Album: Hybrid Theory (2000)

Charted: 14

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• Why does it feel like night today?
  Something inside's not right today
  Why am I so uptight today?
  Paranoia's all I got left
  I don't know what stressed me first
  Or how the pressure was fed
  But I know just what it feels like
  To have a voice in the back of my head
  
  It's like a face that I hold inside
  A face that awakes when I close my eyes
  A face watches every time I lie
  A face that laughs every time I fall (and watches everything)
  So you know that when it's time to sink or swim
  That the face inside is here in me, right underneath my skin
  
  It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back
  It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
  It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
  It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin
  
  I know I've got a face in me
  Points out all the mistakes in me
  You've got a face on the inside too
  Your paranoia's probably worse
  I don't know what set me off first but I know what I can't stand
  Everybody acts like the fact of the matter is I can't add up to what you can
  
  But everybody has a face that they hold inside
  A face that awakes when I close my eyes
  A face that watches every time they lie
  A face that laughs every time they fall (and watches everything)
  So you know that when it's time to sink or swim
  That the face inside is watching you too, right inside your skin
  
  It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back
  It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
  It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
  It's like the face inside is right beneath the skin
  It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back
  It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
  It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
  It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin
  
  The face inside is right beneath your skin
  The face inside is right beneath your skin
  The face inside is right beneath your skin
  
  The sun goes down, yeah
  I feel the light betray me
  The sun goes down
  I feel the light betray me
  
  It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back (the sun)
  It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
  It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
  It's like the face inside is right beneath the skin (I feel the light betray me)
  
  It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back (the sun)
  It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
  It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
  It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
  It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
  It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin Writer/s: Brad Delson Delson, Chester Charle Bennington, Joseph Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Robert G. Bourdon
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 37

