Meaning of “Castle of Glass” by Linkin Park

“Castle of Glass” is a song by Linkin Park – one of the most famous rock bands from the United States. The lyrics, despite the band writing them in such a way that they can be interpreted in numerous  ways, have a theme that centers heavily on the issue of finding a sense of belonging in life. In an interview with MTV, the late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington said fellow Linkin Park member Mike Shinoda said the lyrics, among a number of other things, is about a person seeing themselves as being the broken or damaged part of a gigantic machine and knowing deep down in their heart that they are not part of it.

Chester Bennington explains Song’s Meaning

According to Bennington, the song’s lyrics could also be about a person trying hard to find his or her place in society against all odds. He went on to give classic examples of such situations. And one such example was a person who has just been released from prison and trying hard to fit normally into society. Another example was a soldier who has just returned home from war trying his best to fit into society once again and live a normal life.

That, according to Bennington was Shinoda’s interpretation of the lyrics. But for him (Bennington), his interpretation of the lyrics differed. According to him, the lyrics made him think of himself as being the broken or damaged piece of a beautiful glass castle. And while he may seem as the useless part of the glass castle, if one were to look closer, they’d notice that he is still very useful and an important part of a very beautiful entity, whose absence would make the beautiful entity incomplete.

Facts about “Castle of Glass”

• “Castle of Glass” was written by all members of Linkin Park.
• The production of the song was taken care of by American record producer Rick Rubin alongside Mike Shinoda.
• The song was released on February 2, 2013. It was the fourth and last single from the band’s fifth studio album Living Things. The album sold millions of copies all over the world.
• In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Shinoda said the song contained folk music which was heavily influenced by the works of the legendary Bob Dylan.
• The music video of the song, which came out in October 2012 was dedicated to the American 2009 war drama film The Messenger starring Ben Foster. The Messenger was the late Bennington’s favorite movie of all time.