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Top 8 Song List in Memory of Chester Bennington

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WRITTEN BY Sofia Casanova / Edited BY Jade Parker
22 July 2017 , 7 minutes to read

Chester Bennington, the powerful lead singer of platinum-selling rock band, Linkin Park, has passed away today. He was aged 41.

Spokesperson Brian Elias, the chief of operations for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed Bennington’s death at Palos Verdes Estates, a coastal town in LA. It is being investigated as a possible suicide.

Bennington was well-known for his strong vocals, especially his piercing screams which feature across seven Linkin Park albums, including the iconic Hybrid Theory and Meteora. Their most recent album, One More Light was released in May, and the band was to perform in Massachusetts later this month.

“Chester Bennington was an artist of extraordinary talent and charisma, and a human being with a huge heart and a caring soul,” Warner Brothers chief executive and chairman Cameron Stang said in a statement.

Many fans and fellow artists, including Linkin Park co-founder, Mike Shinoda, My Chemical Romance, You Me At Six and Jimmy Kimmel are paying tribute.

It is noted that Bennington’s death falls on the 53rd birthday of his friend and fellow musician Chris Cornell, who committed suicide earlier this year.

The singer wrote a letter he uploaded onto Instagram, responding to his friend’s sudden passing. “I can’t imagine a world without you in it,” he said. “I pray you find peace in the next life.”

Chester's letter to Chris. Source.
Screenshot of Chester’s letter to Chris on Instagram. Source.

Bennington was also transparent about his struggles with drugs and alcohol as is evident across Linkin Park’s albums. In a 2009 interview with Noisecreep, he stated:

“‘Crawling,’ for example, by Linkin Park, is probably the most literal song lyrically I’d ever written for Linkin Park and that’s about feeling like I had no control over myself in terms of drugs and alcohol. That feeling, being able to write about it, sing about it, that song, those words sold millions of records, I won a Grammy, I made a lot of money. I don’t think I could’ve been inspired to create something like that by watching someone else go through that. So in a lot of ways that’s been very constructive for me.”

He goes on to say:

“I don’t have a problem with people knowing that I had a drinking problem. That’s who I am and I’m kind of lucky in a lot of ways cause I get to do something about it. I get to grow as a person through it. It’s kind of a cool thing. It’s not cool to be an alcoholic, meaning it’s not cool to go drink and be a dumbass. It’s cool to be a part of recovery. This is just who I am, this is what I write about, what I do, and most of my work has been a reflection of what I’ve been going through in one way or another.”

The legacy Bennington leaves behind is enormous. With

albums that have impacted millions of lives and helped people cope with their struggles, fans are in mourning for the singer. Linkin Park defined hard rock in their own unique way and Chester Bennington’s contribution to the scene will not be forgotten.

To pay tribute to the incredible singer and songwriter, here are our top 8 picks from Linkin Park.

8. Leave Out All The Rest

“Leave Out All the Rest” from Minutes to Midnight wraps the album neatly together, slowly building into a power ballad that is incredibly relevant to today: Keep me in your memory/Leave out all the rest.

7. Bleed It Out

Following “Leave Out All the Rest”, “Bleed It Out” cuts through like a knife with jarring energy that will leave you fist-pumping in the car.

6. Heavy

From their latest album One More Light, “Heavy” takes a more contemporary approach as Bennington’s soft yet gruff vocals describe feelings of depression and being fixating on one’s self.

5. What I’ve Done

“What I’ve Done” was the first Linkin Park song I ever heard and it brings back so much nostalgia. It’s that classic rock song that will have you headbanging as you drive to work.

4. Numb

As the final track of Meteroa, it is one of Linkin Park’s critically acclaimed sings, topping the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart for 12 weeks. The song was later combined with Jay-Z’s song “Encore” to create “Numb/Encore”, which proved to be a massive hit for both artists.

3. Breaking the Habit

“Breaking the Habit” shifts the musical style within Meteroa; it’s a swirl of strings and drums while Bennington croons anguished lyrics about changing his ways.

2. Faint

There’s something about this song from Meteroa that is so addictive. With grunge overtones, rough screaming and string riffs, the song is captivating as “Faint” defines a whole new level of rock music.

1. In the End

“In the End” is special because it honestly encompasses the topic at hand: mental health and the struggle with suicidal thoughts. The lyrics describe the journey as time and time again we try to be stronger and better, yet sometimes we fail and everything feels worthless. The song feels like it makes you want to quit, but really, it validates these feelings of hopelessness we all face.

Chester Bennington will carry on in his music, in his unforgettable voice, in his messages to the world. He mattered, and he will be remembered.

If you are feeling suicidal or feel you need to talk to someone, please contact one of the following hotlines: