Weekly Playlist 2023 pt 2
The start of a new year and our team brings you a brand new playlist. As the 2nd half of the year begins you may have thought the boys being on a break would mean less music... how wrong we were! ARMY have been busier and more spoilt than ever 💜
BTS Wrapped 2023
Spotify Wrapped 2023 is here and our playlist team were quick to act! They pulled together to share their top 5 BTS songs and a playlist was created.
Which BTS song featured the highest in your Spotify Wrapped?
CLICK HERE for our team’s playlist.
Cheryl
This week we are looking at our top 5 BTS songs on our own Spotify playlists and mine are:
No.1 Black Swan (obviously no surprise there), No.2 Stay Gold, No.3 Mic Drop, No.4 Standing Next To You by Jungkook and No.5 Slow Dancing by V.
No.1 Black Swan
No surprise at all that this is No.1. Everything about this song is beautiful. Upon first watching it performed on The Late Late Show with James Corden, I was hooked; bare feet, dark suits and stunning choreography. Then there is the video filmed in an old theatre, with wings, corsets and shadows, all very dramatic.
No.2 Stay Gold
Stay Gold was my favourite “lock down” song. When I first saw the video, it had such a nostalgic feel, with the video resembling an old film and them all being together when it was a time we couldn’t socialise, except with our own households. My favourite lyrics are:
Just close your eyes
Don’t say a word
I’ll steal your heart
Like magic
If you want a miracle, I’ll show you one
Take my hand
No.3 Mic Drop
This song has always been a favourite since first hearing it years ago. The power of the lyrics, melody and choreography have kept my attention. Knowing this song was aimed at those who hated them and believed they would not succeed, makes the song all the sweeter. BTS know their accomplishments speak for themselves and they mention how heavy their bag is containing all their awards.
No.4 Standing Next To You
Standing Next To You is from Jungkook’s first solo album Golden. Jungkook is captivating with his dance moves and vocals, his style and charisma shine. My favourite lyrics are:
You know its deeper than the rain
It’s deeper than the pain
When its deep like DNA
No.5 Slow Dancing
Slow Dancing is featured on V’s first solo album Layover. This song has quite a romantic feel mentioning slow dancing or romancing the night away. The gentle jazz tones match the melody of the song really well and V’s vocals just sooth and caress the ears.
Charlie
This year was our first of barely any new BTS music, and a focus on solos instead. So I was looking forward to seeing how my listening patterns with BTS had changed.
The top 5 BTS songs that were in my Spotify Wrapped, in order, were:
Like Crazy
Jimin’s solo work was the music that most resonated with me this year. Like Crazy grew on me rather quickly, as I listened to it while on coaches in the dark, and it became this atmospheric, haunting, gorgeous tune to me. Every time I listen, I feel transported to a sleek nightclub. I adore the chorus and how it makes me want to dance. I still need to learn the dance to this as it looks beautiful.
“I'd rather be
Lost in the lights”
Set Me Free pt. 2
While Set Me Free pt. 2 did have heavy autotune that seemed an acquired taste to some, I nevertheless found it very addictive and easy to listen to. It’s grand and I enjoy the dramatic sound. I also found myself repeatedly listening to it to figure out how I thought about it, as it felt quite unexpected from Jimin while also making complete sense as his first official solo debut.
“Going insane to stay sane
Raise your hands for the past me”
Run BTS
Run BTS made its way into my top 5 BTS songs of all time right after it came out. It is intense, high-energy, and insanely well-produced. Each member shines in unique ways and it’s a song that just makes me really happy. I believe it was also my top OT7 BTS song in my Spotify Wrapped last year. I love how it references BTS’s training days and shows off how BTS never slow down or lose their momentum.
“If we succeed in the words that we've promised, everybody is dead
The reason behind Bangtan's success? I don't know if there's something like that
All of us just run hard”
Sexy Nukim
Sexy Nukim has officially had a hold on me for over a year. There’s something about Namjoon’s recent collabs - he really knows how to pick them! The deep tones of the song feel weird to listen to in the best way, and when Namjoon’s voice comes in it makes me smile so much - I just love everything about this song and the experience of listening to it.
“You shoulda known that you owe me
I have no time to feel lonely, 24 hours”
Outro: Ego
This song is still one of the songs I listen to when I need cheering up. Whenever I’m sad, it’s often things like regret or low self-esteem that bring me to that point, so I really love Outro: Ego’s message of trusting yourself and just believing that you’re on the right path.
“How much love? How much joy?
Soothe myself and stay calm, alone”
Michayla
I will be honest and say that I know my Spotify wrapped wasn’t accurate and coincidentally I have a friend who was of the same opinion with her wrapped and strangely her issue concerned the same songs as me! Strange but there you go! However, for the purpose of this blog, I have taken my top 5 BTS songs as is stated in my Spotify Wrapped.
Christmas Tree
This is from the K-Drama ‘Our Beloved Summer’ which stars Choi Woo-sik, who is one of Taehyung’s besties, so it was great that Taehyung sang the song from the show. I honestly believe that feelings and thoughts of a song change once you’ve watched the show/film they are part of. It’s like I understand the lyrics better and can relate the song to the story which elevates it and with the sultry, gorgeous voice of Taehyung, this song is just perfect! I loved the drama and I love this song!
Stay Alive
The song performed by Jungkook and co-written by Yoongi and several other people including Max Lynedoch Graham of Arcades. This was the OST for the webtoon 7 Fates:Chakho but I didn’t read it so my knowledge is limited there. I do like the song very much though and can resonate with the lyrics, when it comes to my mental health and my children who keep me going:
‘At the end of this endless nightmare
That I don’t know if it’ll ever end
You raise me up every day’
Sweet Night
Ha ha! Same as above, really but with a different K-Drama and member of the Wooga Squad. Sweet Night is from Itaewon class and stars Park Seo-joon. Both dramas (Our Beloved Summer and Itaewon Class) also star Kim Da-Mi who I think is a fabulous actress!
This song pulled on my heart strings and Taehyung was involved in the writing process so that made it even more special for me. Every time I hear this song, I get the emotions that I felt when I watched Itaewon class, a drama that I have watched several times and I will definitely watch again. It’s no surprise that these songs featured in my most listened to songs of 2023.
