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Spotify - BTS Radio UK Weekly Playlist pt.3 💜


Our weekly playlist is here!
Each week we will be picking a theme and creating a BTS playlist around it. These are going to be eclectic never been seen before playlists plus our playlist team will be giving some extra reasons why they wanted to add their particular song.
Xmas Party

 With that festive period upon us, we thought this would be a good week to choose BTS songs that we feel would be great on a xmas party playlist. We could do with warming up so have a read below and find the link to the playlist at the end.

 Which song on our playlist is your favourite? Let us know on Twitter @BTSRadioUK

 Baepsae / Silver Spoon chosen by ARMY

 Charlie - I've been at K-pop parties when this song has come on, and let me tell you, it is a fan favourite for partying to, and therefore is ideal for bringing old and new ARMYs together for an uplifting and fun song. Despite its sad message about the older generation making it difficult for the younger generation and then complaining when the youth can't cope with it, it still makes a hard situation more bearable through a mocking tone and iconic dance moves that anyone can follow at a party. And that is what a party should represent: acknowledging that sometimes situations are difficult but it is always important to make light of things and have fun.

 Cheryl - Baepsae being the Poll winner this week - it never surprises me when this song wins the poll.  It is such a crowd pleaser - not only is the song super catchy - the dance moves are fun too. In the dance practice I love watching them having fun and messing around- they kick each other and Namjoon looks adorable in his dungarees.  I also feel it is a contradiction to the songs lyrics. The song is about how hard their generation has it, they are expected to increase their efforts in everything they do, which makes their skin crawl.

 They say that thanks to those that came before them they are spread too thin - I think this means that they are expected to achieve even more than those before them, so they have to work extra hard - I am sure this is relatable to most people, I think everyone wants or is expected to achieve more than the person before - whether that’s improving on exam results, or achieving more than siblings and parents. It sure is a competitive world and that is why I find the dance practice to be just pure fun.

 Onomey - ‘Baepsae’ is the song that should forever be known for J-Hope and his magical hip thrusts. When I hear this song mentioned, I automatically start shouting ‘they call me, baepsae’ because it's such a catchy line and song in general. The almost bell sounding melody is what makes this song onto my Christmas playlist as it makes the song sound magical. This song is extremely clever with the wordplay which is the main thing that I like about it. The cleverness of using crow-tit legs, stork legs, and using them to compare the difference between the older generation that was given everything compared to the younger generation who struggle just to get even half of what the older generation had growing up.

 ‘I have crow-tit legs, and you have stork’s legs 
They said, their legs are worth a million bucks
My legs are shorter, so how do you expect me to keep up?
They say it shouldn’t matter since we’re coming from the same place'

Michayla - I wasn’t surprised that ‘Baepsae’ won the poll because this song is a favourite amongst ARMYs, no matter what the theme is. Most ARMYs will know the impact of the dance practice and I am sure that the choreography is one of the main elements. The song is an attack on the hierarchy in society and how life is difficult for the younger generation but even though this is a serious meaning, the actual performance is fun. This is a song that would warm you up, one way or another.


Like - Onomey

This song screams pure R&B, from the gospel sounding keyboards to the catchy vocal lines as well as the smooth rap lines that sound like they are talking or singing rather than rapping.

When thinking of Christmas songs, this song reminds me so much of ‘Fa la la’ by Justin Bieber and Boyz II Men because of the instrumentation is very similar and the vocals especially by Boyz II Men vocally because vocal line works like one voice just like Boyz II Men do. The harmonies mainly are what makes the song sound full and gives the R&B vibe, making the song sound interesting despite repeating the chorus a lot.

‘After we broke up you look better, pretty woman
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Annoyingly you still look good, you still look, pretty woman
Oh pretty human’

The rap line do a good job has made sure that the song still stays soft without sounding out of place or straying off the genre. They start with RM who has a rough husky voice at the start and as it develops he picks up his rapping voice but still doesn’t attack the words in the pronunciation, it is more relaxing. This allows Suga with his to pronounce words stronger, creating a rougher rap verse whereas J-Hope rounds things up by practically singing throughout his verse because of the breakdown version of the pre-chorus. In J-Hopes verse because he is following a melody when delivering his verse, he doesn’t need to rhyme his words necessarily because uses the beat to create a melody that fits well with the song.

‘As I wonder how you’re doing, the likes are shining 
You, the one living fine without me
Why did I think of you? The only thing that finds me is a pity for myself
I’ll press the button on your post and go
This is how I’ve been spending my time with you’ 



If I Ruled The World - Cheryl

If I Ruled the World was released in 2013 – 6 years ago and I cannot help but wonder what BTS were thinking.  Could they possibly have imagined the success they are currently achieving. It gives me goosebumps to imagine the young men they would have been at that time, with these possibly unreachable goals.  And now look at them – they really are ruling the world if their fans the Army are anything to go by. Army are a world wide fanbase made up all genders, race and ages – it makes me feel very proud (as I’m an older Army) and I would love to know what each member of BTS think about it all.  They come across as such humble and “normal” guys – in so much as the fame and money doesn’t seem to have gone to their heads – they seem very grounded (I hope they are!).

The song is about the dreams of what it would be like to rule the world.  They sing about having all the girls and that they are sure all the guys feel the same but they want ALL the girls European, Asian and Caucasian ones.  The dreams of having all the designers named to design their clothes - here they are today wearing Gucci and Louis Vuitton. So maybe they have achieved success beyond their dreams.

Suga dreams about buying a large estate where all his family could live together.  Then he would buy a large car using his savings and if it is too expensive he would get 0% finance.  He also sings my favourite line:

“I still want to do music with my BTS family”

J-Hope sings about his wallet being the size of goalposts and that even if he fearlessly walks about the stage his mileage would still increase - this makes me think of the large stages that have been used at Wembley etc - it would be interesting to know how many steps they each do travelling the area combined with dance steps, each performance.

I do like how they acknowledge that it is a somewhat childish song (I think the reference to goalposts and Suga singing don’t make fun of me are quite child like thoughts).  There is definitely an innocence and naivety about the song that comes across and watching a clip of it live, it definitely looks like they are having fun and the audience enjoy joining in with the:

‘Everybody say he-o-e-oh-oh!
Everybody say he-o-e-oh-oh!
Everybody say hey, ho! Hey-hey-ho!’ 


Fire - Charlie

Fire is the quintessential BTS party song. No matter how many times they perform it or how many times it comes on shuffle, everyone in the room will drop everything for that “bultaoreune” and start dancing. 

After the mutter of ”bultaoreune,” the song seems to hit you in the face all of a sudden with an increased volume and insane amount of energy. It allows for everyone to yell out the song title together and sway around like a crazy person. It is the perfect song to which you can just let go and enjoy the moment.

“When I wake up in my room, I have nothing
After the sun sets, I sway as I walk
I’m completely drunk, drunk
I’m swearing on the streets
I’ve lost it, I’m like a crazy guy
Everything’s a mess, livin’ like beep”

The music video contributes massively to the vibe of the song. It is a song that BTS perform perfectly, as it requires their goofy personalities to carry it. The video features Jin getting ironed, the boys setting some turntables on fire while jumping around, and a car falling from the sky in front of them. And when the boys perform this live, they go for it so hard that you realise: this is BTS in their element. If you want a fun song to showcase how much energy BTS can fit into 3 minutes, this is one to listen to.

“Hey, burn it up
Like you’re gonna set everything on fire
Hey, turn it up
Until the dawn is gone
It's ok to just live because we're still young
Who do you think you are to say otherwise
Stop comparing, I'm only human
(So what~)”

However, this song’s emphasis on mindless fun doesn’t make it a mindless song. It has an important message of it being okay to forget about your troubles and trying to have fun in the moment when you can. It was released during exam season one year, so Jin and Jimin’s bridge was a particular reassurance for me. It reminds me of a concert or a party, because it is about having a place to gather if you have worries. It is about coming together and trying to be happy even when there are fears you have, and that is the escape that a party or concert should be.

“(Fire) All you with a lot of fear, come here
(Fire) All you who are suffering, come here
(Fire) Lift up your fists, all night long
(Fire) With marching footsteps
(Fire) Jump and go crazy”


Chicken Noodle Soup - Michayla

For those that are not aware, ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ is a childhood song, originally from 2006, that both Becky-G and Hobi chose. I had not heard of it until the 2019 release so if you haven’t heard it, look it up.

The element that stands out the most in this song is the cultural diversity, with 3 languages featured and an array of dancers from many different backgrounds. ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ brings together the languages of Korean, English and Spanish with both Hobi and Becky-G bringing their own styles to the song.

Hobi raps about his life, where he started and where he is today. His love for music and dance pours out of his verse and in the choreography.

‘From Gwangju, one gang of you-know-what
Geum-nam Chung-jang Street, that’s my Harlem
Joined NEURON, bounce with my team, ayy
Went head over heels for dancing, workaholic, everyday
As a teen, grew up pulling all-nighters, that’s the case
My height is measured by dance, I’m okay
A grand vision, a plan I'm going on to draw
A kid who goes on to shape his dream
Steps stomping over the rhythm
Popping, rocking, hopping, tutting, dougie, flexing, swaggin' (Woah)
Still do the work everyday, ASAP, for my own sake (Woah)
Always whipping myself, the carrots are on the trophies
Betting on my life, dancing is my cash
Hope on the street, now it’s my own way
With Becky G on the side
Everyday I'm lit (Get it!)’

The MV is lively and certainly showcases what an amazing dancer Hobi is. His body rolls and steps are captivating, delivered with the precision and confidence we have all grown to know and love. It was after the MV was re;eased that the CNS challenge was launched and flooded social media, which even our loveable BTS maknae line took part in.

‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ isn’t necessarily a festive song but it certainly belongs on a xmas playlist because it is fun, bright, energetic and makes people feel a sense of togetherness. This song is ideal during the dark, cold evenings and to create a party atmosphere, wherever it is played.



 Get your xmas party going by adding this weeks playlist on Spotify: Xmas Party 



ARMY
This week the theme was chosen by offering 4 keywords to ARMY in a poll and the winning word was ‘ARMY’. We picked songs that we feel fit this theme, including some of the songs suggested by ARMY on our tweet.
Do you have theme suggestions for us? Tweet us @BTSRadioUK
Mic Drop chosen by ARMY
Michayla - Mic Drop is an ARMY song for me for a couple of reasons. Firstly most ARMY will know the chants and will sing along, loud and proud. The second reason is the choreography, how many of us copy Jin’s part, hands crossing in front of you? The arm in the air? Not to mention ‘Mic Drop’ hand movements? In the cinema whilst watching ‘ Love Yourself in Seoul’ it was wonderful to see ‘Mic Drop’ bringing ARMY together, doing the moves in our seats. I also can’t talk about this song without mentioning ‘that’ dance break which definitely excites ARMY!
Charlie - Mic Drop is a step beyond the Cyphers that BTS used to release; it is a message that they no longer care about haters enough to sing and rap about them; they only care about ARMY and delivering more good music. Mic Drop is a bragging track about how many trophies they have (which has only increased even more this award season), but it is also an acknowledgement of ARMY. They refer to how their concerts are always full, and discuss their awards which ARMY helped them to achieve. It is almost a reward for ARMY - we work hard to stream their music, and in return they give us a song about how proud they are about how far they’ve come. 
Onomey - I was curious to see the results of this weeks poll because the four songs chosen weren’t the typical songs that usually get brought up into the conversation when relating to the connection between ARMY and BTS. I suppose this song won because it's a song where BTS  address their haters and talk about how great they are which ARMY tend to love as the boys tend to be too humble for their own good sometimes, so it's always great to see this side of them. Everything about this song is powerful from the beat to the execution of the dance moves and the hard-hitting vocals and lyrics. This song is all about the attitude which is what makes it such a great hip hop song. My favourite verse is by Suga because he mentions Billboard and being worldwide and since then they’ve won so many more awards across the globe and I have no doubt that this will continue as the boys become even more successful.

‘Mic mic bungee
Bright lights, going forward
You thought I was gonna fail but I’m fine, sorry
Sorry, “Billboard”
Sorry, “worldwide”
Sorry, mom, you’re sons too hot
I’m being a good son in place of you
No cons in our concerts
I do it, I do it, you’re a tasteless ratatouille
If you’re jealous, sue me
Sue it’
Cheryl - Well, what an appropriate song to win the poll this week after the amazing celebratory few days BTS have at the Asian award ceremonies.  Oh my! They won so many and not just the awards voted for by Army too. It felt like a real acknowledgement of the mega successful year they have just had. The song being about haters and how many trophies they have - I am secretly hoping that the BRIT and Grammy awards have something hidden up their sleeves for BTS - surely after this year they cannot be ignored totally?!?!


Mikrokosmos - Michayla
I chose this song to write about this week because it replaced ‘Answer Love Myself’ as the song that makes me cry and I can’t help but think of ARMY and what that means to me, when I hear it.
‘Mikrokosmos’ is the 3rd track from ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’ mini album and references ‘microcosm’ which is quite simply, humankind as a tiny entity in the universe. This song is actually multifaceted with so many other songs and philosophies being linked to it. The galaxy, stars, the universe, the planets and moon are all things mentioned in ‘Magic Shop’, ‘Moonchild’, ‘Blanket Kick’, ‘The Stars’, Answer Love Myself’ to name but a few.
At Wembley Stadium in June, Namjoon asked us all to put our ARMY bombs away and use our mobile phone torches to represent the stars. This really was the most beautiful sight, in a dark stadium, on a warm night, tens of thousands of lights on, swaying with the music. It is for this reason that I feel that the pre-chorus belongs to this moment:
‘Perhaps the reason this night looks so beautiful
Also the outro verse:
‘Shine, dream, smile
Oh let us light up the night
We shine in our own ways
Shine, dream, smile
Oh let us light up the night
We shine just the way we are
Tonight’
It is during the outro that I am usually reduced to tears because that was the moment it dawned on me that I was having to say ‘goodbye’ as BTS were ending the concert. To feel such belonging, singing and dancing with ARMY, as one with BTS, is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. I shone my mobile phone torch high in the air, I linked arms with the ARMYs either side of me as we swayed side to side, tears streaming down our faces as we felt that togetherness. My Daughter and I repeated this at the Stade De France a week later, with the same emotion because it doesn’t matter where you are, if you are with BTS and other ARMY then the feelings are the same and whenever I hear ‘Mikroskosmos’ I am straight back there.
Home - Onomey
I chose Home for a lot of reasons but mainly because it reminds me of their performance at the fifth Muster and the reaction it got from Korean and worldwide ARMY it highlighted to me how highly rated the song is by ARMY as people were so happy t,o when they found out about the performance. The boys love to spoil us with the amount of songs that they write about us which doesn’t really happen with other artists and fans so each time they do it is a very special thing for all of us. 

The song is an R&B type track because of the 7th chord that is used throughout the song which is what gives a song an R&B feel because chords such as 7th and 9th chords are very common within the genre. The strong beat and the bass especially is what keeps this song going because of the bass focuses on short snappy strums rather than elongated ones as it allows the vocals to take the reins as the most important part to the song. J-Hope described the song as being “where the fans are and where our hearts are, where we want to come back to when things are hard and we feel lonely. We get strength from the people who love us and wait for us, and we come back to them so that we can return their love with even greater love.”