• AnonymousPapercut (nice boy who always been hurt)
• Brandon from Cape TownThe term papercut means (urban dictionary) to be more impressive on paper than in person, when listening to the lyrics or rather feeling the lyrics i am of the opinion that even LP was letting the listener know that they too are the same as most other people. While their fans adore them and place them on a pedestal (of sorts) they suffer from the same things that their fans and many others do. They see their pain as less than some people (who have faced serious tragedy or shock) hence the words, 'your paranoia is probably worse' but are informing the listener that the same things we struggle with, contend with, are silent and embarrassed about, they struggle with too. With all the songs, self love books and marketing informing sufferers to speak out, it is still a struggle which is kept beneath the skin, a secret kept from the eyes of others. Where many people tell you to see the light at the end of the tunnel they say the light betrays them, once again alluding to the darkness that envelopes the person. In short, i think the name 'Papercut' is relevant to the song as it speaks to the confidence we portray to others but the unsecurity we hide from them at the same time but can never be hidden from ourselves.
• Zero from Nowhere, NjTo say that this band doesn't understand hardships is wrong. Chester was molested as a kid, got picked on in school, and had serious drug problems. They are writing from the heart (not to mention the fact that alot of time and thought goes into writing their songs). As for the angsty, or as some say immature nature of their lyrics; remember they were still young at the time they made these songs. If you listen to their later material they have more positive and uplifting lyrics in their songs (Mike even says, "I am not the fortune and the fame, NOR THE SAME PERSON TELLING YOU TO FORFEIT THE GAME," in one song. If you don't like their music that's fine but don't fasely accuse them just because the don't fit your personal tastes.
• Dominic from Lawton, OkI'd prefer to say their songs sound similar well at least the earlier stuff every band has their sound and about chester not being able to sing is crazy to me but 1 thing about rock is you dont have to be and R&B style singer to come out with something good but its not like these guys are just bringing out just anything alot of this stuff takes talent not everything is going to be to everyones liking. Anyway I think this song is about someone being overly cautious in other words paranoid
• Jennie from Ansonia, CtStephanie Meyer was listening to this song while writing the scene where Bella gets a papercut in New Moon and how disastrous the results were.
• Azalea from Hot Springs, ArFrom my point of view, this song is acctually about dealing with the paranoia of your problems while everyone around you is terrorizing you about it, while they probably have similar problems. I felt this way quite often at the begining of the school year.
• Matt from Houston, TxI am a musician and songwriter and honestly, I can't find signifigance in it. when I write a song,I have lyrics in my head nagging at me. then, i get a paper and it just pours out. it's called soul. as for it's adolescent "guidance" I have attempted suicide 3 times from ages 13 to 15. the only music that helped me was my own and bands that actually understood
• Matt from Houston, TxActually I am split. I think christy is right because linkin park's songs sound the same. Technichally though, they started their own sound. I hate modern day music, say a few bands, but I could understand someone liking this.I"s not like my type. I think they could better spread the message by bieng dark and inconspicuous but that is just my opinion.
• Ian from Chilli, Ohchristy, they are a very original band. while u may not like them, thats fine, but dont go on a tangent about how they dont know anything about music theory. correct me if im wrong, but led zeppelin and other classics werent started based on musical education and theory. they just went, and people loved them. same with linkin park. they are a sensation, whether u like it or not. and i love linkin park, disturbed, slipknot, and other modern bands. u can argue that they are just a bunch of idiots making uneducated music, but in truth, all the aforementioned bands are very lyrical and intelligent. and if u dont buy into that, listen to system of a down, if they cant make u think, u are obviously not as intelligent as u would like to think u are. today's music, at least some of it, it way better than people like you give it credit for. linkin park and soad are better than most "classic rock" bands. nobody cares if you're sixteen, that doesnt make u an expert, that just reveals u as ignorant. if u dont like it, fine, but dont publicly criticize it unless u know what ur talking about.
• Minh from Strongsville, OhChristy, i am a classical musician, and i can respect this music. in music today, its all about the words. and even though they dont put lots of work into the details and making it difficult, for them its all about the chord progression and the sound. when i say "they," i am talking about all of today's artists, everyone from Slipknot to
  Brad Paisly to T-Payne. Linkin Park all sounds the same, and i love it every time. i love this song too. PS no one is going to respect your opinion more because your 16 and not an old person. f off if you cant respect today's music. go post a more positive comment on a song you actually like.
• Christy from Palm Springs, Cathe lead "singer" can't actually sing I just hope you know and all of Linkin Park songs sound the same and they don't know about melody, harmony, instrumentation, or music theory. Thats why music today sucks and I am not an old person saying this, I'm sixteen.
• Tilsen from Lewiston, Idhey i think this song is about having a little voice in the back of ur head telling you to do stuff u know is wrong you know like as LP says "a face right beaneath the skin" Linkin park rocks!
• Garrett from Islip, NyI definitely agree with Alex from Cupertino, CA.
  I have schizophrenia, and a lot of the lyrics describe how it feels. They talk about a bunch of things like how the face points out your mistakes, and laughs at you. Whenever I'm around people I don't know, or are uncomfortable with, I sort of turtle up, and over-analyze everything. "I don't know what stressed me first
  Or how the pressure was fed, but
  I know just what it feels like
  To have a voice in the back of my head"
  Perfect description there.
  Thank you for your time.
• Alex from Cupertino, CaAfter studying for my Psychology final, I listened to this song... and it totally reminded me of Schizophrenia... or Multiple Personality disorder.
  