Rainy Days
The first song on Tae’s solo album, ‘LayoVer’. I have listened to the album many times since its release. I find that it’s a wonderful way to spend 18 minutes if I need something to relax to. When the album was first released I was gutted that it was so short but I’ve since found that the length is a plus, especially on my 20 minute commute to work! Rainy Days sets the tone for the album and I can personally relate to the lyrics:
‘I’m thinkin’ ‘bout you, what to say
Wish I knew how to find the way
Right back to you, on rainy days like
Rainy days’
Euphoria
I’m a stickler for having songs that I rely on for comfort or to boost my mood or simply to enhance or change whatever mood/emotion I am feeling. From the second that I first heard Euphoria, it became one of those songs and obviously it remains so. I love it when a song holds a particular memory and I have so many for Euphoria. I know how I was feeling when I watched Jungkook perform it, sitting on a stool at the O2 in 2018 and I know absolutely how I felt when I saw him flying around both Wembley and Stade De France in 2019. This song provokes so many emotions in me and still it is one of the songs I reach for if I need to ease some anxiety and get through a stressful situation. Euphoria is a comfort blanket of memories and feelings.
GOLDEN BTS
Our maknae’s first solo album release prompted our playlist team to think about what ‘golden’ means to them when it comes to BTS. You can read what they came up with below and we also have a Golden focussed streaming playlist for you, too with the whole of Golden x 5 on it!
Do you have a Golden BTS moment/song/album/era/outfit/performance? Why not share it with us on social media?
After reading the blog, CLICK HERE to go to the playlist and follow us on Spotify for many more playlists.
Michayla - MMA 2019
When I thought about what was golden to me when it comes to BTS, there was so much choice! MMA sprung to mind immediately and I seem to have fallen down the black hole of memories as I relived many fantastic performances. I very nearly chose 2018 because that was EPIC! And that performance inspired one of my tattoos but after much soul searching, I chose 2019 because that year was Golden for BTS.
It was the year that many of us were lucky enough to see the Love Yourself, Speak Yourself tour and it was the year that BTS made MMA history, sweeping all 4 daesangs.
From the anticipation of the red carpet to the collection of the final award and the 40 minute performance, it was AMAZING!! A day I will never forget.There was no breathing space as the VCR started and led us into Persona, followed by ‘Boy In Luv’ which is one of my all time favourites.
The solo performances are etched into my brain. I usually booked the day off of work and watched live whilst on the phone to a friend but there was definitely more screaming than talking going on! The music mixes for the individual dances were just out of this world! And the way Namjoon commanded the stage and grabbed the thyrsus was everything! They even had the panthers *sniff sniff*, so for those of us who had seen the tour, it was all too much!
BTS went home with awards for Album of the year, Artist of the year, Song of the year and Record of the year making 2019 MMA a Daesang all kill! Other awards that went home with BTS were Best male dance, Netizen popularity award and Kakao hot star and the Bonsang for one of the top 10 artists.
That was a first for MMA, with one act taking all 4 top awards. Then BTS didn't stop there. They were also the first to win Album of the Year 3 times and Song of the Year more than once.
Nearly 4 years later and I'm still waiting for the Dionysus mix to be released on Spotify! But I think that goes in a line of queued up mixes I've heard and loved over the years… maybe one day?!
After watching, reliving and writing about MMA 2019, I think it is more platinum than golden but that doesn't fit the topic, so, 'golden' it is and will be, forever! You can search for it on YouTube, it’s always a wonderful thing to be able to relive some happy memories or watch something for the first time.
Cheryl - UK Certified Singles
This week with the release of Golden, the first solo album from Jungkook the “Golden Maknae” I have chosen to write about some BTS songs that have been certified in the UK. For information Platinum is awarded to songs with more than 600,000 units sold, Gold is more than 400,000 units and silver is more than 200,000. BTS songs that have been certified include: Boy With Luv, Dynamite, Butter and My Universe.
Boy With Luv was certified Gold in the UK in August 2023 and it has such an upbeat summer vibe, with the bright summer colours and feel good lyrics and pink BTS. The scene that stole the show for me was Namjoon in his white suit, with matching hat and cane. My favourite lyrics are:
From the moment I met you, ya, my life was all you, ya
You’re the star that turns ordinaries into extraordinaries, on yeah
One after another ay, ay, everything is special ay, ay
The things you’re interested in, the way you walk or talk, and every little trivial habit of yours
Dynamite was certified Platinum in the UK, February 2021 and it was BTS’ first all English single. Dynamite was released with 11 different remixes and I personally enjoyed all the different vibes. I particularly enjoyed the Night Time version as it had a very relaxing soothing sound. My favourite lyrics are below and I wonder if “off the wall” is a reference to Michael Jackson, there were definitely some of his moves incorporated into their dancing:
Bring a friend, join the crowd
Whoever wanna come along
Word up, talk the talk
Just move like we off the wall
Day or night, the sky's alight
So we dance to the break of dawn (hey)
Ladies and gentlemen, I got the medicine
So you should keep ya eyes on the ball, huh
Butter, the second all English song released by BTS, is their third single to be certified Gold in the UK, January 2023. Butter has a different feel to Dynamite, although it is another summer hit. I remember the build up to the song and the teasers and particularly enjoyed the head tilts accompanying Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”. My favourite lyrics are:
Ice on my wrist, I’m the nice guy
Got the right body and the right mind
Rollin' up to party, got the right vibe
Smooth like (Butter), hate us (Love us)
Fresh boy pull up and we lay low
All the playas get movin' when the bass low
Got ARMY right behind us when we say so
Let's go
‘My Universe ', the BTS collaboration with Coldplay, was awarded Platinum in January 2023. This song had an out of this world feel, with a video to match with BTS appearing as holographic figures alongside Coldplay and aliens. My favourite lyrics are:
What light me up are
Stars adorned with love made of you
In my universe, you
Make another world for me
Because you are my stars and my universe
These hardships are just temporary
Just shine as bright as you shine now
We will follow you to adorn this long night
Looking at these achievements, I am sitting and feeling rather proud of the UK Army who have supported BTS over the years and helped them reach these amazing goals.