The bridge by Jin almost gives sends me into a sobbing mess because of his soft and emotional delivery which gives you goosebumps and the meaning of the lyrics as knowing that he is referring to ARMY means that little bit more.

‘I keep remembering you between crossroads 
You knew me when I had nothing else
I could smile at the thought of you 
The place where you are’

In this song vocally Jimin stands out in this song just because I think the song fits his vocals very well because the song is in the low register and Jimin's voice is very light an angelic so it sits on top of the mix very well, even his harmony tracks with himself are so smooth that you almost miss that they are even there. An example of this is during:

‘Your love, your love, your love I miss that
Your love, your love, your love I want that
Your touch, your touch, your touch I need that
La la la la la la la  I love it’


2!3! - Charlie

From the moment I hear the first notes of 2!, 3!, I prepare myself for tears. This was BTS’ first official ARMY song, and one of the first songs in which I heard BTS singing to ARMY, personally, and to no-one else. It opened my eyes to their personal thoughts and struggles for the first time since I became an ARMY, and even though it was released when I still felt somewhat new to the fandom, I still felt completely welcomed by it. 

At the very start of the song, before the singing even starts, Namjoon addresses us personally, signalling that this is a song for us, for ARMY, and that they wanted to tell us this sooner. It immediately made me realise how serious this song was, and how important this message is to the members. 

“Been trying to tell you this
I was supposed to tell you this
That this is all for you”

Namjoon’s verse also promises not to just say things like, “There’ll only be good days from now on,” because he knows that that isn’t what we need to hear. This sentiment is echoed in Magic Shop, and shows that even back in 2016, BTS have never claimed to have all the answers for us. Their message has been consistently that life will inevitably be hard, but that they will walk on this path with us. 

In Yoongi’s verse, he sounds irritated as he imitates the words of people who have mocked BTS in the past, in the same incredulous and mocking voice that they used, but it has a lighthearted edge to it as he thanks the haters for giving them the drive they needed to succeed. This is also an ironic verse to consider in the days after the explosive performances of the MMA's and MAMA, as Yoongi reveals that their performances have been insulted in the past. 

"Because you’re all idols
It sucks even if I don’t hear it
I don’t like your lyrics
I can already imagine the performance
Because you don’t have power, you would certainly
Have done dirty deeds in the past
Observing how you act
Soon you’ll cease to exist."

Hoseok’s verse broke my heart on the day I heard it, and every time I return to it I remember the epiphany I had in regards to him. It reads as a confession that his stage persona exists to give us hope and to make us smile, when the real Jung Hoseok when he is offstage has pains and deep fears that he does not want to show us. It was one of the first times I fully realised Hoseok’s depth and saw him in a different light to how I always used to think of him before then. His verse also has a sweet reference to HYYH, like a reminder that every album they create has ARMY at the heart of it. 

“I just wanted to make you smile
I wanted to do good
So thanks
For believing in someone like me
For dealing with these tears and wounds
So thanks
For becoming my light
For becoming the flower in the most beautiful moment in life”

The choruses and the pre-choruses by the vocal line are delivered with the utmost sincerity; I always know that they fully believe in what they are telling us, and that is that if we hold hands with BTS and smile, we will get through the hard times. In the chorus, they pause from describing their own fears to comfort us and remind us that they are here for us. In the same way they greet us with “2, 3, we’re BTS” in interviews, they use this song to say “BTS are here. We’re here for you.”

 YouTube 

The Truth Untold - Cheryl

The Truth Untold is such a beautiful song – but oh boy is it an emotional one!

If the lyrics don’t get to you (what are you made of – stone?), then the voices of Jungkook, V, Jimin and Jin will.  They sing their hearts out, with such depth and feeling.

I believe the song is about the loneliness of caring for someone with whom you cannot reveal your real self.  They sing about hiding behind a mask because they are unable to show the ruined part of themselves.

There are a few references to a sand castle in the song (according to the translations) – sand castles generally make me think of happy times, playing on the beach as a child, or with my own children.  But in this song – they do not resemble a happy time – they make me think of a prison – they sing of being bound and left alone in the sand castle, which I imagine to be cold, damp and inhospitable – no windows, no furniture, no creature comforts and incredibly lonely!

The song has references to being unable to show the real parts of themselves and the fact that Jimin calls himself a monster and says he has to hide – how can that be?!  is just so sad.

There are also references to flowers in the garden - a blue one being picked or growing a flower that resembles the person they are singing to.  For me, flowers are delicate and can be difficult to grow and blue ones are rather rare - these references make me think of the similarities about loving someone.  Love can blossom and grow, can be rare to find that special someone and it can be thorny at times and die too - just like the garden they are describing.

The overall theme of the song is wanting someone so badly, but not being able to be their true selves and how they have to wear a mask and be the person the other person wants them to be.  But they still want the other person!

My favourite lyrics are:

‘You know that I can’t
Show you me
Give you me
I can’t show you a ruined part of myself
Once again I put a mask on and go to see you
But I still want you’

Add the ARMY playlist to yours via the following Spotify link: ARMY 

BTS sub-units
This week we looked at the sub-units of BTS and the depth of songs that are not OT7 but amazing in their own right.
Do you have a favourite sub-unit song? Let us know on Twitter @BTSRadioUK
Butterfly (Prologue Mix) - Michayla
There are several versions of this beautiful song and if you haven’t heard them all, I would highly recommend searching them out. This version is sung by the vocal line and is the 5th track on ‘Young Forever’ along with 2 other versions. This album also has the original of ‘Butterfly’ and the ‘Alternative Mix’ so ARMY really are spoiled for choice.
‘Butterfly’ is a song about the fear of losing someone and the lyrics are a sad story of someone trying to come to terms with this fear. The disbelief that the relationship is ending and that person is leaving is something many of us would have experienced in our lives.
BTS use the simile of a butterfly to describe the fragile nature of the love but also how a butterfly can simply fly away. I think it is a powerful image to use and once again shows us the huge talent that BTS have when it comes to songwriting.
‘Will you stay by my side
Will you promise me
If I let go of your hand, you’ll fly away and break
I’m scared scared scared of that
Will you stop time
If this moment passes
As though it hadn’t happened
I’m scared scared scared I’ll lose you’
If you are familiar with the original version, you may recognise the absence of the rap line verses which bring an edge to a melancholic song. The prologue mix is gentle throughout and in my opinion, is a great version, in addition to the original song. 
If you haven’t seen the comeback stage for ‘Butterfly’ I have included the link below because watching the original version performed by the 7 members gives the song a whole new depth.

Jamais Vu - Onomey
“Jamais Vu” is the sixth track on the most recent BTS album Map of the Soul: Persona and has Jungkook, Seokjin and Hoseok combining as a sub-unit. The phrase “jamais vu” is borrowed from the french meaning “never seen”. It is seen as the opposite of déjà vu and is described as a sense of eeriness of seeing a situation for the first time despite knowing that you’ve been in that situation before. 

I chose this song by the sub-unit mostly because of the lyrical content and the ability to somehow make lyrics a phrase common in psychology. The song starts with Jin and Jungkook expressing how they feel disappointed with themselves and how they will have to deal with their flaws despite wanting to just play a “game” which would’ve allowed them to have many retries at dealing with those flaws.

With J-Hope's first verse I found that there are many ways to interpret the lyrics. To me, it seems that J-Hope is trying to act like real life is a game so he can put his mind off the fact that his life as a star is very draining. The line ‘I need to heal my medic, but I’m another star’ can be seen as him highlighting that so many people rely on him continuing his success for them to keep their jobs. Another way to look at it can be that his ‘medic’ is Army and he has to give strength to the people that give him strength as a result of being a star. 

‘It’d be better if it was a game
Because it hurts so much 
Need to heal my medic
But I’m another star
Blame myself since I was imperfect
Break-in my head, break in my step, always
All I wanted was to do well
I wanted to make you smile, damn’

I like that it is J-hope that has the verses that relate to ‘Jamais Vu’ which I found great to see I’m expressing that emotional and dark side of himself because we all picture J-Hope smiling and talking about positivity.

This song is very complex, but also relates personas and not creating too much of an outward persona to people to the point where you find yourself being disappointed in what you see in front of you when you can stop playing that persona. It really delves into the psychological aspects of being a human and how people may forget that stars have difficulties in seeing who their true selves are on some days.

CONCEPT PHOTO 2; Photo of BTS. (1/8)

It’s Definitely You - Charlie

In the Summer of 2016, I was incredibly pleased to hear that I would be able to see Taehyung act in his first Kdrama: KBS2’s Hwarang. And then, I was even more excited when I learnt that the OST to this drama would gift us with a 'Taejin' sub-unit song. “It’s Definitely You” is an upbeat track with positive vibes, that represents the happier sides of the drama (when it wasn’t completely devastating - not to spoil Hwarang for any readers who still haven’t watched it).

The song incorporates the comedic and fun sides of the drama as well as the darker and more serious moments. The lyrics themselves tell of the brave “poet warriors” from the drama, with dramatic lyrics about completely sacrificing oneself and everything one has for someone.

“In my cracked heart
Your cold sighs
Like a slowly withering flower
Fall onto my heart
This damn love, because of you
I can’t move even if I’m hurt
Even if I die, it’s only you”

When Taehyung was told he would be singing a song for the Hwarang OST with another member, he picked Jin as the vocalist to join him. No matter what member he picked, we would have got really good results, but the emotions of this song as well as how it cheers me up, is perfect for Jin’s voice. He has a cheery personality and yet a voice that conveys strong emotions, just as how Taehyung does, and therefore this song suits them so well. It brings me to a happy place and reminds me of the sweet Hwarang scene in which this plays, giving it a nostalgic quality. The song’s dark lyrics also have a positive spin on them towards the end, representing the hopeful storyline of Hwarang’s heroes.

“I’ll sacrifice myself to protect you
I’ll do it obviously
I will make this crisis into an opportunity
You are my best decision, nothing can stop me
Take me into the scattered light”

It is clear that Taehyung and Seokjin’s voices really suit expressive Kdrama soundtracks; Taehyung’s strong call of “It’s gonna be you” is accompanied by the bouncy “na na na na na nas” of Seokjin, and Seokjin’s high note towards the end is the icing on the cake for a song that stirs up all sorts of feelings from the moment I hear those first bouncy piano notes.

BANGTANTV 

Paldogangsan - Cheryl

When I first heard the song I had the impression that it was confrontational. It sounded like there was a battle between the members, perhaps because I felt there was a lot of banter between them and that they were debating something.

From reading the lyrics there are a lot of references to Korea; the different regions of Korea, different dialects, food dishes and history. It felt to me like an introduction to Korea.

Then I went on YouTube to disappear down the Paldogangsan rabbit hole I found an interesting article from DKDKTV who explained the song and what some of the words meant, so well (it's worth a view if you haven’t already seen it).

The debate appears to be between Suga and J-Hope - Suga sings about his home town Daegu and that he will rap in a satoori accent.  

J-Hope asks Suga why he is rapping like that? He then invites everyone to join in the fun no matter where they are from and sings about favourite Korean dishes like bibimbap and asks Suga if he’s tried it. He later sings that Heuksando’s Skatefish will clear the mind - according to DKDKTV this dish has a very unusual taste and smell and is not to everyone’s liking.

I believe RM is saying that Suga and J-Hope are country boys as he’s from Seoul and that he has a Seoul state of mind but, satoori is now highly regarded and that he find the accents cool. He also says that when he uses other accents he becomes happy. It would appear that he is the peace maker and trying to bring everyone together.

Unsurprisingly, the song and dance routine are very fast and energetic. It’s an early BTS release (2013) and in the opening verse RM introduces them and BigHit - we don’t see that anymore as they are known around the world.

I believe the song has a lot of Korean history in the lyrics like the different regions and the Mudeung mountain where huge water melons grow and that BTS are saying that no matter which region of Korean you are from we are all Korean and share the same sky. This is a sentiment they share with their International Army - we may not all speak the same language but we share the same sky. This gives me a feeling of inclusiveness and I think brings us all together.

Add these onto your Spotify playlist at the following link: Units 


 Calming & Reflecting

 For many of us, life is hectic at this time of year so we wanted a playlist to help slow things down and give us a chance to think.

 Do you have a particular favourite on this week’s playlist? Let us know on Twitter (or Facebook) @BTSRadioUK.

 Cake Waltz chosen by ARMY

 Charlie - The BTS World OST has a different theme to suit each member’s story, and Cake Waltz is a perfect song to encapsulate the breezy, easygoing mood of the bakery from Jimin’s story. It is upbeat, capturing the stress he feels balancing his baking and dance group, but it gets gentler with each rise, to reflect how he still acts as though he is not stressed and still tries to please everyone. It is such a Jimin song, with how it fills you with butterflies and yet keeps you content and happy. If you ever feel like life is too much, this track is like a wordless reminder that life can be beautiful and have reasons to keep you cheery.

 Michayla - Cake Waltz really gives me a fairytale feel, it is so whimsical and could quite easily be the final song in a Disney film as 2 characters dance around a giant ballroom. Cake Waltz is Jimin’s story theme song and since he is often referred to as a ‘Prince’ and a ‘fairy’ I really couldn’t think of a better instrumental to represent him. This beautiful piece of music transports me to a place in my mind where I am relaxed and smiling, where the chaos of everyday life doesn’t penetrate.

 Cheryl - Upon hearing Cake Waltz I feel like I have been transported back in time. I can imagine dancing and spinning around the living room balancing on my fathers shoes. It is such a moving emotional instrumental - I am not at all surprised that it won the poll this week.

 Onomey - I haven’t played much of BTS World so I have yet to find out where this piece is used in the game but I don’t think it matters much with this piece as you can automatically feel what the instrumental is about which is what makes it so beautiful. The song makes me think it should belong in a musical performance or in a Disney movie, it is filled with such magic from the first note played. The songs main structure keeps the steady waltz feel whilst the other instruments are allowed to freely express themselves around the main structure and use ambience to make sure that the many instruments don’t clash.

 The use of the harp creates a fairy tale introduction into a dream where you can imagine a waltz taking place. As a musician, this piece especially is so beautiful because there are little things in the piece that make the song so warm and happy is the little fills that are sporadically placed throughout and the flute patterns that are hidden in the background of the piece keeps you interested in listening until the end. I think if it wasn’t already obvious before, Jimin is definitely destined to be a Disney Prince.

Jamais Vu - Charlie

 When feeling down or as though you wish you could redo certain parts of your life, ‘Jamais Vu’ is a therapeutic ballad, delivered by the sub-unit of Jungkook, J-Hope and Jin.

 ‘Jamais vu’, or ‘never seen’, is the opposite of ‘deja vu’, and means to experience a situation as unfamiliar even if you’ve experienced it before. In this song, it specifically refers to experiencing some kind of suffering and feeling like it is the first time you’ve experienced it, because it is that painful.

 “I’m okay but I’m not okay
I told myself I’m used to it
But I’m in pain like it’s the first time”

 The song starts with Jin’s elegant and soft vocals. Later on in the song, he displays his range with to-die-for high notes, but his introduction to the song instantly puts one into a state of calm, and is a perfect song to allow you to slow down and feel your feelings for a moment. He and Jungkook, with both of their sweet and delicate vocals, lament about how life is unlike a video game, in that you cannot just start again. This metaphor feels like a little bit of Jinkook’s personalities shine through, a small mention of video games in their lyrics reminding us that when we go through pain, we try to make sense of it using the things we know and are passionate about.

