This was one of the tracks that helped launch Linkin Park, via their Hybrid Theory EP. It encapsulates their Nu-Metal sound, with Shinoda rapping and speaking frankly about the criticism the genre receives. It’s almost a plea for the band to be taken seriously, as if they could predict the hate stor...
[Intro: Lee Cadena, Chester Bennington, Mike Shinoda]
"You know what I mean?
You could put a label on a life
Put a label on a lifestyle." (Sometimes)
"You know, put a label on how you wake up every morning
And go to bed at night." (Hybrid)
[Verse 1: Mike Shinoda]
I've been diggin' into crates, ever since I was livin' in space
Before the rat race, before monkeys had human traits
I mastered numerology and big bang theology
Performed lobotomies with telekinetic psychology
Invented the mic so I could start blessin' it
Chin-checkin' kids to make my point like an impressionist
Many men have tried to shake us
But I twist mic cords to double-helixes
And show them what I'm made of
I buckle knees like leg braces
Cast a spell of instrumental-ness on all of you MCs who hate us
So you can try on, leave you without a shoulder to cry on
From now to infinity, let icons be bygones
I firebomb, ghostly notes haunt this
I tried threats, but moved on to a promise
I stomp sh-, with or without an accomplice
And run the gauntlet with whoever that wants this
[Chorus: Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington]
(High voltage) This is the unforgettable sound
(High voltage) Bringin' you up and takin' you down
(High voltage) Comin' at you from every side
(High voltage) Makin' the rhythm and rhyme collide
[Verse 2: Mike Shinoda]
(Akira)
I put a kick in the backbones of clones with microphones
Never satisfy my rhyme jones
Sprayin' bright day over what you might say
My blood type's Krylon, Technicolor Type-A
On highways, bright with road rage
Pages of wind in cages of tin that bounce all around
(Surround sound) Devouring the scene
Subliminal gangrene paintings, overall the same thing
Sing-song karaoke copy bull-
Break bones verbally with sticks-and-stone tactics
Fourth dimension combat convention
Write rhymes at ease while the track stands at attention
Meant to put you away with a pencil pistol official
Sixteen-line, the rhyme missile
While you risk your all, I pick out all your flaws
Spittin' rah blah blah blah, you can say you saw
[Chorus: Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington]
(High voltage) This is the unforgettable sound
(High voltage) Bringin' you up and takin' you down
(High voltage) Comin' at you from every side
(High voltage) Makin' the rhythm and rhyme collide
(High voltage) This is the unforgettable sound
(High voltage) Bringin' you up and takin' you down
(High voltage) Comin' at you from every side
(High voltage) Makin' the rhythm and rhyme collide
[Interlude: Lee Cadena, Chester Bennington]
"And like the rock and rap, you know what I mean?
People actin' like, you know, "Wow, that's a new invention!"
That sh- ain't new
We're constantly evolving
It is constantly changing." (Sometimes)
"There's a lot of change
Everybody's always tryna to put labels on…
There ain't no label for this shit
They always gonna try to put a label on it
Try to create somethin' so they could water it down"
[Bridge: Chester Bennington]
Sometimes, I feel like a prophet
Misunderstood, under the gun like a new disease
Sometimes, I feel like a prophet
Misunderstood, under the gun like a new disease
[Chorus: Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington]
(High voltage) This is the unforgettable sound
(High voltage) Bringin' you up and takin' you down
(High voltage) Comin' at you from every side
(High voltage) Makin' the rhythm and rhyme collide
(High voltage) This is the unforgettable sound
(High voltage) Bringin' you up and takin' you down
(High voltage) Comin' at you from every side
(High voltage) Makin' the rhythm and rhyme collide
(High voltage) This is the unforgettable sound
(High voltage) Bringin' you up and takin' you down
(High voltage) Comin' at you from every side
(High voltage) Makin' the rhythm and rhyme collide
(High voltage) This is the unforgettable sound
(High voltage) Bringin' you up and takin' you down
(High voltage) Comin' at you from every side
(High voltage) Makin' the rhythm and rhyme collide
[Outro: Lee Cadena]
"You know what I mean?
You can't put a label on a lifestyle."
High Voltage (B-Side Rarities) was written by Mr. Hahn & Brad Delson & Mike Shinoda.
High Voltage (B-Side Rarities) was produced by Mike Shinoda.
Linkin Park released High Voltage (B-Side Rarities) on Mon Jan 15 2001.