“One Step Closer” was the first single release off Hybrid Theory, as well as Linkin Park’s very first single overall. It has become one of Linkin Park’s biggest hits, being played at almost every live show, and even being the closing song for some live shows.

The chorus and first verse’s lyrics were penned by former vocalist Chester Bennington’s exasperation of handing lyrics to Hybrid Theory producer Don Gilmore, only for Gilmore to hand the lyrics back to him and tell him to rewrite them.