first off chester is NOT suicidal. hes been thru many things and i dont recall suicide attempts being any of them. second of all i like ur interpretation, tom. and lastly, my comments on the song. I have been a linkin park fan since 1999 and i must say they have yet to let me down. their music inspires me to see the best in myself and cope with my problems. while linkin park is around, im free to be myself and no one (not even i) can hurt me. when i listen to breaking the habit i see the reflection of my own problems in the song. while there is obviously a main reason mike wrote this song (for a friend, i believe), it can reach out and help people with many problems such as suicide attempts, cutting, depression, angst, drug and alcohol abuse, and so on. what makes this song so beautiful to me is that not only is it written to put many problems out there on the table, but the video (and the song in may respectable ways) is for the fans, to say thank you and to let them know that the band is listening and cares abt what we're all going thru according to mike and joe. the depth of this song overwhelms me with emotion and reassures my oppinion that linkin park is one of the most respectable bands out there
- Kayla, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This song is like 'what's your poison,' it can be applied to more than addictions/problems and I really like that.
- Liz, IntheWall, PA
i love this song. linkin park is great. my friends cousin married a guy from the band. its one of those songs that completely defined last summer, and whenever i hear it, its like a time capsule bringing me straight back to summer '04.
- Izzie, lala, HI
when i heard this song for the first time it just hit me like a sack of bricks in the face. Listening to linkin park has helped me so much. Now instead of trying to kill myselfor my sister, i Listen to LP. I dont care how dorky it sounds, but its true. If it weren't for LP, I might not be here right now. It lets me know others feel like this too, and helps me control my anger. THANK YOU LINKIN PARK!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
- shaun, chandler, AZ
omg, the first time i heard this, i like flipped out. the lyrics fit me perfectly, best song ever!
- natalia, fenton, MI
I believe that the song relates to a coke habbit that is intact and that in order to get away from all of his problems he locks himself away from the world and tries to solve his problems through drugs
- sarah, st simons island, CT
I actually heard (I *think* it was from Mike himself) that Mike wrote BTH about a 'friend' of his. I don't totally buy that, but it doesn't take away from the song in the least. Linkin Park is my favorite band ever, and I think this is one of their most moving songs. The lyrics, to me, deal with wanting to end something that taking over you. There is undeniably a suicial undertone here, some may even say it is a song completely about suicide. No doubt that the song is sad, but that's what makes "Breaking the Habit" so beautiful to me.
- Chasidy, Hampton, GA
I like your interpretation a lot tom. i love it when people interpret each verse like that. iw onder if Chester really is suicidal though.....
- ryan, los angeles, CA
I think the song breaking the Habit was about how he lived in his own little world or "room" because the real world was too painful and he was trying to get back in the real world, away from his cushie, painless little "world" no matter the pain.
- shaun, chandler, AZ
Well, I know songs and everything mean different things to different persons, and no one interpretation is right, but heres mine. As it has been said, this song deals with suicide. However, when I first heard it, it didn't have a happy ending. When he says he says he's going to break the habit... he plans on killing himself. "Memories consume Like opening the wound I'm picking me apart again You all assume I'm safe here in my room (unless I try to start again)" Everyone who has been depressed knows this feeling, you thought you were over it until you remember and begin to think out everything, then , like a scab suddenly picked open, the emotions begin to flood out once more. He thinks (to me it sounds almost bitterly) how they believe hes safe in his room, that he wouldn't try to commit suicide again. They don't understand him (or thats how his depressed mind sees it). "I dont know whats worth fighting for Or why I have to scream I dont know why I instigate And say what I dont mean I dont know how I got this way I know its not alright So Im Breaking the habit Tonight" Hes mad at himself for hurting those around himself. Obvious. "Clutching my cure I tightly lock the door I try to catch my breath again I hurt much more Than anytime before I have no options left again" He locks the door closing himself from the outside world.... he trys to catch his breath because his emotions are running high... He hurts more than ever... more than the last attempt at his life that he said he made in verse 1? He has no options left... this could means he stops it or it means (I think) that he tried to stop, tried to better himself... but it didn't work. The final option is death. "Ill paint it on the walls Cause Im the one at fault Ill never fight again And this is how it ends" Paint what on the walls? His blood maybe? He blams himself for peoples problems, he wont ever fight again because he wont be around to. He's going to end it(by taking his own life). "I dont know whats worth fighting for Or why I have to scream But now I have some clarity To show you what I mean I dont know how I got this way Ill never be alright So Im Breaking the habit Breaking the habit Tonight " He finally sees the only way to tell the world how he feels is suicide. He says he'll never be alright after all... rest is repeated stuff. At this point the song reaches its climax and repeats the verse I discussed just above the last one. The song slowly fades away... like his life. Woh! Not fun! I was suicidal the first time I heard this so thats why I though that. Remeber tose who contemplate it suicide is not the answer, and when you realise that your life will get better, trust me.
- Tom, Saltsburgh, PA
Sounds exactly like cutting and trying to deal with it.
