The album reached #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart that year and #15 on the UK Albums Chart. The album's first single "Numb/Encore" ended up winning a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and has become part of the theme tune for the hit 2006 film re-make "Miami Vice".
- Numb
Jay-Z and Linkin Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
I 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
And every step that I take is another mistake to you
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
Become so numb, so much more aware
By 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
And 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 numb, so much more aware
By 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 numb, so much more aware
By 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
The lyrics to Jay-Z and Linkin Park's song "Numb" touch on themes of individuality, authenticity, and the pressure to conform to others' expectations. The singer is tired of living up to the expectations of someone else and feeling like they are losing their true self in the process. They feel smothered and controlled by the other person, and every step they take is scrutinized and judged. The singer has become "numb," or emotionally detached from the other person, because they feel like they can't be themselves or live up to their expectations. They want to break free and be more like themselves, rather than trying to be someone they're not to please someone else.
The repetition of the line "Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow" emphasizes the feeling of being pulled under by the pressure and expectations of others. The line "And every step that I take is another mistake to you" shows the lack of support and understanding from the other person, who only sees faults instead of efforts to break free. The bridge adds an interesting layer by acknowledging that the other person may have experienced similar disappointment and pressure to conform in their past, highlighting the universal struggle of individuality in relationships.
Overall, the lyrics to "Numb" convey a message of the importance of being true to oneself and not allowing others to dictate one's identity. It's a powerful message that has resonated with many listeners since the song's release.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I am exhausted from trying to meet your expectations and conform to your desires
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
I am adrift and uncertain, struggling to find my way and my faith
I don't know what you're expecting of me
I am unsure of your intentions and what you demand of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
I am under immense stress to emulate your actions and decisions, to live up to your standards
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
I feel trapped and helpless, pulled under by the currents of life
And every step that I take is another mistake to you
No matter what I do, it is never enough; I am perpetually disappointing you
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I am emotionally detached and unsympathetic towards you
Become so numb, so much more aware
My emotional numbness has heightened my perception of reality
By becoming this all I want to do
My response to your pressure and criticism is to become more true to myself
Is be more like me and be less like you
I want to break free from your influence and become my own person
Can't you see that you're smothering me?
You are suffocating me with your expectations and demands
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control
You are gripping me too firmly, afraid to relinquish your hold over me
Cause everything that you thought I would be
Your expectations of what I should become have collapsed
Has fallen apart right in front of you
The image of what you hoped I would become has crumbled and faded
And every second I waste is more than I can take!
Every moment I spend trying to meet your expectations is unbearable
And I know I may end up failing too
I understand that I may fall short of my own goals and aspirations
But I know you were just like me with someone disappointed in you
I realize that you too have experienced the pain of failure and the scrutiny of others
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I am weary of trying to be what you expect of me
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I am emotionally desensitized to your presence and influence
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
@RealKeV3n
In my opinion, the live performance sounds even better than the studio version. It's amazing how artists can sometimes outdo themselves while performing for their fans on stage
@fartiliciouslambaster1013
Hey, I didn't expected to be here, and I'm glad to comment with your sentiments, and I agree :) btw love your GTA Contents!
@achowdhury47
OK but why is it censored? Don't tell me that Jay-Z censored himself on that stage?
@toniam910
@A. Chowdhury Jay Z is great at censoring his songs live lol. Watch any of his TV performances.
@qwert546able
@tonia m for real? 😂
@taonataderera3358
GOAT
@j.s.173
One of the most incredible mash-ups ever created.
@botrip41
the first
@masanlu
THE MOST
@HitlerGaymes123
The most overrated, doesent is the best on the EP.