By Myself

Album: Hybrid Theory (2000)
Play Video
  • What do I do to ignore them behind me?
    Do I follow my instincts blindly?
    Do I hide my pride from these bad dreams
    And give into sad thoughts that are maddening?
    Do I sit here and try to stand it?
    Or do I try to catch them red-handed?
    Do I trust some and get fooled by phoniness
    Or do I trust nobody and live in loneliness?
    Because I can't hold on when I'm stretched so thin
    I make the right moves but I'm lost within
    I put on my daily façade but then
    I just end up getting hurt again

    By myself (myself)
    I ask why, but in my mind find
    I can't rely on myself (myself)
    I ask why, but in my mind I find
    I can't rely on myself

    I can't hold on
    To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
    It's all too much to take in
    I can't hold on
    To anything, watching everything spin
    With thoughts of failure sinking in

    If I turn my back I'm defenseless
    And to go blindly seems senseless
    If I hide my pride and let it all go on
    Then they'll take from me 'til everything is gone
    If I let them go I'll be outdone
    But if I try to catch them I'll be outrun
    If I'm killed by the questions like a cancer
    Then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer

    By myself (myself)
    I ask why, but in my mind find
    I can't rely on myself (myself)
    I ask why, but in my mind I find
    I can't rely on myself

    I can't hold on
    To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
    It's all too much to take in
    I can't hold on
    To anything, watching everything spin
    With thoughts of failure sinking in

    How do you think
    I've lost so much?
    I'm so afraid
    I'm out of touch
    How do you expect
    I will know what to do
    When all I know
    Is what you tell me to

    Don't you (know?)
    I can't tell you how to make it (go)
    No matter what I do, how hard I (try)
    I can't seem to convince myself (why)
    I'm stuck on the outside

    Don't you (know?)
    I can't tell you how to make it (go)
    No matter what I do, how hard I (try)
    I can't seem to convince myself (why)
    I'm stuck on the outside

    I can't hold on
    To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
    It's all too much to take in
    I can't hold on
    To anything, watching everything spin
    With thoughts of failure sinking in

    I can't hold on
    To what I want when I'm stretched so thin
    It's all too much to take in
    I can't hold on
    To anything, watching everything spin
    With thoughts of failure sinking in Writer/s: Brad Delson, Chester Charles Bennington, Joseph Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Robert G. Bourdon
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Jenessa from Granbury, TxThis song is about the damage that things like anxiety, suicidal thoughts, depression, loneliness, abuse, and low self esteem does to one. RIP CHESTER! Thank you for singing about this kind of stuff and reminding those going through it that they're not alone, very great song though, one of the best from Hybrid Theory album in my opinion
  • River from Gloucester, VaThese lyrics are the remix on Reanimation, not the original, what's up with that?
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjThe lyrics to the chorus are all wrong; they should be:

    I can't hold on (to what I want when I'm stretched so thin)
    It's all too much to take in
    I can't hold on (to anything watching everything spin)
    with thoughts of failure sinking in.

    and the beginning of the bridge:

    How can I escape? I've lost so much.
    I'm so afraid. I'm out of touch.
    How do you expect I will know what to do
    when all I know is what you tell me to?
  • Effy E. Goodwin from Cov, United KingdomThis song can easily be related to by those who feel very lonely ande have experienced bullying, social isolation or abuse and cover it up, but go home to hurt themselves in some form or another.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Famous Singers' First Films

Famous Singers' First FilmsSong Writing

A look at the good (Diana Ross, Eminem), the bad (Madonna, Bob Dylan) and the peculiar (David Bowie, Michael Jackson) film debuts of superstar singers.

dUg Pinnick of King's X

dUg Pinnick of King's XSongwriter Interviews

dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.