Linkin Park "Leave Out All The Rest"

Linkin Park, “Leave Out All the Rest”
Linkin Park has been known as a hardcore rock band that has produced chart topping songs; and their “Leave Out All the Rest” is no exception. The song can be interpreted in a few ways, but ultimately have the same meaning. The narrator experiences an epiphany that the ones he is leaving behind, a girlfriend, friend, or parent, etc. will not accept him for who he really was. He feels guilty about what he has done, and needs to make amends with those he has hurt. The line, “Forget the wrong that I’ve done,” shows the narrator wants to be remembered as a good person, and is asking for forgiveness. The narrator has tried to show he has become a new person by “taken my beating, I’ve shared what I’ve made,” and is apologizing for his actions. Many questions are left unanswered in the song “Leave Out All the Rest” such as who he is talking to and what he has done. Linkin Park’s powerful song about regret and guilt can relate too many who have experienced the same pain. Many poetic devices and messages are displayed with in “Leave Out All the Rest.”
“Leave Out All the Rest” features many poetic devices within the lyrics. Linkin Park does a great job using the devices to enhance the lyrics and meaning of the song. The first two verses of the narrative song contain rhyme in the lyrics to improve the flow of the music. The song also includes many tercets and quatrains to keep the brevity of the music while displaying the message. Foreshadowing is also apparent within the beat of the music. Before each chorus in the song, the beat of a drum is sounded. At the first chorus, the drummer beats two notes. The second time the chorus appears only one drum beat is heard, until the last chorus where no beats are drummed. The drum beating resembles a countdown to “when the time comes” for the narrator to die. “Leave Out All the Rest” was beautiful written, and the devices used by Linkin Park truly improved the intensity and power behind the lyrics.
The main theme of regret is present everywhere in Linkin Park’s “Leave Out All the Rest.” The protagonist of the song is constantly regretting his decision and actions against the one he has hurt. The chorus of the song expresses the narrator’s plea for the victim to forgive him, and see him as decent human once again. The narrator continues to regret his choices, and only wants the respect of those he has inflicted pain. His decisions have also made him experience some consequences of his actions. “I’ve taken my beating, I’ve shared what I made” are examples of how the narrator has suffered from his own judgment. The presence of regret in “Leave Out All the Rest” increases the effect of the lyrics on the listener.
“Leave Out All the Rest” can be interpreted in various ways. The key component of the song is who the narrator is speaking to. The listener of the song must decide whether the victim is a girlfriend, or someone closer such as a parental figure. If a girlfriend, the lyrics apply to the idea that he cheated on her, or left her to survive on her own. He now wants to apologize for being a jerk, and try to repair there relationship. The other interpretation is that the mother or father is the one who was hurt. The narrator may have done something to disappoint them, or go against their values and the teachings. Another interpretation within the song that does not relate to the victim is whether or not the narrator will die. Some evidence that supports this idea is “when my times comes”, and also the countdown that appears with the drum beats. Overall, “Leave Out All the Rest” is a great piece of music that displays the musical qualities of the Grammy Award winning band of Linkin Park.


"Leave Out All The Rest"

I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
Cause no one else cared

After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Don't be afraid
I've taken my beating
I've shared what I made

I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest
[End Chorus]

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are