BTS or Bangtan Boys’ member:
RM: L|eader/Rapper
Jin: Vocalist
Suga: Rapper
J-Hope: Rapper
Jimin: Vocalist
V: Vocalist
Jungkook: Vocalist
Since its formation on June 13, 2013, BTS has become a global phenomenon. The success of “Dynamite,” BTS’s first single in English, the group’s upcoming performance at the 2020 Grammys with Lil Nas X, their 2019 SNL performance, and their outstanding Carpool Karaoke segment with James Corden have ensured that even those who aren’t among the millions in their obedient viewership (a.k.a. ARMY) or listen to K-pop have heard of BTS.
The seven-member group BTS is a breakthrough for Korean music on the international stage. It has become one of the most successful pop acts of all time. It’s been nominated for two Grammys and has won six American Music Awards and twelve Billboard Music Awards. In addition, members of the group have met with US President Joe Biden and spoken at the UN General Assembly and UNICEF events, respectively.
BTS is the third most subscribed artist on YouTube, with over 66 million viewers have watched at least one of their videos.
In honor of the group’s success and the seven members that make up the group, we have compiled a list of the top BTS songs for your listening and dancing enjoyment.
-
Dynamite
Year: 2020
This is the group’s first song entirely sung in English, soaring to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts upon its release. Blending disco and pop, the song, music video, and dance moves provide BTS fans with a dose of upbeat, nostalgic joy just when they need it.
-
On
Year: 2020
This incredible track found on their album Map of the Soul: 7 is set to the rhythm of marching band drums. After peaking at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart, the trio performed the song on The Tonight Show, Starring Jimmy Fallon.
-
Boy With Luv ft. Halsey
Year: 2019
When it was released on April 12, 2019, as the lead single from their EP Map of the Soul: Persona, the accompanying music video for the song quickly became the most-viewed 24-hour debut music video in YouTube history. The video features some of the band’s fantastic dance routines to go along with their collaboration with musician Halsey, which is a happy, vibrant, mood-lifting smash.
-
Butter
Year: 2021
All hail “Butter,” who has changed the course of history in every conceivable way. The infectious summer anthem of 2021 not only had the biggest YouTube premiere of all time but also became only the 40th song in Hot 100 history to spend at least 10 weeks at the top of the chart.4
-
My Universe (BTS and Coldplay)
Year: 2021
The collaborative effort between Coldplay and BTS, “My Universe,” is out of this world. The track, sung in English and Korean, debuted at the top of the Hot 100, becoming the K-pop group’s sixth entry and the British band’s second No. 1.
-
Life Goes on
Year: 2020
The hopeful “Life Goes On” was much needed in the wake of the global pandemic. The lead single from BE, co-written by RM, Suga, and J-Hope, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, making history as the first No. 1 sung primarily in Korean.
-
Fake Love
Year: 2018
Lyrically and musically, “Fake Love” is a powerful exploration of the ways in which being dishonest in a relationship can lead to heartbreak. Unfortunately, the sad track “Love Yourself: Tear” from the album of the same name did not reach number one on the Hot 100, but it did set a record for the most views in the initial 24 hours on YouTube in 2018.
-
Paradise
Year: 2018
BTS’s “Paradise” is a comforting song that reminds listeners to take life slow rather than always rushing toward some far-off dream, and it’s one of the group’s most beloved, underrated B-sides. A running joke among ARMYs is that BTS has forgotten about this song from their 2018 album Love Yourself: Tear because it has never been performed live. Even the youngest member, Jungkook, forgot the title during a live stream in 2021, though he did end up singing a bit of the song, so maybe someday “Paradise” fans will get to hear it performed in its entirety.
-
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Year: 2016
The group’s 2016 album Wings, which was heavily influenced by Hermann Hesse’s 1919 novel Demian, featured the title track “Blood Sweat & Tears.” The choreography enhances the song’s catchy melody and sultry vocals, and the lyrics and music video focus on themes of temptation.
-
Spine Breaker
Year: 2018
Those who have translated “Spine Breaker” say it pokes fun at teenagers who ask their parents for expensive or fancy clothes, specifically a certain style of North Face jacket that was popular during BTS’s formative years. They called it a “spine breaker” because its high cost would force families to “break their backs” in order to afford it for their children. As part of their reality show BTS Gayo, the band members created their own music video for the song. The video was leaked onto the fan-only streaming service VLive. The song became a hit, and the choreography was later revived for live performances like the one above.
