Behind The Songs - Skool Luv Affair
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
2nd Mini Album
Skool Luv Affair
This month we take a look at their 2nd E.P Skool Luv Affair, which was released on the 12th February 2014 with Boy in Luv being the title track. They also promoted a second track from the album Just One Day. The album completed their 'School Trilogy' series which included 2 Cool for Skool, and O!RUL8,2? (You can read about them at the following links: 2 Cool 4 Skool & O!RUL8,2?)
Source: BTS Wiki
On the 14th of May 2014 a repackage (their 1st) of the album was released; named Skool Luv Affair: Special Addition
Source: btsofficialshop.com
Also included on the album were 6 instrumental tracks which are only available on the physical album.
13. 상남자 (Boy in Luv) 3:50
14. 어디에서 왔는지 (Where did you come from) 4:00
15. 하루만 (Just One Day) 3:59
16. Tomorrow 4:21
17. 등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker) 3:58
18. Jump 3:56
Source: generasia.com
The repackaged album contained 3 discs consisting of 1 CD with all the tracks and 2 DVD's.
Disc 1: BTS Mini 2nd Album Showcase
* Showcase - DVD edit ver.
Disc 2: Skool Luv Affair Special Addition Making
* Showcase Making - Choreo practice/ Self Camera/ Showcase D-Day
* Interview - Keyword Talk/ Dream/ Happiness/ Love
* Hidden Story - 'Boy in Luv' Behind Cut/ 'Just One Day' MV Making
(Source: btsofficialshop.com)
'Boy in Luv' entered the Billboard World Digital Songs chart at no.5 for the first time on 1st March 2014.
(Source: Billboard Chart Archives)
The highest position for the album was no.4 in the Gaon Monthly Charts.
(Source: Gaon Charts)
The album also debuted at no.3 in the Billboard World Album Charts.
(Source: Billboard.com)
By the end of 2014 'Skool Luv Affair' had sales of 86,004 placing it at no.20 in the Gaon Yearly Charts.
(Source: Gaon Charts)
This month Army's voted for the lyric analysis for a song produced by Suga on the album, 'Tomorrow'.
Contribution by Onomey Ovien & Charlie Murray
A song about the disappointment you face when you compare your adult life to what you imagined it would be like when you were a child. But you push through regardless to follow your dreams. It gave us an insight into Yoongi's talent for producing, recognising and showcasing the strengths of the members.
(Source: OWOB)
BigHit created hype for the album when they released a countdown clock on the official website in January 2014.
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
2nd Mini Album
Skool Luv Affair
This month we take a look at their 2nd E.P Skool Luv Affair, which was released on the 12th February 2014 with Boy in Luv being the title track. They also promoted a second track from the album Just One Day. The album completed their 'School Trilogy' series which included 2 Cool for Skool, and O!RUL8,2? (You can read about them at the following links: 2 Cool 4 Skool & O!RUL8,2?)
Source: mightyape.co.nz
The album has 10 tracks:
Source: genius.com
No.
|
Title
|
Writer(s)
|
Producer(s)
|
Length
|
1.
|
Intro: Skool Luv
Affair
|
Pdogg
Slow Rabbit
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Pdogg
|
2:58
|
2.
|
상남자
(Sang-namja / Boy In Luv)
|
Pdogg
“Hitman” Bang
RM
Suga
Supreme Boi
|
Pdogg
|
3:50
|
3.
|
Skit: Soulmate
|
Pdogg
|
1:32
|
|
4.
|
어디에서 왔는지
(Eodieseo wassneunji/ Where did you come from?)
|
Cream
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Pdogg
|
4:00
|
5.
|
하루만
(Haruman / Just One Day)
|
Pdogg
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Pdogg
|
4:00
|
6.
|
Tomorrow
|
Slow Rabbit
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Suga
Slow Rabbit
|
4:22
|
7.
|
BTS Cypher pt.2:
Triptych
|
Supreme Boi
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Supreme Boi
|
4:48
|
8.
|
등골브레이커
(Deung-gol beuleikeo / Spine Breaker)
|
Pdogg
OWO
Supreme Boi
Slow Rabbit
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Pdogg
OWO
|
3:59
|
9.
|
Jump
|
Pdogg
Supreme Boi
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Pdogg
Supreme Boi
Suga
|
3:57
|
10.
|
Outro: Propose
|
Pdogg
Slow Rabbit
|
Slow Rabbit
|
2:03
|
On the 14th of May 2014 a repackage (their 1st) of the album was released; named Skool Luv Affair: Special Addition
Source: btsofficialshop.com
The repackaged album included 2 new tracks, Miss Right and a remix of I Like It; which were available as digital tracks.
