Points Of Authority – English Lyrics

• By: Linkin Park
• Album: Hybrid Theory

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw energy of "Points Of Authority" to master the language of modern rock. This track is a masterclass in dynamic vocal contrast, featuring Mike Shinoda's rap verses alongside Chester Bennington's intense, powerful screams, providing an excellent study in musical storytelling and emotional delivery within the Nu metal genre. You can learn vocabulary related to conflict, struggle, and emotional catharsis.

[English]

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

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 wanna share what you've been through

(You live what you've learned)

You love the things I say I'll do

The way I hurt myself again just to get back at you

You take away when I give in

My life, my pride is broken

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 wanna share what you've been through

(You live what you've learned)

Yeah, yeah, forfeit the game before somebody else

Takes you out of the frame, 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, 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 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 wanna share what you've been through

(You live what you've learned)

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 wanna share what you've been through

(You live what you've learned)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
forfeit /ˈfɔː.fɪt/ C1	verb - to lose or give up something as a penalty for wrongdoing
shame /ʃeɪm/ B1	noun - a painful feeling of guilt or embarrassment
race /reɪs/ A2	noun - a competition of speed between people or vehicles verb - to move or compete very fast
pace /peɪs/ B2	noun - the speed at which someone or something moves or progresses
pleasure /ˈpleʒ.ər/ B2	noun - a feeling of happiness or enjoyment
awful /ˈɔː.fəl/ B1	adjective - very bad or unpleasant
pride /praɪd/ B2	noun - a feeling of deep satisfaction from one's achievements
act /ækt/ A2	verb - to behave in a particular way
hurt /hɜːt/ A2	verb - to cause pain or injury
share /ʃeər/ A2	verb - to have or use something together with someone else
broken /ˈbrəʊ.kən/ A2	adjective - damaged or not working properly
learn /lɜːn/ A1	verb - to gain knowledge or skill by studying or experience
cover /ˈkʌv.ər/ A2	verb - to place something over or on top of another thing to hide or protect it
face /feɪs/ A1	noun - the front part of the head with eyes, nose, and mouth
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the existence of a living being
wrong /rɒŋ/ A2	adjective - not correct or not right

Key Grammar Structures

• Forfeit the game before somebody else takes you out of the frame, and puts your name to shame

  ➔ Imperative + present simple in a time clause (before …)

  ➔ The verb "Forfeit" is an **imperative** telling someone to give up the game. The clauses "takes you" and "puts your name" use the **present simple** after the time marker "before".

• You love the way I look at you while taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through

  ➔ Present simple + gerund phrase after while

  ➔ "You love" and "I look" are in the **present simple** to describe habitual actions. The phrase "while **taking** pleasure" uses the **gerund** "taking" to show a simultaneous action.

• You take away if I give in

  ➔ First conditional (if + present simple, main clause future/simple)

  ➔ "if I **give** in" uses the **present simple** after "if" to talk about a possible future situation. The main clause "You **take** away" is in the **simple present** reflecting a likely result.

• My life, my pride is broken

  ➔ Passive voice (present simple passive)

  ➔ "is **broken**" is a **passive** construction: the subject (pride) receives the action rather than performs it.

• You like to think you're never wrong

  ➔ Verb + infinitive (like to think) + present simple in subordinate clause

  ➔ "like **to think**" shows a **verb + infinitive** structure expressing preference. The clause "you're **never** wrong" is in the **present simple**.

• (You live what you've learned)

  ➔ Relative clause with what + present perfect

  ➔ "what you've **learned**" is a **relative clause** introduced by "what". The verb "have learned" is in the **present perfect** showing an action completed before now.

• You have to act like you're someone

  ➔ Modal verb + infinitive (have to) + comparative clause (like ...)

  ➔ "have **to**" functions as a **modal** expressing necessity. "act **like** you're someone" uses the comparative conjunction "like" followed by a clause.

• The pace is too fast, you just won't last

  ➔ Future simple with will (won't) + adverbial of degree (too)

  ➔ "won't **last**" is the **future simple** negative form (will not). "too fast" uses the adverb **too** to intensify the adjective "fast".

• You want someone to hurt like you

  ➔ Verb + object + infinitive (want someone to hurt) + comparative clause

  ➔ "want **someone** to hurt" uses **verb + object + infinitive** to express desire. "like you" is a **comparative clause** showing similarity.