Charlie - Golden
After stanning BTS for about 8 years, I finally have a Jungkook solo album to listen to! BTS’s solo ventures have been very interesting as they show us the style of music that each member prefers to release without having to consider whether it fits the overall BTS OT7 album structure; I wasn’t sure what to expect from Jungkook after mostly getting English collabs like 3D, Seven and Left and Right, but my expectations have been beaten. I can always trust a BTS member to give me music I can sink my teeth into.
3D and Seven were songs I enjoyed, but they did leave me wanting more. Hence, certain tracks on this album are instant favourites for me in my Jungkook solo songs ranking.
Closer To You starts off as the type of sensual song that I want from my other favourite soloists and groups. And the instrumental is a very pleasantly surprising switch-up that stops the song from feeling too one-note. It sounds like a club song, but it’s actually interesting enough that it’s one that I would love to dance to, which is something I don’t say about many club songs.
Standing Next To You is… wow. I actually adore it. Jungkook’s whole vibe in the music video and song feels like we’re seeing him at his most confident, sexiest and proudest. His tattoos are on full display, he’s flirting with a lady in a way that is very enjoyable to watch (I won’t lie) and he is dancing like a seasoned performer who’s been in the industry for decades. This sleek performance is exactly what I knew Jungkook was capable of. The song is very Michael Jackson-esque, especially the bridge, and it’s something only a performer like Jungkook can pull off.
Yes Or No and Please Don’t Change are more club vibes, and while I was still reeling from Standing Next To You, these next two tracks are very enjoyable. Specifically in Please Don’t Change, Jungkook’s accent when he sings in English sounds rather British, like a London lad in a club. Especially when he sings, “the way you are”. This accent again comes out when he sings the word “couple” in Too Sad to Dance, so I find it cute that the artists and songs Jungkook clearly listened to while making this album are showing their influences. His English also sounds better than ever in this album.
Hate You feels more BTS to me, purely because Jungkook’s gentle vocals are very tear-jerking and soft, and it reminds me of all those vocal line songs that have made me cry in the past. I also love how the song ends with his gentle voice on its own for a second, stripped back and morose.
Shot Glass of Tears is the song that I claimed upon seeing the tracklist, and then again when I heard the album preview. The way that he sings out “teeeears” and “cheeeers” like he’s crying out, is very enjoyable and inhabits my brain. As someone who doesn’t like listening to sad songs, it’s a testament to Jungkook’s skill that this is one of my faves on the album.
Overall, Golden is probably one of my favourites of BTS’s solo projects. It feels fun and emotional at the same time, and if this is only Jungkook’s first full solo album, I am incredibly excited for what he does next.
Veautiful Playlist
Of course our team had one letter on their mind for this edition of the blog… V! With the highly anticipated release of LayoVer, we have a Slow Dancing streaming playlist for you and an exciting write-up below.
Find the Spotify playlist HERE
Charlie
With Taehyung being my bias and ult, his solos have always had a special place in my heart. I'll go through some of them in rough release order.
Wings was my first full comeback, and Taehyung's solo for that album, Stigma, remains as one of my favourite BTS songs of all time. I have so many fond memories of listening to this song over and over, and feeling vindicated when I'd show it to non-ARMYs and they'd enjoy it. The smooth, cool jazz vibe is so gorgeous and so different to most BTS songs.
Singularity dropping is another core ARMY memory. I remember sitting by the lake at university and squealing over the video with my friend. I was astounded that, for the second time in a row, they had given Taehyung a solo that only he could do. It suits his honey-like voice so perfectly, and is a stellar standout in BTS's discography for me.
A year later, I remember Winter Bear dropping. To me, it feels so quintessentially Taehyung and was a turning point in me understanding Taehyung's black and white aesthetic.
Scenery is another beautiful song in Taehyung's solo discography. It did come out when I was having a hard time, so I find it difficult to go back to it, but it is doubtless a special and meaningful song.
Inner Child sort of broke my heart and stitched it back together again. It helped me understand him more, and I feel so many emotions about Taehyung singing to his past self. The bridge, and its "you're my boy" line, feel so devastatingly sweet to me.
I also distinctly remember when Christmas Tree came out. I was with my family at Christmas, and when I snuck to the loo I listened to his new song. I fell in love with how warm his song sounded instantly. I distinctly remember the image of a cosy fireplace and hot chocolate resting on a coffee table. That's the image that his voice evoked for me.
And that is the power of Taehyung's voice in every song he is a part of. He creates an atmosphere, a feeling, something that lyrics can tell us but his voice can make us feel it. And I am so excited to listen to even more music from this man.
Michayla
I was incredibly nervous about LayoVer’s release because Taehyung is my bias and every one of his songs to date, I have adored. Since ‘Dope’ first introduced me to BTS and Taehyung made his way to capture my heart, I have watched him grow into the man that released his first solo album on Friday.
It’s difficult to pit Tae’s solo songs against each other and choose a favourite prior to LayoVer, simply because I have seen Singularity performed live 4 times so I automatically have a soft spot for that song. I would’ve given anything to have seen Stigma live! But we can’t have everything and I had everything apart from the concert tickets booked for ON:E so I should have seen Inner Child live too!
It was a momentous occasion to have Scenery, Winter Bear and Snow Flower become available on Spotify and I remember the day each of them were dropped for the first time. The same can be said for Christmas Tree and Sweet Night and I think I actually wrote a review of Sweet Night on my break at work because I couldn’t wait!
When it came to listening to LayoVer for the first time, I did what I do with all new albums, I listen ‘blind’ and let the songs speak for themselves. Taehyung said we should listen to the album from top to bottom so that is exactly what I did.
‘Rainy Days’ had already spent some time occupying my mind as I have personally found that the chorus plays in a loop in my mind when I least expect it! The thing I noticed instantly was the flawless transition between Rainy Days into Blue. I actually took notice because I thought ‘I don’t remember this part of Rainy days’ only to realise that Blue had started!
I’d already watched the Slow Dancing MV so I recognised it and it really did give me retro vibes. What a chilled and beautiful song it is. The MV is a blog piece all of its own because that is quite a contrast to the overall sound of the song, I felt. Wonderful, whimsical, fun, imaginative MV!
The song that made me sit up and press my phone to see what it was, was ‘For Us’. That is the song that blew me away and I know it will be on every playlist I create from hereon in. I really did feel like I was on a journey with Taehyung through the 17 minutes and 37 seconds and the time went far too quickly. I have nothing against instrumentals but it was nice to have a slightly different version of Slow Dancing instead of the typical instrumental. I will confess that as soon as the piano version of Slow Dancing had finished, I skipped back to ‘For Us’ because I was desperate to hear it again.
