The song was later combined with Jay-Z's song "Encore" to create "Numb/Encore", a massive hit for both artists which was featured on the album Collision Course. A techno remix of "Numb" has received over 3 million views on YouTube. "Numb" was ranked #92 on Rhapsody's list of the Top 100 Tracks of the Decade.
Music Video
Directed by Joe Hahn, the indoor scenes of the music video are set in a church in Los Angeles, while the outdoor scenes are set in Prague, in the Czech Republic. The school interiors, the classroom, the corridor, and the outside playground are set in the Johannes Kepler's High School in Prague.
The video follows the domestic and social problems faced during a day in the life of an unpopular young female student (portrayed by Briana Evigan). The girl apparently spends much of her time drawing pictures, revealing that she probably has dreams of becoming an artist. She is largely ignored and ridiculed at school, considering that when she is told off by the teacher for drawing in class everybody laughs at her, when she trips on the stairs nobody stops to help her up, and when she tries to join a group of girls at a lunch table they immediately get up and leave. Also, there is a scene where her mother is ridiculing her for not being the daughter she wanted. There are also self-inflicted cut marks on her arms, which actually say "NUMB" - the title of the song. She is shown near the end of the video rubbing the marks after a stressful day and then deciding to work off her stress by throwing paint instead. At the end of the video, the girl runs into the church that the band was playing in, almost as if she heard them.
Throughout almost the whole video Chester Bennington has his eyes closed, they can just be seen open when he blinks as he sings the word: "Tightly" from the second verse starting: "Can't you see that you're smothering me?"
MuchMusic's 100 Best Videos ranked it at #40.
The track became one of Linkin Park's most critically-acclaimed songs, as well as one of their most commercially successful, peaking at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on February 24, 2004, and spending 3 weeks on top of the Mainstream Rock Tracks and 12 weeks on top of the Modern Rock Tracks. "Numb" was the 33rd-best-performing single on the Hot 100 in 2004. It was also successful in Oceania, peaking at #10 in Australia and #13 in New Zealand.
numb
linkin-park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
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)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm 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)
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 tired, so much more aware
I'm 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 tired, so much more aware
I'm 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
In "Numb," Linkin Park powerfully articulates the struggle of living under the heavy burden of others' expectations. The opening lines reveal a profound sense of exhaustion and disconnection. Phrases such as “tired of being what you want me to be” imply a conflict between personal identity and external pressure. The singer feels lost, with “faithless” suggesting a lack of belief in oneself, further compounded by feeling overwhelmed, symbolized by being “lost under the surface.” The pressure to conform to someone else's standards is palpable, as conveyed by the metaphor of “walking in your shoes.” It's as if the singer is caught in an emotional undertow, navigating through the suffocating feeling that every move they make results in disappointment and mistakes. This backdrop sets the stage for the internal battle the song seeks to explore.
The chorus underscores the deep emotional numbness that the singer feels as a result of this pressure. Describing how they’ve “become so numb,” it implies a defense mechanism against the pain of unmet expectations and fear of failure. The juxtaposition of feeling “tired” and “more aware” suggests a painful enlightenment, where the singer recognizes the futility in trying to please others at the expense of their own well-being. Instead of achieving fulfillment through external validation, the realization dawns that embracing their true self is the only route to happiness. The desire to “be more like me and be less like you” encapsulates a longing for authenticity, signaling a critical turning point in the narrative.
While grappling with feelings of inadequacy, the song also hints at a deeper understanding of shared human experiences. The acknowledgment that “I may end up failing too” suggests empathy and the recognition that the expectations placed upon the singer may stem from the disillusionment of the other person involved. The sadness in witnessing their own struggles reflected in someone else's disappointments adds complexity to the emotional landscape. This moment of clarity serves as an important plea for freedom—not only to escape the constraints of judgment but also to recognize that everyone, including the person placing demands on them, shares vulnerabilities and failures. There’s a sense of solidarity in acknowledging that the cycle of expectations often leads to disappointment on both sides.
