How Linkin Park’s She Couldn’t laid the groundwork for their later sound

Linkin Park (Image credit: Mick Hutson/Redferns - Getty)

Mike Shinoda has reflected on Linkin Park’s 1999 demo She Couldn’t which will be included on the Hybrid Theory 20th anniversary edition.

The reissue was confirmed last week, with the band announcing the news alongside She Couldn’t which will be just one of 12 previously unreleased tracks in the package.

Shinoda says: “She Couldn’t is one of the earliest demos we made when Chester Bennington joined the band. Two things stand out about the song, to me.

“One: The programmed beat and focus on synth sounds and vocal loops rather than heavy guitars foreshadowed a future of the band many years after Hybrid Theory. In searching for our ‘first sound,’ we set the groundwork for our later evolution.

“Two: The softly-sung, ‘you’re not alone’ refrain reminded me that, although we debuted with a song screaming, ‘shut up,’ what most fans came to find out was that empathy and community were just as integral a part of Linkin Park’s DNA from the very beginning.

“Sincerely, thank you for the excitement about the Hybrid Theory 20 package. We’re so grateful to have had you with us all these years.”

The Hybrid Theory 20th Anniversary Edition will be released on a variety of formats on October 9, including Super Deluxe Box Set, Vinyl Box Set, Deluxe CD, and on digital and streaming platforms.

The Super Deluxe Box Set will include five CDs containing the original album, the Reanimation remix, B-Side Rarities containing 12 tracks from the album era, LPU Rarities with 18 tracks that were only previously available through the Linkin Park Underground fan club, and Forgotten Demos.

It’ll also contain a replica of the original Frat Party At The Pankake Festival, Live Projekt Revolution from 2002 that has never been released before, and Live At The Fillmore 2001/Live At Rock Am Ring 2001.

There will also be a two-track cassette, an 80-page book featuring contributions from the band and previously unseen photos, a poster of Bennington, three Lithographs featuring new art by Shinoda, Joe Hahn and Frank Maddocks and a replica tour laminate.

“She Couldn’t” is one of the earliest demos we made when Chester joined the band. Two things stand out about the song, to me: 1.) The programmed beat and focus on synth sounds and vocal loops (rather than heavy guitars) foreshadowed a future of the band many years after Hybrid Theory. In searching for our “first sound,” we set the groundwork for our later evolution. 2.) The softly-sung “you’re not alone” refrain reminded me that, although we debuted with a song screaming “shut up,” what most fans came to find out was that empathy and community were just as integral a part of LP’s DNA from the very beginning. Sincerely, thank you for the excitement about the #hybridtheory20 package. We’re so grateful to have had you with us all these years. Mike Shinoda
A photo posted by @m_shinoda on Aug 13, 2020 at 8:23pm PDT

Linkin Park: Hybrid Theory Super Deluxe Box Set contents

CDs
1. Hybrid Theory
2. Reanimation
3. B-Side Rarities
4. LPU Rarities
5. Forgotten Demos

DVDs
1. Frat Party At The Pankake Festival
2. Live Projekt Revolution
3. Live At The Fillmore 2001/Live At Rock Am Ring 2001

LPS
1. Hybrid Theory
2. Reanimation
3. Hybrid Theory EP

EXTRAS

* 80-page book featuring contributions from the band and previously unseen photos
* Cassette reproduction of original 2-track street team sampler
* 18x24 poster of Chester Bennington
* 3 Lithographs featuring new art by Mike Shinoda, Joe Hahn, & Frank Maddocks
* Replica tour laminate

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.