It goes without saying that BTS has an extensive discography full of hits. However, many lesser-known gems have been released over the years. From debut-era rap songs to the members' serious mixtapes, the artists have created numerous pieces worth hearing, despite not receiving enough attention. Here are 10 songs from BTS that you should add to your playlist right now.
1. 'Sea'
This is a secret track from the album 'Love Yourself: Her' that can only be found in its physical version, easily overlooked by fans who prefer streaming. Using a metaphor of sea and desert, the song talks about the feelings BTS experiences during the process of achieving their goals. It combines a calm, gentle instrumental with airy vocals, sounding like ocean waves.
2. 'Rain'
From the 'Dark & Wild' album, 'Rain' is a jazz-centric number with relaxed vocal lines, unlike most of BTS' earlier hip-hop-driven tracks. The airy melody flows over light percussion and piano, creating a melancholy mood that matches the lyrics about the gloom of a rainy day. Notably, J-Hope, who specializes in rapping, makes a rare appearance singing the mellow verses.
3. 'Spine Breaker'
From 'Skool Luv Affair', this track sees BTS boldly tackling income inequality early in their career. The song's title refers to young people demanding expensive clothes and shoes from their parents, causing the parents to have bent backs from working to satisfy those demands. One of the most memorable aspects is V's low vocalization regarding materialism.
4. 'We On'
Released in the group's debut year as part of 'O!RUL8,2?', 'We On' is one of BTS' first instances of directly addressing naysayers through their music. RM addresses critics head-on while Jungkook delivers pointed lyrics with a sweetness that makes the message hit even harder. It remains one of the least discussed tracks from their early catalogue.
5. 'Am I Wrong'
One of the only blues-influenced tracks in BTS' catalogue, from the 'Wings' album, co-written by Grammy Award-winning musician Keb' Mo'. The funky rhythm and upbeat melody belie the track's somber message about apathy in the information age. It was particularly provocative at the time of its 2016 release, given the political climate in South Korea.
6. 'BTS Cypher Pt. 3: Killer'
From 'Dark & Wild', this track is part of the 'Cypher' series of rap tracks written and performed by RM, Suga, and J-Hope. It stands as one of the most emotionally raw numbers in their discography. The piercing rap verses glide across soft tunes from eastern instruments in a scathing diss track against those who doubt their hip-hop roots. It also acts as a harbinger for the rap unit's future tracks with more elevated production.
7. 'Pied Piper'
From 'Love Yourself: Her', this track sees BTS delivering a gentle but sharp admonition directly to their own fandom. The members address common fan behaviors, such as spending too much time watching content instead of focusing on responsibilities. It is more tough love than harsh criticism, with Jin reassuring fans, 'You're not being punished.'
8. 'So Far Away'
From Suga's solo mixtape 'Agust D', this track features poignant lyrics about existential dread and the struggle of living without a dream. Suga's gritty rap verses contrast beautifully with singer-songwriter Suran's ethereal chorus. It is one of the most quietly devastating pieces of writing in the entire BTS universe.
9. 'UhGood'
One of the less discussed tracks from RM's 2018 solo mixtape 'Mono', 'UhGood' is a vulnerable expression of the BTS leader grappling with meeting expectations. The song's title in Korean means both 'falling short' and 'missing each other,' both meanings woven carefully through the lyrics. It is one of the most honest moments of self-reflection RM has ever recorded.
10. 'Base Line'
From J-Hope's solo mixtape 'Hope World', this groovy rap number often gets overshadowed by the two tracks that received music videos. At just 90 seconds, the track is packed with brass instrumentation and J-Hope playfully alternating between high and low-pitched rapping. In a 2018 interview with TIME, J-Hope shared that the baseline behind the song is his deep gratitude for his life and his work.