I have so many emotions and memories attached to Taehyung’s songs and yet LayoVer is a range of emotions all of its own. Taehyung said in an interview with Rolling Stone, that he is continuing to write music and that a future album will be stylistically different to LayoVer and I am so excited for that! I would love to hear songs that he has written and have come from his genius mind. I will be ready and waiting for whatever Taehyung graces us with next and until then I will certainly be listening to this album to combat the chaos that is life!
Cheryl
The first solo song I heard from V was Singularity and from that very point I loved his voice, it’s the sound of melted chocolate and velvet blankets. Obviously this point is also carried out through the BTS songs in general, but the one thing I enjoy about solo projects is how we can totally focus on one person’s range and sound and how each member has their own distinct sound and flavour which they showcase in their projects.
Watching V over the years I have enjoyed his playful, charismatic character; from wearing the extremely high heels on the show Star King and the Just One Day dance practice where he cannot stop laughing, how the others keep their composure is beyond my comprehension. However, Layover shows us the mature, sophisticated side of V; the idol that he is.
Layover is a very mellow, relaxing album with a hint of jazz and r&b, it has taken a very long time to be released, V has been hinting about an album for years. Now that it is finally here, I am enjoying getting to know the songs and lyrics and feel it is a perfect accompaniment to the warm summer evenings we are currently experiencing. Although I think this album will be enjoyed being all cosy in the winter evenings too.
My favourite song on the album is Rainy Days, my favourite lyrics are in the 2nd verse:
Remember how I used to make you laugh the most
I have no right to say this, but
Let me make up for all the time we lost
We can start again, open all the doors
Don't tell me it's over, we can start it over
You're my four-leaf clover
Yeah, I can feel your touch, I remember your kiss
Those hurtful words, and I miss you
Love Me Again is a close second; this song seems more demanding with the lyrics, for example:
You left me
Took those memories with you
But even now, I can't let you go, let you go
Is that all you have to say?
One word, that's it?
If ever you regret this
Won't you let me know? Let me know?
Whether this is a continuation of your long journey with V, or an introduction; I hope you enjoy the album and look forward to his future endeavours.
It’s All About JK!
Since Seven has taken the world by storm, why wouldn’t our team make Jungkook the focus for this playlist? Here is a JK focused playlist and read below to find out which songs our team have chosen.
Did you know that BTSRadioUK has a website and is on all social media platforms? Google us to find everything you need.
Charlie - My You
I wasn't sure what an "angelic* voice meant when I was younger, but I do now I've been a fan of Jungkook. The softness of his voice seems to come out most when he is singing about ARMY.
'My You' is a song that Jungkook dedicated to ARMY, and was released for BTS Festa 2022. The timing is especially significant because it was around this time that BTS announced that they would be taking a break from group activities, making ARMY very grateful to hear Jungkook sing to us about how much he cares for us even when the next few years will look a bit different for BTS and ARMY.
‘All the reasons I can laugh out
All the reasons I sing this song
Thankful to be by your side now
I'll try to shine brighter than now’
The song is very Jungkook, it even has a line, "Four seasons have passed with you / Four scents were left cause of you"; scents being something that are important to Jungkook. Also, 'My You' has lyrics both in Korean and English, demonstrating Jungkook's love for ARMY in his home country and all over the world. Plus, with the release of Seven it's clear that Jungkook loves singing in English, which is a treat to hear.
One bit of the song that always makes me smile is the line "Shining purple light // Thankful to be by your side now". I remember listening to Jungkook's livestream when he was first writing that song, and asking ARMY in the comments if they would suggest lyrics for him. I remember sitting in my old office at a job I didn't like, listening to Jungkook sing about a purple light. Despite not being able to read translations as I was working, I appreciated that I could still hear what was going on as some of the lines were in English.
Truly, whenever Jungkook shows appreciation for ARMY, his sincerity shines through meticulously.
Cheryl - Jungkook
This week we are giving Jungkook (“Golden Maknae”) the attention he deserves, following the official release of his first solo project – Seven. I thought I would take some time to explore some of his memorable songs and performances that I have personally enjoyed over the years.
Seven - How happy are the UK Army to know that Jungkook is currently (July 2023) in London and performed Seven on The One Show. I enjoyed the lead up for the performance, learning that he hadn’t been in the UK since the Wembley performances back in 2019, where I was lucky enough to be there for their 2 performances. He has told us to be excited for what comes next and I am sure there is no doubt many of us will be.
Seven is a summer song and vibe about loving someone every day, seven days a week. The hook plays homage to Craig David’s Seven Days and has a more mature feel for Jungkook. I am excited to see where this song will take him, will he achieve the No1 UK chart position – as I write, he has just entered at No.3 – “the highest solo Official Singles Chart debut for a Korean act ever” (officialcharts.com). My favourite lyrics are:
You love when I jump right in
All of me I'm offering
Show you what devotion is
Deeper than the ocean is
Wind it back, I'll take it slow
Leave you with that afterglow
Show you what devotion is
Deeper than the ocean is
Once again this song oozes confidence and watching the performances that we have been given, Jungkook is enjoying the power and as always owns the stage.
My Time - Jungkook writes about his life experience being a member of the most successful group in the world. He wonders about time missed whilst training and what his life would have been like if he wasn't in BTS. He is telling us his story about how this all feels; travelling the world, whilst other people his age are just riding the subway and waking up in different countries and where with the time zone he could have left one country in daylight but then land after a long flight and still be in daylight. Most of us only have this experience once a year when going on holiday, but BTS could experience this more than once a week when on tour - perhaps this could be why they spaced their last tour out more, with a few more days of downtime in between the countries they visited.
It's hard to write about My Time without thinking about Jungkook's performances at their ON:E online concerts held in 2020. He showed us all that he has matured and looked very comfortable and confident dancing his two solos, which were stunning visually with his choice of outfits and the dance moves - his performance proved how much he has grown since debut. However, discovering these performances again on YouTube I find there is a stronger emotional connection to the song. He sings and performs in a more passionate way than the single sounds on the album, in my opinion. The dance moves and facial expressions are striking and intense, a completely different performance to Euphoria.
