A list of BTS’ UNOFFICIALLY RELEASED socially-conscious, woke, non-love songs:
Not only does BTS have a bunch of socially-conscious officially released tracks, they have a ton of unofficial/non-group releases with meaningful lyrics as well.
흔한 연습생의 크리스마스 (A Typical Trainee’s Christmas) * = about the insignificance of holidays to trainees and feeling lonely, overwhelmed, and belittled because of the industry’s expectations
Born Singer * = about pursuing your passion despite criticism from society and the uncertainty of the future
흔한 아이돌의 크리스마스 (A Typical Idol’s Christmas) * = comments on how the grass is not always greener on the other side; about feeling overwhelmed due to the work load/expectations of being an idol. also a thank you to ARMYs for continuously supporting them
So 4 More * = about constantly working harder in order to pursue one’s passions and to reach one’s dreams
We Are Bulletproof PT 1 4 BEGINS Ruff * = about surpassing your rivals by being yourself & not letting other people’s words get to you
학교의눈물 (School of Tears) * = comments on the apathy of the current education system that pits children against each other and teaches students to step on the weak to rise to the top
어른아이 (Adult Child) * = about how reaching the age of adulthood is not as special and revolutionary as others make it seem; it is just another chapter in the book called Life. also a shout of gratitude to Korea’s armed forces who are often forced to serve for 2 years when they reach the age of adulthood
졸업 (Graduation) * = about seeking freedom from the educational system and realizing everyone will take a different path towards their respective dreams
땡 (DDAENG) * = about thanking the antis and internet trolls for their dedication because BTS used their hate to motivate them to rise to even higher fame and success
널 웃게 할 노래 (The Song That Will Make You Smile by Lee Seung Gi ft. Rap Monster & J-Hope) = RM & J-Hope’s part is about not being afraid of standing tall and facing one’s adversaries head on
Like A Star * = about regret for being afraid of being different from others and not pursuing one’s dreams/passions
알아요 (I Know) * = a thank you to male and female ARMYs for supporting them the last 3 years & a promise to be always there for ARMYs in the future
네시 (4 O’CLOCK) * = about that ambiguous time between night and day when the blue moonlight seems to stop time and you can heal from the chaos of the light/reality
95 Graduation * = about how fast time flies & the importance of preserving and remembering the past that was built to create the present. also an apology to their classmates for not being able to attend their graduation
Hookgayo (w/ Iron & Supreme Boi) = calls out the repetitiveness of the industry & artists who use swear words/graphic content simply to catch the interest of the general public (a response to Brave Brother’s diss track “Round and Round,” where he dissed producers, like Bang Shi Hyuk PD)
Fuck Cockroachez (w/ Zico) = about facing the uncertainty of the future and staying strong
Seventeen = about feeling lost in the world and not knowing how to actualize your dreams. comments on how only you can take control of your life
DREAMIN = about taking the unbeaten path and looking towards the future while never forgetting one’s humble beginnings
Glory = about pursuing your passions despite the disapproval of people around you
Naa = about the sweetness of pursuing one’s dreams and the curious beckoning of the unknown future
Suicide = about the feeling of failure even when others label you as a success
7 Dayz (w/ Popinjay) = about how dreams cannot always shield you from reality
130305 = about newbies who disrespect the senior artists that came before them
Tipsy (w/ Supreme Boi) = about pursuing your passions not for the applause, but for your own pleasure and personal satisfaction
94 Line Rap (w/ 삼순, 윤달, Suprema, Kyum2, LUPE, Wildbuck) = about the power of attacking your haters mentally rather than physically
Swag Player (w/ Tangent) = dissing wanna-be-rappers that compare themselves to those from the underground scene
You Can’t Do That (대남협 w/ Supreme Boi, i11evn, Marvel J, Kyum2) = addressing haters that say idol rappers can’t be considered truly “hip-hop”
Check the voice (w/ 라이머, 문화의사대, Black $heep, rap k.o, 문스피어, Kwind, TL, 몽숭이, Star Yankie, 찌질보이, 대포, BLAGI) = about ignoring the haters and looking straight ahead
Listen To Me = about breaking the music industry by being one with the beat
닥투 (Vote, or Just Shut Up) * = telling people we should voice our opinions by exercising our right/power to vote
Party (XXO) [Lyrics by RM] * = about fighting hatred with love & standing up for the minorities of the world. also contains pro-LGBT lyrics
I Like That [Lyrics by RM] * = about self-love & being independent and confident after a break up
FREESTYLE * = about the uncertainty of the future & the societal pressures that come with choosing music over college
FREESTYLE 2 = about how his tears for the past have dried & how he can’t go back now. also about being grateful and wanting to give thanks/strength to the people who have helped him along the way
FREESTYLE 3 * = about feeling lonely in a room full of people & the importance of self-motivation to reach your dreams/success
Freestyle 4 * = about longing for a past when time was infinite and dreams were limitless
Rap Monster * = about his dream to lead the new generation of hip hop by writing and conveying his own words/message
Where U At * = about the uncertainty of the future in such a competitive/saturated job market. also comments on how today’s youth is explicitly taught that money isn’t everything, but is implicitly pressured to earn a high salary
Too Much * = about feeling alone and trying to find where one belongs (in this case, he is rapping about the rejection he feels from hip hop fans for being an “idol” and idol fans for being a “monster”). also a question as to whether one can be truly happy/content in life
Unpack Your Bags (w/ DJ Soulscape) * = about the difference between his “idol” self and his “non-idol” self & the path towards finding his true identity
P.D.D (Please Don’t Die w/ Warren G) * = about serving revenge to haters by using the hate as a stepping stone for success
부끄부끄 (Bucku Bucku by MFBTY ft. EE, Dino J, RM) * = RM’s part is about showing magnanimity to the haters out of pity. he also gives respect to the seniors that he had always looked up to and are now able to write songs with
목소리 (Voice) * = about overcoming his past and finding his true source of happiness in music
Do You * = about living without labels/societal restrictions and doing “the fuck you want!”