 “I think I lost again
You look mad
In a blur, game over game over
If this was truly a game
I could probably just load up again
I guess I gotta deal with this, deal with this, real world”

 At the heart of the song is a message that even though it is unfortunate, in life you cannot just “load up” and redo the parts that cause you suffering in order to avoid the pain. Instead, you just have to go through the pain and acknowledge that pain is a part of life that will keep happening. It sounds like a comforting or morose song, but it is also one that urges you to keep going forward and use this calm headspace to improve in future.

 Along with the inspiring metaphor of gaming, this song blesses us with Hoseok’s vocals. As someone who usually gives us powerful raps and even aggressive vocals, the softer side to his voice is a welcome surprise in this song, especially with the looming backing music that gives it a grand feel.

 “My song lyrics, my one body gesture.
All of my words become afraid of my jamais vu
And try to escape, but still you grab it
My shadow becomes bigger, my life and you equal sign
So my remedy is your remedy”

 The chorus to this song always sticks with me. It is beauty, pure and simple, and it really made me fell in love with this underrated masterpiece.

 “Please give me a remedy
A remedy that will make my heart beat again
What should I do now
Please save me, give me another chance”


Autumn Leaves - Michayla

 Autumn Leaves, which also translates to ‘Dead Leaves’ is the 8th track on the album ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life part 2’ and is quite underrated in my opinion.

 This song is about a relationship that is fading, whereas once it was a plush, green leaf, alive and well, it is now discoloured, falling to the ground. This is quite powerful imagery in terms of a metaphor but I think it is something that many of us could apply to situations in our lives, not just in terms of a relationship.

 ‘With the autumn wind
Your words and expressions that become cold at some point
I can see that our relationship is fading
An empty relationship like the autumn sky
An ambiguous difference compared to before
Today of all days, the much quieter night
One leaf left clinging to a branch
It’s shattering, I see the end
Dead leaves becoming dried
The silence inside your aloof heart
Please don’t leave me
Please don’t leave me, crumbling dead leaves’

 The lyrics to this song, do make me think and reflect on situations in my own life, past relationships, jobs, even the places I have lived. It makes me consider my life now and whether the leaves are green or not?

 Autumn Leaves is a song that reminds us that we can’t control every situation and sometimes, no matter how much you want something to work out, it doesn’t always go that way and you have to move with it. There are times when we have to accept the situation and rise above it, perhaps choose a different path to enable us to move forwards.

 Namjoon’s verse is a perfect example of this:

 ‘Like all the dry leaves fall
Like all the things I thought would last forever are leaving
You are my fifth season
Even if I try to see you, I can’t look
You’re still green to me
Even if the heart doesn’t move, it moves by itself
Lingering feelings hung out piece by piece like laundry
Only crimson memories fall
From above me
Even if my branch doesn’t shake
They constantly fall
Right, my love must fall
In order to rise
Even when you’re near, my two eyes
Are far away, it’s happening
I’m being thrown away like this
Inside my memories, I become young again’

 Life is not easy and this song is a reminder that in order for the tree to rejuvenate it needs to go through changes and shed the leaves. There are times in our lives when we need to alter things, let some things go in order to find a new ‘us’.


 So Far Away - Cheryl

 The first thing I noticed about the song, was the contrast between SUGA’s deep, edgy vocal tones and the sweet, soothing soft tones of the chorus provided by Jungkook and Jin.

 I could hear that Suga wasn’t expressing happiness in the song but It wasn’t until I translated the lyrics that I realised the struggle he was singing about.

 Suga is singing about not having a dream, which I believe he also means having no future.  He is singing about being informed to do as he was told and all would be fine after he went to University.  But he has then found out that this is not the case because he feels he has no future because he is lost and cannot find a dream.

 I find this particularly relevant - my son is currently at University and as a parent I wasn’t sure if we were being over encouraging for him to go - we know in the UK that education is needed if you want to succeed - but what does succeed really mean?  I also know that over time people change their minds and can end up doing something they hadn’t originally planned to do. I am lucky my son is loving University but who knows what the future holds!

 Suga’s sadness and frustration extends beyond not dreaming about a future.  He sings about only living because he cannot die and how miserable and lonely it is not to have an idea about what you want to do.  He says he wants to express his anger but he’s the only one to hear the vents, so what’s the point.

 Suga’s words in this song are so poignant and relatable - he sings about wanting yo drink alcohol because he can’t stand being sober and how everyone (family and friends) are moving further away.  I’m sure many people have used alcohol as a crutch to get through a difficult time - Dutch courage for a party for example. And as we grow up family and friends do seem farther away at times as everyone is embarking on their own journey through life.

 So how are these thoughts of Suga’s counterbalanced in the song? Well by Jin and Jungkook singing about the lack of dreaming and that dreams are far away but, it’s their tonal range that counterbalances the edginess of Suga’s lyrics as they do not sugar coat or try and “fix” things with lyrics.

 Lost - Onomey

 “Lost” is a song that was released on both the albums Wings and You Never Walk Alone. The song itself sounds like a typical upbeat pop song but it is so much more than the listener can take from the song other than just the way it sounds.

 I like to listen to this song when I’m trying to relax or calm myself down when reevaluating things because it has a very chilled electronic vibe throughout which makes me smile and has a lot of falsetto which I think helps with the calming nature of the song because their strong falsetto voices are almost angelic like. I don’t know why but singing at the top of my voice to the chorus especially because it helps with releasing all the stress I feel about not being able to find my purpose in this world.

 ‘Lost my way 
Constantly pushing without rest
Within the harsh rainstorms
Lost my way
Within a complicated world without an exit
Lost my way 
Lost my way
No matter how much I wander 
I want to believe in my path’

 This song reminds me of all the different ways the seven members came together to form BTS because each of them had completely different paths to what they do now. Like for example how Jin was studying acting, J-Hope auditioned because of his love for dance or how Yoongi just wanted to be a producer for Big Hit but all of them ended in finding their destinations from going through multiple paths from different directions that may end up in dead ends but ended up finding a home together doing something they love.

 ‘I once saw an ant going somewhere
There is no way to find the path at once
Constantly crashing and crawling forward
To find something to eat
Roaming for days.’

 I suggest to people who find themselves lost, whether that is about their careers, friendships, relationships or just life as a whole. Listen to this song and I hope it helps your mindset as if people as successful as BTS can go through times of not knowing who or where they are in life then you have nothing to worry about if you keep on doing what you are doing and in time you will find that path you’ve been looking for all along.


If you need a calming and reflecting playlist add this one on Spotify via the following link:
A Calming Playlist

 Mixtapes
This week, the Spotify team wanted to try using the power of coincidence to try and summon Agust D 2, so we decided to focus on the mixtapes.
Do you have a favourite song from one of the 3 mixtapes? Don’t be shy, tell us @BTSRadioUK

Outro: Tear chosen by ARMY
Michayla - In the poll we asked which song should make it onto a BTS mixtape and the winner was ‘Tear’. What a song this is! One of my personal favourites and I believe it could certainly belong on any one of the mixtapes by the rap line. ‘Tear’ is a rap line gem and nothing prepared me for seeing it performed live, the energy, the beat, the power exuded on stage by the 3 members was just phenomenal. 
Cheryl - Personally I had so much difficulty choosing from the Poll - to choose between the 3 of them felt criminal (to me).  So when I saw this one I knew I would choose it - decision made! It is such an emotional driven, powerful song. The way it starts sounds rather haunting before the rather angry words from RM - once you were my dear and now your just a bitter beer! The song is about the pain of a break up and how hearts are shattered and the questions like did I really love you creep in.

A beautiful, emotional song!

Charlie - We are all missing the Love Yourself series, but this is not the only reason that this epic song won the poll. It is a top tier rap line song that utilises the power, emotion and energy of the rap line meticulously well. A bitter song about a love gone wrong, Tear is beautifully produced, with a violin instrumental and a backing music that makes me feel a mix of hyper and full of nervous anticipation. It would be such a fire song on a mixtape - even though it is about a far different subject matter than the cyphers, the rapping skills of the members make it still just as intense a track that is an overload of emotions. 

Onomey - I think this song won not only because its an awesome hype song but just like many others, I found it hard to choose between the three trivia songs so decided to vote for Tear. Seesaw did the best in the polls by a lot out of the Trivia series but in the end, it was Outro: Tear that won the battle as it is a 3 in 1 special. 

The introduction of the song leads us into thinking that it is going to be a slow ballad type song by using the orchestral strings used in the start of the Love Yourself Highlight Reel to start off with then we are hit with a heavy drone type bass kick as RM begins his verse with his shouty, strong and impactful dictation. I like how the delivery of each verse is changed to keep the song interesting but also make the listener experience a different rap flow that they aren’t used to hearing from that individual. 

When I saw the performance of this song at Wembley, it was amazing to see the hard and aggressive energy RM, Suga and J-Hope produced from start to finish in the song which was infectious as it was almost like the audience had no say in whether or not they wanted to dance along, their bodies just did it for them which was magical, especially when the chorus came around. 
 YouTube 

Give It To Me - Charlie
August ended a while ago now, but we still spend every day hopelessly waiting for Agust D to make his return with the sequel to his 2016 mixtape. Songs (and music videos) like 'Give it to Me' make it easy to see why. As one of the first songs on the mixtape, it is one of the songs that showcases Yoongi’s tough rapper persona. It follows Agust D, in which Yoongi brags about his accomplishments, to explain how he managed to gain such success. 
He brags and yet remains sincere at the same time, saying that he had no secret formula to become successful; he simply consistently worked on his music instead of sitting back. He wanted fame and money, and it came to him because he wanted it badly enough. He never stays complacent with what he has as he keeps asking for more “money, honour, whatever it may be” every day. 
“I’m still not sure about the secret to success
But I think I know the secret to failure
The secret is to play the fool just like you
And keep blabbing your mouth
But I wouldn’t live like that even if I had to die
Gi give it to me
Money, honor, whatever it may be bring it to me”
In a way, this track is a caricature of Yoongi’s personality; it is purely the side of him that keeps asking for more and more fame and will continue to work hard forever. It is also a more explicit version of BTS’ usual diss tracks towards haters and doubters - the gibberish voices in the background are a unique sound that seems to represent the “babbling” of people that have doubted Yoongi before, and he makes fun of them without holding back. 
“Don’t touch me, don’t even put your hand on me
You might end up in a coffin
If you keep fooling around sloppily”
While we love Yoongi’s soft side, seeing his sassy and aggressive side is always welcome too, especially when ARMY want a song to remind them of why it is no use listening to big companies or antis that disrespect Yoongi and the members. His voice sounds angry, making it a cathartic track, but also relaxed, with (quite attractive) unbothered laughs echoing throughout the track, reminding us to ultimately only laugh at people who try and bother us. 
Whenever he decides to release Agust D 2, we know that Yoongi’s rapping style evolves and improves every day, and therefore, whether his next mixtape sounds like the first one or is a completely new sound, we know that it will be worth the wait. It has to be, coming from the brilliant mind behind songs such as ‘Give it to Me’.


Uhgood - Michayla
I am a big fan of the mixtapes of BTS’ Yoongi (Agust D), Hobi (Hope World) and Namjoon (Mono) but I have to say that ‘Mono’ is one of my personal favourites. It is one album that I can have on repeat, every one of the songs is amazing and I hope Namjoon knows what a masterpiece it is.
Since I have written about a couple of the songs from ‘Mono’ before, I thought I would choose ‘Uhgood’ this time because it was one of the songs that stood out for me when I heard Mono for the very first time.
‘Uhgood’ is the story of reality versus expectation, the person you are versus the person you want to be. When you realise this, you understand how this song was originally meant to be the song ‘Reflection’ from Wings, as Namjoon explained in a Vlive.
‘At times I'm disappointed with myself (disappointed with myself)
Honestly, I trample myself (trample myself)
"Do you only amount to this?" (do you only amount to this?)
"Need to do so much better" (need to do so much better)
"You need to be so much cooler" (you need to be so much cooler)
"If you're going to be defeated, might as well die" (if you're going to be defeated, might as well die)
"You have to win, you, you, you"
"You"’
I think there are times when we are all disappointed with ourselves for whatever reason. When you are disappointed with yourself you automatically beat yourself up and we are certainly, our own worst critics. BTS have always been open about how they always strive to do better and they are very critical of themselves, which is difficult for ARMY when many see a group of 7 amazing men. 
Namjoon particularly has spoken about the person he wants to become and the journey to get there. In this song he talks about the journey to find the real him, which must be very difficult when being an Idol is such a huge part of your life and you have to slip into that persona.
‘My ideal and what is reality
They're so far, far away
But I still want to cross that two bridges
To reach myself
To the real me, yeah yeah’
If you haven’t listened to Mono yet, I would highly recommend it because Namjoon poured his heart and soul into the songs which are all so personal and poignant as you would expect from such a great man.


Airplane - Cheryl
With Airplane, J-Hope remembers being younger and whilst on a hot sunny day he would watch the planes in the blue sky and wish he was a passenger.  He compares that feeling to now and how he is in a dream flying above this beautiful world.

He remembers the nerves he felt flying to Japan for his first flight and how he often thinks of that flight and how those feelings sparked his dreams. Whilst flying he wishes for a safe arrival - I am sure many of us can relate to these feelings.  He no longer flies with nerves, he has no hesitations over flying.

He sings about how other people’s jealousy will make them lonely.  He does not worry about these feelings - he sips champagne on his flight. He also sings about how he feels about the clouds; the fun of flying above them and then about all his worries being diminished whilst flying - could this be because all devices are to be on flight mode or off altogether.

Like I said earlier I am sure many of us can relate to his words; the excitement / nerves of our very first flight, the desire for a safe journey, the exciting sensation of flying above the clouds and being unreachable due to electronics being switched off or on flight mode.

Personally, I think it’s interesting that Airplane Pt.2 contains some of J-Hopes lyrics from Airplane. J-Hope sings about the clouds and having no concerns whilst flying in Airplane Pt.2 too. Could Airplane have inspired Airplane Pt.2 somehow? I love how the two songs are connected and how Airplane Pt.2 has grown to incorporate the cities for BTS’ tour, whereas Airplane appears to be more about the comparisons of wishing to fly, flying for the first time and how it feels to fly as often as J-Hope does now.


Seoul - Onomey
I was immediately attracted to this song because I’m a big fan of Honne so I was excited to see what an RM song produced by them would sound like. 

The song has a typical Honne feel to it especially with the intro chords as they have a warm, glossy electronic effect to them and the melody played by a sort of woodwind type sounding instrument. This song in lyrical form is very basic but it is what makes it so great as it allows all of us listeners to reminisce on what we love and hate about our hometowns. From the very first verse, RM is able to highlight how things back when you were a child is totally different from how they are today. For example, I know that I find myself looking around and thinking, where are all the amazing parks I used to spend my time playing with friends or where has that locally-owned shop disappeared to? Why have most things been replaced by skyscrapers or big establishments? The soul is disappearing from my beautiful city. 

This song makes me smile as it is such a laid back sounding song not only in the production but in the vocals as well. Everything about the production of the song suits the lyrics of the song, because even when RM raps it’s nothing aggressive as he does not despite Seoul, he likes it. He can’t help but notice the flaws within the city but at the same time loves those flaws as they’re what make Seoul unique to him.

