Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life, my pride is broken

[Chorus]
You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)

You love the things I say I'll do
The way I'll hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in
My life, my pride is broken

[Chorus]

Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last
Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

[Chorus]

You like to think you're never wrong
(Forfeit the game)
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(Forfeit the game)
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(Forfeit the game)
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you've been through
(You live what you've learned)



Lyrics submitted by Matt

Track duration: 03:20

"Points of Authority" as written by Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Chester Charles Bennington, Joseph Hahn, Robert G. Bourdon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Points of Authority song meanings
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95 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:For me this lyrics are for a relationship. Right now the lyrics just fit with everything in my relationship.
    Flagged StefanGambon January 11, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Reminds me of an abusive relationship- whether it be with parents or a lover.

    How they constantly play petty mind games with each other, getting under the other's skin, making them constantly be miserable.
    Flag Solluxon July 27, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is about my fu**ing mother.
    Flag linkinparkisepicnesson February 21, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think the song is about someone who is a complete know-it-all but they think they can say whatever because they've earned the right and they won't listen to anyone else because they're pride is too great
    Flag lificl9on October 31, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:can anyone at all please tell me what the lyrics,"You live what you've learned" mean? as soon as possible would be greatly apprecieated.
    Flag dbuttz13on July 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I feel this song relates to DHHS workers. They take pleasure in running your life. They take everything if you disobey. Being involved for nonsense (no drugs, abuse, neglect, etc) and them making me do things to get a glimpse of hope ripped away, they enjoy the pain they cause others. I SEE IT IN THEIR FACE DURING MEETINGS! You get upset and hurt, they grin like it's their whole dang job. They live what they learned for sure. Say you'll do something and they enjoy it... power power power trip!
    I am working on putting specific names to shame, taking them out of the frame, as they won't back off, they won't FORFEIT and let go even with no reason to bother me. My son will see victory and they will see embarrassment.
    To be honest, I relate with a lot of LP songs with this case, especially NUMB (tired of being what you want me to be) and Closer to the Edge (I'm about to break!)!
    Flag wlquinnon May 05, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I can really relate to this song a lot. It reminds me of the abusive relationship that I was in in the past year. I want to tell him to forfeit this game, his manipulation, because he's going to eventually be known for it if he continues it. And he was so proud of himself, so smug, watching me fall in love and breaking my heart and controlling me the whole time and he has left me so broken. Soooooo broken.
    Flag suchabeautifuldisasteron March 30, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:It's like 'never try - never fail' thing that is between the lines, and the 'you live what you've learned', too.

    Anyways, good work LP, but i like pure metal (without turntables).
    Flag Pauliuson October 21, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I think it is about the government, hence the title Points Of Authority. My favorite on Hybrid Theory.
    Flag JCushon June 19, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:It took me a while to get the lyrics. They are all about child abuse and how it marks you for life. People who've been abused in childhood get the lyrics best, I suppose - but probably only those who know and accept that they've been abused (most feel so guilty and ashamed that they don't even realise they're victims)
    This bit: "Forfeit the game before somebody else
    Takes you out of the frame and puts your name to shame
    Cover up your face you can't run the race
    The pace is too fast you just won't last" - is not about the parrent, it's about YOU, the abused teen/child, this is how abused children think and feel - incompetent and weak, unable to face life, wanting to give up.

    "You love the way I look at you
    While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
    You take away if I give in
    My life, my pride is broken" - this is the frustrated teen talking to the parrent, the teen knows what the parrent's abuse is doing to him/her, taking away their pride and self-respect.

    "You like to think you're never wrong
    You want to act like you're someone
    You want someone to hurt like you
    You want to share what you've been through
    You live what you learn" - this part switches back, it's about the abused again. You are YOU, he's not talking to the parent now, but to the abused. Abused children think and feel that way (that they're never wrong, acting like they're someone etc) and it's all explained by "YOU LIVE WHAT YOU LEARN". The abused are this way because of the abuse.

    "You love the things I say I'll do
    The way I'll hurt myself again just to get back at you
    You take away when I give in
    My life, my pride is broken!" - He's talking to the parents again. "You" are the parents in this part, and this bit is about how abused children later abuse themselves and engage in self-destructive behavior, due to a habbit they've developed of trying to hurt back their parents/abusers.
    Flag Mika42on April 09, 2010   Link

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