각성 (覺醒/Awakening) * = addressing the fear and inevitability of failure. also about embracing the title of “idol” & not letting the label restrict his mind or actions
Monster = about becoming better than your haters by enjoying what you do everyday
농담 (Joke) * = “I’ll say one word about your rap, don’t rap.”
God Rap = about accepting and loving oneself, as well as accepting and not ridiculing others with different beliefs/views
Rush (ft. Krizz Kaliko) * = about preventing the negativity from affecting you by focusing on your own life
Life * = questioning the differing levels of loneliness that people feel and the blurred line between life and death
표류 (Drift) * = about trying to determine one’s purpose in life, but feeling lost
I Believe * = about trusting oneself and making the most out of one’s life by following one’s heart
튀겨 (ProMeTheUs by Yankie ft. Dok2, Juvie Train, Double K, RM, Topbob, Don Mills) * = RM’s part is about seniors/the older generations who look down towards and dismiss the youth
always * = about feeling like the world is not listening to you and will never be able to accept you for who you are
Change (w/ Wale) * = about trying to change the current state of the world we live in. also comments on the corrupt education system and police brutality, as well as cyberbullying
코끼리 (Gajah/Elephant by Gaeko ft. RM) * = RM’s part is about fighting for oneself and not letting life/destiny push you around
Diss = about how you can’t buy talent with money
Swagger = about being destined for success
All I Do Is Win = about surpassing your competition by improving yourself day by day
싸이하누월 MIX Final * = about how music is a part of him & not being afraid to display his true self, despite the stigma that comes with the label “idol”
Agust D * = about rising from the bottom to the top and breaking away from the stigma of “K-Pop” and “idol”
give it to me * = “Born tiger, ain’t gonna live like a dog.”
치리사일사팔 (724148) * = about pursuing your passions to reach success. also comments on social classes and the priviledge of old money
140503 새벽에 (140503 at dawn) * = about loneliness and pretending to be okay on the outside while fighting your inner struggles. also comments on his social phobia, that was an onset of his restricted lifestyle as a trainee
마지막 (The Last) * = about the dangers of comparing oneself to others & not recognizing who one has become. comments on self-hatred, depression, social phobia, suicide, and mental health. also about the sweetness of success after hardship & learning to find pride in one’s self-esteem
Tony Montana (ft. Yankie) * = about the switch from wishing for the downfall of others, to focusing on his own success and taking care of his family, fans, and team. also about the trials that come with rising from the bottom to the top
so far away (ft. SURAN) * = about the meaningless of living life without a purpose/dream, but also struggling to find that purpose. in addition, conveys a message of hope that one will find happiness through hard work and not giving up on the seemingly impossible
Animal (Jo Kwon ft. J-HOPE) = about not letting anyone take control of your passions (in this case he’s talking about his passion to perform)
1 VERSE * = about the gratification of watching your hard work and effort come to fruition
Hope World * = about opening up oneself to the world and living with hope
P.O.P (Piece of Peace), Pt. 1 * = about the role of music in bringing about change and comfort in a chaotic world
백일몽 Daydream * = about dreaming the impossible dreams and living life without fear of restrictions
Base Line * = about discovering the “base line,” the inner catalyst, that drive’s one’s motivations and achievements
항상 (HANGSANG ft. Supreme Boi) * = about how BTS is his driving force and his pride in reaching the top with his members by his side. also about his hope that they will be together forever
Airplane * = about reminiscing on his youth, when he used to dream of the skies, and finally realizing that he has surpassed his childhood goals
Blue Side (Outro) * = about wanting to preserve his memories of his younger, naive self, even if it’s through a dream
=: live performance/dance practice
*: official music video/trailer/SoundCloud release
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