Snow-topped trees. The smell of fresh gingerbread cookies in the oven. The sound of songs that bring nostalgia. The holiday season is an opportunity to share gifts with the people you love. It’s a part of the year where people get together, celebrate and appreciate life. However, everyone does not have a positive experience. Imagine the person who cooks a holiday meal and then realizes that he or she is the only person there to eat it; everyone else is gone and the person is in total isolation. Linkin Park’s “My December” depicts a central character with similar characteristics. The song is about experiencing isolation, but also trying your best to accept ownership of it, including the reasons why one becomes separated from loved ones.
“My December” was written by Mike Shinoda after the release of the band’s debut album-Hybrid Theory. It is a piano-based track that is a bit different than their other music. It has a soft quality that is a deviation from the more guitar-focused tracks on their debut album. The song was leaked on the internet during a time where some internet users were using illegal file sharing programs. It instantly became a fan favorite and the song went on to be released as a single for radio airplay.
Lyrics
This is my December
This is my time of the year
This is my December
This is all so clear
This is my December
This is my snow covered home
This is my December
This is me alone
These lyrics describe the emotions of an isolated person during the holiday season. The character is taking ownership that he or she will be alone during what would typically be a good time of year.
And I (just wish that I didn’t feel like there was something I missed)
And I (take back all the things I said to make you feel like that)
And I (just wish that I didn’t feel like there was something I missed)
And I (take back all the things that I said to you)
The character recognizes the reason why he or she has become isolated and seeks to retract from anything that was done to drive people away.
And I’d give it all away
Just to have somewhere to go to
Give it all away
To have someone to come home to
The character misses being with loved ones and having a place to go. The lyrics are apologetic and describes that he or she is willing to change in order to bring back what was lost.
Vocals
Chester Bennington sings lead vocals in the song. While he is known for his powerful, rock n’ roll voice, on “My December” he uses a softer approach that sounds great over the piano. Mike Shinoda is on background vocals and his lyrics are sang with more of a hip-hop flavor like all of his work on Hybrid Theory.
Instrumentation
The piano takes center stage but there is also live drums and various sounds from a turntable.
Performance
“My December” is a fan favorite that the band usually incorporates during their live sets. However, with the recent passing of Chester Bennington the band may want to refrain from playing a song that focuses almost entirely on his vocals.