Euphoria - This song for me is about the hope or dream of love, whether childhood ones or adult ones. There are a lot of references to dreams, either being inside one or being scared of waking up from one, which I think is very much like love; whilst in love it can feel very unreal and quite delicate, which can feed into the fear of waking up from the state of love and realising that love has gone and you are back in the reality of sadness and pain.
There is also the power of that love and when Jungkook sings “Take my hands now, you are the cause of my euphoria” it just fills my heart and brain with happy thoughts and feelings. What could be more special than being the cause of someone else’s euphoria.
With regards to Euphoria I feel that the mirage could relate to the love felt by so many for BTS, it’s there we all know it’s there but it’s so hard to grasp and hold onto because there is the fear that it could all end. This is probably the hard part for me - loss, just the thought of it is hard to imagine. Although the song is a generally happy upbeat song, there is definitely an element of pain. I can hear an air of desperation, perhaps about wanting to stay safely cocooned in the dream-like state, like that of an early relationship.
I find the chorus rather seductive, you are the cause of my extreme excitement and happiness (euphoria) and then close the door, when I’m with you I’m in an imagined state of perfection (utopia) – I mean, who wouldn’t want this?
Rainsim - Rainism was a cover of RAIN’s song which was released back in 2008. What I particularly like about this performance is the confidence and sophistication that surrounds the stage. JungKook appears to be in his element and exudes charisma, power and control over the performance and the audience. Every movement is on point and there are the subtleties of the performance, like his fingers – it’s a visual masterpiece.
Then there is the cane, he commands the cane in this performance. He makes it all look so effortless. What can I say about the part where BTS are pushing or pulling Junk Kook into back breaking positions – it is pure artistry. It’s only when filmed at a different angle that we see Tae is gently helping support JungKook, such teamwork.
Watching the video you can tell BTS are acting the part of being bad – Jimin, Jin and Namjoon have a look of “don’t mess with us”, Tae bites his lip whilst J-Hope is almost snarling in parts and gives us that look! Such bad boys, which matches the lyrics beautifully.
This performance is just so sexual and sensual, obviously there are the dance moves, the cane, but it’s more than that. For me, as I’ve already mentioned, it’s the confidence, the power, the clothes, the looks they give us, but it’s also their togetherness and for me, it’s also their hair and I know that may sound a bit strange, but their hair just moves so seductively, it’s like an extension of themselves and then it just falls back into place.
Michayla - Jungkook
Talking about Jungkook makes me happy and I could talk about him for hours because there are so many songs and performances that mean so much to me personally. There are covers and performances of songs that aren’t in our playlist due to them being only on YouTube or only on Soundcloud but I would still like to mention some of my faves.
Rainism - I think there was a point in my ARMY life where I watched this several times a day. I have edited this because my team member, Cheryl, has written about it in more depth and I agree with everything she says so I won’t digress.
Coming of Age Ceremony - Another performance I watched several times a day on a daily basis and learnt the choreography! This song was first released by Park JiYoon in 2000 and was then performed in 2016 by Jungkook and Jimin. Everything about Jungkook in this dance cover had me captivated and the original song by JiYoon is fantastic!
Euphoria & the DJ Swivel version - I’ve spoken about both versions so many times but they own a section of my heart so what more can I say? I think there’s a part of me still trapped in Festa when that MV for the DJ Swivel version was released and I’m still crying!
I Need U (2015 MBC solo performance) - I love this song but again, this is another performance I watched daily. Jungkook is hypnotising as he dances to the instrumental (piano) version of ‘I Need U’ and I can’t say enough about the outfit, either!
My Time - This will always be the song that I will forever rue the opportunity to see it perform live thanks to the pandemic. Thankfully I have the dvd so I can watch leather clad JK whenever I like but I’ll always be slightly gutted that the MOTS tour didn’t happen as it would’ve been phenomenal! This song had a whole different vibe to it before leather JK took to the stage but both before and after… I LOVED it!
The Truth Untold - I have favourite parts/lines of songs and sometimes there’s just that one note or set of lyrics that pulls me in. I’ve seen TTU performed live 4 times, listened to it on repeat and written about the story behind it in great detail. Aside from Tae’s lines which are so powerful for me, it is Jungkook who blows me away every time. At 3m 23s he sings his part in the background and it pierces my soul (as dramatic as that is) and I’ve never recovered.
ON - Yes! Yes! I had to mention this song because it’s me and it’s ON! You all know how I feel about this song so I will simply say that Jungkook’s solo in this drove me crazy from the second I heard it and watched the Kinetic manifesto and I’m still there… In February 2020… it’s a VERY nice place to be.
Not Today - I have to mention this because at Wembley in 2019, Jungkook tricked us all and had a long pause before he sang: '‘Gyeonwo chong jojun balsa’. Jungkook had everyone fooled who attended one of the Speak Yourself concerts but it was amusing when ARMYs just automatically sang his part and he was silent!
I could go on and on, naming so many more songs that either have a JK section that means something to me, or are a solo / cover that is as amazing as everything that our Golden Maknae does. There are ten years of Jungkook videos and songs and so many have struck my heart and memory over the years that I have been ARMY. Jungkook thanked his fans a lot recently and my hand is in the air as I jump up and down because I am most definitely a fan, JK. Thank you for everything up until this moment and I can’t wait to see what else you give us in future.
7 Days of BTS
In case you didn’t know, SEVEN is coming! Jungkook’s first solo project is on its way and while we wait just a few short hours for the 14th of July, our team has put together a playlist of 7 songs that represent each day. ‘Mikrokosmos’ for Monday, ‘Take Two’ for Tuesday but what about the rest? Read what our team thinks below.
You can find the Spotify playlist here: 7 DAYS PLAYLIST
Michayla
While creating the playlist I joked with my team that I would mention my annoyance that we do not have a day that begins with ‘O’, so here I am doing exactly that and mentioning it because ‘ON’ belongs on every playlist IMO.
I work Monday to Friday and let’s face it, we don’t usually feel very joyful when Monday morning is upon us so Mikrokosmos is the perfect start to set the mood for what lies ahead. I think that we could all remember to ‘shine, dream, smile’ first thing on a Monday morning as you pour a hot drink (or cold).
