All for Nothing
Linkin Park Lyrics

Yeah, uh
Opening line of the song.

So whatcha waiting for?
Asking the listener what they are waiting for.

Anticipating more
Encouraging the listener to be ambitious and strive for more.

While you debate
Addressing the listener who is hesitating.

What it can take to instigate a war
Challenging the listener to take action and fight like in a war.

Yeah, I've been hated more than
Acknowledging that the singer has experienced a significant amount of hate.

Time I wasn't hated for
Reflecting on a time when the singer wasn't hated.

There's nothing they can fucking say
Asserting that the singer is immune to criticism because they've heard it all before.

They didn't say before
Implying that the criticism is repetitive.

You could never see it
Implying that the listener doesn't understand something.

Your battle's not mine
Asserting that the singer's struggle is different from the listener's.

Wanna skate and play it safe
Suggesting that the listener is avoiding confrontation.

But this is take a shot time
Encouraging the listener to take action.

You waiting for a purpose?
Challenging the listener to find their purpose.

I already got mine
Asserting that the singer has already found their purpose.

While you tell me "step to it like
Mocking the listener's hesitation.

One, two, three, four"
Using a military cadence to emphasize the need for action.

And if I do what you demand (You say)
Addressing the listener's demands.

You'll let me understand (You say)
Implies an exchange of understanding if the demands are met.

You're gonna hold me to your word
Stating that the listener will be held accountable if they don't keep their promise.

And if I sell myself away (You say)
Implies that the listener wants something from the singer that would require self-sacrifice.

I'll have no debt to pay (You say)
Implies that there will be no consequence for the self-sacrifice.

I'm gonna get what I deserve
Asserting that the singer will receive what they have earned.

No more, obey
Rejecting the idea of blindly following orders.

My debt repaid
Asserting that the singer doesn't owe anything to the listener.

Our trust betrayed
Revealing that trust has been lost between the singer and listener.

All for nothing, all for nothing
Highlighting that the efforts have gone to waste due to the lost trust.

Came back, there's no other way to say it
Bouncing back from a difficult situation.

So let me break this fucker down for ya'
Using harsh language to attract the listener's attention.

I really don't know ya'
Implying that the listener is unknown to the singer.

You talk but let me show ya'
Challenging the listener to take action and follow the singer's lead.

Where to put your paranoia
Suggesting that the listener is paranoid about something.

You joke and I don't half a half a sucker bone to throw ya
Not finding something funny and not having anything for the listener

I'm disgusted by what can make you tuck your tail below ya
Expressing disgust for something that makes the listener afraid or back away.

And no, I'm not your soldier
Rejecting the idea of being subservient to the listener.

I'm not taking any orders
Asserting one's independence.

I'm a five-star general infantry controller
Exaggerating one's status to emphasize the importance of the situation.

Need a lesson, let me show ya'
Offering to teach something to the listener.

Have you checking your composure
Implying that the listener's emotions will be tested.

While I make you step to it like
Preparing the listener for what's to come.

And if I do what you demand (You say)
Repeated from earlier, emphasizing that the listener's demands are not being met.

You'll let me understand (You say)
Repeated from earlier, emphasizing the promise of understanding.

No more, obey
Repeated from earlier, emphasizing the rejection of mindless obedience.

My debt repaid
Repeated from earlier, emphasizing that the singer doesn't owe anything.

Our trust betrayed
Repeated from earlier, emphasizing the loss of trust.

All for nothing, all for nothing
Repeated from earlier, emphasizing that the efforts have gone to waste.