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Did Chester Bennington hint at suicide in song lyrics?

News broke overnight of the tragic suicide of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, whose body was discovered Thursday morning (US time).

And the 41-year-old father of six may have hinted at suicidal thoughts in the lyrics for his band’s song “Heavy”, appearing on their latest album One More Light which was released in May.

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington took his own life on Jul 20 (US time). Source: Getty
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington took his own life on Jul 20 (US time). Source: Getty

The confessional song opens with Chester singing about “problems” leading to the singer driving himself “crazy”.

“I don’t like my mind right now/stacking up problems that are so unnecessary,” he sings. “I wanna let go but there’s comfort in the panic/And I drive myself crazy.”

Chester (with bandmate Mike Shinoda in 2015) may have hinted at his troubled state of mind in recent lyrics. Source: Getty
Chester (with bandmate Mike Shinoda in 2015) may have hinted at his troubled state of mind in recent lyrics. Source: Getty

However, it’s the chorus of the song that contains a chilling insight into Chester’s troubled mind, as he references letting go and being “set free”.

“So much more than I can carry/I keep dragging around what's bringing me down,” he sings. “If I just let go, I'd be set free.”

The song was written by Chester and his bandmates Brad Delson and Mike Shinoda, with co-writing by Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter.

Performing with Linking Park in 2012. Source: Getty
Performing with Linking Park in 2012. Source: Getty

Mike previously said in an interview with Billboard that the day they penned the track, Chester was particularly down.

Back in April, Chester wrote on Instagram: 'New day to focus on what's important. LOVE' along with a photos of his wife Talinda and three of his six children. Source
Back in April, Chester wrote on Instagram: 'New day to focus on what's important. LOVE' along with a photos of his wife Talinda and three of his six children. Source

“I remember Chester walked in and it was, ‘Hey, how are you doing today?’ and he’s like, ‘Oh, I’m fine,’ and we were hanging out for a minute and he was like, ‘Y’know what? I have to be honest. I’m not fine. I’m not okay. Too much stuff is just happening to me. I just feel underwater’,” Mike told the publication.

“It was like that saying ‘when it rains it pours’,” Mike added. “It’s that kind of feeling that stuff is piling up one on top of the other, and it creates this feeling of just being overwhelmed, like, ‘Things feel so heavy to me…’”

The singer (in 2001) opened up about his previous drug and alcholo addiction, stemming from horrific sexual abuse he suffered as a child. Source: Getty
The singer (in 2001) opened up about his previous drug and alcholo addiction, stemming from horrific sexual abuse he suffered as a child. Source: Getty

Chester has been open about his previous drug and alcohol addiction, which stemmed from suffering sexual abuse as a child at the hands of an older friend. He told Kerrang in 2008: “It escalated from a touchy, curious, ‘what does this thing do’ into full-on, crazy violations.”

“I was getting beaten up and being forced to do things I didn’t want to do. It destroyed my self-confidence.”

He posted this pic of wife Talinda in April. Source: Instagram
He posted this pic of wife Talinda in April. Source: Instagram

In 2006, his Linkin Park bandmates staged an intervention after his drug use spiralled. “I had a choice between stopping drinking or dying…I did some counselling with the [Linkin Park] guys and they really opened up and told me how they felt,” he told Metal Hammer in a 2016 interview.

“I had no idea that I had been such a nightmare.

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After TMZ first reported Chester’s death, close friend and bandmate Mike confirmed the tragic news in a tweet.

Chester had six children; three with wife Talinda and three from previous relationships.

If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

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