A chance encounter with a Samsung mobile phone advertisement back in the days of dial-up internet started my beginnings as a High Skool — a fond name for Epik High fans.
Many years down the road, the trio is still going strong against all odds even though this year marks their two decades since the group was formed. Their music inspired many artists including RM and Suga from BTS. With an expansive discography spanning 10 studio albums, two EPs and 18 singles, budding fans might find it a tad overwhelming and would not know where to start.
Fret not, I have listed a compilation of Epik High songs for you to listen according to what you might be feeling at the moment.
(Note: Korean lyrics translations are credited to epikhightrans and Tablo himself for Shoebox and Map the Soul, English lyrics are extracted from Genius. Click on the lyrics to see the full song translation)
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING EMPOWERED — Lesson 1 (Tablo’s Word) from Map of The Human Soul (2003)
Lesson 1 features in their very first album, Map of The Human Soul. More ‘lessons’ (up to Lesson 5 in Shoebox) are featured in their later albums. Even though Map of The Human Soul is their debut album, Tablo outrightly calls himself “a king of words” and “lyrical assassin” in the very song but no one can refute it with lyrics like these:
Tablo dissects and raises important concerns about the education and social system that is still very relevant even after 18 years.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING PHILOSOPHICAL — Rich ft Taeyang from Shoebox (2014)
Social commentary is present in a lot of Epik High’s work and Rich is one of it. With the rising sentiments against the rich especially when COVID-19 hit globally — Rich is a timely song for you to listen to. Following Shopaholic in [e]nergy, Epik High continues to talk about purchasing culture.
Mithra talks about someone who has never travelled overseas but her fashion or her buydentity follows closely of those in big fashion cities like New York and Paris.
A friend of mine buys, sells, and appraises her dreams and ideals
Her account balance is off but her pride, or so-called buydentity, is unshakeable
No stamps in her passport, but her fashion treads New York and Paris.
The most discussed part of the song is the usage of “Is you happy?” in Taeyang‘s lines, followed with the grammatically correct “Are you happy?” soon after. Most think the former is directed to the persona who cannot stop buying things and wishes to be rich and the latter is a question directed to the real self.
Tablo finishes the song with a chilling “I’d like to be rich in heart, but my heart is just as empty as my wallet,” that will leave you thinking even after the song ends.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DISCOURAGED — Over from Epilogue (2010)
Over sparked discussion if the song was meant to be sad or motivating . Tablo shared that he has always been an overachiever as a child and the song is actually meant to be comforting. Personally, this is a song to listen to after a long day at work or school especially when you feel like you are at your breaking point and your mind has not stopped working even when you want to rest.
Who can tell
Your livin is an organized hell
The mansion of your mind just an oversized cell
The pressure
Everythin is done to a measure
In the sea of competition sunk like a treasure
At different points of your life, you might feel differently about this song. Today you may think it’s a sad song about a burnout overachiever but a few years later, you might feel like hearing an old friend echoing your thoughts back to you.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING NOSTALGIC — Umbrella ft Younha from Pieces, Part One (2008)
Back when YouTube videos had a resolution of 480 x 360 pixels and 30 minutes was needed to load a mere three-minute music video, I used to watch the music video for Umbrella over and over. Even until now, I can clearly remember Tablo sifting through a book frantically while the room was flooded from the non-stop rain. The image is so strong that even now rain has been a recurring theme in Epik High’s songs.
Without you, I’m a chair with a leg shorter than the rest
An umbrella that was too small for two
An umbrella that was like an island in this cold world
It feels too big and awkward now
Umbrella is a song about a pair of lovers who find loneliness in the most mundane things like holding an umbrella on rainy days after a break up.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING LOVESTRUCK — Map the Soul (Worldwide Ver.) ft MYK and Kero One from Map the Soul (2009)
“A simile, a metaphor, words not enough”— an excerpt from the lyrics that succinctly explains how beautiful Map the Soul is as a song. It has two versions, one in Korean and the worldwide version is in English but both talk about the same thing— love. MYK’s impactful introduction as the song begins with no music will keep you on your toes listening intently since it resembles a story narration.
You turn a cocooned soul into a butterfly
And I, lose control, can never turn aside
You shine like summer skies, like when a lover lies
Tablo mentioned that before writing the lyrics of Map the Soul, they made a short list of words that were increasingly difficult to hear like “destiny”, “soul” and “eternity”. It is at its core a love song, but simplifying it as just another love song despairs me to no end since this song is so whole — perfect from the start till the end. Paired with a haunting beat uncommonly used in a love song and gorgeous, gorgeous lyrics (words not enough, truly!), Map the Soul still gives me chills to this day.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING MOTIVATED — Fly ft Amin. J of Soulciety from Swan Songs (2005)
Fly is the turning point that opened up Epik High’s music to a bigger audience and gave them an opportunity to enter the mainstream scene. The song was even featured on the soundtrack for FIFA 07 and has been the gold standard for Korean hip-hop scene of that particular generation.
