The fairest way of doing this is really just by one per album (until ATS comes out, so hopefully there will be a Top 4 by then).
These are all tied for my 3 favorite LP songs.
HT: A Place For My Head
- The classically "penultimate" moment of most LP shows. Without a doubt the most missed song when it is absent at LP shows. Its most traditionally followed by OSC, for that is the song that has always had the best reaction at every LP show. Up until MTM, Brad's guitar intro and playing hadn't sounded as complex. Mike and Chester's harmonies are probably Hybrid Theory's strongest on this one. The lyrics narrate a scene of becoming sane and doing away with an ever-present negative presence. Joe scratches like a lunatic and Rob's not 4/4 timing is very hard to replicate on the drums (believe me, I've probably successfully covered APFMH once). Dave is...Dave.
Meteora: Lying From You
- Aggressive, with a laid-back hip hop feel to it. As of 2008, LP has gotten inventive with the reinvention of the intro, which was originally very simple. Again, an angry duet between Chester and Mike that creates a very emotional lyrical setting. Rob's playing is tight, yet again, to make LP ever-so difficult to play on drums. I wish the same could be said about the guitar in the song, but I'm no guitarist so I can't criticize the illusion of guitar simplicity that is given off throughout the song. Joe, again, scratches and samples in a very remarkable way. Dave is still...Dave. (This has also been my favorite song of all-time since 5th grade).
MTM: The Little Things Give You Away
- Their most complex/creative/ambitious song ever created. Like all the other LP fans, I at first had a hard time coming around to accept the new direction LP had taken. However, first hearing this song and watching the "Making of MTM DVD" opened my mind to the beautiful new sound of LP. For those who are butthurt about it, the best course of action is to be a real Linkin Park fan and stop acting like a goddamn vagina. ANYWAYS, Chester's soaring vocals and caressing melodies are one of many things that make this such a masterpiece. Lyrically, it paints a vivid image of water rushing into a house and drowning the inhabitants of this house. However, I don't quite come to terms with the political criticism in this song (and others on MTM) due to the fact that the lyrics openly called the previous administration a bunch lazy, lying traitors. I won't get into politics, but I wish that people wouldn't openly criticize the Right-Wing without taking into consideration the new policies that the current administration plans on implementing, which won't benefit the general majority of Americans. ANYWAYS, Mike keeps himself super busy with playing keyboards, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and SINGING all in the course of the whole song. That's quite a feat! Brad busts out a gnarly solo, which opened up a new-found possibility that he could be amongst the many respected guitarists. Rob, HOLY SHIT! Such an intricate rhythm that's well pulled off in concert, which amazes me to this day! I can't play it, I wish I could. Joe is not really present onstage for this one, but he makes up for it by having the intro loop going that sets the mood just right. Dave is...surprisingly vocally present in this one! I hope to hear him sing more in the future!
Honorable mentions:
The entire discography