Behind the Songs - Dark & Wild


Image Source: LOVE YOUR SELF 轉 Tear

Whenever BTS win an award or achievement, the 1st words generally out of their mouths is for their fandom, 'ARMY'. Unlike what the western media would have you believe, their fandom is not limited to just young teenage girls, but covers a wide demographic of men, women, and children; from all backgrounds and ages.

And don’t be fooled into thinking that the only thing going for them is good dancing and pretty faces. A question that comes up time and again is “how can you like something if you don’t even understand what they’re saying?” In an age where translations are available at the touch of a button on your computer or smartphone this isn't even a serious question.

We will aim to answer that question, because BTS deserves worldwide recognition for what they produce. Ever respectful, and always humble, these 7 South Korean young men put their souls on display for the world to see with their music & lyrics. Lyrics that can fire up the blood and get you dancing, but also those that speak of heartache, of yearning, which you may not understand through a first listen, but do understand inside because you feel it through their melodies and the emotion behind their voices. Not content with singing of love and romance, BTS don’t shy away from tackling more socially conscious issues and struggles that affect people globally regardless of linguistic barriers.

We will look through their discography from debut to the present, covering all of their albums and EP’s both Korean and Japanese; and analyse the lyrics of one song chosen with the help of ARMY's on Twitter and Facebook, from each album; to delve behind the songs at the lyrics that inspire so many people. - Shinara Hussain

1st Studio Album

Dark & Wild

We focus on BTS' Dark & Wild this month; released on the 19th August 2014 with 'Danger' as it's lead single this was their 1st full-length studio album. A second track, 'War of Hormone' was also promoted later.
Source: ibighit.com

The album contains 14 tracks:
Source: ibighit.com

No.
Title
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Length
1.
Intro: What Am I To You
Pdogg
RM

Pdogg
2:45
2.
Danger
         Pdogg
       “Hitman” Bang
         RM
         Suga
         J-Hope
         Thanh Bui

Pdogg
4:05
3.
호르몬 전쟁
(Horeumon Jeonjaeng / War of Hormone)
Pdogg
Supreme Boi
RM
Suga
J-Hope

Pdogg
4:26
4.
힙합성애자
(Hibhabseong-aeja / Hip Hop Lover)
Pdogg
RM
Suga
J-Hope

Pdogg
4:17
5.
Let Me Know
Pdogg
RM
Suga
J-Hope

Pdogg
Suga
4:15
6.
Rain
        Slow Rabbit
        RM
        Suga
        J-Hope

Slow Rabbit
4:25
7.
Cypher pt.3: Killer
ft. Supreme Boi
Supreme Boi
RM
Suga
J-Hope

Supreme Boi
4:28
8.
Interlude:뭐해 
(Mwohae/What Are You Doing)

Slow Rabbit
0:42
9.
핸드폰 꺼줄래 
(Haendeupon jom kkeojullae/ Would You Turn off Your cellphone?)
Pdogg
RM
Suga
J-Hope

Pdogg
3:54
10.
이불킥
(I-bul kkig/Blanket Kick)
Pdogg
Slow Rabbit
“Hitman” Bang
Shawn
RM
Suga
J-Hope

          Pdogg
         “Hitman” Bang
          Shawn
           
4:02
11.
24/7 Heaven
Pdogg
Slow Rabbit
RM
Suga
J-Hope

Pdogg
3:46
12.
여기  
(Yeogi-bwa/Look Here)
Jinbo
250
RM
Suga
J-Hope

         HoBo
            
3:39
13.
2학년
(2 hagnyeon/2nd Grade)
Pdogg
Supreme Boi
RM
Suga
J-Hope

Pdogg
3:55
14.
Outro: 그게 말이 ?
(Geuge mal-i dwae?/Does that make sense?)

Supreme Boi
SiMo
        Supreme Boi
        SiMo
2:53





Source: BTS Wiki


'Danger' peaked on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart at no.7 on 6th September 2014. 

'War of Hormone' peaked on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart at no.11 on 8th November 2014.

The highest position for the album was no.2 in the Gaon Weekly Charts. 
(Source: Gaon Charts)

By the end of 2014 'Dark & Wild' had sales of 100,906 placing it at no.14 in the Gaon Yearly Charts.
(Source: Gaon Charts)

This month Army's voted for the lyric analysis of the song 'Let Me Know', a song composed and produced by Suga on the album.