‘I so hate to admit it but 
I already love even your fumes and the nastiness
Love the fishy smell of Cheonggyecheon
Love the lonesomeness of Seonyudo
“it’s a nice place to live if you have money” 
Even that sigh of some taxi driver
I love y’all’


From the outside looking in, the bridge looks basic as it is just repeating two lines ‘I’m leavin’ you, I’m livin’ you’ but I totally understand this mindset as I know that many people who do eventually leave my hometown, they don’t ever forget where they come from and it is almost like a piece of our city leaves and goes with them wherever their journey takes them which is probably the reason RM chose the words ‘I’m livin’ you’ as RM is a product of his city and their beliefs and morals so even though he is often away or when he sometimes gets sick of Seoul, he can never truly ever be away from him because it is in his blood. 


 Add the Mixtape playlist on your Spotify via the following link: Mixtapes
The Songs That Made Us Stan

We were feel nostalgic this week after looking at the Love Yourself era last week. It got us thinking about the songs that made us stan BTS.

Which song lured you in? Let us know on Twitter @BTSRadioUK

Young Forever chosen by ARMY

Michayla - I thought this song might be the poll winner this week and I wasn’t left disappointed. I do not remember at which point I found Young Forever but it is a song that I am very fond of. I adore the MV for it and it always makes me smile. I am in no doubt that there are many ARMY out there who would have started stanning BTS after hearing Young Forever.

Charlie - As Young Forever was my first era and the first BTS album I owned, Young Forever is a song I hold close to my heart as one that made me realise that I must stan BTS. It combines soft and melancholic verses expressing candid worries about not knowing for how long their youthful happiness on stage will last, with a stunning chorus that blows me away. Even reading the lyrics (as I can’t listen to the song without being hit with a devastating barrage of Wembley Day 2 memories), shivers run along my arms. It is a wholly beautiful song; the vocals are showcased excellently and the rap line display their versatility as they are able to deliver gentle yet emotional raps as opposed to their usual powerful and savage raps.

Onomey - I was glad that this song won the poll vote by a massive margin but at the same time, I realised that I wasn’t prepared to go down the emotional rollercoaster that is this song. The thing I love most about this song is how it is almost like an anthem and it works wonders in a live setting.

This song makes me feel so many things as it makes me feel sad that the boys have any fears about their careers and what will happen when they there is no one left to cheer for them or when people move onto the next big artist and leave them behind but it also makes me happy because they feel like they can trust us enough to be honest about these types of things which gives others the courage to never let go of their dreams because you are never too old to make a start to succeeding. If I were to sum this song up in one word I would use the word tears.

‘Trying to comfort myself
I tell myself the world can’t be perfect
I start to let myself go
The thundering applause, I can’t win it forever 
I tell myself, so shameless
Raise your voice higher
Even if the attention isn’t forever, I’ll keep singing
As today’s me, I want eternity
Forever, I want to be young’

Blood, Sweat & Tears - Cheryl 

Blood Sweat and Tears was probably the first BTS video I watched and obviously I found it visually stunning - even if I didn’t quite understand what was happening.

Having watched it many many more times I think I can grasp a little of what is happening.  The opening scenes of them entering the museum with Suga on a bike, Jimin holding a catapult is a link back to being younger boys.

The video seems to have a theme about temptation - RM drinking a green smokey cocktail, Jungkook floating in the air, Jimin blindfolded by Suga.  Even the look that V gives before pushing himself off the balcony - it appears to me as if he is saying “come with me, follow me” full of temptation.

There is also a feel of wanting to break free - Jimin pulling / dancing from the restraint of the blindfold.  Perhaps this shows them wanting to break from being boys and wanting / or becoming men?

Of course no one can watch Blood Sweat and Tears without contemplating the sensual kiss between Jin and the dark winged marble statue - perhaps the kiss sets the statue free because we then see V with scars on his back resembling where the wings were on the statue - was V somehow the statue or inside the statue?

The lyrics are about the sweetness and bitterness of a relationship - the contrast of the feelings of love and I believe this is portrayed through the video and their choreography.  I believe the chokers they are wearing symbolises this and the tight restrictive dance moves do too. Perhaps Jimin shrugging his jacket off his shoulder (although he claims it just happened without practising the move) gives the impression of breaking free from this.

DNA - Michayla

DNA is a song about love, a connection with someone so deep that you feel it with every fibre of your being, this could be a friendship or a relationship. I suppose you could say that the song is about fate. There are some people you are simply meant to meet and the universe decided that before you could even think.

DNA represents that young love, where you jump in feet first and everything is so new and intense. I think those adult ARMY amongst us will remember feeling that infatuation with someone as a young teen and we may even have believed it was destiny at the time (for some it may well have been true).

Personally, I believe in fate and always have but didn’t believe in a connection so deep that it was written in the stars. That has changed for me 100% since I met one particular ARMY because our bond scares the life out of me and I can only blame the universe. Our connection is on a level I’ve never had with anyone so there must be something in this ‘fate’ stuff not to mention the fact that we have BTS to thank for bringing us together.

‘Our meeting is like a mathematical formula
Commandments of religion, providence of the universe;
The evidence of destiny given to me
You’re the source of my dream
Take it, take it
My hand reaching out to you is my chosen fate

Don’t worry, love
None of this is a coincidence
We’re totally different, baby
Because we’re the two who found our destiny’

The interesting thing is that BTS go from DNA on Love Yourself: Her, to Fake Love on Love Yourself: Tear, where you realise that, that love wasn’t as you thought, the love you thought was deep was in fact ‘fake’.

Of course the MV for DNA is intense and bright with so many theories and ideas surrounding it largely born from an interview with Namjoon where he spoke about LGBT so people attributed the colours and other things with that.

When speaking about DNA, Namjoon said that it was the start of a ‘second chapter’ and was very different, to their previous songs.  What do you think?

House Of Cards - Onomey

There are a lot of BTS songs that had me sold on what an extraordinary talent they are and House of cards was definitely one of them vocal wise. The production and choice of genre for the song allowed the four vocalists to really showcase their vocal talents as sometimes this is difficult to do in songs that have all seven members in, just like it is hard for the rap line to show the extent of their rapping abilities during a full group line up, although they all do a great job as showing their talents as a whole.

The song seems to be about an unstable relationship which is why they use the title House of Cards to emphasise the fact that this relationship was built on a shaky foundation and that it will take one slight movement or issue for the whole thing to come crashing down and destroying everything no matter how many times it gets build back up again.

‘Even if I knew already
I can’t stop
No way, no way, no way
As time passes 
It becomes more ruined
No way, no way, it’s collapsing again’

I enjoyed and appreciated the relaxed jazz swing feel to the song as is doesn’t allow their voices to be masked over by the instrumentation as it is the vocals that act as the main instruments with the different riffs and scales used throughout which adds to the meaning of the lyrics, making the song all that better.

The first thing that I think of when House of Cards is mentioned, is the multiple layers of beautiful harmonies that leave you with goosebumps along with the raw emotion in each members voice throughout, almost like they are crying with every word sang.

I appreciate the small walking bass line run after the first chorus as it allows the space for Jimin and JK to sing their harmonised verse which is performed so perfectly and with ease that it almost sounds like one person rather than two individuals.

‘As if there’s no such thing as tomorrow
As if there’s no such thing as a “next time” 
Right now, in front of my eyes, everything without you
Is a terribly pitch-black darkness
I say it like a habit
We won’t work in the end
Even so, I keep hoping 
As long as I’m with you in the end as well, I’m okay’

If perhaps you have only listened to BTS songs with all seven members, I highly suggest checking this song out, especially the live version as you will be stunned by the technical ability shown vocally.


Dope - Charlie

"Dope", from HYYH pt. 1, was the first song and music video of BTS that I experienced. I first saw the chorus's iconic choreography in a Vine edit, and from then on I knew that I had to stan those talented boys in suits. It seemed to be an introductory song for a lot of fans during that era, too, as I’ve seen many people agree with Namjoon’s question at the start: “Hello, is this your first time with BTS?”

Upon first listen, I assumed that Dope was a simple party song/diss-track, with its catchy saxophone chorus with yells of the boys claiming to be “dope”, trendy choreography and pretty boys in costumes representing different careers. However, as with what now happens every time I hear a new BTS song, reading the lyrics gives me a new story altogether. It is in fact a song about how hard BTS have worked to get where they are now, and the reason they are so “dope” is that they have neglected parties and fun in order to advance in their careers (hence the job-related costumes).

“I worked all night, everyday
While you were out clubbing
Don’t be surprised, listen every day
I got a feel, I got a feel
I’m kinda dope”

“Dope” is full to the brim with so many iconic BTS moments: Namjoon’s aforementioned “Is this your first time with BTS line?” that the members have often copied, Jungkook’s “Ayo ladies and gentlemen,” Jimin’s red hair, and of course, Jungkook’s excellent high note of “I gotta make it fire baby” at the bridge. It wouldn’t be a BTS anthem if, right when you thought the song had slain you, it didn’t finish you off with a stunning note from the vocal line towards the end.

Despite its cheerful and cool exterior, this song is actually one of BTS’ most politically-charged tracks. Namjoon’s rap about “Given up on 3? Given up on 5?” is a reference to what the older generation call the “given up on 3” generation, who have given up the 3 major events of courtship, marriage and childbirth, and the “given up on 5” generation, who have given up on these plus employment and home ownership. It is about how the younger generation feel the pressure to give up certain things in order to ultimately succeed.

“Given up on 3? Given up on 5?
I like the number 6, how about giving up on 6?
The media and adults say we don’t have willpower, condemning us like stocks
Why are they killing us before we can even try, enemy enemy enemy”

On the topic of the rap line, this song made Yoongi my first bias-wrecker, as he appears with his white-blonde hair and openly raps about how the boys’ youths are rotting away in the studio. Hoseok’s verse is also so mesmerising; the way he jumps around as he delivers his diss-track-esque verse before concluding that he’s “full of hope” is adorable and such a quintessentially Hoseok verse.

Overall, Dope is a crowd-pleasing, epic dance track which introduced many ARMYs to the various strengths of the group, and is still one that I instantly think of when I want to show a perfect BTS choreography.

Add this to your Spotify playlist via the following link: The Songs That Made Us Stan

An Ode to Love Yourself
On Tuesday 29th October we saw the end of the Love Yourself Speak era so there really was only one choice of theme for this week’s playlist. 
We shook things up a little and asked ARMYs to choose which song from our poll, they would say belonged in the Love Yourself era.
Which song from BTS’ extensive back catalogue, would you put in this era? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter @BTSRadioUk.

I Need U chosen by ARMY
Michayla - ‘I Need U’ is forever etched in the memory of both BTS and ARMY since it was the song that gave them their first music award in 2015. This song is embroiled in the theories and webtoon, with an MV that is quite traumatic to watch. I personally feel this would fit into the Love Yourself era because of the love angst, like ‘Fake Love’ and ‘The Truth Untold’. ‘I Need U’ is the story of wanting the other person to end the relationship because you simply can’t bring yourself to do it. A song, held in high esteem by ARMY.
Charlie - As a gorgeous yet tragic song about a desperate love gone wrong, and someone's failure to keep a real relationship with the one they love, I Need U reminds me in a way of Singularity or the Tear album of the Love Yourself series as a whole. It is a beautifully well-produced song that would definitely still hold up in the Love Yourself series; not to mention, the videos of the HYYH series as a whole do have cryptic links with the Love Yourself highlight reels, making it clear that they are from the same narrative. 
Cheryl - This song appears to be about the painful realisation that the relationship is not a healthy one and that something has to change and it must come to an end. I believe it fits into the Love Yourself era because of this and I believe these lyrics fit beautifully: 
“You can’t do this to me
All of the things you said are like a mask
It hides the truth and rips me apart
It pierces me, I’m going crazy, I hate this
Take it all away“
Onomey - If I were to pick an album from the Love Yourself series for this song to go into, I definitely would place it in the Tear album. This is because of the lyrics being mostly about the negative situations that can occur in a relationship. The boys are addicted to this girl and keep getting hurt over and over again but seem keep finding themselves begging her to take them back when they know deep down inside it is the wrong thing to do. I think the song can be summed up by the third verse where RM acts as the subconscious mind speaking how V really thinks about the girl but V ignores what his subconscious mind is saying.

‘But you’re my everything (you’re my)
Everything (you’re my)
Everything (you’re my)
Please go away huh
I’m sorry (I hate you)
I love you (I hate you)
Forgive me’


Best of Me - Michayla
Love Yourself: Her is the album that gave us ‘Best of Me’ in 2017 and what an amazing song it is. After watching it being performed live at 4th Muster, I never, ever thought I would be lucky enough to get that opportunity, so I was ecstatic when it was announced as part of the set list for the Speak Yourself tour. The choreography is iconic so I was very excited to see it at Wembley. 
‘Best of Me’ is a collaboration with The Chainsmokers and was a first for both groups involved. The actual meaning of the song is open to interpretation with some people feeling it is a general love song and others believing it is about the relationship between ARMY and BTS. I certainly feel that it could, indeed, be a song about ARMY because BTS have stated many times, the influence we have on each other.
‘When you say that you love me
I walk above the clouds
Tell me about eternity just one more time
When you say that you love me
All I need is that one phrase
That you’ll never change, just one more time’
Namjoon has spoken about how ARMYs love for them helps make them who they are and they have always acknowledged how important one is to the other. It isn’t an inconceivable notion that ‘Best of Me’ is about the bond between ARMY and BTS because one can’t survive without the other.
‘So take my hand right now
You got the best of me
You got the best of me
It's not important if it's a dream or reality
Only the fact that you're by my side
Thanks’
BTS bring out the best of me and I know many ARMYs feel the same way. Namjoon spoke recently about him learning to love himself because of ARMY so this song couldn’t be any more relevant to this era. 
ARMY and BTS, always hand in hand and now, we move onto the next era, together.
Epiphany - Charlie
It was an instant decision for me to choose this song out of all of the songs from Love Yourself to write about. It was the intro song by Jin that the ARMY had been waiting for for ages, and it 100% lived up to its high anticipation. 
As the introduction to Love Yourself: Answer, Epiphany sets up the album as one about realisations, self-love and the satisfaction that comes from finally realising that rather than wasting one's time with the fake love spoken about in the Her and Tear albums, you are the most important thing to focus your love on. The answer to the whole series is the epiphany that self-love is the most important thing. 
"I'm the one I should love in this world 
Shining me, precious soul of mine 
I finally realised, so I love me
Not so perfect but so beautiful
I'm the one I should love" 
The importance of the chorus to this song cannot be overstated. In the queue to my first BTS concert, we all sang the chorus as we walked slowly forward, nervous and impatient but still remembering the beautiful reason why we were all there. In Wembley stadium itself, hearing an 80K stadium sing this song together, to ourselves, to each other, and to Jin, was a beautiful moment. 
I adore songs that tie into others to create a story, and Epiphany is one such song. References to masks and wanting to live for someone else brings me back to songs such as Her and DNA, and acknowledges the unhealthy aspects of living for someone else as opposed to for yourself. 
"So weird, I for sure loved you so much
Adapted to you with everything, I wanted to live my life for you 
But as I keep doing that I just can't bear the storm inside my heart
The real myself under the smiling mask, I reveal it entirely" 
Such a beautiful song must only be sung in the best way, and Jin is perfect for this song. His high notes and the way he belts them in a way that knocks the breath out of you when you watch or hear him, prove him to be a formidable vocalist. 
I’m Fine - Onomey
There are so many spectacular songs that we’ve been spoilt with over the Love Yourself series so it was very tough trying to narrow down that song that I found to be the special one. The reason why I’m Fine stood out to me from watching was mainly because of the cleverness of turning to Save Me into a new song and creating a conclusion to the story of Save Me which is a brilliant idea. 