‘Take Two’ for a Tuesday could be very apt depending on how Monday went! There are some Tuesdays when I tell myself that it’s a new day and I can start the week again. I am lucky because my team at work is amazing and I’ve never had such support from an employer and there’s a line in ‘Take Two’ that is so appropriate:
‘Even when the desert becomes the sea, we swim together’
This is exactly what it’s like for me at work and it doesn’t matter who is having a bad time or what has gone wrong, we always pull together as a team and we never feel alone.
Wednesdays are hump day! That part of the week when Friday is in sight! "We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal” has been an incredibly emotional song from the minute it was released. Everything about it is beautiful, from the vocals to that MV *sniff sniff*. This is a great song, whichever day you listen to it but on a Wednesday, to get you over the other side to Thursday, I think it’s perfect!
‘Ay, we bravely shout “Throw all you have” first fight with the world…’
There were a few options for our Thursday song but by the time we reach that part of the week I think many of us (depending on what you do jobwise) experience a groundhog day feeling. This would be true for those in education, I’m sure! Lots of us will have the same routine every day and the first verse of ‘Tomorrow’ is so appropriate:
‘Same day, same moon
24/7 every moment repeats
My life between jobless twenty-somethings are
Afraid of tomorrow,
It’s funny, you think anything is possible when you’re a kid
When you feel how hard it is to get through a day
I keep feeling down like Control beat gets downed
Every single day is a repetition of
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V’
Plus, tomorrow on Thursday means Friday is next!
‘Fake Love’ on a Friday is a chance for me to reminisce because I adore the Love Yourself era. There also weren’t many options for ‘F’ songs so it is what it is. Once the weekend comes, I think most of us feel like partying if you only work Monday to Friday! ‘So What’ is the chance to jump around and put the week in the past if it hasn’t been kind to you and if it was a great week then you want to carry that feel good vibe through to the weekend.
‘Stay’ on Sunday is the perfect mood! Up beat and dance worthy! This is exactly what we need with Monday on the horizon and even when thoughts of Monday creep in, let’s remember:
‘The cold wind blows
I take your hand, i feel your breath
Once I close my eyes
We’ll always be together’.
Charlie
For our 7 songs for each of the 7 days in a week, I wanted to focus on just one of these days. As the song we chose to represent Thursday is Tomorrow, my favourite BTS track, I knew I had to focus on this one.
"Same day, same moon
24/7 every moment repeats
My life is in between
Jobless twenty-somethings are afraid of tomorrow"
Thursday is typically my most unlucky day of the week. Specifically, Thursday afternoon is when things tend to go wrong for me. I'm not sure why; it's been this way from my school days up until now. So, as someone who loves Tomorrow for how it describes the feeling of anxiety about a future day, and wanting the future to come quickly but also not to see it so soon, I think that this is the perfect song to use to talk about this day.
My favourite lyric from Tomorrow is "The tomorrow we've been waiting for becomes the name of yesterday at some point'. Similarly, you may face some struggles on a Thursday, but pretty soon it'll be Friday and your Thursday worries will just be yesterday's worries.
Tomorrow tells you that time is fleeting, and you shouldn't race too quickly towards the future (or even towards the end of the week in this case), because it'll be here eventually and you shouldn't forget the moment you're currently living in. The moment should also be enjoyed, even if it's just a mundane Thursday.
"Because the dawn right before the sun rises is the darkest
Even in the far future, never forget the you of right now
Wherever you are right now, you’re just taking a break
Don’t give up, you know
Don’t get too far away, tomorrow"
No matter what day of the week you're reading this on, you might be worrying about something instead of enjoying the moment. I recommend a calming listen to songs like Tomorrow!
"Tomorrow becomes today, today becomes yesterday
Tomorrow becomes yesterday and is behind me
Life isn’t about living along but living through"
Cheryl
With the release of Seven it was decided we would write about 7 songs that begin with the first letter of the day.
Mikrokosmos - What a perfect Monday morning song, as the song is about dreams, ambition and shining lights. I always feel bright and energised on a Monday morning and excited about what may come in the days ahead. Also with the lyrics “You got me” and “I got you” I feel this is relevant with my small team of work colleagues – we are always there for each other, just like this song BTS are there for Army and the other way around.
Take Two - With Tuesday’s Take Two the lyrics express “running around in a daze” and “walkin’ so many ways” and this was my Tuesday, I had 4 meetings, which is very unusual and it was a very busy hectic day. But like the song BTS they are always by my side and so are my colleagues. I enjoy the uplifting thoughts of being together forever.
WAB:TE - WAB:TE addresses the 7 years that BTS had been together since debut (seven winters and seven springs). The song appears to be a reflection upon how far they have come, how they used to fear being judged and how now they have Army and success they are bulletproof. On Wednesday, I learned something new in my job, and although I do not fully embrace change, I am learning to adapt and move forward and found this new challenge exciting. Perhaps I too am able to grow and feel bulletproof.
Tomorrow - This song is about how sometimes every day feels the same and that everything is on repeat, “same day, same moon, 24/7 every moment repeats”, they mention as a child you think anything is possible, but when older it is hard sometimes just to get through the day. Thursdays can sometimes feel like this; the weekend can feel very far away. Every day is like a repeat of Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V – personally I find this really interesting. At work I am always using these keys and I am sure younger people still at school are using them too – so it is very relevant for today.
Fake Love - With Friday's Fake Love, this song focuses on the emotions of being in a relationship, where you cannot be truly yourself, you have to hide some part of yourself to fit into someone else’s perception. The team at work are another family and whilst some members are free to express all their feelings, I am not. I find I am too worried about upsetting others to truly be myself, so I too sometimes hide part of myself.
So What - Saturday has arrived and with such a positive mantra for the weekend and life. So What’s lyrics tell us not to care what others think of us or say about us. This weekend I am going to do as they say and be young, wild and free and only worry about things I can personally change.
Stay - Sunday’s song Stay reminds us of the feeling of togetherness and being with family can feel like this (I know this is a generalisation). BTS expressed the knowledge that Army would not leave and this is how I feel about family. We may not see or talk often but like BTS and Army the bond is strong and unbreakable. Perhaps this Sunday I will reach out and check in with family I haven’t spoken to for a while.