On top of this ending tune
I am standing here alone










Now tell me
That it’s over, let me know 





Suddenly, in my eyes
rain wells up
You well up,
I see you even when I breathe



Love blooms
like cherry blossoms
but burns and becomes ashes
Hey girl I know,
the conclusion you made by yourself

Your hand, your body, your body heat
that was hotter than the equator
I’m still here, on repeat on top of the disappeared tune
I’m turning by myself on top of this music that has ended
On top of this ending tune
I am standing here alone
Now tell me
That it’s over, let me know
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Although I already know everything is over
Although you’re over me
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Tell me something
I just wanna know
know know
I just wanna know
know know
My lingering feelings are trying to withstand the end
So please tell me something,
girl let me know
The promises we made disappeared
with the time we spent together
The dominos have fallen with our breakup
Like Juliet and Romeo





Did I like you too much?



The heat between me and you won’t cool down
Now I look back at the film with you
Too early to do anything by thinking of you


You took away my stars at night,
my sun at day
Only leaving me with the darkness
of a single cold cloud


If there are hellos,
then there’s bound to be goodbyes?
Never ever
I don’t care about that,
I don’t want to stick to that
I’ll turn away, hypnotizing myself
On top of this ending tune
I am standing here alone
Now tell me
That it’s over, let me know
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Although I already know everything is over
Although you’re over me
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Tell me something
I just wanna know
know know
I just wanna know
know know
My lingering feelings are trying to withstand the end
So please tell me something,
girl let me know



Maybe we’re all just a bunch of fools
Everyone lives with a love that has come to an end


It’s not that I still have feelings for you
I know we can’t work out
But why does it feel like I’m having indigestion?
As if my insides will explode,
cries come up my throat,
making me throw up


In my imagination, I fight with you,
make up with you and understand you
Your hand gestures, your eyes,
they are faded but not gone
Why won’t it go away?
Why won’t it go away?
Why won’t it go away?
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Although I already know everything is over
Although you’re over me
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Girl let me know
Tell me something
I just wanna know
know know
I just wanna know
know know
My lingering feelings are trying to withstand the end
So please tell me something,
girl let me know
(let me know)
The “strange vocals” at the start of the song sound somewhat like crying, then Taehyung’s deep voice introduces the song to emphasise its dark tone.
https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd

Taehyung’s breathy voice creates a feeling of quietly contemplating as time stops, linking to the idea of an “ending tune”. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/let-me-know-appreciation-analysis/pXwZ_DX1IQuvqp8BaJY0xpPrngmmaPnggkX

A tune can be something sang by one or more people, and it’s what held together the sadness of the two people in the relationship (More explanation at the following link). https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd
The girl has left the relationship but he hasn’t left yet as he’s still in love with her and still in the same place; he hasn’t moved on.

He is heartbroken and confused, which is why he asks for confirmation that it is over even though he already knows. This last line also uses the word “geol”, which sounds like “girl” so echos the chorus “Girl let me know”. (May or may not be intentional.) https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd
He’s comparing her to rain because he associates her with the crying he does when he thinks about her. He thinks about her all the time and sees her everywhere, even through his tears. He can’t even breathe freely without thinking of her. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd
Love is beautiful and he wants to see the beautiful side of love, but it ends badly. “The conclusion you made by yourself” = it was her sole decision to leave him and he didn’t want it to happen. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd
She was a warm person and made him feel comforted. He’s still in the same mindset of wanting to be with her and feeling sad; he keeps repeating himself even though the music i.e. the relationship has ended. Comparison of heartbroken feelings to music. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd






He already knows the relationship is over, but he can’t accept it and he needs her to spell it out for him and confirm him as he still has doubts, before he can move on.















Unlike the previous verses, this part suggests that it was both of them that were impacted negatively by the breakup, as they both can no longer promise things to each other. As well as suggesting that their breakup had a tragic end, the Romeo and Juliet reference suggests that it was possibly their parents who didn’t approve of the relationship and caused it to end. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd

Maybe he was too keen on her/liked her more than she liked him, and this scared her off. He’s thinking about why the relationship ended.






He could be rewatching videos of the two of them together, anything to try and get her back into his memory. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd
He’s feeling nostalgic about the relationship.

The breakup made him lose all the happiness he’d ever had, so he’s left with nothing but sad feelings. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd
The “You took away” suggests he’s blaming her or he’s somewhat angry at her for breaking up with him.      