I’m Fine stood out to me from all the fantastic songs in the LY series because its an obvious bop and I found it clever as an aspiring songwriter and producer, I found it clever that they were able to use the tune of Save Me to create a conclusion to the song but still being able to make I’m Fine sound like a completely different song, it is genius work. The opening of this song by V and Jimin makes you emotionally involved and invested from the first second of the song as it is sung so beautifully, especially when on live performances V begins the song laying down which takes a person with great vocal control to be able to pull that off. The use of modern dance in the choreography adds a whole extra layer to the emotion of the song as they are almost acting out every lyric like they are in theatre performance and despite the song having a really heavy drum and bass drum beat played throughout the song. 

‘Open your eyes under the cold blue sky
The pouring sun makes me dizzy 
My breath is quickening, my heart is racing
I can feel it so easily that I’m alive’

I like that this song has a full out dance routine which makes our minds automatically think about Save Me and the differences between the two which may be helpful for a lot of people to look at and to see that emotion can be incorporated into positive dances and lyrics. When I looked and the lyrics for both songs, I thought ‘wow, people may not realise it but these guys are giving us an example of what happens if you battle through the hard times without needing to make it so obvious and directed towards their audience’. 

They are able to now say that even if with constant downfalls and setbacks they can still be positive and find that brightness and be able to look back on this horrid times with a smile because they are not secure and not afraid anymore. This is something that definitely resonates me and has helped me think of life in a more positive way instead of thinking so negatively about things going on and if I’d ever find a way to escape the chaos in my head that was stopping me from realising that I’m not so bad and I can work towards looking towards the positives. 

‘I’m feeling just fine, fine, fine
I’ll yell it out myself
Casting a spell
On this repeating nightmare
I’m feeling just fine, fine, fine
I’ll keep telling myself
Even if I fall down again 
I’m fine’
Crystal Snow - Cheryl
Crystal Snow is a Japanese song released in 2018.  It is about the love between two people and how their love compares to snow.

Jungkook compares the building up of courage to the snow piling up, which I imagine as being built upon layer by layer.

J-Hope sings that the love is fragile, this made me compare love to a delicate snowflake.

V sings that the world is moving faster than they thought and how can they change it, even though they will? Again, snow can fall very quickly and it changes the view of the landscape.

The chorus is about wanting to spend more time together before one of them disappears and how they want nothing more than to feel some more. How they want to touch the feelings of love but it keeps slipping through their fingers. As we all know, snow melts and disappears and when it is falling if you try and catch it, it slips through your fingers.

‘But crystal gets further from reach, the more I wish for it’ I remember wishing for snow so that school would be cancelled but snow didn’t fall.

‘There is no single star in this snowy sky’ the imagery is so clear, I can picture the snow falling from a white lit sky even at night time and how it is impossible to see the stars.

This song reminds me of Coffee, which I wrote about last week. The writing of the songs both compare the feelings of love to something we all have knowledge of (snow and coffee) and although feelings of love will be different for each of us and are sometimes very hard to grasp or put into words; the imagery of the lyrics paint beautiful pictures which Army can relate to.

 You can add the Ode to Love Yourself to your Spotify playlist via the following link:

An Ode to Love Yourself

Turning The Clocks Back
The clocks went back an hour in the UK this last weekend, so we thought this would be a great theme and used our own interpretations for the song choices. We chose the songs that brighten the darker mornings and evenings and we turned back time to include some classic BTS.
Which song would you choose to fit this theme? Let us know on Twitter @BTSRadioUK
Dope chosen by ARMY
Michayla - I was so pleased that Dope won the poll and was my choice this week, also. Dope is a song I turn the clocks back to listen to, it was the first MV I saw and is responsible for me becoming ARMY. From the very beginning I was taken in by Namjoon, followed by Jungkook in that police uniform. Each member performs their individual part, dressed as a different profession. The choreography is amazing and the song is catchy, I always find myself singing along to this classic.
Onomey - This week, Dope won the poll vote by Army by a big percentage. The winter usually seems to be the time where we feel down so I completely understand why Dope won the vote because it is such an upbeat and energetic song that makes you want to get up and dance as soon as you hear the boys dancing ‘Dope, dope, dope’. Not only that, the lyrics are very inspirational despite seeming to be a self-absorbed song with BTS calling themselves dope but it is the complete opposite to this, which is why I appreciate the boys so much. 

There is a certain part of the song by the rap line that certainly makes me get out of a dark place and I think it will be the same for many people who listen to this song so I will just leave it here below for people to read and maybe use for when tough times occur.

‘Why are they killing us before we can even try, enemy enemy enemy
Why are you hanging your head and accepting it already? energy energy energy
Don’t ever give up, you know you are not lonely
Our down is prettier than the day
So can I get a little bit of hope, yeah
Wake your sleeping youth, go’
Cheryl - Dope was one of the first videos I watched (with Jimin’s bright red hair) and I was mesmerised with their smart costumes and very smart choreography. The song even describes how hard they work to create their dances, spending hours in their studio and being covered in sweat, whilst others their age are busy partying.

I love the line “I reject rejection” which is repeated a few times in the song and has such a positive vibe to it. This song and video certainly brightens up a dull Autumn day or evening.

Charlie - Dope is perhaps one of the most fitting songs to wake you up. As a popular song to attract new ARMYs, it is an explosive, attention-grabbing dance tune about how BTS’ success is down to the fact that they always work hard. To me, the song is inspirational; it tells you, “Wake up and work hard to achieve your dreams!”. It also fits “turn back the clock” because, to me, it is a throwback song. It is a quintessential classic BTS song, with witty raps and sassy vocals, and was my first BTS song. Jungkook’s “Ayo ladies and gentleman” turns back the clocks for me; it brings me back to the very first time I saw those 7 men dance together. 

House Of Cards - Charlie

A lot of ARMYs are probably most familiar with this song as the song that makes us suffer due to its seductive tones. It first made its appearance as Outro: House of Cards on The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Part 2, but the full length edition to this beautiful ballad is from the Young Forever album. It details the process of a friendship or relationship inevitably falling apart like a house of cards. 

To me, this song fits the “turn back the clocks” theme for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is inevitably a song that will make you feel warm on the coldest nights when you listen. The vocals, like dark chocolate, are soothing and enveloping. Jimin’s bridge, in particular, is one that I always rewind (like turning back a clock) to listen to again. The way in which Jimin’s voice builds and builds into a stunning high note is simply intoxicating. 

“Slow down the time
Please stay for a little more oh
Please Baby Calm down
Just a little more”

The nothing-less-than-beautiful tones provided by the vocal line add to the addictive quality of this song. I have not added this as my alarm tone only for fear of ruining the song, but I feel that if I set this as my alarm tone, I would happily wake up and get out of bed every morning to the comforting vocals that make me happy every time I hear them. The captivating vocals together with the violins of the background distract me from whatever’s bothering me, and allow me to get lost in this beautiful song. 

The songs sad theme has an even more upsetting element when you add the “turn back the clocks” theme to it. In true angsty, HYYH fashion, the song is about a relationship that seems doomed to fail, and the vocal line lament about how the relationship keeps collapsing even when they beg their lover, or friend, to stay. They wish they could turn back the clock and change things, but it is a hopeless dream. 

“A house made of cards, and us, inside
Even though the end is visible
Even if it’s going to collapse soon
A house made of cards, we’re like idiots
Even if it’s a vain dream”


Coffee - Cheryl

I believe Coffee by BTS is a song about young love or the early part of a relationship. It is such a tender song with such a delicate backing track and soothing vocals.  

Suga sings about how nervous he was in the beginning, first text, phone call and first date and questions why this was so, why was he biting his nails? Why were the first texts so clumsy? Then how the relationship goes naturally to being lovers. He compares how the beginning of the relationship was like a sweet caramel macchiato and then turns to espresso as the feelings changed and finally turned to a bitter americano as the relationship breaks apart.

RM sings about breaking up and compares this with the bitter after taste of coffee and how it makes sense as the girl has left him. He says he would like to live a life full of regrets and playing with fire, I believe this is so he can experience the good times to counterbalance the pain of the break up.

Jungkook compares the warmth of the relationship to a Cafe Latte and I can just imagine the fluffy foam and thick sweet liquid being so comforting and warm - like a hug.

Then there is the chorus:
“Baby baby, you’re a caramel macchiato
Your scent is still sweet on my lips
Baby baby tonight“ 

This just catches me each time it is sung - Baby baby tonight being in English and sung in such a soothing way - is really cute.

I enjoyed the play on relationships and comparing them to the different types of coffee.  I think this is both relatable and a clever concept.

Idol - Onomey
With this being the time of year when the clocks turn back, this seemed the perfect time to look back at the songs that make this time of year better. When I was thinking about what song to do for this topic, I thought about picking a really old BTS song but decided to think of a scenario where it is dark and cold outside so I don’t want to leave my house as a way to choose a song. This resulted in me choosing IDOL because the song almost acts like a shock to my system. It is so hi-energy that it makes you want to dance, even if you are having the darkest of days. 

The chorus especially is what gets you dancing even if you’ve listened to the song a million times, there’s something about the line ‘you can’t stop me loving myself’ that gives you the motivation to go out and dominate the world because it makes you realise how true that line is if you believe in yourself a bit more. 

Each verse is a motivational reminder that people can call you names but you shouldn’t let it affect you because you know who you are deep down inside. This is why I think the first verse, by Namjoon and J-Hope, is positioned where it is because the verse is performed in a shouty ‘look at me’ approach, which shows the confidence they feel within themselves. The vocals are in sync with the kick of the song which emphasises the impact that it has to the opening of the song and they’ve deliberately delivered the vocals in a choppy sounding way and tried to use words that only have one or two syllables to almost replace the drum in 

‘You can call me artist (artist)
You can call me idol (idol)
No matter what you call me
I don’t care
I’m proud of it (proud of it)
I’m free (free)
No more irony (irony)
Cuz I was always just me’

The hook is a simple but clever melody as it played in some form near enough throughout the song, whether that is in the chorus it is played on an instrument before the hook introduces itself, so that you have it stuck in your head just by listening to the song for a small period and it also transcends language as everyone can sing a tune.

‘oh oh owoah
Oh oh owoah owoah
Oh-oh owoah
Dunkidduk kungduruhruh
Ulssu’


I Like It Part 2 - Michayla
This song for me, is perfect for this theme because firstly it is going back to 2014 when it was released on the Japanese album ‘Wake Up’. Secondly, this song definitely cheers me up and is very welcome on a dark, dingy evening.
‘I like it part 2’ is a follow on from ‘I like it’ and is such an underrated song in my opinion. It is a tale of woe, really, talking to the lost love and expressing feelings, sometimes even sounding a bit desperate, which is just heart wrenching.
‘I remember the past again
Our relationship becomes “EX”
Between us OH NO! Becomes “X”
When did a wall form between us? Two people who pass by without noticing each other’
BTS talk about a relationship that has ended in the modern age, with mentions of ‘likes’ on social media and the changing of a status.
‘Today too memories pass through the LAN cable
The memories draw me back, your hair from behind
I’m always looking at the blue screen, I start to hate it
Every time I feel like clicking the “like” button I try calling you
Hello?
I wish that you remember me, If you could maybe…’
This song is gentle but spritely and I adore the overall sound with Jungkook’s voice standing out so much. The dance practice, released in 2017 is a visual treat and if you haven’t seen it, I would highly recommend it. The part where Namjoon uses Jimin as a phone, with the other members forming the ‘house’ is so cute, definitely worth looking out for.
I hope ‘I like it part 2’ is a song that makes you smile on a dark morning because it certainly makes me smile and feel a little brighter on those dingy, cold mornings.


 You can turn back time by adding this to your Spotify playlist at the following link:

Turning The Clocks Back


Relatable songs
Here in the Spotify Playlist Team, we wanted to share with you, the songs that we relate to. The song that hits you when you read the lyrics and maybe even helps you through a certain time in your life. 
Which BTS songs can you relate to? Please share with us on Twitter @BTSRadioUK
You Never Walk Alone chosen by ARMY
Michayla - Well, you certainly can’t argue with the poll winner this week, with a resounding 55% of the votes, it was clearly the song that many ARMY can relate to. I can relate to YNWA is a few ways, of course primarily because I am ARMY and much of it can be interpreted as the relationship between BTS and ARMY. The song could refer to a friend or lover too, life will always throw obstacles at you but if you have someone willing to hold your hand and go through it with you, then you don’t have to deal with it alone.
Charlie - From the first devastating notes of the song, I am overcome by so many fond yet bittersweet memories and emotions. I feel comforted by the message of this song: that BTS will never want us to feel that we are walking a lonely path. This message of comfort is key to the YNWA repackage of Wings. Despite how emotional it makes me feel, the chorus is uplifting and a truly fitting finale to an album that was about spreading one's wings. The rap line deliver serene and comforting verses and the vocal line’s voices are like a warm embrace. 
Cheryl - You Never Walk Alone is a song about togetherness and helping each other through difficult times - just by being there and holding hands (virtually or physically). We may get tired, we may have scars, we may be in pain, we can feel lonely, we may be sick. But, if we are together, with your hand in mine we can crawl, walk, run and fly.  Together we can forget the darkness and the lonely things - we can smile, be unafraid - soar! I believe this is such a BTS and Army song - whether it’s BTS helping each other, BTS helping Army, Army helping BTS or Army helping Army - we are all supporting each other. One enormous beautiful family!
Onomey - So for this weeks poll, You Never Walk Alone (YNWA) was chosen which I also voted for. I think the reason why I was originally drawn to this song because being a supporter of Liverpool, the song You’ll Never Walk Alone, is the anthem that is related to the club. I love every word of this song because of the meaning of the lyrics they’re very positive about never giving up even through tough times and this is what BTS have done with YNWA. 

I like that Suga, J-Hope and RM stick to the same theme of the song title but focus on different topics of struggles. Suga talks about God and being able to walk along the road together rather than alone so they can support each other whereas J-Hope focuses on using having no wings and needing support from others because of that get through the pain so he is able to fly. Finally, RM combines the two topics asking ‘Will you walk with me? Will you fly with me?’ as well as saying, whatever happens, will happen because it is all of his own makings. 

My favourite verse is by J-Hope as it makes me really think of times where I've had to ask people for help and even though it was painful, I was glad that I did it because I felt like a better person as a result.

‘These wings sprouted from my pain 
But these wings are going towards the light
Even if it’s tiring and painful, I will fly if I can
Will you hold my hand
So that I won’t be afraid anymore?
If you and I are together 
I can smile’


Don’t Leave Me - Charlie

This week, it was particularly hard to pick a song to write about, as BTS have so many songs that speak to my innermost thoughts and worries that it is a main part of their appeal to me. However, Don’t Leave Me is such a ridiculously stunning song that I had to delve into it. It is one of the original Japanese songs from BTS’ third Japanese album. Although the title is quite self-explanatory, the lyrics themselves are incredibly heartfelt. 

Taehyung and Namjoon’s lyrics, which begin the song with their deep, honey-vocals, particularly make me imagine some kind of dramatic anime opening, complete with dark figures watching each other from afar but being too scared to approach each other. 