No.
|
Title
|
Writer(s)
|
Producer(s)
|
Length
|
1.
|
Miss Right
|
Pdogg
Slow Rabbit
“Hitman” Bang
RM
Suga
J-Hope
|
Pdogg
|
4:01
|
2.
|
좋아요
[Slow Jam Remix]
(Joh-ayo / I Like It)
|
·
Pdogg
·
Brother Su
·
Slow Rabbit
·
RM
·
Suga
·
Supreme Boi
|
Pdogg
Brother Su
|
3:52
|
Also included on the album were 6 instrumental tracks which are only available on the physical album.
13. 상남자 (Boy in Luv) 3:50
14. 어디에서 왔는지 (Where did you come from) 4:00
15. 하루만 (Just One Day) 3:59
16. Tomorrow 4:21
17. 등골브레이커 (Spine Breaker) 3:58
18. Jump 3:56
Source: generasia.com
The repackaged album contained 3 discs consisting of 1 CD with all the tracks and 2 DVD's.
* Showcase - DVD edit ver.
Disc 2: Skool Luv Affair Special Addition Making
* Showcase Making - Choreo practice/ Self Camera/ Showcase D-Day
* Interview - Keyword Talk/ Dream/ Happiness/ Love
* Hidden Story - 'Boy in Luv' Behind Cut/ 'Just One Day' MV Making
(Source: btsofficialshop.com)
'Boy in Luv' entered the Billboard World Digital Songs chart at no.5 for the first time on 1st March 2014.
(Source: Billboard Chart Archives)
The highest position for the album was no.4 in the Gaon Monthly Charts.
(Source: Gaon Charts)
The album also debuted at no.3 in the Billboard World Album Charts.
(Source: Billboard.com)
By the end of 2014 'Skool Luv Affair' had sales of 86,004 placing it at no.20 in the Gaon Yearly Charts.
(Source: Gaon Charts)
This month Army's voted for the lyric analysis for a song produced by Suga on the album, 'Tomorrow'.
Same day, same moon
24/7 every moment repeats My life is in between Jobless twenty-somethings are afraid of tomorrow It’s funny, you think anything is possible when you’re a kid When you feel how hard it is to get through a day
Keep feeling like the
“Control” beat, keep downloading it Every single day is a repetition of ctrl+c, ctrl+v
I have a long way to go but
why am I running in place? I scream out of frustration but the empty air echoes I hope tomorrow will be different from today I’m just wishing
Follow your dream like breaker
Even if it breaks down, oh better
Follow your dream like breaker Even if it breaks down, don’t ever run backwards, never
Because the dawn right before
the sun rises is the darkest
Even in the far future,
never forget the you of right now Wherever you are right now, you’re just taking a break Don’t give up, you know
Don’t get too far away, tomorrow
Don’t get far away, tomorrow Don’t get too far away, tomorrow
The tomorrow we’ve been waiting
for becomes the name of yesterday at some point Tomorrow becomes today, today becomes yesterday, tomorrow becomes yesterday and is behind me Life isn’t about living along but living through As you live through, you’ll disappear some day If you keep spacing out, you’ll be swept away, if you ain’t no got the guts, trust It’ll all become yesterday anyway so what’s the use? I wanted to become happy and strong but why am I getting weaker? Where am I going? I’m going here and there but I always come back here Yeah, I’ll probably flow somewhere, is there an end to this maze?
I have a long way to go but
why am I running in place? I scream out of frustration but the empty air echoes I hope tomorrow will be different from today I’m just wishing
Follow your dream like breaker
Even if it breaks down, oh better Follow your dream like breaker Even if it breaks down, don’t ever run backwards, never
Because the dawn right before
the sun rises is the darkest Even in the far future, never forget the you of right now Wherever you are right now, you’re just taking a break Don’t give up, you know
Don’t get too far away, tomorrow
Tomorrow, keep walking,
we’re too young to stop [J-H/JK]Tomorrow, open the door, we see too much to shut the door When the dark night passes, a bright morning will come When tomorrow comes, the bright light will shine so don’t worry This isn’t a stop but just a pause in your life for a break Turn up your thumbs and press play so everyone can see
Follow your dream like breaker
Even if it breaks down, oh better Follow your dream like breaker Even if it breaks down, don’t ever run backwards, never
Because the dawn right before
the sun rises is the darkest Even in the far future, never forget the you of right now Wherever you are right now, you’re just taking a break Don’t give up, you know
Don’t get too far away, tomorrow
Don’t get far away, tomorrow Don’t get too far away, tomorrow |
POV of person who’s lost, anxious and uncertain what the future will hold. (Onomey)
The song begins with Suga highlighting the issue of being uncertain about the future when you’re in your 20s as it has become even harder to get jobs in today’s society. https://genius.com/14898308
The lyrics show a contrast between how carefree and positive you feel as a child to when you’re older and don’t know what your goals are anymore or how to reach them. (Onomey)
When we’re a child we think life’s easy and we can become anyone we want, but when we grow up we realise nothing is as it seems. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ Mirrors how Yoongi’s expressed his fear of still not possessing a dream; he felt he was wasting time by not pursuing a dream. This is elaborated in the lyrics of ‘So Far Away’. (“I know that it seems pathetic / To not have a dream like everyone”) https://genius.com/14898308
Young adults become independent for the first time and we don’t know what to do when we have to decide things. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ
Suga calls day to day life a repetition of fears about future dreams and whether to pursue them. (Onomey)
This repetition of the same thing over and over again is frustrating and confusing for young adults. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ
Describes how most people are with striving towards our goals; we know success doesn’t come straight away and that in life we have a long journey but we feel we’re standing in the same spot so we become frustrated. (Onomey)
In life, we try to get ahead but fail numerous times, leading us to feel like we’re in the same point when we try and run.
