Why Linkin Park’s ‘What I’ve Done’ in Transformers Has an Ironic Twist

A surprising piece of music history has just surfaced. Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park revealed a major secret about one of the band’s most famous songs. The track “What I’ve Done” was not initially composed for the heroic Optimus Prime.

This iconic song instead began its life as a demo named after the franchise’s primary villain. The revelation changes a key part of the 2007 blockbuster’s legacy.

Megatron’s Unused Theme Song

The story came to light during a recent interview with Trackstars. Shinoda explained the band was working on their “Minutes to Midnight” album. They received early, unfinished visuals from the first “Transformers” movie.

The band had no specific song ready for the project. In response, Shinoda quickly created four distinct demo tracks. Each was named after a major Transformer character to guide its tone.

According to Shinoda, one demo was named “Optimus.” Another was “Bumblebee.” A third was “Starscream.” The fourth and final demo was titled “Megatron.” This last track would eventually become the worldwide hit “What I’ve Done.”

A Lasting Ironic Legacy for Fans

The irony of this origin story is undeniable. A song conceived for the Decepticon leader became the anthem for an Autobot’s hopeful message. It now scores one of Optimus Prime’s most memorable cinematic moments.

The scene features Prime looking to the sky and asking humans to protect Earth. As his speech concludes, the powerful chords of “What I’ve Done” begin. The pairing felt so perfect that it defined the film’s ending for a generation.

Fans have associated the song with heroism and redemption for over 15 years. Learning its villainous roots adds a fascinating new layer. It shows how creative choices in film and music can take unexpected paths.

The revelation that “What I’ve Done” was meant for Megatron recontextualizes a key piece of pop culture. This Linkin Park track remains forever tied to the Transformers universe, but with a newly discovered ironic twist that surprises fans everywhere.

Thought you’d like to know-

Which Transformers movie featured “What I’ve Done”?

The song was featured in the 2007 live-action film “Transformers,” directed by Michael Bay. It plays during the film’s final scene and over the end credits.

Did Linkin Park make music for other Transformers films?

Yes, Linkin Park also contributed songs for the sequels “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” Their music became a signature element of the early film series.

What album is “What I’ve Done” on?

“What I’ve Done” is the lead single from Linkin Park’s third studio album, “Minutes to Midnight.” The album was released in 2007 to major commercial success.

How did fans react to this news?

The revelation has sparked widespread surprise and discussion on social media and music forums. Many fans find the irony of the song’s origin both shocking and amusing.

Why was the song reassigned to Optimus Prime’s scene?

The filmmakers and music supervisors likely felt the song’s tone and lyrics better matched the hopeful, reflective conclusion of the film, which centered on Optimus Prime.