One Step Closer

by Linkin Park
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Lyrics

break.

I can not take this an y (C#)more,

wish say ing ev ’ry thing I’ve said be (C#5)fore.

(C#5)All these words, (D#5)they (A5)make (G#5)no (C#5)sense: I find bliss (D#5)in (A5)ig (G#5)no (C#5)rance.

(C#5)Less I hear (D#5)the (A5)less (G#5)you’ll (C#5)say, you’ll find that (D#5)out (A5)an (G#5)y (C#5)way,

just like be fore.

Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step er to the edge and I’m a bout to break.

I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step er to the edge, I’m a bout to break.

I find the an swers aren’t so (C#)clear,

wish I could find a way to dis ap (C#5)pear.

(C#5)All these thoughts, (D#5)they (A5)make (G#5)no (C#5)sense: I find bliss (D#5)in (A5)ig (G#5)no (C#5)rance.

(C#5)Noth ing seems (D#5)to (A5)go (G#5)a (C#5)way o ver and (D#5)o (A5)ver (G#5)a (C#5)gain,

just like be fore.

Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step er to the edge and I’m a bout to break.

I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step er to the edge, I’m a bout to one step er to the edge, I’m a bout to break.

Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.

I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step er to the edge, and I’m a bout to

(C#5)break.

Shut up when I’m talk ing to you.

(D5)Shut (C#5)up,

(D5)shut (C#5)up,

(D5)shut (C#5)up.

(C#5)Shut up when I’m talk (E5)ing (D5)to (C#5)you.

(D5)Shut (C#5)up,

(D5)shut (C#5)up,

(D5)shut (C#5)up.

(C#5)Shut up when I’m talk (E5)ing (D5)to (C#5)you.

(D5)Shut (C#5)up.

(D5)I’m a bout to break.

Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.

I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.

Ev ’ry thing you say to me takes me one step er to the edge, and I’m a bout to break.

I need a lit tle room to breathe ’cause I’m one step er to the edge, and I’m a bout to

(CN.C.)break.

One Step Closer — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along

39 people have learned this song

Free karaoke for "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. Key of E, 95 BPM.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great workout for power chords — you've got a dozen of them across the key of E, and your right hand needs to lock into those tight two- or three-note shapes cleanly every time.

At 95 BPM the tempo is moderate, but the walking bass pattern in your left hand means both hands stay busy, so start hands-separate until each part feels automatic.

Pay special attention to the transitions between C#pow and D#pow — they sit a whole step apart and come up fast, so drill that move in a slow loop until your fingers find the distance without looking.

The Dsus2 and the natural C chord will feel unexpected against the E tonality; don't rush through them, because those moments carry the dramatic tension of the song.

Once you're comfortable, bring both hands together at around 70 BPM and gradually push toward full speed.

If the walking bass ever falls out of sync with your chord hand, drop the tempo — accuracy first, always.

This is the piece that'll solidify your power-chord vocabulary and teach your left hand to walk independently, skills you'll use in practically every rock arrangement from here on.

About “One Step Closer”

What key is "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park played in?
One Step Closer is arranged in the key of E on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "One Step Closer"?
The arrangement plays at 95 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "One Step Closer" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "One Step Closer"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "One Step Closer"?
"One Step Closer" was originally performed by Linkin Park. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "One Step Closer"?
This arrangement uses 12 chords: Apow, Bpow, C, C#, C#pow, D#pow, Dpow, Dsus2, +4 more.
What other songs by Linkin Park can I play here?
Try "WAITING FOR THE END", "ONE MORE LIGHT", "LEAVE OUT ALL THE REST". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is there a karaoke version of "One Step Closer" with lyrics?
Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
Can I change the key of "One Step Closer" to match my voice or capo?
Yes. The original is in E, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
Can I slow "One Step Closer" down to learn the words and chords?
Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.