What I've Done

About this song

The song was released as the first single from Linkin Park's third album, Minutes to Midnight. It was released as a radio single on April 1, 2007, as a digital download on April 2, and as a CD single on April 30. A live version from Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards but did not win. The song also appears on the Transformers soundtrack, Transformers: The Album, and in the 2008 video game Guitar Hero World Tour. One of the last songs finished for the album, its lyrics were meant to work on many levels, including freedom, art, and death metaphors.

What it's about

The song is about a person regretting the wrongs he has done. Its outro turns optimistic, holding onto the belief that there is still time to do the right thing.

Fun facts

• Samples “Get Me Back On Time, Engine Number 9 (Pt. 1 & Pt. 2) by Wilson Pickett”.
• Sampled in 9 other songs, like “Wall I've Done by David0Mario”.
• Covered 7 times, including “What I've Done by J.Fla”.
• Written by Rob Bourdon, Dave Farrell, Brad Delson, Mr. Hahn, Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington.
• Produced by Mike Shinoda and Rick Rubin.