Breakups are inevitable with the two of them, and even if they get back together, they’ll break up again. Or it could be about relationships in general inevitably ending. He wants to break that rule, but he’d be lying to/deluding himself. “Hypnotising” – it wouldn’t work, and he knows that deep down.  https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd






















RM’s verse is like a reflection or acceptance that the relationship really is over. This is a very “RM” thing to do. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/let-me-know-appreciation-analysis/pXwZ_DX1IQuvqp8BaJY0xpPrngmmaPnggkX
RM thinks he was an idiot for loving someone when he knew the love would end. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/bts-let-me-know-lyric-analysis/L27Y_428f8uwMMwpKm0Pnva2Ze3qK7w5KEd RM’S questioning why people act like fools and spend their lives trying to find love when it’ll end.  

“I know we can’t work out” – he’s accepted he can’t delude or “hypnotise” himself any longer. However, he can’t stop himself from being in pain and he’s crying so much he feels like he’ll throw up. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/let-me-know-appreciation-analysis/pXwZ_DX1IQuvqp8BaJY0xpPrngmmaPnggkX
He fantasises about getting back together with her and the two of them understanding each other and having a healthy relationship.
He’s starting to forget about her, but he hasn’t fully moved on yet.
The repetition suggests frustration that he can’t forget about her if he tries.  






It’s pitiful as she has moved on and he still hasn’t.


At Jimin’s high note at the end, the instrumental gets quieter, leaving only his high note in the air (with Jungkook’s accompaniment and the piano and guitar). The “tune” mentioned at the start is dying, like the relationship, and it creates a feeling of emptiness.
https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/let-me-know-appreciation-analysis/pXwZ_DX1IQuvqp8BaJY0xpPrngmmaPnggkX

Contribution by Charlie Murray


"The song is about a love that wants to come back but cannot".
Yoongi says that this song will make people “fall into a trance” when they listen to it, which reminded me of how the person in the song is in a trance as he can’t stop thinking about the girl who left him, and he desperately wants her confirmation that the relationship is definitely over before he can move on.
(Source: www.soompi.com)
'Let Me Know' is a song that is lyrically and vocally emotional. A song of a love that is no longer there, a relationship that has ended, but where the boy is in denial. Wanting to know why it has ended, pleading to know what he can do to make it better, if she would just let him know.

Not part of the official lead or secondary tracks, 'Let Me Know' was released as a surprise on 11th August 2014 through their official homepage as a free 24 hr digital stream.
(Source: www.soompi.com)

As for Skool Luv Affair, BigHit launched a countdown clock for Dark & Wild on 30th July 2014 to hype up the release of the album.
Source: Amino Apps
BigHit released the comeback trailer on the 5th August 2014 titled 'What Am I To You'
'Let Me Know' does not have an MV - this performance is from Kiss The Radio, and you can fully appreciate the live acoustic vocals.
Source: KBS CoolFM
The following performance is from their legendary Red Bullet Tour, a performance that will definitely give you goosebumps!
And nearing the end of our feature today let's also check out the MV's of the lead track - Danger
BTS also released an MV for a remix of Danger (Mo-Blue-Mix) featuring THANH:
Source: 1theK - YouTube
I should say that the Danger dance practice for me is my absolute favourite. The choreography is non-stop, fast and furious, and the transitions from centre positions is flawless. They make the whole thing look so easy; which further proves just how superior and difficult it is. (Personal opinion!)
And here is the MV for 'War of Hormone', confession although 'BST' was the 1st MV of BTS that I watched, it wasn't until I saw 'War of Hormone' that I became ARMY... my daughter will tell you how I used to play it over, and over, and over. 😁 I loved the colouring and the one shot nature of the MV.
Source: 1theK - YouTube

And then who can forget this iconic dance practice of the song? Just watch the boys have pure fun with the choreograpy!
And bringing to a close of this month's Behing the Songs I include this unboxing/album review of 'Dark & Wild' by our very own Yoongi!


I hope you enjoyed this segment for 'Dark & Wild' and 'Let Me Know'. Comment below if you think something is incorrect or if I missed something out. I won't know unless you tell me.

Come back next time where we will be looking into their 1st Japanese venture 'Wake Up'

If you missed the previous analysis' you can read about them at the following links: 
Behind the Songs - 2 Cool 4 Skool
Behind the Songs - O!RUL8,2?
Behind the Songs - Skool Luv Affair

Thanks to:
BTS Radio UK research team

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