"Numb" by Linkin Park is a powerful anthem about the struggles of living up to expectations and the feeling of being stifled by external pressures.

Here's a breakdown of the thoughts and background behind the creation of the lyrics:

Verse 1: Feeling Trapped

• "I'm tired of being what you want me to be": This line expresses the central theme of the song. The speaker is exhausted from trying to conform to others' expectations and desires.
• "Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface": This highlights the speaker's inner turmoil and sense of being lost. The pressure from others has eroded their self-belief.
• "I don't know what you're expecting of me": The speaker feels confused and overwhelmed by the unspoken demands placed on them.
• "Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes": The speaker is forced to try and live someone else's life, carrying the weight of their expectations.

Pre-Chorus: The Undertow

• "Caught in the undertow": This metaphor represents the overwhelming force of external pressures pulling the speaker down.
• "Every step that I take is another mistake to you": The speaker feels like they can never please those around them, no matter what they do.

Chorus: Numbness and Desire for Self-Discovery

• "I've become so numb, I can't feel you there": This line encapsulates the speaker's emotional detachment, a result of constant pressure.
• "Become so tired, so much more aware": The speaker is starting to realize the detrimental effects of living someone else's life.
• "I'm becoming this, all I want to do is be more like me and be less like you": The speaker desires to break free from the expectations and define themselves authentically.

Verse 2: Smothering Expectations

• "Can't you see that you're smothering me?": The speaker pleads for recognition of the suffocating effect of others' control.
• "Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control": The speaker recognizes that those around them are clinging to their expectations out of fear.
• "Cause everything that you thought I would be has fallen apart, right in front of you": This line signifies the speaker's rejection of the path they were expected to take.

Pre-Chorus: The Undertow Continues

• "Every second I waste is more than I can take": The speaker is running out of patience with the cycle of trying to meet expectations that never seem achievable.

Bridge: Empathy and Acceptance

• "And I know I may end up failing too": The speaker acknowledges that they may not succeed in achieving their own goals, but they are willing to try.
• "But I know you were just like me with someone disappointed in you": The speaker finds empathy in the realization that those who are pressuring them were also once in their shoes.

Chorus: Repetition for Emphasis

The chorus is repeated for emphasis, solidifying the speaker's desire for self-discovery and the pain of their numbed state.

Outro: Final Cry for Freedom

• "I've become so numb, I can't feel you there": This final repetition drives home the point that the speaker is desperate to break free from the numbing effects of expectations.
• "I'm tired of being what you want me to be": This powerful statement ends the song on a note of defiance, emphasizing the speaker's unwavering desire for self-expression.

Background:

• The lyrics of "Numb" were written by Chester Bennington, lead singer of Linkin Park.
• The song is often interpreted as reflecting Bennington's own struggles with fame, depression, and pressure from the music industry.
• Although not stated explicitly, the song resonates with many who feel trapped by societal expectations or the pressure to conform to others' desires.

"Numb" is a song that speaks to the universal experience of feeling stifled by external forces and longing for authenticity. Its powerful message of self-discovery and rejection of societal expectations continues to resonate with listeners.