  But realistically it's probably about our inner-critic. God knows, I have a few of those.
• Sadman from Pittsburgh, PaI think this video is the coolest!! But I still don't understand the meaning of this song.
• Dan from Greater Detroit, MiIMO, The title "Papercut" is a metaphor for the feelings described in the song wherein, it may not look like a big deal on the outside but can be extremely painful to experience, referred to with the line "right beneath your skin". When I listened the first time I immediately thought it was about social anxiety, aggravated by a "perfect" older sibling or some other role model.
• Daniel from Ada, OkI started feeling sort of paranoid when I was 14. I'm 16 now. I thought I knew what the song meant. Then I figured I wasn't old enough to understand. Now I'm like "Damn I"m feelin' this song." Linkin Park use to be my favorite band.
• Schatten from Seattle, WaI don't particularly think that Papercut is about paranoia, as everyone seems to believe. I think it's more about having part of your subconscious nagging at you and constantly reminding you of every time you screw up or do something wrong, and how the thoughts can drive you mad.
• Ryan from Pembroke Pines, Flthis song is awesome its my one of my favorite songs to play guita to.
• Ashley from Moncton, CanadaLinkin Park have really weird titles for dome of theri songs, like Cure For The Itch and Figure.09. I don't even know how to say that.
• Kayla from Rancho Cucamonga, Camikes rapping in this song is incredible. and while they were making the video, they had to speed up the song so they could play it back slow to make it look like the words are coming out of the boys' mouths a bit slower, meaning mike had to get the already fast lyrics out EVEN FASTER. p.s. i belive the title "papercut" was a working name for the song that just stuck after it was finished.
• Corey from Dothan, AlLinkin Park gives names to songs before they actually decide what the official name is. Papercut is an instance where the working name they gave to it became the real name. An example where they changed the name is the song "Rhinestone" that they later renamed "Forgotten".
  
  I just thought I should inform all of you looking for some meaning in the name that there isn't one.
• Mercedes from Portland Yah!, OrI Think It About U Knowing Yur Messing Up And Yet U Do It Anyways And Like Not Soo Much Paranoia But Like Someone Is Always Looking Over Your back Like Yur Parents or Teachers Watching U Screw Up Your Life But Not Help And Its Like There Always there Even When There Not It Beneath U And In Yur Heart like U Know There Watching
• Matt from Tulsa, OkMariah was inquiring about why the song was about paranoia yet it was called papercut. Well, my take on subject, is that some people worry more than others, and often about little, insignificant things, such as papercuts. In a literal sense, some people actually go out of their way to handle paper cautiously just to ensure their "safety." It sounds silly, but that's what makes the title so fitting. Paranoia is all about worrying about things that do not matter much at all, but eat at you as badly as any meaningful concern should.
• Fungus from Here, ScotlandI reckon the title comes from the lyrics being a tiny glimpse at what lies beneath his skin.
• Josh from Reading, PaThe papercut video was freakin wierd, but I will tell you one good video, the best music viedeo of all time if you ask me...Points of authority, the graphics are AWSOME.
• Mariah from Miami, FlI suppose, but, it's still kind of confusing to me, for I don't see them implementing any sort of injury. Maybe I'm looking too far into this?
• Dude from Tx, TxPossibly the vision of a face glaring at you from inside the cut? The face inside is right beneath the skin.
• Mariah from Miami, FlSo... I if this song is about paranoia... Then, why is it called "Papercut"? This is the only element of the song I don't quite understand...
• Rebecca from Peoria, Azi like my music dark i'm kinda the dark music type person i just love lp so much and i agree with u chloe...........lp forever
• Chloe from Hampshire, EnglandLinkin Park are the best songwriters! Its great that they talk about teen issues like low self esteem, depression, peer pressure, self harm and suicide in their songs. They really know what they're on about! Thanks
• Gabe from Utica, NyThis song is great to wake up to. It's rythem is awesome. I think the song really describes your conscience.
• Honeybunny from Kkkkkk, United StatesI think this is about the thought that starts usually around the ages of 12 or 13 that your worthless, you cant do nothing right, this usually leads to teen suicide..so this song really makes a really strong point to its teen listeners
• Rabi from Zionsville, InThis is 1 of the songs that is so obvious. Listen to the song, the word "paranoid" is used quite a lot.
• Heather from Fruita, CoActually, This song is about being paranoid. On the Frat Party DVD they tell you this (you have to put on audio commentary).
• Chronometer from Somerset West, South AfricaIt's about the voice in your head telling you that you're not good enough or that you're not gonna make it, that you're too weak or too stupid.
• Sarah from Morganville, NjThe video for "Papercut" was directed by DJ Joe Hahn and Nathan "Karma" Cox. If you watch closely, there are little things inserted in the video you might otherwise miss, like at one point, Mike's fingers get really long, and as mentioned before, you can see part of Rob's face being distorted for a brief moment. :D

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