“Mysterious footprints
Find them and follow
Cornered are my shadows
Hidden behind the light, what?” 

The introduction to this song is quite unique, and somehow has a nostalgic feeling despite it being a relatively recent song. It sounds like something that I would hear on the radio, despite the song’s overall power and tragic mood. 

To speak of the rest of the vocal line, Jungkook’s breathy and melodic tones really add to the hopeless romantic vibe of the song, and make the song the dramatic, epic song that it is with the versatile reach of his voice.

“The more time flows, the more it deepens
I’m between your past and future right now”

However, the “killing part” of the song for me is that moment when the beat drops to start the chorus, and Jimin or Jin (depending on which chorus of the song it is) belt out the title of the song. It is such an instant, gratifying outburst of energy and emotion and raw talent from the vocal line. They slay the gripping choruses from start to finish. 

“Don’t leave me
I believe, start running
No ending… you’re my heartbeat
No matter what, rain falls
No matter what, darkness erases
I’ll definitely save you
You are not alone”

I have already mentioned, Namjoon, but rap line as a whole have a vital part in this song. Hoseok and Yoongi’s flows are brilliant and without flaws in my eyes. Once again, their verses are outbursts of emotions, spoken eloquently without missing a single half-beat. 

“You don’t gotta worry ‘bout a thing
Nah, not a thing
This time, it’s my turn to send them
I’ll definitely reach you, your thoughts”




Not Today - Onomey

We all love the Not Today video because of the production quality, dance moves and more.
The main reason why I chose Not Today as a relatable song to me is that on the surface it's seen as a hype song but the lyrics are very relatable especially during this day and age with the influx of people suffering from mental illness and people having to deal with online and real-life bullying and abuse.

I like that BTS decided to make a song almost like an anthem for all the people who have ever been put down and underestimated just how they were as a group and as individuals at the beginning of their careers. The song begins with RM and he calls upon anyone who feels like that to join them in the fight, almost like they are going to war with the people who made them feel small about wanting to succeed in life and their career with the intro by RM. 

‘All the underdogs in the world
A day may come when we lose
But it is not today
Today we fight’

The choreography in the video echos the video as for example before the bridge there is sequences in the video where the group are running away from people chasing them and during the bridge, V, Jimin, and JK are motivating people to get ready to fight and not to bow down to anyone

'Throw it up! Throw it up!
Forget about the fear in your eyes
Break it up! Break it up!
Break the class ceiling that cages you
Turn it up! (Turn it up!) 
Burn it up (Burn it up!)
Until the day of the victory (Fight!)
Don’t kneel, don’t collapse
Thats not today!

And as a result after the bridge there is a moment in the choreography where they do fist pumps into the air almost like motivated the Army before they go to battle against the people doubters and haters.

My favourite verse is by J-Hope as it's almost like after all the hardships he went to, he started to believe in himself and his support network.

‘We couldn’t fail
Because we believed in each other 
What you say yeah
Not today yeah
We will never die today yeah

Finally I think this song is very relatable when I’m feeling lost and need a lift as well as needing motivation to go and do something in the world that is productive and makes me happy and successful. I suggest to any Army out there to have this song on blast, dance your heart out and really listen to the lyrics because I believe it will motivate you, and that’s all down to the very talented BTS that we all love and support so well. 


So What - Michayla

I will forever be grateful for the existence of ‘So What' and I can relate to it on so many levels. The whole meaning of the song, in my opinion, is about fears and worries that may not necessarily have foundations, so more of an anxiety. It’s about not getting caught up with these things that have not happened yet and concentrate on the moment in hand. Deal with the elements that you can actually work through and try not to let the worries about things that haven’t happened, bother you.

‘In a sigh, lots of worries are hiding
Stop thinking about it, you already know it all
In the middle of the road, in the moment you want to give up
Shout out louder
So what, what, what’

I think that worries are something we all have to cope with in life and at times, these are born in our own minds, I know that I am guilty of overthinking situations. I had surgery in January and before I went into hospital I think I had worried about every single possibility and outcome, which actually caused me more stress. 

There are situations where you just have to deal with what is in front of you and move forward, whatever that means. These worries can hold you back and hinder you so BTS are urging us not to get caught up in these.

‘So What’ is such an upbeat, motivational song and I find myself relating to it on a level that I have never experienced with a song before. At the O2 in October 2018 I was fortunate enough to see this performed live and at the time, I had spent 16 months devoid of anything but grief after losing my Mum. Yet, during ‘So What’ before I understood the meaning, I realised that I felt alive and had a huge rush of emotion. I watched my daughter, stood beside me and I will never, ever forget that day because it was the day I started living again.

‘So What
Don’t stop and worry yourself
It’s good for nothing
Let go
Although there’s no answer
You can start the fight’

 YouTube 

134340 - Cheryl

Relatable songs by BTS - well there are just so many to choose from.  So I chose 13430 and here is the reason why...

I believe this song is about the breaking up of a relationship and the questions you are left with - Why did you kick me out? Also the memories that return once you smell a familiar perfume, even after a long period apart. The feelings too of not quite being good enough “How am I not as good as that moon?”

BTS compare the failings of the relationship to the ending life of Pluto as a planet - 134340.  With the lyrics

‘What meaning is left of the fallen planet’s remaining life
I’ll receive it til I die, your stifling stare
I still orbit you, and nothing’s changed
If love has no name, everything has changed’

I believe the feelings can be the same when a relationship is over - you still see the person but everything has changed because your orbiting them but no longer connected to them.

This also resonates with Jin and Jimin’s pre-chorus 

‘I’m just orbiting you
(I missed you, I lost you)
I’m just going in circles
(You erased me, you forgot me)’

I can remember the feeling of going around in circles in my mind - asking questions and looking for answers that do not come - also feeling erased and forgotten.

Suga’s verse is quite haunting - things are the same as yesterday, same old days - but your not here.  We were together before yesterday and now it’s quite scary - same days but no you. I personally find change quite scary and I think that is why this verse is so powerful for me.


This song gives me goosebumps and I love how it is relatable for me and I’m sure I am not alone!

Which songs do you relate to? Add our relatable songs to your playlist at the following Spotify link: Relatable Songs 


Greatest Hits - (If we were in charge)
This week we have wondered which songs we would put into a BTS greatest hits album if we were in charge. This was a difficult theme because there are so many fantastic songs, especially when restricted to a certain number.
Which song would be the title track for your greatest hits album? Let us know on twitter @BTSRadioUK


I Need U chosen by ARMY
Onomey - This song is epic for so many reasons which is why I think it was the winner in this weeks poll. I love the music video for this song because it is almost like a movie rather than a music video. You can see the pain each of the members is experiencing as a result of their relationships but then as one they’re happy and having many laughs and fun adventures. I think the chorus is what hooks everyone to the song mostly as the vocals during it is amazing as well as the choreography that goes with it. Despite the sadness of the chorus, the melody makes you want to dance and sing along despite it being about a battle of emotions.

'I need you girl
Why am I in love alone, why am I hurting alone
I need you girl
Why do I keep needing you when I know I'll get hurt?
I need you girl, you're so beautiful
I need you girl, you're so cold
I need you girl, I need you girl
I need you girl, I need you girl'

Michayla - This was a very tough week and I know choosing between the 4 poll songs, caused ARMY a lot of trouble. It would be difficult to have a greatest hits album without ‘I Need U’ so I understand why it was the winner. This is a classic song with an equally powerful MV embroiled in the BTS universe. The choreography is also something ARMY are well acquainted with and I always find myself singing along, not quite brave enough to try the dance moves. 

Cheryl - I love this song - however I find the lyrics heartbreaking and I’m wondering if anyone else has similar thoughts?

Imagine the feelings of needing someone but needing that someone to end it between you because you are unable to end it for yourself - I find this really sad! The other person in the relationship is obviously not very nice - J-Hope sings - the things you’ve said are like a mask, hiding the truth and rips him apart and that he’s going crazy - he hates the other person.  The words convey so much pain!

Charlie - When I first read the lyrics for this song, I was hit with a feeling that BTS’ lyrics might be too deep for me, and that I couldn’t handle it. It’s heartbreaking but also a song you can dance to (I admit to attempting this stunning dance in my kitchen while it came on during National Album Day). This is such a deserving song for a greatest hits playlist: The song that gave them their first win, and the song that new fans tend to gravitate towards; based on the experiences of myself and friends, it’s often people’s first favourite BTS song. It has a pop vibe that mixes with a distinctive BTS sound, and all around has the distinctive nostalgic mood that the HYYH era completely mastered. 


Fire - Michayla
Burning Up (Fire) is destined for a BTS Greatest Hits album for so many reasons and that is the reason I chose to write about this song. It is one of many amazing tracks on The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever and is simply iconic BTS.
Many songs have that one line that everyone knows but ‘Fire’ has 2 words that are synonymous with it, both said by Yoongi, one at the very beginning and the second ends the song:
‘Bultaoreune’ and ‘Yongseohaejulge’
‘Fire’ is about living your life the way you want to live it, almost a carefree attitude. BTS want you to accept that there will be times in your life when things don’t go your way, you don’t win and that is okay, keep going and try a new path.
‘Live however you want, it’s your life anyway
Stop trying, it’s okay to lose’
The fact that the lyrics are so catchy, makes this one of BTS’ most appealing songs, in my opinion. The music is edgy and you cannot fail to move when it is on. I can’t help myself when ‘Fire’ plays and always find myself singing out loud and dancing, even in the car.
I can’t talk about ‘Fire’ without mentioning the MV, which is absolute fire in itself. The MV starts with Yoongi jumping a fence to get to a hooded figure who he then shakes hands with and sets alight. From that moment onward it is a hive of activity, bursting with energy, with so much happening. 
The choreography is highly energetic and something I am certainly not brave enough to attempt at its peak but I manage some of it. I think if you mention ‘Fire’ to ARMY, the majority would be able to show you a dance move or two, which I think makes this song legendary.
Outro: Tear - Charlie
Tear, the outro to the Love Yourself: Tear album, is a song most fitting for this playlist of BTS' greatest hits. It's been such a well-loved song since its release, and has gone down in ARMY history as one of the best rap line songs, if not one of the best BTS songs. Even its stage performance is one of the staples of the Love Yourself and LY:SY tours, with electrifying graphics, impactful stage presence and, of course, the rap line’s now-iconic outfits. 
As the conclusion to an album about a love that is forced and not real, Tear is about the regret of a love that has now failed. It is full of angst and anger and sadness; if I am in an anxious mood I cannot listen to it as it is that intense and emotional of a song; it actually gives me butterflies. 
I will start with Namjoon's verse, which kicks off the song with high intensity. He sounds panicked, with repetition of "I don't wanna listen to that", and realisations that he wasn't actually in love with the person, and that's why the love failed. Yoongi's verse is heavy with impassioned emotions as he taunts the person he once "loved", telling them that from the start they wanted to hurt him so that they should just get it over with. It hurts to read and to hear. 
"Woo take it easy slowly carve out my heart
That’s right, that’s right, gently step on the shards that have shattered
So that regret, regret, such a thing will no longer be left
Please burn up my heart that was torn into shreds
That’s right, right there, what are you hesitating for
This is the ending you were wishing for
So go on and kill me without hesitating
Woo yeah yeah burn it"
All of the rising emotions culminate in Hoseok's verse, in which he sounds like he's rapping through actual pain just because of how intense the verse is and how expertly he uses his voice to portray the heightened emotions of the song. He puts his all into it and it is no wonder the song ends with heavy panting. 
"That I won’t cry, that I won’t tear it up
I can’t say those kinds of words. In the future I, too
Breakup, incurable disease
You’re my beginning and my end, That is all"
Verses aside, the instrumental to this song gives me butterflies because of how frantic and high-energy the violins are. The chorus is one that must be yelled out, to release any angst that you have. The live performance thankfully does the emotions of this song justice, as it feels like a literal whirlwind to see the rap line belt out these harrowingly beautiful lyrics. 
Dionysis - Cheryl
Well, personally I love the big powerful songs from BTS (Fake Love rock version, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Danger to name a few).  Dionysus is definitely big and powerful and the choreography is just as powerful too.

When I first heard this song I knew it would be amazing to hear and see live - the lyrics “now I’m ready for the show” and “are you ready to get hyped up” set the mood for an amazing night.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the first time seeing it at Wembley as the opening act.  All members dressed in white and looking amazing - full of self confidence and thoroughly enjoying themselves (slight contrast to the opening of O2 a year ago with the injury and everyone was concerned about JK - obviously no fault of theirs!)

The thumping of the fists on the set, reminded me of the scene in N.O. where Jungkook slams the desk and says No! as if they are standing up for what they believe in.

Suga’s lyrics in the bridge - born as an Idol and reborn as an artist - what does it matter if I’m an Idol or an artist - cheers.  I believe this relates to the success of BTS being not just successful at home but worldwide and he wonders what does it matter - cheers; perhaps toasting their success.

Suga also says that the new record is a fight against oneself.  This implies that he/they have to come to terms with themselves and I believe the success that they have achieved and everything that comes with the success; both good and bad.

Dionysus was the Greek god of wine but he was also known to change a room.  When he entered people would dance as their inhibitions were reduced by wine and song, very similar to the effects that BTS have on their audience at concerts (no wine needed)! MNet 
Just Dance - Onomey
I chose to write about Just Dance as part of the greatest hits list for my own selfish reasons, as when I saw the boys in summer just gone in London, I was shaken to a new level by the impact of J-Hope and this song. I was running late to the concert because I accidentally took the tube in the opposite direction to Wembley and as I was walking into the stadium, the whole thing was shaking with people chanting ‘J-Hope’ during the bridge of Just Dance which is something I will never forget. 

I really delight in the idea of having a Trivia series of songs within the LY: Answer album because its not something we see in most albums and it is nice to get different ideas of what parts of love they think about and in this case J-Hope compares the start of love is similar to dance because dancing is what gives him goosebumps and makes him feel like a child all over again. 

‘Our heartbeats are in sync 
You’re getting to know my heart too
I wanna keep this going
I like you like I like to dance’

The production of this song is amazing as it makes the whole song energetic with the wobbles throughout and beat drops which as a consequence creates a really good song to dance to which I think is the point of the song. The choreography is amazing to this dance also and watching J-Hope dance around the stage in a white suit showing us his amazing dancing talent makes this song that bit more special.

This song is very repetitive with certain lyrics but I think this is done deliberately as when a person starts to fall in love with someone, they find themselves thinking about that person without actually meaning to which is very clever. I think that the chorus is repeated as a result of this as it is sung five times. As well as this, the simplicity of the lyrics makes the song very interactive with fans worldwide because of the repetitive and easy sounding lyrics which allows everyone to sing along easier whilst dancing also. I noticed also that in the first pre-chorus he refers to the person he is falling in love with as a friend and as the song continues into the second pre-chorus, it changes to love.

‘It's weird, we’re connecting too much
Feels like everything will go well
but you’re my friend, yeah my friend just…’

‘You’re getting to know my heart too
I wanna keep this going 
I like you like I like to dance
So you’re my love, yeah my love
That’s what I like’ 


Finally, I think this song deserves to be in the greatest hits playlist just because I think most ARMY members enjoy getting to experience vocalist J-Hope and when it is a full song to himself I notice more of how much his vocals have improved which is something he should be proud of.


