One Step Closer Lyrics

[Verse 1: Chester Bennington]
I cannot take this anymore
Saying everything I've said before
All these words, they make no sense

I found bliss in ignorance
Less I hear, the less you say
You'll find that out anyway

[Pre-Chorus: Chester Bennington]
Just like before

[Chorus: Chester Bennington, Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda]
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe
'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
I'm about to break


[Verse 2: Chester Bennington]
I find the answers aren't so clear
Wish I could find a way to disappear
All these thoughts, they make no sense
I found bliss in ignorance
Nothing seems to go away
Over and over again
[Pre-Chorus: Chester Bennington]
Just like before

[Chorus: Chester Bennington, Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda]
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe
'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
I'm about to break

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe
'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break


[Bridge: Chester Bennington]
Shut up when I'm talking to you
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Shut up when I'm talking to you
Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up
I'm about to break

[Chorus: Chester Bennington, Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda]
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe
'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
I'm about to break

Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe
'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break

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About

Genius Annotation

“One Step Closer” was the first single release off Hybrid Theory, as well as Linkin Park’s very first single overall. It has become one of Linkin Park’s biggest hits, being played at almost every live show, and even being the closing song for some live shows.

The chorus and first verse’s lyrics were penned by former vocalist Chester Bennington’s exasperation of handing lyrics to Hybrid Theory producer Don Gilmore, only for Gilmore to hand the lyrics back to him and tell him to rewrite them.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Translations
What did Linkin Park say about "One Step Closer"?
Genius Answer

Chester Bennington recalled to Kerrang! Magazine in 2011 how the band were forced to fight for this song during the recording sessions for Hybrid Theory:

When we were recording it, (producer) Don Gilmore was really drilling me and Mike (Shinoda) about lyrics, and it had gotten to the point where we had rewritten some songs 30 times! I remember walking into the control room, handing Don the lyrics and he grabbed them, passed them in front of his face without even looking, handed them back to me, and told me to do it again. I lost my fucking mind, thinking, ‘This guy’s a fucking maniac!’ But that kind of inspired the lyrics – ‘I cannot take this anymore/I’m saying everything I’ve said before/ All these words make no sense,’ and the chorus, ‘Everything you say to me takes me one step closer to the edge.’ – it all came from that frustration. So I guess in the end he inspired me the way he wanted to.

In an interview with Kerrang! Magazine in celebration of Hybrid Theory’s 20th anniversary, Brad Delson discusses that iconic riff, hearing it on the radio for the first time, and more.

Credits
Produced By
Performance Rights
Copyright ©
Background Vocals
Mixing Engineer
Pro Tools Engineer
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Turntables
Bass Guitar
Additional Bass Guitar
Recording Engineer
Executive Producer
Assistant Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Recorded At
NRG Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA.
Release Date
September 28, 2000
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