Studying With BTS
With exam season well underway and the time of the year where people look ahead to the new academic year as this one is wrapped up, our playlist team has created a small studying playlist. Take a look below to see which songs our team would choose to listen to while they were revising.
The playlist can be found here: STUDYING WITH BTS ON SPOTIFY.
Michayla - ON, No More Dream & Answer: Love Myself
It’s been a while since I have studied for anything as serious as some of the exams that two of my children and niece are revising for but I can certainly put myself in their shoes and I know which songs would help!
The first is obvious and I’m not even going to try and hide it. I also won’t write about it in great depth because if you are an avid reader of this blog, you will probably be tired of my obsession with ON! It is because of my addiction to it in every sense of the word that I would definitely have it on loop while studying. ON is a great motivator and I can always lose myself in the mental imagery of the Kinetic manifesto MV if I needed a distraction. The one line that I think is important for studying and revising, when life really feels overwhelming and there is a lot of pressure on to succeed is:
‘You can’t hold me down cuz you know I’m a fighter.’
This line is simple, self explanatory and something that should be remembered while in the middle of exams. When my daughter gets home from an exam and I ask how it went, whatever her response is, we go on to say “It’s done now, focus on the next one.” Keep going! Keep fighting! You can only do your best so keep going!
No More Dream for me, is a reminder at how far BTS have come through hard work and dedication. When I hear this song I envisage that MV and how young Bangtan were at the time and then I think about where they are now. They have reminded us in many songs that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and it’s okay to fall down as long as you get back up. The path isn’t always smooth and sometimes you need to take a different path but that’s okay! There are ups and downs and some days will be harder than others but I think of that big yellow bus and then I think about being at Wembley Stadium and that’s such a motivator to try hard.
Answer: Love Myself is the song that reminds me that I shouldn’t work myself into the ground because burn out is a very real scenario especially when faced with a gruelling exam schedule. The temptation to stay up all night and cram is all too real but you can’t lose sight of yourself. Once you’ve studied and the exams have finished, you’re faced with results day which is something I am dreading this year, not because I think my daughter would have done badly, but because I don’t want her to feel anything other than the amazing human that she is. My daughter has grades she needs for university so the pressure is great BUT I have tried to advise her that there is always another option she has to change paths and that nothing is the end of the world. The thought of my daughter being disappointed in herself is worse than anything because I could never be disappointed in her.
‘Loving myself might be harder than loving someone else, let’s admit it
The standards you made are more strict for yourself
The thick tree rings in your life
It’s part of you, it’s you
Now let’s forgive ourselves
Our lives are long, trust yourself when in a maze
When winter passes, spring always comes.’
Cheryl - Best of Me, Boy With Luv & Euphoria
This week we are creating a studying playlist and with this in mind, the three songs I have chosen are; Best of Me, Boy With Love and Euphoria.
My thinking behind these three songs was; Best of Me – when I was studying I always tried my best to achieve the best result I could. Boy With Love I find to be a very upbeat, happy song and this is how I felt once studying was over and I could return to what made me happiest, listening to music. Euphoria builds on this feeling of happiness and relief, especially once exams are over.
Best of Me - My favourite lyrics are:
‘Even though I haven't seen my limits
But if it exists, It's probably you
I wanted to be the tender waves
But why didn't I know you were the sea?
What do I do?
I speak with your language
And I breathe in your air
I'll be you, I'll be in your grasp
As I kiss your sword
So take my hand right now
I don't believe that I'm like this
The words I've said to myself a million times
Please don't leave me, ooh-woah
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)’
Boy With Love - My favourite lyrics are:
‘From the moment I met you, ya, my life was all you, ya
You’re the star that turns ordinaries into extraordinaries, oh yeah
One after another ay, ay, everything is special ay, ay
The things you’re interested in, the way you walk or talk, and every little trivial habit of yours’
Euphoria - My favourite lyrics are:
‘You are the sunlight that rose again in my life
A reincarnation of my childhood dreams
I don’t know what these emotions are
Am I still dreaming?
There is a green oasis in the desert
A priori deep inside me
I’m so happy, I can’t breathe
Everything’s getting blurry’
Reading these lyrics there are references to dreams and stars that turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and surely this is what studying is all about – reaching for our dreams and our extraordinaries. I know from experience that sometimes studying is hard, we may not feel in the mood, or inspired, but hopefully listening to our playlist will fill you with hope and desire to reach for the stars. Your future is just beyond your fingertips – so reach deep and enjoy the journey.
Thinking of everyone studying right now and wish you good luck with your exams.
Charlie - Just One Day, Hold Me Tight & Mikrokosmos
It’s the time of year again when, all over the country, students are having to study inside and lament how they can’t enjoy the hot weather outside. I remember BTS Fire coming out in May 2016, and trying to enjoy the hot vibes of the song while memorising the contents of flashcards.
For songs that aren’t quite so distracting, I recommend Just One Day, Hold Me Tight, and Mikrokosmos, as easy studying background noise. I specifically chose ones that aren’t high-tempo songs with big energetic dances, because otherwise you’d get distracted from studying by wanting to dance in your seat, or you’ll end up watching fancams from performances of these songs. I speak from experience.
“If only I had just one day
I want to peacefully fall asleep intoxicated with your sweet scent
If there’s a chance in my busy schedule
I want to put my body in your warm and deep eyes”
I first listened to Just One Day in April or May, and it always helps me get into the Spring/Summer spirit. It’s a very sweet-sounding, easy-listening song, and allows me to enjoy that pre-Summer feeling without getting down in the dumps about being inside working or studying.
“You're still shining
You still smell like a flower
Now trust me, hold me again
So I can feel you, hold me”
Hold Me Tight is a very precious song to me. Despite its melancholy lyrics, it’s a soft song that I am always in the mood for. When I showed the Young Forever album to my family, they were sceptical about Kpop being ‘too much’, but they enjoyed songs like Hold Me Tight for being easy to listen to. I listened to this album when doing homework back in Sixth Form, and it helped me drift through work without it feeling like a chore.
“You got me
I dream while looking at you
I got you
Inside those pitch black nights
The lights we saw in each other
Were saying the same thing”
All of the songs from the Map of the Soul: Persona album make me feel nostalgic, as opposed to annoyed, about this studying season. And Mikrokosmos is a lovely uplifting song to encourage you while you study, making you want to do your best to make yourself and BTS proud, so you can have fun later at concerts after working hard now.
