Lies Greed Misery

Album: Living Things (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Speaking with Abcdane.net, Chester Bennington said that this in-your-face number, "just came out of nowhere." "Mike (Shinoda) told me to scream anything, just let out my anger and I did just that," he explained. "Before we realized it, we had a song on our hands. In the beginning it seemed too pop, like a tune you could dance to. We had to take out the party vibe and add a darker 'I'm enjoying your destruction' element to it."
  • Regarding the track's meaning, Bennington said in the same Abcdane interview: "I think this song represents the kind of emotions that arise from standing up to a bully, or when a tyrant is taken down and the people are celebrating around his grave. Like I said, it's a really dark song, but it also has a weird 'pizza party' kind of feel to it. Maybe the combination of crazy style and symphony has something to do with that. You're at a party outdoors, drinking margaritas, hanging with tanned people, maybe swimming... then you play this song. I mean, it is a party song after all.

    But that's not all, you start screaming out loud," he continued. "I hope you choke on your lies, swallow up your pride, suffer all alone in your misery. And well.. it's a terrible thing to say to someone. This song is incredibly complicated, mentally unstable maybe, but brilliant at the same time."
  • The song premiered on BBC Radio 1 on May 24, 2012 after Shinoda gave permission to Linkin Park Association to leak the song to the Internet.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?