This does not mean I hate the song NoN. What I've Done and New Divide are among my favorite songs. I really enjoyed I'LL BE GONE. Anyway, it reminds me A LOT of WID and ND. ;X
This song is completely ruined by the ridiculously loud guitar that makes so you can hardly hear Chester in the chorus
This does make sense. If you're the only one with nothing standing in your way, you're free to do whatever the hell you want. Also, it helps if you included the entire chorus: "And tell them I couldn't help myself. And tell them I was alone. Tell me I am the only one and there's nothing left to stop me." The person singing the song is looking for the person they are telling this story to to reassure them of their story. I say the person because it doesn't necessarily have to be Chester. Yes, he sings it, but I think the song was written through the perspective of a character. The way the lyrics on this song are written is very folk in nature. They are telling a story. Folk music tells tales, and, to me, that's exactly what this song is about: A character in a tale. What is he running from? What did he do that he needs to run away for? There's more to the story than what we were given. The vagueness is what's appealing. It leaves it for your ideas and creativity to take over. I think about a spaghetti western film with the lyrics in this song. That bridge makes me think of a cowboy going on a suicide mission for a chance at redemption and not a bit of intention of making it back. Even if their redemption is successful, they do not intend on staying there to wait for a backlash. I love lyrics like that. It makes music and conversation fun. Also, it allows you to tap into your imagination.
Sorry but stuff like Spraypaint & Ink Pens makes my imagination flow, not this. If you want to run away, you don't ask for permission. You just fucking do it and that's it. Same beef with the "It's time you let me know". Let me know fucking what? You're leaving, they aren't supposed to know you are. In any case it should be "It's time I let you know", if that's what Chester was going for.
"Spraypaint & Inkpens" is very literal about the story it tells. That's not always the case with how folk songs are written. The line "It's time you let me know" again makes more sense if you included more of the verse. "And I'm trying not to think what I'm leaving now No deceiving now. It's time you let me know. Let me know..." The character is pleading to the person they are having a conversation with to call their bluff. Basically, the main character is looking for a reason to stay and not go on with their plan. Giving the person they are talking to a chance to stop them from going through with what they are planning. This could also mean having one last night of passion... Which makes sense with my cowboy/suicide mission theory.
I actually loved this song and thought the lyrics were rather morbid. I interpreted the "I'll be gone" part not as someone leaving home, but someone killing themselves. But just before they do, they're looking for someone to give them a reason to stay. "Oh, tell me I am the only one and there's nothing left to stop me." I interpret that as someone saying "The only thing that'll stop me now is if you tell me that I'm the only one for you". Looking at it that way, the bit that goes "No deceiving now, it's time you let me know." isn't asking for permission to leave, it's giving an ultimatum, it's saying "I'm not kidding, what is it going to be?" The bridge sounds like a goodbye note explaining to everyone why they did it: "And tell them I couldn't help myself And tell them I was alone" Personally I think it's a very morbid and serious song, and I absolutely love it. But as minuteforce said, all Linkin Park songs are good in the sense that they're open to interpretation.
I hear a lot of influence from Mike's soundtrack for The Raid. Not just in this song, but through out Living Things.
Thats because it was intended. I remember watching an interview with Chester, I believe, and he mentioned that The Messenger was supposed to be that extra, usually hidden, track that you get at the end of an album.
I originally wasn't too fond of this song. Thought it sounded too different from Linkin Park. But as I continued to listen to it, it became very catchy and fun to listen to. I can see an element of Dead By Sunrise in here, absolutely. But it's still Linkin Park style. I'd like to see it live, I think Chester would have a fun time singing it.