To add the Greatest Hits to your playlist just follow the link: Greatest Hits - A Playlist


Collaborations
This week we were inspired by Chicken Noodle Soup and J-Hope’s collaboration with Becky G. We have picked songs that we think would be great as a collaboration.
Have you ever thought about which songs you could imagine BTS performing with another artist? Let us know on Twitter @BTSRadioUK


Home chosen by ARMY
Michayla - This poll was closer than I thought considering the mix between old and new songs. I was left wondering how another artist would fit into ‘Home’ and whether a rapper or vocalist would be the better fit. I decided that a vocalist would be best and I could definitely see someone singing the chorus and ‘La la la la la la la la la la I love it’.
Cheryl - Home as a collaboration, well I was just wondering what it would sound like if in the refrain where it’s Jimin, V and Jungkook Suga was added.

Jimin, V or Jungkook singing “your love your love your love”and Suga singing “I miss that” etc - I am rather intrigued to hear the contrast of their voices with Suga.

Charlie - It is evident that Home is a hugely popular BTS song, with its stunning vocals (that somehow sound even better live at the Muster) and undeniably heartwarming lyrics. Therefore, a collaboration of this gorgeous song with another talented artist would be such a dream. Personally, I think a Halsey collab would work wonderfully with this song as she is already close friends with BTS and therefore the wholesome lyrics would suit their friendship so well. The touch of Spanish, the endearing “la la la”s and the sweet raps all make this song so beautiful and well-loved. 

Onomey - It was difficult to think of a singer that I would love to collaborate with BTS on Home but if I was forced to choose I would go with Justin Timberlake vocal wise. This is because they both have a ton of songs that have the same R&B feel as Home has, so I think they both would gel well together. I think that it is easy for a song to sound disjointed if the wrong people are chosen. The song is mostly in falsetto which is why I think JT would make a great addition because his falsetto is one of the best amongst male singers and is well known for how great his falsetto is. Just imagine the boys and Justin Timberlake harmonising in falsetto, it would be a bit of heaven to our eardrums. A bonus would be that if there is ever a music video, Justin Timberlake is hardly an amateur when it comes to dancing so it would make an awesome video.


Cypher part 4 - Charlie

BTS have racked up quite a few collaborations lately. But after incredible rap-based songs like All Night ft. Juice WRLD, I would specifically love a rap collab. Cypher 4, when I first heard the hints of BTS’ “love yourself” message, is somewhat underrated in my opinion, and a collaboration to bring this song back would be incredible. 

I am in love with the intro to this song: As soon as I hear it, I am brought back to walks home from school when I would listen to this song and try not to yell along to Namjoon’s powerful first verse. This verse is one of my favourite Namjoon verses of all time, as he quotes people saying that he doesn’t have the face of an idol and he needs to fix his pronunciation when he raps. He sarcastically apologises to them, before continuing with his stunning verse about how he doesn’t hate his haters; and he in fact feels sorry for them because he doesn’t even know who they are even though they know who he is. This signals the fourth as the final cypher; as the members are just tired of dissing their haters now and feel happy to move on from paying attention to them. 

Hoseok’s verse is fire; there is no other way to say that. It has so many fun, memorable bits (“You wanna be my life?” and “I love ma rule” spring to mind) and it’s overall just about how he’s completely ignoring the haters and sincerely focusing on his work. His voice and his flow make the song so much fun to listen to, even though the lyrics are serious and about working hard in order to enjoy success. 

“But I can’t be satisfied just being here
I’m climbing up there, high high high
That’s right, my method is different
I take on the road no matter what
Sewing stich by stich
If you’re not able, put an end to it
There is no possibility
Of pronouncing “failure”
I love ma rule, the work that I do with my bros”

Yoongi has the final two verses, and he rounds off the song with quickfire, savage lyrics, quintessential Yoongi-style. He brags about his success and his money whilst completely obliterating the haters he is talking to effortlessly. 

“So fly above your face that became a corpse
Click clack to the bang, you and you
I’m always thankful, for not earning anything so easily
Why is it my fault, that your life is noncommittal
Keep on living like that vaguely
Sorry but continue to look
Because I’m gonna earn more from now
By all means please live healthily”

Like the other cyphers, the chorus is the catchy part we can sing along to; Before Epiphany’s “I’m the one I should love” chorus, this was the song that had people in arenas stand up and yell “I love myself”. I would adore seeing another artist join BTS in this chorus of self-love, and join forces on this savage diss track. It would be something incredible. I would also be curious to see them keep up with rap line’s flow on the verses, and add another rap to the mix that I already adore. 

MNet 

Epiphany - Onomey

This weeks theme was fun but hard at the same time as each song the boys produce are already perfect so it was difficult to even think of BTS songs that we would want others to feature on. With that being said, the song I chose was Epiphany and the person I thought would be great on this track is Tori Kelly. I think her and Jin's voice would work well together and plus they both seem like funny and goofy people so I think they would get along well. 

Tori would bring a bit of a rock feel to the song as she has a very raw soulful voice. I’ve got images in my head now of a duet with Tori and Jin on stage with Jin playing the piano and Tori playing the guitar in the rain, wow I get goosebumps just thinking about it. The parts in the song where Tori could enter the track would be after the second verse where Jin sings.

‘Im shaking and afraid but I keep going forward
I’m meeting the real you, hidden in the storm
Why did I want to hide my precious self like this?
Why did I hide my true self?’

This could be the part where Tori Kelly introduces herself and maybe replies to those questions asked or maybe give the perspective of the person who Jin loved so much and is trying to recover emotionally from. There is a lot of avenues to go down if this song were ever to become a duet and I’d probably be here all day talking about it if I carried on. I will finish with saying that these two artists pour their emotions into every word they sing about, no matter what the song is as you can hear the almost strained sounds in their vocals. For example, in the chorus on certain words, you can feel the rawness in Jin's vocals which as a result makes the ballad all that more great. 

‘I’m the one I should love in this world
Shining me, precious soul of mine
I finally realised so I love me
Not so perfect, but so beautiful
I’m the one I should love’.


The Stars - Cheryl 

This week’s Spotify playlist theme is: Songs that would make great collaborations - I am sure this theme will cause some controversy - will you agree with us? Can’t wait to see your comments...

I have chosen The Stars - This song was released in 2015 and is about life’s ups and downs and how life is compared to a see saw (wonder if Suga was already thinking of his solo song?).

It’s an empowering song about following your dreams, aiming for a bright shining tomorrow and not giving up.

Even if your feeling discouraged - this is not meaningless and with your heart yearning for success, little by little this success can be achieved. 

If you look up you will see the shining stars. I find this line of the song to be very grounded - whether your life is in an up or a down: the stars are constant and can be seen (even if not seen you know they are there!).

The final verse is just so perfect - it mentions that life can be difficult and can be unpleasant but that life is more valuable than you might think and that if we are together it is like a harmony.  If we hug and understand each other we can change to a positive mind.

Life is a game, take time to enjoy, so Play!

This song would make a lovely collaboration and now that BTS are so successful I think it would be interesting to explore their earlier music and have a different take on it....


Boy in Luv - Michayla

My choice this week caused a healthy debate in my house because ‘Boy In Luv’ is my daughters BTS anthem. Each week when we pick a theme, my daughter wants ‘Boy In Luv’ on the list and can usually find a reason it belongs on the playlist. Naturally, I expected her to want it included this time around but she didn’t want it on the list because she couldn’t possibly imagine anyone else singing it with BTS. 

However, I thought this would make a fantastic collaboration and could most definitely imagine another artist dressed in school uniform in the MV. There is so much scope for someone else to fit in, from another rapper to an extra verse for a vocalist or perhaps a female artist to sing a reply to Jungkook and Jimin.

This song is your typical teenage love song, all the feels of ‘High school musical’ in the MV and 7 guys revealing their feelings for the girl. My favourite part of this song has to be Taehyung’s growl and verse, which I heard for myself at the O2 in October 2018 as part of the medley and that is certainly something that will remain etched in the memory.

Jimin and Jungkook’s high notes are another amazing part of this song and I think a collaboration with a female vocalist would be great for this. I think ‘Boy In Luv’ is crying out for the reply, for the girl to have a voice and sing her feelings back to the boys. 

Would she choose Jin, Jimin or Jungkook? We will never know but I think it would be a great addition to ‘Boy In Luv’.

‘Hold me tight before I kiss you
Before my heart lets you go
Say what you want
Say what you want
What is it that you really want?’


You can add the collaboration playlist on Spotify at the following link: Collaborations
Together Again
With BTS returning from their break we had the idea for a playlist that is about friendship and reuniting with friends or family. Schools, colleges and universities have all restarted after the summer break, so friends have got back together. Perhaps in the summer you met up with friends or family that you don’t see very often? This is the playlist for you.

Make It Right & Boy With Luv chosen by ARMY
Eve - (Make it Right) Simply put this song is a perfect pop song, but it’s a perfect pop song with heart and depth and emotion and love and sadness.
It surprised me that such a simple song production wise made me feel so much before knowing the context of the song, but it really is a perfect pop song.  It takes you on a journey. The background synths are just at the right level to keep you wanting more throughout the song. Soft emotional feelings of someone who one day understood what they missed in their past, whether a person, moment or a feeling and the journey they decided to go on to get back to that something.
‘All day, everywhere
But all of this is about reaching you
It's the answer to my journey
I'm singing to find you
Baby to you’
(Boy With Luv) Boy With Luv is a love song, the boy in RM’s rap looks back at the moment he realised that a moment of love wasn’t enough and that he knows he wants that strong forever love.
‘Sometimes I prayed let me run away
But your pain is my pain
When I realised that, I vowed to myself
With the wings of Icarus you gave me
Not towards the sun but towards you
Let me fly’
Boy With Luv is sugary sweet, but when Suga steps in for his verse with his lower vocal tone, it takes the song in a different direction and acts like a break between the high notes of Jin and Jungkook. The flow of the entire song with the strings in the background taking you from scene to scene just like a film, just like the music video one set to another changing the mood and the tempo.
Michayla - (Make it Right) This song was the first song I wrote about when BTSRadioUK reviewed MOTS: Persona and I was hooked on it from the start. All 7 members voices play a huge part in conveying the emotion embroiled in the lyrics. Many believe it is linked to the BTS webtoon and Jin trying to save each member from their fate. Others will have a different opinion. One thing I do know is that this song could be about wanting to be reunited with that one person, who you miss and all the feelings associated with that:
‘Baby I know, I can make it better
I can hold you tighter
All those roads are pointing to you’
(Boy With Luv) This song is a total bop and I feel there are so many messages within it. The main focus being on BTS and ARMY because we got the ARMY version of the MV and Jungkook's line is a message to those that have stood by them ‘I want to be with you through everything’. 
Boy with Luv is a song about growth and love. It is testament to the things BTS have learned since their 2014 song ‘Boy In Luv’, their relationship with themselves and ARMY is so much stronger. 
Cheryl - Another draw - how extraordinary. (Boy With Luv) As a song that is played amongst friends this one stands out partly because it’s so obvious that Halsey and BTS are friends and not just collaborating on a single without really knowing each other but also because it is such a happy song and great for singing and dancing along to with friends.

(Make It Right) For a song to be played amongst friends I love this song it’s got such a strong vibe and is full of tuneful hugs “I can make it better, I can hold you tighter”.  The song is about making the world a better place and improving relationships too, which in my opinion is what friendship is all about!
Charlie - The poll doesn’t lie; Map of the Soul: Persona was a hugely popular album full of songs with popular messages that you can listen to with your friends. Make It Right seems to be about wanting to improve yourself so that you can reach and be a better person to someone you love. The looping instrumental and repetitive chorus makes it a calming song about realising what you have to do to improve your relationship with someone who has been there for you. Boy With Luv, on the other hand, is an upbeat and feel-good song about wanting to know about all the little things about someone. The edited title from the earlier track “Boy In Luv” tells me that it cannot just be about someone you’re in love with, but someone you love as a friend or family member instead. You don’t like being apart from them and you want them to talk to you about your day and all the trivial things that happened in it. As it also reads as a song from BTS to ARMY, it seems a perfect pick for the “together again” theme as we have been missing BTS and want to hear that they’ve had a good break. From the moment we hear the first few notes of this song, we immediately get excited for this fun-loving song which also represents in part BTS’s beautiful friendship with Halsey. To me, that’s what this song is all about: friendship and enjoying the time you spend with someone. 
Onomey - (Make it right) Make It Right has an R&B swing to it that makes you want to bob your head or dance to it even though it is a slowish and relaxing song. Make it right is relatable to everyone as we all have experienced at least one situation where you make a mistake in a friendship or relationship and want to do anything to rekindle it because it meant so much. The main lyrical line that stands out to me concerning this is when RM says:
‘Look at me, why can’t you recognise me?
I don’t want to hear other peoples noises
Your fragrance still penetrates and breaks me down
Let's go back to that time.’
(Boy with Luv) Boy with Luv, on the other hand, is a typical pop song and confident look relationships which are supported by strong and energetic choreography as well as the instrumentation that has a fun and funky vibe to it throughout the song. The relationship in this song is cemented and BTS know how a relationship should work and how things that you would usually see as negatives in someone are no longer that, they are the things you like best about that individual.
‘You’re the star that turns ordinaries to extraordinaries, oh yeah
One after another ay, ay, everything is special ay, ay
The things you’re interested in, the way you walk or wattle and every little trivial habit of yours’
Source: ibighit 
Dream Glow - Cheryl
Dream Glow features Charli XCX and is sung with Jin, Jimin and Jung Kook.  Charli XCX is an English singer and songwriter. She started out posting songs on MySpace in 2008 where she was discovered by a promoter.  She has featured on a number 1 single in the UK with “I Love It” and “Fancy” which was a top 10 single in many countries including the UK.

Dream Glow features on the BTS World Original Soundtrack released in 2019, which is the soundtrack for the game BTS world.

As the title suggests the song is about dreams and following them. Sometimes the dreams come true and sometimes they turn blue. Sometimes there are obstacles suggested by the phrase “Won’t loose to an opponent I haven’t brushed against”. But from within there is a desire, an undying light to succeed and never give up - so the dreams are followed.

The phrases “what used to be a blinding future, pausing it for a while”; “can’t see the stop sign, what you gonna say” and “nice boys with scratched knees they used to hide away” make me think of the gamers playing BTS World - pausing their futures to play the game, or pausing the game to return to their futures, perhaps being judged as they are unable to stop playing and the nice boys with scratched knees from playing outside and not playing BTS World indoors - I feel this implies that boys hid away because they really wanted to play BTS World but perhaps were unable to.

I feel that the vocals of Jin, Jimin and Jung Kook are a slight contrast to Charli XCX’s vocal which sounds deeper in tone and her “Hey Heys” are heard often sounding further away which adds texture to the song.


2! 3! - Michayla

There is so much to say about this song… the ultimate BTS to ARMY song that one day I would love to sing with the members in an open air stadium because it means so much. K-ARMY always do an amazing job singing this and I would love to have been a part of 3rd Muster in Seoul, 2016, just to have heard them in action and to have been a part of the purple ocean.

I chose 2! 3! because it is ‘the’ friendship song between BTS and ARMY and the fact that it has been sung when they were ‘together again’ made it a perfect choice for this playlist. Namjoon addresses ARMY from the start:

‘Been trying to tell you this
I was supposed to tell you this
It’s all for you’

This song is a message from BTS to encourage ARMY to think positively and not to dwell on the negativity. The suggestion is to count to three and erase it from your mind. This is great advice throughout many situations in your life when things are becoming too much. Sometimes, just taking a breath, counting and taking a step back, helps you see a situation differently.

