Bennington first gained prominence as a vocalist following the release of Linkin Park's debut album Hybrid Theory (2000), which was a worldwide commercial success. The album was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2005, making it the best-selling debut album of the decade, as well as one of the few albums ever to achieve that many sales. Linkin Park's following studio albums, from Meteora (2003) to One More Light (2017), continued the band's success.
Bennington formed his own band, Dead by Sunrise, as a side project in 2005. The band's debut album, Out of Ashes, was released on October 13, 2009. He became the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots in 2013 to release the extended play record High Rise on October 8, 2013, via their own record label, Play Pen, but left in 2015 to focus solely on Linkin Park. As an actor, he appeared in films such as Crank (2006), Crank: High Voltage (2009), and Saw 3D (2010).
On July 20, 2017, Bennington was found dead at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California; his death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Hit Parader magazine placed Bennington number 46 on their list of the "100 Metal Vocalists of All Time". Writing for Billboard, Dan Weiss stated that Bennington "turned nu metal universal".
Bennington possessed a three octave tenor vocal range, beginning at the low bass G (G2), and reaching its peak at the tenor G (G5). His vocals showed tremendous durability for the entirety of his career. Altheapi of Rolling Stone wrote: "Bennington's voice embodied the anguish and wide-ranging emotions of the lyrics, from capturing life's vulnerable moments to the fury and catharsis found in his belted screams, which he would often move between at the turn of a dime."
Talking about his favorite bands and influences, Bennington mentioned Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Arcade Fire, Circle Jerks, Descendents, Deftones, Jane's Addiction, Metallica, Ministry, Minor Threat, Misfits, The Naked and Famous, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Refused, Skinny Puppy, Soundgarden, and A Tribe Called Quest. Bennington also considered himself as "a huge Madonna fan", crediting her for making him grow up wanting to be a musician.
After Bennington's death, his widow Talinda Bennington launched a campaign called 320 Changes Direction in honor of her husband to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
System…
Chester Bennington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
System, system
You fell away, what more can I say?
The feeling's evolved, I won't let it out
I can't replace, your screaming face
Feeling the sickness inside
Your blood in mine
We'll be fine
Then your body will be mine
System, system
System, system
So many words, can't describe my face
This feeling's evolved, so soon to break out
I can't relate to a happy state
Feeling the blood run inside
Why won't you die?
Your blood and mine
We'll be fine
Then your body will be mine
Why is everything so fucking hard for me?
Keep me down to what you think I should be
Must you tempt me and provoke the ministry?
Keep on trying I'll not die so easily
I will not die
(Why is everything so fucking hard for me?)
I will not die
(Why is everything so fucking hard for me?)
I will not die
Why won't you die?
Your blood and mine
We'll be fine
Then your body will be mine
Why won't you die?
Your blood and mine
We'll be fine
Then your body will be mine
In Chester Bennington's song System, the lyrics express feelings of anger and the inability to control them while also acknowledging a sense of vulnerability. The opening lines, "You fell away, what more can I say? The feeling's evolved, I won't let it out," allude to a change or shift that has occurred in the relationship between two people, likely indicating that someone has distanced themselves emotionally. The line, "I can't replace your screaming face," emphasizes the singer's desperation and the inability to forget. The chorus, "System, system," repeats and acts as a metaphor for the cycle of emotions that the singer is experiencing.
The second verse, "So many words can't describe my face," emphasizes the intensity of the singer's emotions, indicating that words cannot do justice to the anger that is festering. The line, "Feeling the blood run inside," echoes the previous verse, highlighting the physical sensations associated with strong emotions. The phrase, "Why won't you die?" is repeated throughout the song and can be interpreted both metaphorically and literally, meaning the end of a relationship, but also a desire for another's death.
Overall, System is a song that explores the complexities of emotions and relationships. The lyrics and intensity of Chester Bennington's delivery create a sense of turmoil and desperation, indicative of a desperate attempt to maintain control over an uncontrollable situation.
Line by Line Meaning
System, system
Chester is addressing the system, calling it out twice
You fell away, what more can I say?