There’s no-one there to help us; we’re on our own and have to become independent when we grow up. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ
Positive dialogue. Second person/person’s inner conscience tells the person to keep going and not give up when obstacles appear in your life, because there’s always tomorrow to look forward to. (Onomey)
The song is “reminiscent of their earlier work lyrically where the boys talk about continuing forward to follow dreams”. http://seoulbeats.com/2014/02/bts-skool-luv-affair/
“Oh better” might be a reference to the popular saying “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” – breaking down is better because it makes you learn from that experience and be stronger in future. (Onomey)
Don’t run backwards, because this is your life and your dream. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ
Altered version of the popular saying “The darkest hour is just before the dawn”, which “emphasise(s) that things often seem at their worst just before they get better.” https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/darkest-hour-is-just-before-the-dawn
Once you reach your dream, don’t forget the you who worked so hard to get there.
RM plays on the word ‘tomorrow’ to show the irrelevance tomorrow has on your future – tomorrow is usually gone before you know it so there’s no point worrying about it. (Onomey)
Nothing stays the same, and time stops for no-one. This tomorrow will become your past, so what’s left behind is the real you, who worked hard, who you shouldn’t forget. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ
Especially emphasises that there is no point worrying about tomorrow because it will be gone soon. (Onomey)
Despite this positive attitude, his mindset has not changed as much as he wanted it to. He’s lost sense of where he is at the moment as he always returns to the ‘maze’. (Onomey)
Life is a maze because you don’t know where you’ll end up: a dead end or an exit. If you give up, you won’t be able to escape the maze, but you will if you work hard. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ
Jhope starts with a slow pace, then starts rapping faster to show he’s delivering an important message. Tomorrow is a door, and you have to open it, which is the dream you’ve been striving for. “We see too much” = a young person who overthinks and worries about how to figure out his future. This part in life is dark, like a night, but you have to get past it to get to the future, which will be bright and all your worries will go away. https://aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/page/blog/tomorrow-appreciation-analysis/vdw1_bdoCnu1N8avxDzN6pPz7DX6wJklWnZ
Even if you come to a stop in your progress, think positively and count it instead as a pause/rest in your path to success. Take a breath to get yourself together, before you can get up and reach success.
|
A song about the disappointment you face when you compare your adult life to what you imagined it would be like when you were a child. But you push through regardless to follow your dreams. It gave us an insight into Yoongi's talent for producing, recognising and showcasing the strengths of the members.
(Source: OWOB)
BigHit created hype for the album when they released a countdown clock on the official website in January 2014.
Source: allkpop
A comeback trailer was released on ibighit, their YouTube channel, the 2nd of February 2014.
Source: ibighit - YouTube
Tomorrow doesn't have an MV so enjoy this from their BANGTANTV channel of their BTS Countdown comeback special stage from 2017. Unfortunately the original of their actual comeback stage seems to have been removed.
Source: BANGTAN TV - YouTube
This performance is also very popular amongst Army's; from MBC's @Picnic Live:
Source: YouTube
Here are the music videos for lead track Boy in Luv:
We end this month's Behind the Songs with this unboxing of Skool Luv Affair by Bangtan's very own Genius - Min Yoongi
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Source: 1theK - YouTube
And the 2nd track from the album Just One Day:
Source: 1theK - YouTube
Fun fact for new Army's: there are 4 versions of this MV - The original, Dance version, Facial Expression version, and One Take version. I hope you have fun discovering them!
We end this month's Behind the Songs with this unboxing of Skool Luv Affair by Bangtan's very own Genius - Min Yoongi
Source: BANGTANTV - YouTube
I hope that you enjoyed reading this, please come back next time for the next album Dark & Wild, and song which will be chosen by Army.
If you missed the previous analysis' you can read about them on the following links:
Behind the Songs - 2 Cool 4 Skool
Behind the Songs - O!RUL8,2?
If you missed the previous analysis' you can read about them on the following links:
Behind the Songs - 2 Cool 4 Skool
Behind the Songs - O!RUL8,2?
Meanwhile if you have anything you'd like to add or have any ideas why not contact us. Leave a comment below or alternatively we can be found on:
Twitter: @BTSRadioUK
Facebook: BTS Radio UK
YouTube: BTS Radio UK
Or you can email us at btsradiouk@gmail.com
Please subscribe to keep up to date with new content.
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