- Annabeth, Kutztown, PA
The first time I heard this song my brother though it was about somone addicted to drugs... i love all of linkin parks music
- Ghost, Winchester, MA
This song, helps me dwell and yet cope with my issue. And it gives me complete confidence that it will come to and end, and i'll break my habit.
- Kelsie, Milwaukie, OR
I don't know if this helps any, but I've been listening to Linkin Park since "Hybrid Theory" hit the shelves, and everytime I listen to each of their CDs, I relate to every song, so I hope my input is somewhat in relation to what you think it means. This is one of Linkin Park's many GREAT songs. My interpretation of this song is that it is talking about what alot of people go through. Alot of us have a side to us that we don't want anyone to know about (depression, suicidal tendencies, etc.)....and this song is saying that when in doubt, don't lock yourself away in your problems, but "break the habit" and do something that will bring out something good in yourself.
- Daniel, Hamlin, WV
This song is about loneliness, and wanting someone to be there...I know, I met Chester Bennington and he explained it in terms that I cannot even repeat...the words were beyond beautiful...and it is a great song, one of the greatest...but a little too mellow. This song was designed to give the LP name a little more of a soft side...the butterfly wings on the soldier for example...the bands soft side. hehe, his voice is soothing and melodic, proving he's not only a screamer...but a true singer, with a beautiful voice...so is Mike's. An amazing voice as well...It is an apology, but it is so cold...lonely, and apologetic...it means something to all of us...this work of art is successful, and it means something to those who pay attention. So the work of art communicated wonderfully. - Sara, Killeen, TX i hope this answers ur question little dude. rebecca-az (aka linkin park psycho)
Breaking The Habit is awesome, LP is great.
- David, Philadelphia, PA
The video is awesome, especially when you start to look past the anime. You see these lives unfold with real problems. The woman with marital issues, the girl not feeling too good about herself, and the guy involved with drugs... I this song to death.
- Mariah, Miami, FL
This has to be my all time favorite song. It means so much because when I listen to it-it's me. I just wish I could Break the Habit.
- Tiffany, Racine, WI
It's songs like this that help Linkin Park to excape the 'rap-rock' title that they hate so much, and shows variety in their creativity which makes them more appealing to more people. This song is less aggressive than most of their material, yet has such an energy to it that you can help but feel the song. This is one of Linkin Park's finer moments, and this song is very special to me. I relate to this most and find it lyrically inpsiring (it's not a song which complains about problems, it's a song which vows to "break the habit" and end the problems). The only thing more beautiful than this song is when they perform it live!
- Chester, Lincolnshire, England
This song is just beautiful. I remember when I first heard it I just felt like crying.
- Rin, Brick, NJ
I just saw the video and loved it, it was cool how they did it all anime sytle. And also when I first heard the song, I remember it really touched me cause it kinda reminded me of myself, like how people assume I'm just fine and dandy but deep down I'm a really troubled person...
- Joseph, LA, CA
I love how they made the video. It shows the meaning of the song without hurting anyone! Wow, I wonder if those people drew the Kill Bill vol. 1 secnes!?@ Samantha
- Samantha, Weslaco, TX
This is one of the 2 songs that I can play on the guitar. The other is "Adam's Song" by Blink-182. This song has a very sad story. It's very similar to Crawling. This song reminds me about my friend and her brother and it touches my heart to know that there is a band out there that writes a lot about a teenagers' stages and problems in life. One of the reasons why I love LP. It's good to have a band like LP. This is a great song.
- Gabe, Utica, NY
this song kicks ass and mr.han rules and my brother is now a d.j. like him
- MITCH, battle creek, MI
This song is so sad, though I sorta play it more than any onther song i know *some exceptions* This song helped my friends *no names mentioned* in ways I could never imagine. Thank you Mike, thank you!
- Blair, Baltimore, MD
I love the video for this!it reminds me when i used to watch pokemon.man,those were the days!
- Scott Baldwin, Edmonton, Canada
These lyrics have to do with the pain of addiction. to anything, drugs, self mutilation, alcohol. it sounds like its self mutilation.
- BRANDY, Galy, CA
This song is about self injury, and about trying to break out of the cycle, ie; breaking the habit of cutting yourself
- Cain, Tweed, Australia
This song is the most meaningful song from Meteora and my favourite because you can think a lot about it and still not draw many conclusions from it, it is a very sad song
- bernadette, Melbourne, Australia
This song is about feeling serious mental health problems forever feeling low and dissadvantaged,and you want to hurt yourself for it n hide away in ur room,like 'i dont know how i got this way i know its not alright' u hav become so depressed yet u cant understand why n u know it isnt ok,ur wondering wat went wrong and feeling the only way to get better is to attempt suicide,and no-one understands wat ur going through 'but now i have sum clarity to show u what i mean' this song really means something to me. - jenn -
- jen, manchester, England
The lyrics was written by Mike for his friend. It took him 6 years to write this song. The Song also features live strings composed by Beck's Father.
- Kim, Long Valley, NJ