Ultimately, the repeated refrain of numbness echoes the song's central theme: a yearning for liberation from the stifling demands of others. The phrase “I’m tired of being what you want me to be” serves as a poignant declaration of independence, highlighting the crippling effect of failing to meet those expectations. The song captures the turmoil of feeling alienated not just from others but also from one's authentic self. The repetition throughout the song emphasizes both the overwhelming nature of these struggles and the singer's desperate plea for self-acceptance and self-definition. In a broader context, "Numb" resonates with anyone grappling with identity, societal pressures, and the universal quest for belonging, capturing the essence of what it means to reclaim one's sovereignty amid the noise of external demands.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Exhausted from conforming to the expectations imposed upon me.
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Experiencing a profound sense of disillusionment, trapped beneath a façade of normalcy.
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Unclear about the demands and standards that others have set for my behavior.
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
Burdened by the overwhelming challenge of trying to live up to your perspective and experiences.
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Feeling swept away and overwhelmed by circumstances beyond my control.
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
Each action I take is met with criticism or disappointment in your eyes.
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Continually feeling trapped by the emotional currents that drag me down.
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I have become emotionally desensitized to your presence and influence.
Become so tired, so much more aware
I am exhausted from the struggle and increasingly aware of my own reality.
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
I am evolving into a new version of myself, driven by a singular desire.
Is be more like me and be less like you
Desiring to embrace my own identity rather than conforming to yours.
Can't you see that you're smothering me?
Do you not realize that your overwhelming control is suffocating my spirit?
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control
Your excessive grip stems from a fear of losing influence over my life.
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Because the person you envisioned me to become is fundamentally different from who I am.
Has fallen apart right in front of you
That ideal image of me has disintegrated, leaving you disillusioned.
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Once again feeling engulfed by the relentless emotional turmoil.
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
Continuously feeling judged and misinterpreted with each choice I make.
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
Reiterating the cycle of feeling overwhelmed and dragged down by expectations.
And every second I waste is more than I can take
Each moment spent in this state of conflict feels like an unbearable burden.
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
The emotional disconnect between us has left me feeling vacant.
Become so tired, so much more aware
My fatigue reflects a deeper understanding of my situation and self.
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
I am undergoing a transformation driven by my ceaseless desire for authenticity.
Is be more like me and be less like you
Aiming to reclaim my individuality rather than mirroring your expectations.
And I know I may end up failing too
I recognize that there is a risk of not succeeding in this pursuit.
But I know you were just like me with someone disappointed in you
Understanding that you, too, faced similar struggles with someone else’s disappointment.
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Reaffirming the emotional distance that exists between us.
Become so tired, so much more aware
There's a weariness that comes with heightened self-awareness.
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
I am transforming, with a singular focus on self-realization.
Is be more like me and be less like you
Seeking authenticity by distancing myself from your influence.
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
My ability to connect emotionally has diminished significantly.
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I am weary of the constant pressure to fulfill another’s ideal.
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Emphasizing the depth of my emotional numbness in relation to you.
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Reaffirming my exhaustion from the strain of trying to meet your expectations.
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
@fmgkk3707
[Verse 1: Chester Bennington]
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
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
[Pre-Chorus: Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda]
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
[Chorus: Chester Bennington]
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
[Verse 2: Chester Bennington]
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
[Pre-Chorus: Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda]
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
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
[Chorus: Chester Bennington]
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
[Bridge: Chester Bennington]
And I know I may end up failing, too
But I know you were just like me
With someone disappointed in you
[Chorus: Chester Bennington]
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
Become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this, all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
[Outro: Chester Bennington]
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
@aleppo9535
"One can save millions, but sometimes, millions can't save one."
@sujatamohanty6515
True
@smuk20k3
real true
@nikebt3789
Swore I saw this on a X vid comment
@Vivio8897
true!
@guildgaming9891
That hit home more then i like to admit. First song i ever heard from him, i remember the surprise hearing how i felt out of anothers mouth, and for the first time, not feeling alone.
@Valerie-e7j
This song ages like a fine wine.
@NocturnalPyro
I swear in 100 years this song is gonna be looked back on as one of the great masterpieces of all time.
@LINKINPARKSUCKSBALLS
Its annoyed me sense the first time I heard it
@berkayaliapaydn6296
@@LINKINPARKSUCKSBALLS how old are you