I open my eyes and greet the morning
The compass of my life is still pointing in the same direction
Kneeling easily before the easy world
And complaining about my life non-stop
With the poor little arms that used to chase my faint, old dream
I spread out my splendid wings
You can fly
It is a fun, motivating song for you to bop to, the upbeat melody will make you feel energised enough to be able to fly and take on anything that might come your way!
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING HEARTBROKEN — Here Comes The Regret ft Lee Hi from We’ve Done Something Wonderful (2017)
There are plenty of songs with heartbreak as its core theme in Epik High’s discography but Here Comes The Regret was chosen due to the raw anger that the song conveys. Why feel sad about a heartbreak when you can be mad about it, anyway?
Here Comes The Regret was a highly anticipated track for fans and non-fans alike when it was announced that Lee Hi would feature on it.
In another rare act, this marks the first time that Mithra raps fully in English and amazes High Skoolers with his verse. The pause and beat drop after “I got a few” makes the “thousand” that follows right after so impactful! A relatable, angst-filled song about nursing a painful heartbreak with alcohol and waking up to regret it the next day.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING SLEEPLESS — Lullaby for a Cat from sleepless in __________ (2019)
sleepless in __________ in general is an EP dedicated to those who have troubles sleeping. Lullaby for a Cat is the final track and the outro on the EP. The short song gained traction on Twitter when High Skools shared videos of their cats actually sleeping while listening to the song!
Whoever said no pain, no gain
Don’t know pain
Intimately like I do
As infinitely as I do
A soothing lo-fi track— with lyrics that almost feel like the thoughts that you get before you were able to sleep; hopefully will help lull you to sleep. Tablo shared that he imagined someone on their bed that was unable to fall asleep but wants the cat by their side to get a good night’s sleep that they themself will not.
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING STRESSED — Wannabe ft Mellow from [e]nergy (2009)
While they are most known for their thought-provoking lyrics music-wise, on the flip side of the coin, Epik High is notorious for being goofy. For their Now Playing Concert series, they released countless posters of them parodying popular series and movies! Wannabe is perhaps the starting point of the idea since the whole music video is actually a parody of The Host, a box office 2006 movie.
Do not be fooled by the fun nature of the song and music video though, it is actually a social commentary about wannabes who keep up with trends by copying each other to stay relevant
Here and there, ‘Fresh’ (hot, new!)
But it feels like I’ve already seen it before
Humming the same song on the tip of our lips and noses
Choosing the same style when we’re shopping for clothes
Watch the music video while you listen to this song to laugh and blow your stress away!
WHEN YOU’RE FEELING JADED — Acceptance Speech ft B.I from Epik High is Here 上 Part 1 (2021)
Acceptance Speech is a song that DJ Tukutz hopes will convey the message that the difficult moments are the ones that ultimately made Epik High what it is now. It is so easy to see them in their glorious moments now with the release of their 10th studio album, but Epik High were the subject of (and overcame!) damaging rumours.
I’m worried about me, too
Every morning, standing before the mirror
I struggle to put on this poker-faced mask
17 years living in this scene
When I take a peek underneath
I can’t take it off ‘cuz my true face feels more unfamiliar
Although, the context might be different depending on the listeners; the lyrics are heartfelt and relatable to all. The decision to choose B.I makes the song even more meaningful considering what he went through in recent times. Even when you are broken down until you don’t know who you really are, the show or life in general— still goes on.
Epik High released one of their two-parts 10th studio album, Epik High is Here 上 Part 1 on January 18, 2021 with a stellar lineup that includes CL, Zico, Heize, B.I, Woo, Changmo, Nucksal, G.Soul, Kim Sawol and Miso as featuring artists.
The songs listed here are just a peek to what Epik High has to offer, take your time to listen to their amazing wide-range discography whenever you have the time! They also have custom playlists of their songs up on their official YouTube channel.
For High Skools, which Epik High tracks do you usually listen to when you are feeling a particular emotion? Share with us in the comment box below!
Check out the music videos of the double title tracks, Rosario and Based on a True Story:
Epik High’s Facebook Page | Epik High’s YouTube Channel | Epik High’s Website
Written by: Ain
Image by: Agnes
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