2023 so far!
We aren’t even half way through the year yet and we’ve had some great releases during this solo era. Our playlist team has put together a small YouTube playlist which counts for streams, too!
Come back here and click the link for the playlist after reading what our team has to say about three of the videos below.
2023 SO FAR - A YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
Don’t Ever Say Love Me - Colde ft RM
I didn’t know a lot, if anything about Colde (Kim Hee Su) so writing about this song gave me the opportunity to do some research. Namjoon has a habit of introducing me to artists that I may not have come across otherwise and I love him for that. It is thanks to Namjoon that ‘Unstable Mindset’ by Younha is one of my favourite albums!
A few of the things I have learnt is that Colde was part of a duo, OFFONOFF and he had his solo debut under WAVY in 2018. He releases covers and other songs on YouTube and Soundcloud and he has covered DNA. It has been documented that Colde prefers not to show his face as he wants people to listen to the music and not watch people so I can only presume that is why there isn’t an MV. I would recommend checking out the artwork for the songs as the artwork is beautiful.
‘Don’t ever say love me’ is a stunningly haunting song. The emotion was something I felt before I read the lyrics and then it all made sense.
‘Don't ever say 'I love you' again
Don't ever say 'us' again
If we leave this place now, you and me
The end of our love will arrive
The heart you showed me
The love that was given is a lie
Take it all now
And don't look for me ever again’
This is someone who is clearly hurting because of a betrayal by someone who professed to love them. The realisation that the relationship was a lie and that the other person went out of their way to cause so much hurt and pain. This line suggests there was a cheating situation: ‘He took you away’ so that further explains the angst and emotions here.
Namjoon’s verse explains the feelings of dishonesty and attention seeking by the other person. Here is part of Namjoon’s verse:
‘Lost in a dream, lost in a city
You beggin' for all the pity
Just keep it all
Ruin me, and you will be happy again
Please go now
Please go now
Just come to the low side
(Low side)
All the chemistry
that became a lie
To the low side (Low side)
Wanna fuckin' die when you next to me
To the low side (Low side)
Already, I can't remember how it used to be
Honesty is the policy’
This song is truly something that many of us would probably be able to relate to and that is what draws you in more. This was a great collaboration and this song will definitely be one that I listen to in future.
Like Crazy - Cheryl
This week we are looking at the new music videos of 2023, so I have chosen to write about Like Crazy by Jimin. As we know this song proved very popular in the UK, going straight in at No.8 and staying in the UK charts for a consecutive 5 weeks. This song appears to be about the inner turmoils of his mind, where he is getting caught in the fame “I’d rather be lost in the lights” but feeling like he is losing his identity and is wondering who he really is “Tell me, will I find myself again?”.
Knowing that the lyrics were written during Covid (Jimin told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show), I feel the video shows how confusing this time was not just for Jimin, but for all of us.
In the opening scenes and some other scenes too, people and Jimin are moving backwards, which I wonder if this shows they wish they could go back to pre-covid times – of course I am sure we were all wishing this at the time. Also, at the beginning of the video Jimin is seen sitting in an apartment on his own and it looks clean, then quick as a flash there looks to be brown, wet mess everywhere over the floor – is this also an image of how awful Covid was and how nowhere was safe from it, even in your own home it could reach you.
Perhaps, the nightclub scenes show how pre-covid was, where everyone was free and easy, having relationships and spending time with friends. In some of these scenes Jimin looks a bit out of sorts, as if he’s not really there, which makes me think it’s more like a memory. There is a lot of confusion expressed with the Outro lyrics:
‘This will break me
This is gonna break me (Break me)
No, don't you wake me (Wake me)
I wanna stay in this dream, don't save me
Don't you try to save me (Save me)
I need a way we (Way we)
I need a way we can dream on (On, on, on)’
It’s like he has an argument going on, where he doesn’t want to be woken or saved but at the same time he wants both to be woken and to be saved.
Sitting on the floor of a public restroom is rather intriguing and a million miles away from how I would imagine him to be, then the floor begins to move and all the walls disappear. Perhaps this indicates that there are no boundaries, other than what we put in place ourselves?
I wonder about the mess in the video, where it then comes over doors, on the floor of his apartment, he is also seen walking leaving messy footsteps and then at the end of the video where one hand is messy, which he then smears on the camera - perhaps these images indicate that life can be messy (fame or relationships) and that Jimin wants to be involved in it all and isn’t afraid of the mess and getting dirty.
There is a sense that nothing lasts forever and that he is searching for something, maybe a relationship? A girl's voice is heard in the song asking him to trust her and that everything will be alright.
This song has such a catchy vibe and Jimin’s vocals shine through. It is a perfect pop song and video.
Amygdala - Charlie
Amygdala is a hard-hitting, raw and personal song from Yoongi's D-Day album. It feels like a particularly special track, in that Yoongi described in his documentary 'Road to D-Day' how he delved into his memories, for things that happened that made him the way he is today, in order to write Amygdala.
"1993
The month I was born
My mother's heart surgery
A whole lot was happened back then
Don't know why things are so hectic
I'ma bring back my memories, I can't even remember
Let's unpack them, one by one"
One of the upsetting memories that Yoongi looks back on, is his accident which led to his shoulder injury that had been causing him pain for most of his career, right up until his surgery in 2020. I think we all saw those shots of him getting on the bike in the music video, and just knew what was about to happen. To share such a defining and personal moment with us, and show himself vulnerable and injured, speaks volumes to who he is as an artist.
One of the metaphors that Yoongi touches on is that of the lotus flower, in the line "The neverending trials failed to kill me, and once again I bloom a lotus flower". This is a continuation of the lotus flower metaphor that he mentions in Track 1 (D-DAY): "Because the lotus bloom gloriously even in muddy water". In the order of the album, Amygdala seems to be the turning point from the up-tempo, angry tracks, to the softer and more emotional songs. In the same way, Amygdala bridges the gap between the muddy water Yoongi was brought up in, i.e. upsetting memories he's tried to forget, and the state of blooming and accepting his past.
"Things I never ask for
Things that are outta my control
Let's put them back in, one after another
Yes, one, two, yes, one, two’
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