "I've become so numb" reinforces the feeling of detachment and numbness that the singer is experiencing. The use of the metaphor of being caught in an undertow adds to the feeling of being trapped and pulled down.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I am weary of conforming to your expectations

Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
I feel hopeless and disconnected, buried beneath it all

Don't know what you're expecting of me
I am uncertain of what you demand of me

Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
I am burdened with the expectations of living up to your standards

(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
I feel trapped and powerless, caught in a downward spiral

Every step that I take is another mistake to you
Every move I make is considered an error in your eyes

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I am emotionally desensitized and cannot sense your presence

Become so tired, so much more aware
I have grown exhausted and yet more mindful of the situation

I'm becoming this, all I want to do
I am transforming into my true self, and my only aspiration is to be myself

Is be more like me and be less like you
I desire to embrace my unique qualities and discard the traits you imposed on me

Can't you see that you're smothering me?
Can you not perceive that you are suffocating me with your expectations?

Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control
You cling too tightly, fearful of losing command

'Cause everything that you thought I would be
All that you hoped I could become

Has fallen apart right in front of you
Has crumbled before your very eyes

And every second I waste is more than I can take
Every moment I squander is intolerable to me

And I know I may end up failing too
I am aware that I may also falter

But I know you were just like me with someone disappointed in you
But I know that you have also experienced the disappointment of others

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I am detached from my emotions and cannot sense your presence

Become so tired, so much more aware
I am fatigued and increasingly conscious of my predicament

I'm becoming this, all I want to do
I am morphing into my true self, and my sole objective is to be myself

Is be more like me and be less like you
I desire to embrace my authentic self and reject the aspects of me that you imposed

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I am emotionally insensate and cannot perceive your presence

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I am weary of embodying the persona you expect of me

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I am emotionally desensitized and cannot sense your presence

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I am exhausted of conforming to your desires

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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