Remember The Name

Album: The Rising Tied (2005)
Charted: 66
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about what an artist has to go through to make it big in the music business.
  • According to Mike Shinoda, the chorus of the song is literally "breaking down the science of music." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Destiny - Toronto, Canada, for above 2
  • Did you spot Shinoda's dodgy math in the lyrics?

    This is 10% luck
    20% percent skill
    15% percent concentrated power of will
    5% percent pleasure
    50% percent pain
    And 100% reason to remember the name


    Shinoda is obviously intending all those items to add up to 100 percent to "remember the name," but because the musician uses the word "and," technically his lyrics add up to 200 percent.

    Someone did spot the less-than-correct math and called out Shinoda on Twitter. The Linkin Park vocalist responded by claiming artistic license.

    "'And 100%' sounded better than 'that's 100%,'" he replied.

Comments: 14

  • Theironspider77 from HarrisburgThis song is totally about slim
  • The Truth from NycTo be great like the subject of this song you have to think outside the box. Ordinary people think it has to add up to 100%, but whoever said the lyrics had to add up to 100%? Winners give 100%... But legends and icons give 200% above and beyond... Hidden meaning behind this verse.
  • MeI (sadly) thought this song was narcissistic because the person who wrote was also the person they were talking about, and they were talking about him like he was a hero. Then I realised that he was just an example and I was like, ohhhhh that makes sense.
  • MeSincerely thought this song was about Em
  • Pedr C from BrT this day I'm sure the bleach part is from the anime/manga Bleach
    It just makes sense
  • Janaia from NomadStay in school to know what this song means lol
  • AnonymousThe Math Is correct, it’s just multiplied by 2. If you want to make it add up to 100%, simply divide by two.
  • Bridget from CoWell, I looked up the definition of "dodgy math" and it looks like it means to break rules in mathematics. Or maybe Shinoda's just very good at math. Either way, I'm shocked.
  • Bridget from CoI still don't get the lyrics! This is awesome, though. I like how he did the math adding up to "And 100% reason to remember the name." I don't know if I could choose the numbers and I'm pretty good at math. But oh well.
  • Robert from Austin, TxThis has to be one of my most favorite songs. I usually don’t like pop songs or rap but this isn’t bad or horrible it is awesome. Every time I here it I get really pumped up. I feel like I could take on on anything. I love this song. Nothing is better. I do gymnastics and I probably will start thinking about this song.
  • Fabio from New Orleans, LaSo, I was recently labeled an overachiever, and the part of this song where it says:
    Forget Mike - Nobody really knows how or why he works so hard
    It seems like he's never got time
    Because he writes every note and he writes every line
    And I've seen him at work when that light goes on in his mind
    It's like a design is written in his head every time
    Before he even touches a key or speaks in a rhyme
    And those motherf--kers he runs with,
    The kids that he signed?
    Ridiculous, without even trying,
    How did he do it?!

    And it just feels like I'm not trying to overachieve, I just do. So, this is telling me that I'm on the right track to becoming an artist. I just need some luck, a bit more skill, transform it from some of my concentrated power of will, lessen my pleasure, increase my pain, then they will all remember my name.
  • Roy from Pitcher, Nythis song is one of the best even eniman is not this hot .
  • Austin from Portland, OrI love this song. I play baseball and everytime i go up to bat i think of the chorus of this song. if i rated it from 1-10 i'd give it a 5,000,000,004. Motivating song. Deterninating song. love it. My favorite song by my favorite band
  • Jarod from Las Vegas, NvTalking about a guy that's really good at making music.

    The chorus has been claimed by many walks of life... athletes, soldiers, businessmen, and just average everyday people, going through their struggles, because it speaks of pure determination.
    I have to say that the entire atmosphere of this song is motivating as hell.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.