What I've Done

"What I've Done" is a song about regret, accountability, and the desire for redemption. Lyrically, it explores the theme of acknowledging past mistakes and making a conscious decision to move forward and change for the better. Chester Bennington explained that the song is about "admitting to your faults of the past and kind of accepting it and moving on and trying to become something better." The song can be interpreted on both a personal and a broader, societal level. On a personal level, it's about self-forgiveness and starting anew. On a larger scale, as depicted in the music video, it can be seen as a commentary on humanity's destructive actions and the need for a collective change. The lyrics "In this farewell, there is no blood, there is no alibi" suggest a departure from a former self or a previous way of life, one that is not sudden or violent, but a deliberate choice. The song represents a turning point, a goodbye to a past that one is not proud of, in hopes of a better future.

The song opens with a declaration of departure, a farewell that is not marked by violence or excuses. The narrator acknowledges a deep sense of regret, born from a history of self-deception and untruths. This leads to a plea for mercy, a desire to be cleansed of past actions. The core of the song is a confrontation with the self, a resolute decision to erase the person they have become and to let go of the weight of their past deeds.

The journey continues with a call to others to forget their preconceived notions. The narrator is determined to wipe their slate clean, even with the uncertainty that the future holds. This reinforces the theme of a fresh start, unburdened by past judgments. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the central struggle of facing oneself and the desperate need to shed the skin of past mistakes.

A turning point arrives with a definitive statement of new beginnings. The narrator is ready to start over, prepared to face any pain that may come. This signifies a move from regret to proactive change and self-forgiveness. The song concludes with this powerful sentiment of absolution, of releasing the burden of past actions and moving forward. The repetition of "forgiving what I've done" serves as a final, resolute mantra of personal redemption.

"What I've Done" was the last song written and recorded for Linkin Park's third studio album, Minutes to Midnight. The band felt the album was missing a key element to tie it all together. Despite facing tight deadlines for the album's release and upcoming tours, they took on the challenge of writing one more song. The initial demo for the track was created by Joe Hahn, with Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington writing the lyrics. The song was composed and recorded in just two days at NRG Studios. It was produced by Mike Shinoda and the acclaimed producer Rick Rubin. Rubin's production style aimed for a more raw and stripped-down sound compared to the band's previous albums, with less vocal layering and more natural-sounding drums and guitars. The song marked a significant point in the band's evolution, serving as a bridge between their nu-metal origins and the more experimental sounds they would explore in later albums. It was released as the album's lead single on April 2, 2007.

The rhyme scheme in "What I've Done" is relatively straightforward, primarily using an AABB structure in its verses, which gives the lyrics a direct and memorable quality. For instance, in the first verse, "alibi" rhymes with "lies". This simple rhyme scheme allows the focus to remain on the lyrical content and the emotional delivery of the vocals. The song follows a standard 4/4 time signature. The rhythm is characterized by a steady and driving beat, which propels the song forward and contributes to its anthemic feel. The interplay between the rhythmic piano intro and the entrance of the full band creates a dynamic shift, building intensity into the chorus. The lyrical rhythm often follows the musical rhythm closely, with Chester Bennington's vocal phrasing emphasizing the song's strong, consistent pulse.

Musically, "What I've Done" showcases a departure from Linkin Park's earlier nu-metal sound, with a more straightforward alternative rock feel. The song is built around a prominent and memorable piano riff that forms its introduction and repeats throughout. This is complemented by a driving bassline and a steady, insistent drum beat. The song is in the key of G Minor and maintains a consistent tempo of 120 beats per minute. Chester Bennington's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element, moving from a more subdued and introspective tone in the verses to a powerful and emotional belt in the chorus, conveying the song's emotional arc. The production, overseen by Rick Rubin, emphasizes a rawer, less-produced sound, with fewer vocal and instrumental layers than on their previous albums, giving the track a more direct and live feel. Lyrically, the song uses direct and declarative statements to convey its message of regret and change. The use of the first-person pronoun "I" makes the song's themes of personal accountability highly relatable.

"What I've Done" achieved significant commercial success and has had a lasting cultural impact. It was the lead single from the multi-platinum album Minutes to Midnight and reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is arguably most famous for its inclusion as the end-credits song in the 2007 blockbuster film Transformers, which introduced the band to an even wider audience. This began a collaboration between Linkin Park and the Transformers film franchise that would span three movies. The song's music video, with its powerful montage of world events and social issues, also garnered considerable attention and discussion. "What I've Done" has been featured in video games such as Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 3. The song's themes of redemption and its powerful sound have made it an enduring anthem, and it remains one of Linkin Park's most popular and recognizable songs. A live version of the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

The lyrics of "What I've Done" are rich with symbolism and metaphors centered around themes of cleansing and rebirth. The phrase "wash away what I've done" is a powerful metaphor for absolution and the desire to be purified of past sins. The idea of "cleaning this slate" further reinforces the theme of starting over with a fresh beginning, unburdened by past mistakes. The "thousand lies" from which the narrator has "drawn regret" symbolize a life built on falsehoods and the painful realization of that truth. The music video, directed by Joe Hahn, expands on these themes by using powerful imagery of human conflict, environmental destruction, and social issues. These visuals serve as a metaphor for the collective "sins" of humanity, for which the song seeks a symbolic cleansing and a new beginning. The video's closing shot of grass growing represents hope and the possibility of renewal after destruction.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "What I've Done" is the title itself, which is repeated throughout the chorus and at the end of the song. This repetition hammers home the central theme of confronting one's past actions. The chorus, "So let mercy come and wash away what I've done / I'll face myself to cross out what I've become / Erase myself and let go of what I've done," acts as a recurring motif of seeking forgiveness and self-transformation. The piano riff that opens the song is a significant musical motif, instantly recognizable and setting the somber yet resolute tone of the track. The simple, repeated "na-na-na" vocalization at the song's conclusion serves as a final, reflective motif, ending the song on a more subdued and contemplative note.