Linkin Park - Faint Lyrics Meaning

To begin, I would like to say this is an excellent song. Linkin Park rocks \m/. The lyrics are talking about some serious issues that many of us feel day to day.

The song title itself, "Faint," is a dead give away of the meaning. Faint means feeble, weak, dizzy, lacking courage.

When Chester is talking about, "I can't feel the way I did before," the feeling he is speaking of is summed up in the word Faint.

The main characteristics used to describe his being Faint are: feeling lonely, feeling disregarded (ignored), insecure and unconfident.

He feels like people can easily complain at all of his shortcomings -- "scars" -- that are apparent. His flaws are easy to spot, or the social scene thinks badly of him. These scars could represent any reputation damaging incident.

It doesn't seem to matter what he does, any good deeds, accomplishments, acting friendly, displaying talent, etc -- No one around him has any faith in him. It's like an automatic rejection, despite any effort whatsoever.

"So I let go," meaning, hey, fine, whatever, I'll let you make the decision to despise, hate, ignore me, and treat me like I don't even exist. I'm finished with trying to convince you. You can make your own decisions. Go for it.

But even though you have treated me horribly, turned your back on me, and rejected me -- I'm the bigger man -- and I'll be here for you, even though you weren't there for me.

Then the chorus comes in, which is a little different. Unlike the verse, which, was very honest, yet passive, the lyrics become more active: I don't want to feel like this anymore, treated like I'm invisible. Don't ignore me. There is no amount of time that can heal this. The only way to truly heal your ignoring of me is to face me. I'll make you listen. I'm not going to passively let you shut me out. I'm going to get in your face!

"You don't understand I do what I can but sometimes I don't make sense," is essentially saying that I'm trying as hard as I can. Even if you cannot comprehend my actions, I am trying to do what is right.

Now here is a very interesting line: "I am what you never wanna say, but I've never had a doubt." This means that the people who ignore him or are treating him wrongly don't say it to his face. They just plot behind his back, or talk in secret. Think about the "scars" mentioned earlier. Like they mock his damaged reputation, but won't admit in front of him. But he knows all along what their problem is. "I've never had a doubt." Remember - the scars were apparent -- "everyone can see these scars." Even when you won't say it, I know what it is without doubt.

No one will even "here me out." Their minds are already made up. It's like judging a book by its cover. It's like ostracized and excluding someone just because they don't fit in, or someone has tried to black ball them. "Face away and pretend that I'm not," -- pretend I don't even exist, pretend my accomplishments, talents, and pursuits are all worthless.

The parts sang by Chester, again, are almost the opposite of the rapped verses. Chester is not passive. He does not say, "turn your back like you always do." No. Not at all. He is saying DON'T turn your back on me I WON'T be ignored.

Thus, to simplify this song:

The verses express the mental attitude of being "Faint." Even though it's very honest, it is passive.

The chorus and bridge represent the cure to being faint (weak/passive/dizzy). It almost hints at hostility. Being more active, stronger, aggressive.

I agree with some of the other posts I saw in here. It's true a high school, or even adults / "grown ups" in their 20s-60s and beyond can try to destroy your reputation.

Last, but not least, this song also shows how utterly cold our world and society is. It shows how shallow most humans are. If you don't "fit in" or if people feel they can't use you/get something out of you, they will just ignore you, and treat you like you don't exist.

peace