Top 20 B-Sides by BTS

BTS is coming back later today with Love Yourself: Tear, and in my anticipation, I made a list of my favorite B-sides! For this list, I only considered the group's Korean albums (from debut to their latest album Love Yourself: Her), excluding any Japanese releases and solo mixtapes. Since the members of BTS often participate in the creation of their music, I find it significant to mention which members have done so on each song. (Note: I only named the BTS members who participated, but other composers and lyricists worked on these songs as well.) Overall, I have to say it was very hard to pick only 20 songs, and even harder to rank them! Writing this list made me even more aware of their musical growth these past 5 years. Enjoy the list below, and feel free to share your personal favorite BTS B-sides!

20. Coffee

Album: O!RUL82 (2013)

Genre: R&B, Hip-Hop
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, Suga, J-Hope

During the "O!RUL82?" era in their career, BTS still maintained their image as a hip-hop group. "Coffee" is a remake of the K-indie group Urban Zakapa's "Drinking Coffee" (2009), but BTS's version takes on a more urban genre. It is essentially a Starbucks ad, comparing a girl to a caramel macchiato, an espresso, and other caffeinated beverages! As sweet as this song sounds, however, there is bitterness in it's meaning. The girl they are referring to is an ex-girlfriend. So, the memories are sweet, but the reality is bitter.

19. Begin (Jungkook Solo)

Album: Wings (2016)

Genre: Electronic, Synth-pop

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM

The WINGS album has a very interesting arrangement - its tracklist is comprised mostly of solo songs. Each member has their own solo that portrays their personal thoughts and style. "Begin" is a ballad-like song performed by Jungkook that showcases his airy vocals. BTS's very own golden maknae sings about the encouragement and support that his "older brothers" have provided for him during the years they've spent together.

18. Move

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 (2015)

Genre: R&B, Rap
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, J-Hope, Suga

Throughout their career, BTS have lived together in different dorms relocating to better housing as their company's financial situation improved. In "Move," the group recalls back to when they were trainees and lived in a small apartment in Nonhyundong. As the story goes, RM was the first of the seven to join Bighit, followed by Suga and J-Hope (2010), Jungkook, Jin and V (2011), and finally Jimin (2012). Their story is even a little complicated as V was a "secret member" and the group experienced my line-up changes pre-debut. Either way, they've ended up as a fine group of seven! RM, J-Hope, and Suga use their rap to reminisce when they grew close sharing their hopes and dreams of becoming idols. They became attached to the blue wallpaper and blue veranda of their humble abode, but as the chorus reveals, BTS look forward to a new home.

17. 24/7=Heaven

Album: Dark & Wild (2014)

Genre: R&B, Pop
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, Suga, J-Hope

Judging by the album title "Dark & Wild," I expected the content to be very intense sounding - like full-fledged hip-hop or rock genres blended throughout. However, it turns out that the "dark and wild" concept is brought out in the emotions of the album rather than the genres because there are some mellow points. "24/7=Heaven" favors a lighthearted, groovy sound and talks about the butterflies-in-your-stomach on a first date! For me, this song was a hidden gem. I did not love it at the first listen, but later appreciated it after watching the live performance.

16. House of Cards (Full Length Edition)

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever (2016)

Genre: Ballad

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: N/A

There are times when BTS make songs as separate line-ups. "House of Cards" is performed by the vocal line-up - that is, Jungkook, V, Jimin, and Jin.  First, I'd like to mention the sheer musicality of it all. "House of Cards" heavily showcases the sounds of stringed instruments in such a haunting way that evokes the desperation of the lyrics. But the best "instruments" would have to be the voices, which croon perfect vocal harmonies. Even more, Jungkook performs scat after the first chorus. This type of improvised singing is typical to jazz and gives "House of Cards" more complexity. Now to mention the meaning of the song, which is based on a clever metaphor. An unstable relationship is likened to a house of cards - it's at risk of collapsing at any moment.