The system failed or disappointed Chester, leaving him with no words to describe his feelings
The feeling's evolved, I won't let it out
Chester's emotions have evolved and intensified, but he's suppressing and not expressing them
I can't replace, your screaming face
The memory of someone's screaming face is stuck in Chester's head and he can't get rid of it
Feeling the sickness inside
Chester is feeling unwell, physically or mentally
Why won't you die?
The system (or someone) is causing Chester problems and he wishes it would just go away
Your blood in mine
Chester wants to get rid of the negative influence by taking control and dominance
We'll be fine
Chester is confident that he'll overcome this challenge
Then your body will be mine
Chester wants to take possession of the power and overcome the problem
So many words, can't describe my face
Chester's emotions are so complex that he can't put them into words or show them on his face
This feeling's evolved, so soon to break out
Chester's emotions are evolving rapidly and they're close to reaching a breaking point
I can't relate to a happy state
Chester can't find happiness and doesn't feel connected to a positive state of mind
Feeling the blood run inside
Chester is aware of his own physical and emotional sensations
Why is everything so fucking hard for me?
Chester is exasperated and angry at how difficult his life feels
Keep me down to what you think I should be
Chester is being oppressed or controlled by someone who has an expectation or image for him to fit
Must you tempt me and provoke the ministry?
Someone is deliberately trying to make Chester angry and provoke him into doing something against the rules (the 'ministry')
Keep on trying I'll not die so easily
Chester is determined to resist oppression and overcome any obstacles
I will not die
Chester won't give up or give in
(Why is everything so fucking hard for me?)
Repetition of the earlier line to emphasise Chester's frustration
Your blood and mine
Chester is still claiming dominance over the negative influence
We'll be fine
Chester still believes he will overcome this challenge
Then your body will be mine
Chester still wants to overpower the negative influence and claim control
Why won't you die?
Chester's frustration and desire to remove the negative influence persists
Your blood and mine
Chester is still claiming dominance over the negative influence
We'll be fine
Chester still believes he will overcome this challenge
Then your body will be mine
Chester still wants to overpower the negative influence and claim control
Contributed by Zachary N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@trimotio1
You fell away,
What more can I say?
The feelings evolved,
I won't let it out,
I can't replace...
Your screaming face,
Feeling the sickness inside
Why won't you die?
Your blood in mine.
We'll be fine.
Then your body will be mine
So many words
Can't describe my face
This feeling's evolved
So soon to break out
I can't relate
To a happy state
Feeling the blood run inside
Why won't you die?
Your blood in mine.
We'll be fine.
Then your body will be mine
Why is everything so fucking hard for me?
Keep me down to what you think I should be!
Must you tempt me and provoke the ministry?
Keep on trying I’m not dying so easily
I will not die.
Why is everything so fucking hard for me?
I will not die.
Why is everything so fucking hard for me?
I will not die.
[2x]
Why won't you die?
Your blood in mine.
We'll be fine.
Then your body will be mine
@thevampirecielphantomhive2342
Akasha: Hmmm the scent is fading...he was here not long ago.
Vampire: You like him do you?
Akasha: He reminds me of someone...
Vampire: Soon all hell remond you of is apile of bones. We're going to dismember him... bleed him dry.
Akasha: Really? Is that what your going to do....
Akasha: Lestat come out come out wherever you are...
@ladylequvia7
Wow......I never knew Chester was on this. I always heard Jonathan Davis. This song always stood out to me from the soundtrack. RIP Aaliyah and Chester.
@malozar9214
Damnn... realising I have to say RIP to Aalyah and Chester just 💔
@shellblacker6582
Magnificent Movie & Spataclor Sound Track ❤❤️❤️❤️😇😇😇😇
@anscenic7421
90% of Chester fans didn't know this masterpiece.
@duolonpanik
90% of those fans are just fans because he dies most of they didn't even listen to all his songs
@urxntia
I do hehe
@felipeoliveira6543
@duolonpanik true.
@bemondra
in to 10%
@louishernandez4422
I didn't know he sang it, only 2 years ago I learned of it lol
@rarityclarity3724
A song sung by Chester Bennington and written and co-produced by Jonathan Davis… what's more dope than that?