“Points of Authority” by Linkin Park is a powerful song about dealing with difficult situations and standing up for yourself. It has explosive energy and emotion, and it speaks to anyone who’s ever felt pushed around or mistreated.
Intro: Warning Against Giving Up
The song kicks off with a strong warning: “Forfeit the game before somebody else / Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame.” This is like telling someone that if they don’t stick up for themselves, others will take control and make them look bad. It’s a reminder that letting people walk all over you can lead to losing your own power and respect.
Verse 1: Feeling Betrayed
In the first verse, Chester Bennington sings, “You love the way I look at you / While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through.” This shows how someone might enjoy causing you pain. The line “My life, my pride is broken” shows just how hurtful this behavior can be. Imagine having a person who seems to enjoy making you feel worthless—that’s what this verse is about.
Chorus: Denying Mistakes and Spreading Pain
The chorus is all about someone who won’t admit they’re wrong: “You like to think you’re never wrong / (You live what you’ve learned).” This person tries to avoid taking responsibility and instead wants others to feel the same pain they do. The repetition of “You live what you’ve learned” suggests they’re passing on their hurtful habits. It’s like if someone who was bullied starts bullying others, believing that’s the only way to handle things.
Verse 2: Self-Destruction as a Response
In the second verse, Chester sings, “You love the things I say I’ll do / The way I hurt myself again, just to get back at you.” This verse talks about how trying to get back at someone by hurting yourself can be a dangerous way to deal with conflict. It’s like someone hurting themselves just to make their bully notice, which only makes things worse.
Bridge: Staying Strong
The bridge repeats the message from the intro: “Yeah, forfeit the game before somebody else / Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame.” It’s a strong reminder to keep fighting back before things get worse. The lyrics “Cover up your face, you can’t run the race / The pace is too fast, you just won’t last” stress the importance of standing up for yourself and not letting others control your life.
Final Chorus: Reaffirming the Fight
In the final chorus, Chester and Mike Shinoda sing together, repeating the lines, “You like to think you’re never wrong / (You live what you’ve learned).” The repetition of “You wanna share what you’ve been through” reinforces the idea that you shouldn’t let others’ mistakes or pain dictate your life. It’s a final push to remind you to stay strong and not be affected by others’ negativity.
Wrapping It Up
“Points of Authority” by Linkin Park really speaks to the struggles of dealing with tough people. The song’s powerful lyrics and intense energy make it a great anthem for anyone who’s felt mistreated or pushed around. It’s all about standing up for yourself and not letting others control you. If you’ve ever faced someone who’s tried to bring you down, this song is a reminder to stay strong and keep your own sense of power.