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.
Systems
Chester Bennington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The feelings evolved, I won't let it out
I can't replace your screaming face
Feeling the sickness inside
[Chorus]
Why won't you die?
Your blood in mine
Then your body will be mine
So many words can't describe my face
This feelings evolved, so soon to break out
I can't relate to a happy state
Feeling the blood run inside
Chorus
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) 3x
Why is everythins so fucking hard for me? 2x
Chorus2x
The song “System” by Chester Bennington is generally interpreted as a track about the frustration and anger that arise from toxic relationships. At the beginning of the song, the singer says, “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.” It can be inferred that the singer is addressing someone who has gone away from them, but their feelings for that person have evolved to become more complex. Despite trying to keep their feelings bottled up, the singer still feels sick deep down inside because of the unresolved feelings they have for that person.
The singer then goes on to say, “So many words can't describe my face. This feeling evolved, so soon to break out. I can't relate to a happy state feeling the blood run inside.” The singer cannot articulate their true feelings, and they are afraid that their emotions will soon get the better of them. The singer is so consumed by their negative emotions that they cannot relate to happiness; they only feel the blood running inside.
Overall, “System” seems to be a poignant expression of the feelings of someone who is conflicted and frustrated when it comes to love. The interpretation is not completely evident, but one thing is for sure; the song is very emotional and hits a chord within the listener who has experienced toxic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
You fell away, what more can I say?
You left me and there's nothing else I can say or do about it.
The feelings evolved, I won't let it out
My emotions have changed towards you, but I won't express them.
I can't replace your screaming face
I can't forget the pain you caused me and the way you expressed your anger towards me.
Feeling the sickness inside
I feel emotionally sick because of our relationship or lack thereof.
Why won't you die? / Your blood in mine / We'll be fine / Then your body will be mine
I want you to disappear from my life so badly that I feel like I need your blood to be free. Once you're gone, everything will be okay.
So many words can't describe my face
My facial expressions show how I truly feel even though I can't put it into words.
This feeling evolved, so soon to break out
My emotions are changing and are about to come to the surface soon.
I can't relate to a happy state / Feeling the blood run inside
I can't be happy because of the pain you caused me and I feel anger or sadness inside.
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 feel like everything is always difficult for me because you want to control me and push me to my limits. Despite this, I won't give up.
(I will not die) 3x / Why is everything so fucking hard for me? 2x
I refuse to give up and will keep fighting even though everything seems difficult in my life.
Chorus2x
Repetition of the chorus lyrics.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD KENDALL GIBBS, JONATHAN HOWSMAN DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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?