[FEATURE] BACKTRACK with BTS: Five of BTS’ Representative B-sides Before Their Rise to Fame

The clock is ticking fast, to the utmost delight of the Adorable Representative M.C for Youth — or more known as the powerful fandom, ARMY. In less than a week from now, they will finally be able to bless their ears again with a new set of musical masterpieces created by none other than the seven men of superstar group BTS.

Anticipation is high for the septet’s new album titled ‘BE’ particularly because it is announced to be completely self-directed, with each member taking a specific role in every step of the album’s production process. Jimin, for example, revealed in a live broadcast last May that he was assigned to be the music project manager, and responsible for tasks and decisions related to the songs that will make the cut.

BE, and the pleasure its eight tracks will bring us, are just around the corner. Everyone is excited for what the boys will present as their title track this time around, especially since it comes directly after their record-breaking hit single ‘Dynamite’. 

It is also completely safe to say that the public’s anticipation is collectively directed towards all the new songs in the album. After all, BTS does not discriminate when it comes to music: regardless if it is a title song or a B-side track, if it is from BTS, it is surely of high quality.

Before the grand comeback on November 20, why don’t we look back at five of BTS’ B-side tracks that remind us of how the group’s journey started?

(Note: All lyrics translations are credited to ARMY translator doolsetbangtan. Click on the lyrics to see the full song translation.) 

1. Road/Path – Hidden track from 2 COOL 4 SKOOL

‘Road or Path’ is a nod to the start of the seven boys’ life as aspiring idols: complete nobodies fuelled only by their desire to make music and perform on stage. 

What’s notable about the track is how BTS’ freshly debuted rap line interpreted, through carefully threaded lyrics, their own doubts towards the uncertain future ahead of them. 

“Would I have been different if I had chosen a different path?
If I had paused and looked back?”

RM expresses he’s being doubtful of the path he chose; Suga vents about the unfortunate reality that comes with the idol dream — that it won’t be easy and will definitely be lonely; while J-Hope describes himself as a naive man who just wants to dance. Despite these anxieties, the song ends on a hopeful note: that the future could be bright if all seven of them face it head-on.

2. Attack on Bangtan from O!RUL8,2?

‘Attack on Bangtan’ is rather a peculiar track to be included in just the second album of a rookie group. It screams attitude, and confidence, and undeniable acknowledgment of a newfound fame.

“Who are we? Advancing Bangtan Sonyeondan!
Who are we? We swallow everything without fear!”

The sharp rap imposed on powerful beats and completed with a taste of the duly-hyped Bangtan choreography, makes it difficult for anyone listening to the song to not bang their heads to the beat.

And did I tell you that ‘Attack on Bangtan’ has rapper Jungkook in it? ‘Nuff said.

3. Tomorrow from SKOOL LUV AFFAIR

BTS yet again displays their talent in stringing together words to tell a story through music. ‘Tomorrow’ reflects the group’s struggles as rookie idols, specifically during a phase where it seemed they were doing their best, but to no avail of moving forward. 

But the song is not just a simple narration. It could be better described as BTS’ letter to themselves, as well as to those who are in a slump, thinking nothing good is going on with their life. The message is simple: don’t give up, keep walking.

“Because the dawn right before the sunrise is the darkest,
you, in the future, never forget yourself of now.
Wherever you’re standing right now, you’re just taking a short break,
Don’t give up, you know it.”

‘Tomorrow’ is not the typical party track. It has a slow tempo with an eerie feeling – probably aiming to reflect the group’s uneasiness during this period in their career – serving as a perfect melody for the vocal line’s high notes and smooth ad libs.

4. Rain from DARK & WILD

The sadness and worries that the boys had after debut are plastered all over the song ‘Rain’, which tells three different stories of a rainy day – one for each BTS rapper.

RM uses the rain to ‘feel’ again after feeling empty over getting stuck with a song he was trying to write. Suga asks himself if he could be someone who will leave a mark on people’s lives – just as how the rain leaves a mark on its track – and contemplates whether his struggles today would pay off tomorrow. J-Hope, meanwhile, questions “who is the rain falling for” – as if also asking himself: for who is he struggling for?

“I, even when this rain stops, even when the clouds clear,
am standing still just like how I am now.
Without saying anything, I look down at the world–
there, a not-so-beautiful me is looking at me.

The calm rapping of the three, plus the beautiful harmonisation of Jungkook, V, Jimin, and Jin, brings much melancholy and bittersweetness to the song – making it the perfect song to listen to whenever you just want to acknowledge the pain you are feeling.

5. Moving On from THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOMENT IN LIFE era

BTS proves, once again, their unrivaled lyricism. For this song, the group uses both the literal and figurative meaning of the phrase ‘moving on’ to express their thoughts about moving – out of their old house, and into a new phase of their idol life.

The track emotionally looks back at the memories the boys made in their old home, reminiscing how that small space bore witness to their sprouting dreams. They also remind themselves that despite them leaving the house, they should not leave behind the lessons they learned during their stay in it.

I specifically chose this track to wrap up this list, for I think it perfectly represents the era BTS saw a significant shift in their career. It was during their promotions for ‘I Need U’ – the title track of their album ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 1’ – that BTS won their first ever music show win. ‘The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever’ also gave BTS their first ever Daesang – the Album of the Year award at the 2016 Melon Music Awards. 

That same year, BTS achieved one of their most desired goals: to win as Artist of the Year at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.

The song ‘Moving On’ perfectly describes how these life-changing events opened a new chapter in the lives of the seven dreamers of BTS –

“Now I’m going to take pride and aim at a bigger world, a bigger dream,
A new start, a new beginning…
Let’s move —
Now to a higher place.”

– and they sure did. 🙂

Stay connected with BTS:

BTS Twitter | BTS Instagram | BTS YouTube

Written by: Erin

Image by: Agnes

Established in 2011, The Seoul Story is a Southeast Asia-based Korean Events, Entertainment & Lifestyle News Site On The Go

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