Linkin Park’s “Numb” is now the second nu-metal song to reach 1.5 billion streams on Spotify

Few rock songs of the new millennium are as popular as Linkin Park’s “Numb”. A staple on rock radio and even popular culture at this point, the song’s themes and motifs of being pressured to conform to a certain identity and also the exhaustion of being numb because of it are both things that many people can relate to. When you consider where the song fits in as well (the final track off Meteora, which was arguably the most highly-anticipated sophomore rock album of the 2000s), and you have a recipe for something that’s become iconic.

Anyway, the song is extremely successful. Arguably Linkin Park’s most successful song (though “In The End”, “Crawling”,
“One Step Closer”, and a handful of others might have something to say about that title), the YouTube music video for the song is actually the video-sharing network’s most-viewed video by a rock or metal band as well (vying for the mythical trophy with “November Rain”). We’re running out of relevant accolades to note about the song, but it’s also notable for being one of the late Chester Bennington’s most passionate vocal performances.

On Spotify, the song is one of the most popular by any rock or metal band as well, and now it’s reached the rare 1.5 billion stream club on the streaming service as well. In fact, it’s only the second song ever by a nu-metal band to reach the mark on Spotify, joining (surprise surprise!) “In The End”, which is closing in on a staggering 1.8 billion streams. System Of A Down’s “Chop Suey!” and Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” are also the only other two nu-metal songs to have reached the billion mark.

.@linkinpark's #Numb has surpassed 1.5 billion streams on @Spotify.
○#LinkinPark #Meteora #MakeChesterProud #Spotify pic.twitter.com/D2Z4iVGWFp

— Linkin Park Billboard (@linkinparkbb) December 9, 2023