The song ‘Numb’ by the Rock band ‘Linkin Park’ tells the story of a young college girl trying hard to fit into the expectations of her controlling mother. Desperate to seek her mother’s approval, she sacrifices her passion and talent to follow a career path her mother approves of, but the girl ends up feeling numb. 

The song’s message resembles the story of many who succumb to the definition of ‘success’ set by their family, school system, or society. To fit in, they suppress their innermost thoughts, feelings and desires and slowly start to lose touch with their authentic self. They put up a mask to please others and meet their expectations, but deep down under the surface, they feel lost and depressed. 

“I’m tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Don’t know what you’re expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes

Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)

I’ve become so numb
I can’t feel you there
Become so tired
So much more aware

I’m becoming this
All I want to do
Is be more like me
And be less like you”

The song can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXYiU_JCYtU

Image Credits:
Feature Image: Elijah Hiett, On Unsplash, Creative Commons