“She Couldn’t” is a single off of Linkin Park’s 20th anniversary release of their debut album, “Hybrid Theory.” This song was originally written for the first “Hybrid Theory” album in 1999 under the working title “Emo” and was a part of Linkin Park discovering their sound. The song was leaked on the internet back in 2009, as many superfans may know. However, the official release was Aug. 13 of this year.
This song has a soft sound, using looping synth and vocals as well as a mellow beat. The sound of “She Couldn’t” is very different from the band’s sound on their album “Hybrid Theory.” Many of the songs off of “Hybrid Theory” have a heavy rock sound, but “She Couldn’t” has a smooth alternative rock sound.
The lyrics in the song tackle a deep topic. The song tells the story of two lovers who break up, likely due to the girl being suicidal. The girl in the song was once happy and very much in love, but as the lyrics say, “She couldn’t stay,” making a passing attempt at reassuring the girl’s lover that her leaving is not his fault. They say that it was going to happen either way and that it was already known to her that she would not be staying. In her eyes, she was always going to have to go. The lyrics that mention her not staying “here” are a metaphor for her eventual death and leaving this earth behind.
This sad song, being released now rather than previously, is likely due to the sensitivity that surrounds the tragic death of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington. Three years ago, on June 26, Bennington took his own life after spending years struggling with depression, addiction and the passing of his close friend and musician, Chris Cornell, that May. Many of Linkin Park’s songs contain these deep saddening messages hidden in heavy beats and in your face rock, but Bennington was always open about his struggles, making his suicide a shock to the band’s worldwide fanbase.
Overall, the song is beautifully written and composed. The timing of the release is perfect with the 20-year anniversary of “Hybrid Theory” and not too soon after the loss of Bennington. I can say, without a doubt, that this song is one of my favorites from Linkin Park and I will be playing it all the time. Hearing Bennington’s voice again in a new track brings back memories and a feeling of peace.
