Interpretation
The song 'What I've Done' by
Linkin Park is a reflection on personal mistakes and the pursuit of forgiveness and improvement.
In the first verse, 'In this farewell, There's no blood, there's no alibi, 'Cause I've drawn regret, From the truth of a thousand lies', it is about the singer saying goodbye to his past. There are no excuses or justifications anymore for what he has done. The 'thousand lies' represent the many mistakes he has made.
The chorus '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' shows that the singer is willing to confront his mistakes and rectify them. He wants to 'erase' his identity that has been shaped by his mistakes and start anew.
The second verse 'Put to rest, What you thought of me, While I clean this slate, With the hands of uncertainty' speaks to the need to change the image others have of him while he cleans his 'slate' or his life with 'uncertain hands'. This shows his insecurity and fear of the unknown, but also his determination to change.
In the bridge 'For what I've done, I start again, And whatever pain may come, Today this ends, I'm forgiving what I've done' the singer emphasizes that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions and start again. He is ready to forgive himself, which is an important step towards change and improvement.
Overall, 'What I've Done' is a song about regret, self-reflection, forgiveness, and the desire for change.