Wastelands
Linkin Park Lyrics

This is war with no weapons
This struggle is characterized by fierce competition without any physical weapons.

Marchin with no steppin'
Making progress without any forward momentum.

Murder with no killin'
Causing severe damage without actually harming anyone physically.

Illin' every direction
Suffering from illness in every aspect of life.

First, no sequel
This is the beginning, there is no continuation.

Do the math, no equal
This is an unequal equation not open to negotiation or alternative solutions.

John with no Yoko
The absence of a key figure in their life.

More power, less people
The more power that is obtained, the fewer people are needed to execute a task.

And no, I'm not afraid of that
I do not fear any of the aforementioned struggles.

Print it in your paperback
Record it in your history books or journals.

Every rap is made in fact
Every statement is based on truth.

To act as a delayed attack
To wait until the right moment to strike.

Every phrase a razor blade
Every sentence is a harsh criticism.

That's saved until they play it back
That harsh criticism is held in reserve and delivered later.

To slay and leave em laying on the pavement
To defeat or critique so effectively that they are emotionally hurt and do not know how to react.

Bang, fade to black
Silence is the ultimate result of the harsh words delivered.

Roll credits, you get it
This is the end of the show, no further explanation is needed.

The show's done
The performance or experience is over.

They're talking for just talking
They are speaking without any genuine content or deeper meaning.

But meaning, they got none
There is no substance behind what they are saying.

None of 'em come proper
None of them conduct themselves in a respectful or professional manner.

They talk like a shotgun
They speak harshly and carelessly, as if firing a weapon without aiming.

But how many got bred with integrity?
How many have been raised and developed with values such as honesty and respect?

Not one
None of them possess those qualities.

So no, I'm not afraid
I am not scared of their lack of integrity.

To see these suckers hold a blade to me
I don't care if they threaten or try to harm me.

Ain't no way to shake the ground
It's impossible to create significant change or disrupt the system in which they live.

I built before you came to be
I have already established my power and influence in this world before you arrived.

Take it how you take it
Interpret it in the way that works for you.

I'm the opposite of vacancy
I am filled with purpose and intention, unlike those who lack substance.

And this is not negotiation
This is not a situation in which compromise or bargaining is possible.

Y'all can hate and wait and see
You can dislike me and anticipate the outcome of the situation.

In the wastelands of today
In this modern, bleak world.

When there's nothing left to lose
When there is no hope or further failure seems inevitable.

And and there's nothing more to take
When nothing else can be gained or acquired.

But you force yourself to choose
Despite these circumstances, you still have to make a decision or take action.

Where tomorrow disappears
A future that was once visible or within reach is now gone.

While the future slips away
The potential for success or happiness is quickly disappearing.

And your hope turns into fear
Your optimism is replaced by negativity or uncertainty.