15. Butterfly

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2 (2015)

Genre: Ballad

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, Suga, J-Hope

"Butterfly" is quite the enchanting ballad. There are actually two versions of this song that I want to talk about. First, is the original version, performed by all the members. It features a more complete instrumental that is layered with acoustics and electronic-synths. The other version is called "Butterfly (The Prologue Mix)" which was included on the repackage HYYH series repackage "Young Forever." This mix is performed only by the vocal line-up. The composition is quite simple (it's void of many sounds that the former has) and that makes it even more haunting and sad.

14. Dimple (Illegal)

Album: Love Yourself: Her (2017)
Genre: Future Bass

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM

"Love Yourself: Her" intends to narrate the stories of "young adults who fall in love." Each song on the album seems to look at love from a different angle. The title track "DNA" describes fated love, while "Dimple"  is a mid-tempo track that describes budding love or physical attraction. Performed by the vocal line-up, "Dimple" talks about falling for a girl with cute dimples.

13. BTS Cypher Pt 4

Album: Wings (2016)

Genre: Rap

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, J-Hope, Suga

This is the fourth BTS Cypher and has a different feel from the previous three. Naturally, it is performed by the rap line-up (RM, J-Hope & Suga). "BTS Cypher 4" is a sharp retort to the hate that they'vs received during their career.  At times, BTS has been criticised for some ridiculous reasons and, because of this, the lyrics of the song are laced with sarcastic apologies.

12. Hold Me Tight

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 (2015)

Genre: R&B Ballad, Hip-Hop
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: V, RM, J-Hope, Suga

The Most Beautiful Moment in Life is BTS's second trilogy and is very different, but still similar to the previous (school trilogy). In this series, the group attempted more daring genre mixes and talked about love. Yet, they kept the same theme of youth, albeit more mature than school students. The title means the happiest moment in one young life. Yet, the trilogy ironically includes a lot of heartbreak. There are some highs, but most of the tracks describe emotional lows - "Hold Me Tight" being one of them.

11. Converse High

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 (2015)

Genre: R&B
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, J-Hope, Suga

It was mentioned before that RM's ideal type is a girl who wears t-shirts and converse highs - and this song, written by him, expresses his love for the classic style! Funny enough, while the other members celebrate Converse sneakers, Suga shows his preference for another shoe in his rap. "You look better with Jordan numbers. Ha, don’t you know? Converse kill your charms." Whatever your shoe preference, I really enjoy this fun, breezy track because it reminds me of BTS's school trilogy.

10. Tomorrow

Album: Skool Luv Affair (2014)

Genre: Synth-Pop
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: Suga, RM, J-Hope

"Skool Luv Affair" was the last part of their School Trilogy series, which was a project that tackled topics that apply to youth (i.e. school, bullying, plans for future career). I view "Tomorrow" as a song that encompasses what the young men of BTS stand for. It touches base on a societal issue and gives encouragement to its listeners. Essentially, a lot of young people are afraid of what lies in their future - and BTS assure us that they've felt the same way too.  But they remind us, "the dawn right before the sun rises is the darkest" meaning that you may face obstacles before you succeed.

9. Let Me Know

Album: Dark &Wild (2014)

Genre: R&B, Synth Ballad
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: Suga, RM, J-Hope

"Let Me Know" is one of my long-time favorites - I remember hearing it for the first time when it was released ahead of their first full album. Suga co-wrote and produced this song which he described as having a trance-like melody.

8. GO GO

Album: Love Yourself: Her (2017)

Genre: Contemporary Hip-Hop w/ Tropical elements

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: N/A

"GO GO" is quite an interesting piece - for more than one reason! First, the mix of genres is very creative and unconventional. It's a bouncy hip-hop track with notes from a xylophone and flute. Secondly, the song is quite meaningful underneath it's fun, frivolous facade. BTS parody the materialism in our modern society and shine a light on how young people foolishly spend their money. Referring to GO GO, RM says, "...it’s about how our young generation is living their lives with low expectations and standards so people are upset with reality; they have little hope and there’s so much economic hardship. We wanted to say something about it and emphasize to the world that it’s not their choice, but a brutal reality that forces people to live and spend as if there’s no future."