‘It’s okay come on when I say one two three forget it
Erase all sad memories, hold my hand and smile’

I feel that 2! 3! Is a great friendship song, a song that sends a positive message when you haven’t seen someone for a while. As we look forward to the Love Yourself, Speak Yourself finale, I hold out hope that I will get to be reunited with BTS in 2020 when we can be together again.

‘1, 2, 3
Hoping that everything will change
For a better day
Because we are together’

Source: wordpress 

Airplane Pt 2 - Eve

Even though this song is the next stage of J-Hope’s original Airplane taken from his mixtape Hope World, pt. 2 holds its own and tells it’s own story.

It is one of BTS’ most poetic of songs, it begins by telling you the story of a young man working hard to become a singer, a star.  He faces criticism and self-doubt:

‘Words that someone gave me after calling me, exhausted, to stop
You’re a singing star
You’re a singing star
But I see no star…’

The story begins again after success has been achieved, flying high around the world singing.  The negative thoughts and feelings are still there, feeling that they can’t decide who to be from day to day, criticism from their peers and the lonely feeling of being mariachi, a band wandering around the world playing for money.

‘I got fed up by you cutely bragging about your money on TV
My passport is about to die from overworking
You’re the ones who benefitted from media, hahahaha
Hey, hey you’re the ones who’re better at playing celebrities
We’re still the same as back then’

The song takes you through these feelings and of course BTS take the fighting, surviving stance and bring that positivity back.

‘Love the airplane mode, Turn off all the concerns
No matter what anyone says
I’ll just continue to keep the first
And look at the night sky as it fits my place right now’

The song has a distinct feel to it, using a latin pop beat to create a catchy ear worm of a song that you can’t help but sing along to.

Going back to the playlist theme you can tell that the strength BTS have to continue is drawn from them being together travelling the world together getting through the hard times together.

Source: M-Net

Blanket Kick - Charlie

To me, this song works as both a song to listen to with friends, and a song to really capture the anticipation you feel when you’re with someone you’re excited to spend time with. Although the theme of this playlist can be applied to friends, this is quite the romantic song, as it discusses being so in love with someone that you literally kick at the blankets on your bed in frustration at how much you like them and how that makes you act differently when you do see them again. 

The first verse in particular, which is performed by Namjoon, uses the metaphor of fighting with “UFC moves” against his own bed, to show just how frustrated he is by how childish and shy he gets around the person he likes. 

“I was too shy to become your sun so I became a cold moon
But afterwards, I keep making a wave of blankets on top of my ocean bed
I jump around like a crazy guy
Winning over my embarrassed feelings with some UFC moves
With a high kick and a jab and a hook”

It is Yoongi’s verse, however, that makes me connect this song with the “together again” theme. With his high-pitched “oh my God, oh my God”, he raps about how he is about to kiss the person he likes but their dad phones and they have to leave, making him kick at his blanket again in dismay. It is about the feeling of wanting to spend every moment with someone, and once your time with them ends you’re disappointed because of how good it felt to be with them. This verse also has such an adorable line to imagine, in which Yoongi says that he pretends to be drunk to act cute. 

“Cute” and “feel-good” are good ways to describe this song. The chorus with its “woo woo woo woo woo” refrain, especially with the other members yelling “You!” in the background, make it such a sweet and relaxing song to contrast the irritance felt in the lyrics, because in the end it is still about feeling good due to spending time with someone. The cutesy aspect of this song really lends itself to the live performance (in which they’re surrounded by beds and they playfully embrace each other and cup their own faces like flowers). Their faces are bright and animated and it’s such a cute side to Bangtan that they don’t often show in live performances, in which they instead mostly opt for powerful stages. 

DNA - Onomey

I’m always fascinated with areas of songwriting that BTS delve into and I tend to notice more and more that the areas they write about aren’t typically used in the western music world. This weeks theme is another songwriting topic that a minority write about which is friendship and togetherness. 

I chose to write about DNA when thought about the theme of together again because the lyrics are about two people or things being brought together as one, whether it is in a friendship or relationship way.

I don’t have many friends in my day to day life but if I had to think lyrically about the power of friendships and where the need for friendship comes from, I would for sure point to DNA. To me, most of my friendships start when I automatically feel a connection with someone, almost like the universe signals to let me know that I should talk to that person because we would get along very well. So with lyrics like ‘The DNA in my blood vessels tell me that it’s you I was looking overall over for’. I can relate to very well as I believe that we all deep down have great connections with everybody but a different and higher level of connection when it comes to close friendships.

DNA is clearly about young love and how you are quickly infatuated with that person or even with the idea of love that you want it so badly to succeed in the long run. In friendships relate it to having friends who you care dearly about but fall out of touch with that you know deep down inside that for whatever reason, you know that the friendship won’t last long but you believe in that person and your connection because you know each other so well so you make up a world in your head where there isn't a scenario that exists where things could go wrong and that the friendship is perfect.

‘I want it this love I want it, real love
I only focus on you
You steer me a little harder
The DNA of the genesis wants you
This is inevitable, I love us
We are the only true lovers.'

Source: ibighit 

Add this to your Spotify playlist and be: Together Again

Looking Forward

This week’s theme is about growth, about looking forward, whether that means growing up or looking for the light at the end of the tunnel in a certain situation. 

Which BTS songs do you think of when you are looking to the future? Drop us a tweet @BTSRadioUK

Let Go chosen by ARMY

Michayla - I feel the poll was a difficult one this week, with 4 amazing songs to choose from, I think it came down to the song that you connect with the most. ‘Let Go’ is about moving on after losing that love, from the point of letting someone go and how you don’t forget that person, you learn to live without them. 

Relationships and heartbreak affect everyone and to a certain extent change you as a person but you grow, you learn and you move forward. This is a beautiful song with thought provoking lyrics: 

‘Hectic days, keeping myself busy
Distraction filled schedule
But I won’t forget
Burned into the back of my mind like a tattoo
We can’t return to those days’

Charlie - "Let Go" is perhaps one of the most devastating songs about the future. It features emotional vocals that make me cry every single time I hear this song, and heartbreaking lyrics that also make me cry every time I read them. It is a song about accepting that even though you love someone, you know that it would be best to let go of them and move on. The lyrics admit things like that they are trying to keep themselves busy, but still wonder what their love is up to, while repeating in the chorus that they need to release the person they love, and they are finally ready, despite the broken emotions that reflect in the ballad. 

Cheryl - Let Go won the growing Up and Looking to the Future poll this week. This song is about the pain of letting someone you care for, go.

They sing about being lost in the maze of their heart, how the path splits, going from stereo to mono (2 becoming 1).

I believe that although the pain in the song comes across:

If my fate is to disappear like this, then this is my last letter
Penned words, written then erased
Feelings for you, so many to let go...
So be it don’t cry

There is the possibility of something great and exciting to come from this ending:

I’mma let you go and fly

Eve - Let Go is beautiful looking at the moments in life when the most important person or thing in your life needs to be let go. The realisation that your feelings have changed and that to grow and look to the future and be yourself you have to ignore the easy feeling of staying and sticking to let the moment or the person go.

Again BTS take these difficult but normal situations unravel them and make the listener feel like it can be overcome, it isn’t going to break you, you’re not alone. It of course is a gorgeously crafted pop song with catchy beats, sweeping strings, and delicate piano solos that without the meaning sweep you along in a musical story, the harmonies and the soft emotional raps create touching moments that talk to hearts around the world.

‘If my fate is to disappear like this, then this is my last letter
Penned words, written then erased
Feelings for you, so many to let go
Unpuzzle my lego
At a level where it can’t return to its original shape
So be it don’t cry
I’mma let you go and fly’

Onomey - The thing that sticks to me in the song 'Let Go' is one of the hooks. Letting go is one of the hardest things to do for anyone, whether that has to do with letting go of a person, thing, or a passion. I know for me, when listening to this song it reminds me of when I used to be part of an amazing cheerleading team and it had to suddenly end because the coach no longer wanted to start the next chapter in her life but we all found it very difficult to let go of each other even though there were times we got annoyed at each other when we didn’t perfect the stunts and ended up cut and bruised but by the end it was worth every bit because we were successful and had an amazing time doing it. Despite sometimes moving on, it doesn’t mean you can’t look back and miss the person you used to be but it is important to stay focused on the here and now as well as the future also. 

‘What have you been up to lately?
Who are you thinking of so far away?
Life without you is really unbelievable
But even so, I still gotta go
To the person, I loved too much
To the red thread that got too entangled in itself
I couldn't reach you, so I'll walk a separate path
For that reason, I’ll say goodbye’

Source: cdjapan 

The Stars - Michayla

The Stars is a Japanese song on their album ‘Wake Up’ which is a fantastic album and includes the Japanese versions of classic Bangtan songs, such as Boy in Luv, Danger and No More Dream, as well as the song ‘I like it part2’ which is one of my personal favourites.

The Stars encapsulates this theme perfectly and is literally about looking ahead:

‘Let’s aim for the shining tomorrow for our dreams
Even if there are times when you feel discouraged, it’s not meaningless’

The message in this song is all about not giving up, no matter what life throws at you, remember that these obstacles can be overcome and you can get to where you want to be. It is about taking things in your stride, taking each step as it comes, no matter how small each step is.

‘With your heart little by little,along with your dream, the upcoming futures success,
Until that time, don’t stop and let it go again’

‘The Stars’ has quite a catchy beat and I always find myself nodding my head along to it and it always makes me smile. The whole song oozes positivity and the one voice that stands out for me is our very own Worldwide handsome, Jin. His voice is so distinctive and I love listening to the way the Japanese lyrics sound coming from him.

When you are looking forwards and need a song that is about, just that, then ‘The Stars’ has to be that song, it is such a cute bop! I really feel that the lyrics speak for themselves:

‘Let’s start with small steps
Even so, why is the thorny road wrong? Huh
There are unpleasant things sometimes
But if we are together, it’s like harmony surrounds us
Our warm hands together, hugging our chest and hopes all the way to our hearts,
Understanding each other, that’s right we’ll change to a super positive mind’

Source: btsdiary 

Hope World - Eve

This song is pure joy from beginning to end.  J-Hope teaches us to be what we are and to use it in a positive way, he also tells us to let positive influences like him and his music help us, don’t be cynical, and don’t think you’re too cool to be nice to other people and to let other people be nice to you.

We live in a world now where people that are positive are seen to be fake and actually are using your emotions to gain something themselves.

‘To give it a meaning, was what I intended
You just need to receive it, Feel like
Payday’

J-Hope embraces his BTS stage name, he has made it his own and he lives up to it to the highest like only he can.

‘My name is my life (life)
A hopeful vibe
A positive rather than a negative type
I live up to my name but ain't no price’

The song itself without the meaning in the lyrics gives off its own sunshine J-Hope vibe, with an infectious beat that you can’t help but dance to and hum to. J-Hope's natural style of singing and rapping captures the sunnier side of life.

Fitting into the theme of looking to the future and growing emotionally, this song fits perfectly. This song is a reset song, if you feel like you’re head is heading to the dark negative world get this song on and you will be smiling in no time, the trick is to hold onto those positive feelings and to use them out in the world.

Source: allkpop 

A Brand new day - Onomey
I chose to write about this song because its an upbeat sounding song, which I believe was purposefully done to combine with the lyrics because it gives you a sense of happiness which makes you look at the lyrics in a positive way rather than negatively. You finish the song feeling inspired about everything you learn each day because you believe in the future these things will help you accomplish greatness if you preserve the knowledge for future success.

‘As if hypnotised
Pulled me and led me through
As if in a trance
I became able to listen to the voice inside of me
Though untouchable, the future's fragments are clearly seen
A brand new world, dreams’ sentences embrace me (part of me)’.

The way the dream is described is almost like you have no choice in the matter once you find your passion, you can try to deny it but it will always be in your head wanting and begging you to respond, to wake up and realise that you have an amazing possibility in the future to work towards.

Oh yeah, though I was fearful, I didn’t lower my head
Tough I was dreadful, I just ran ahead
Because I believed in myself even at crossroads of persecution
Going my  way, choices that are like mine (I heard)
Voice getting louder the sound of breathing from happiness
I suddenly realised I should make my dreams come true.

To me, the bridge is J-Hope providing knowledge on what it felt like in the beginning to go after his dreams because we all go through plenty of stages where we look at what we are trying to achieve and feel like it's impossible, think it's a waste of time or just think that they aren’t clever, creative, or bright enough to think of being a part of something that people will enjoy and appreciate. I think he wants us to know that perseverance is key and that sometimes we are we but battling through those times only brings out the voice of passion that we tend to bury deep inside ourselves to try at protecting us from being hurt. 

‘I’ll be there when the day comes
(A brand new day)
Head up in the sunlight, baby
I’ll be there when the day comes
When the day comes, I’ll be there for you, baby
(We know the world)
Show the world just who we can be’.

Source: BANGTANTV

Move - Charlie

I am regularly drawn to BTS' lyrics because of how they discuss real things that happened in the members' lives, which makes me feel closer to them as people and helps me to connect with them. "Move", also known as "Moving On", from the Most Beautiful Moment In Life Pt.1 playlist, is one such song. 

"Move" details how the members moved from their small dorms they lived in as trainees, to a bigger place as their dreams and successes also grew as they grew up. It is a song you can relate to if you've experienced big changes in life. Perhaps you've moved to a big city, or you may be moving into university at this time of year. Or maybe you can apply these lyrics to other future changes, such as a new job or new chapter of your life. Either way, it is a beautiful song which reminds you not to be afraid of the future, because there will always be a time to move on and accept changes. 

"Everyone’s afraid of changes
Staying, moving on, staying, moving on
We keep repeating the same things again and again
I guess that’s life, I’m afraid
Old or new, new or old, that isn’t really important"

This song is full of personal touches and details, which adds to how endearing and raw it is. It begins with Namjoon addressing Yoongi, who he has lived with for many years. The verse is full of personal things between him and Yoongi, such as their fights and the colour of the walls, and how they looked at the winners of the end-of-year awards, hoping they'd win one day. It is like a diary entry, which we can now look back at knowing where they are now. 

The other verses continue in a similar fashion; each member of the rap line gets a verse where they discuss their past, and how while they need to put it away for now, they won't forget it. The song may be about looking to the future, but it also highlights that you must acknowledge your past and not forget about it, before you can move on. The focus on little, unglamorous moments of the past that only the members themselves will understand and remember, really make this song feel like a diary entry or letter between friends. 

"Traces of being used like bank accounts and credit cards
As much as the place was small, we were bound together tighter
Fight right here, hitting each other sometimes
Maybe that’s why but we have good feelings and bad feelings of love too
Even the dust will be cleared now
There’s more stuff than the beginning, I have more than when I started too"

The rap line have the verses, but each member of the vocal line take a chorus. It is a soft, slow chorus, which has a bittersweet feeling to it as the members repeat that it really is time to move on. 

"Let’s move
Goodbye to this place, that we grew attached to
Let’s move
Now to a higher place
While taking the last box out of the empty room
I looked back for a moment
Times we cried and laughed
Goodbye now"

Look to the future by adding this week's playlist on Spotify at the following link: Looking Forward
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