7. Best of Me

Album: Love Yourself: Her (2017)

Genre: EDM

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, Suga, J-Hope

When BTS went to the Billboard Music Awards in May 2017, they met and befriended American pop duo The Chainsmokers. This meeting later birthed a collaboration between the two as The Chainsmokers produced and co-wrote "The Best of Me" with BTS! "Best of Me" is a proclamation of love to someone who is undeniably their better half.  If you are familiar with the Chainsmokers, you'll hear their signature electronic style on this track (even though they don't make a vocal appearance in the song). I find that EDM can fall flat sometimes, but Bangtan surely brings the song to life. This the first time BTS (as a whole group) collaborated with an American act and it is well-done indeed.

6. Outro: Wings

Album: You Never Walk Alone (Wings Repack.) (2017)

Genre: Electro-pop

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM, J-Hope, Suga

This outro first appeared on "WINGS" as a minute-long interlude, but an extended version was later included on the repackage. "Outro: Wings" is such an uplifting end to a deep, dark, and reflective musical work. The song opens with a dramatic violin and piano arrangement, then becomes more exciting with beat drops and energy-filled raps.

5. Baepsae

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2 (2015)

Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM

Another one of the many socially conscious songs from BTS, "Baepsae" is an attack on the social inequality in our modern society. The term "baepsae" is translated as "crow tit," which is a type of small bird. In Korean, "crow tit" is used as a metaphor for a try-hard or an underprivileged person. BTS points out the inequity between the "crow tits" and the "silver spoons", or privileged. No matter how hard they work, crow tits may never find success because the odds are against them and in favor of the silver spoons. This could emanate BTS's own situation (at the time), as the group is from a small company that did not have the power and influence that other, bigger Korean Entertainment companies have.

4. Lost

Album: Wings (2016)
Genre: Synth-pop ballad

Credited with lyrics and/or composition: RM

As we have seen in some of the previous items on this list (such as Tomorow and Baepsae), BTS like to talk about the dreams and struggles of youth. "Lost" expresses having a feeling of uncertainty about one's future - a topic that is relatable to many young people. Performed by the vocal line, "Lost" was co-written by RM and is based on a story that Hitman Bang once told him, "When ants head out somewhere to find food, they are usually in a huge disorderly mess. But when they return home, they will line up in a straight line." Therefore, RM wrote the lyrics with a positive perspective: those who become lost eventually find their path just as ants do.

3. Awake (Jin Solo)

Album: Wings (2016)

Genre: Ballad
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: Jin, J-Hope, RM

"Awake" is Jin's solo song from "Wings".  As I mentioned when talking about Jungkook's "Begin", each solo has a message that each member wanted to convey. "Awake" is about accepting your own limitations, but still wanting to try your best. Your best may not seem as good as someone else's best, but it's the effort that counts and it's uniquely your own. This heartfelt confession is made even more compelling by the beautiful orchestral arrangement.

2. Dead Leaves

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2 (2015)

Genre: Hip-Hop, Ballad
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: Suga, Jungkook, RM, J-Hope

"Autumn Leaves" is a captivating hip-hop ballad that Suga composed using a sample of "Deadroses" by Blackbear. The lyrics use the autumn season as a metaphor for their current love life, much like how winter was used as a metaphorical reference in "Crystal Snow" and spring in "Spring Day". Essentially, in more poetic words, a dying relationship is compared to shriveling autumn leaves. "Dead Leaves" stands out to me, not only because of it's intense emotional buildup but also because of its atypical arrangement. Jungkook or Jimin typically open BTS songs, but Jin is the lead vocalist in this one.

1. Outro: Love is Not Over

Album: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 (2015)

Genre: R&B Ballad
Credited with lyrics and/or composition: Jungkook, Jin

As the ending tune of "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt 1," this is a short outro performed solely by the vocal line-up. A full version of the song with all the members was released later, however, I am more fond of the outro version! "Love is Not Over" is a sentimental r&b ballad, and with this, Jungkook took a part in composing for the first time. The lyrics easily move your heart: they admit that love is painful, but still refuse to give up on it.

Sources

Info: Wikipedia,2,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,18,

Images: a,b,c,d,e,f.g,h,i