Top 10 Best BLACKPINK Songs
#10: “Forever Young”
“Square Up” (2018)
Akoben Featuring Gülşah Brett - Forever
When asked to list their favorite song off their 2018 EP, both Jennie and Lisa chose this youthful pop hit. The second single off “Square Up,” the song features melodies that capture the nostalgic feeling of love with lyrics that leave regrets behind. With playful choreography and a vibe that is somehow both cool and energetic, the song uniquely captures the group’s fun-loving personality. But in signature BLACKPINK style, the song still brings an edge as it shifts into a driving bridge with lyrics referencing of Cyndi Lauper’s famous “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” “Forever Young” became the group’s second song to earn a platinum certification in South Korea. Fans young and old just couldn’t resist the Blackpink revolution.
#9: “Pretty Savage”
“The Album” (2020)
BLACKPINK is known for their powerful and unapologetic image, and “Pretty Savage” earns its title right from Jennie’s opening purr. The song celebrates the different sides of femininity as it walks the edge of a sharp and shining blade. Fearless, aggressive rap verses are coupled with Rosé’s tender bridge where the lyrics translate to “Pretty girl, I smile but I’m not weak.” The song cements the group as unphased and untouchable, and even though it wasn’t a title track, the song still broke into top 100 charts in multiple countries and climbed all the way to number 2 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.
#8: “Whistle”
“Square One” (2016)
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And hello, world. The signature whistled intro to BLACKPINK’s debut single introduced the brand new YG Entertainment girl group’s fierce style to the globe. True to its lyrics, upon release the bold track became “so hot” that it shot to the top of South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart. That’s an incredibly impressive feat for the group’s debut single. The simplistic but groovy song is packed with Jennie and Lisa’s spunky raps and whispered refrains, and as the track builds, Jisoo and Rosé lend their rich vocals to a sassy and assured pre-chorus. While the memorable song marked many of the group’s “firsts”, it became the launching point for the group’s success - because BLACKPINK was only just getting started.
#7: “How You Like That”
“The Album” (2020)
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Released to tease their debut album, this single crashed onto the scene with a record-breaking music video premiere that earned the group multiple Guinness World Records in just 24 hours. Another powerhouse EDM anthem, the song is packed with scrappy attitude trimmed with a chic edge. BLACKPINK hopes the song serves as inspiration to “find strength” even in the “darkest times”. The self-assured lyrics shows off just how far the group has come since their debut. “How You Like That” picked up a slew of awards, and its performance at number 2 on the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart tied BLACKPINK with the highest ever charting single by a girl group.
#6: “Kill This Love”
“Kill This Love” (2019)
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With a rousing horn introduction, BLACKPINK marches into your area with the lead single off their 2019 EP. Another edgy and powerful hit, “Kill This Love” comes out swinging with verses about the dangerous side of romance and a chorus set to iconic and award-winning choreography. The song quickly became revolutionary, with a record breaking music video premiere. It went on to top international charts, feature in a Hollywood movie, and even break the record for the highest charting Billboard Hot 100 hit by a Korean girl group. BLACKPINK lets the world know they aren’t sorry for their success with a captivating and cohesive theme that highlights their killer vocals, dance, rap, and style.
#5: “As If It’s Your Last”
“As If It’s Your Last - Single” (2017)
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After introducing themselves to the world with projects that focused on their talent as performers, this summer release gave BLACKPINK a chance to “just be [themselves]”, according to Rosé. With a building pop-synth intro, the single carries the group’s signature power into a new celebratory, colorful, and carefree style. The song’s flirtatious nature is reflected in its infectious dance beat, and the catchy tune is aptly described in Lisa’s rap. Continuing to make waves in the international music scene, the single became their highest charting song in both Canada and Japan. It also made Blackpink the highest charting Korean group in the U.S. since 2009, and still sold over 2.5 million copies in South Korea.
#4: “Playing With Fire”
“Square Two” (2016)
Following the success of BLACKPINK’s first two singles, the group returned to their newfound place in the spotlight with this incredible track. The sincere lyrics address a darker portrayal of love. Notably, their vocal pleas over a lively electronic beat showcase a more mature but just as ear-catching BLACKPINK. This more intimate song gave the girl group three number one singles in just their first year. The lyrics themselves focus on love, but the song also seems to parallel the pressure of the group’s sudden climb to fame. Facing the unpredictable, BLACKPINK struck a spark, and boy did it “burn, baby burn!”
#3: “Boombayah”
“Square One” (2016)
Beginning with BLACKPINK’s now-signature tagline, the group’s audacious second single caught the world’s attention with its contagious energy and catchy chorus. The single was the group’s first number one on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales. That gave BLACKPINK the record for the fastest act to hold both a number one and number two single just under a month after their debut. The lyrically simple song introduces the group’s “bad girl” concept, veering away from a sweeter girl group image to embrace a grittier style with hip hop influence. An invitation to dance, the song’s upbeat EDM backing features bold raps punctuated with the members’ spirited adlibs. Its edgy and colorful style put BLACKPINK on the map.
#2: “Lovesick Girls”
“The Album” (2020)
Three members cited this modern girl-power anthem as their favorite song off “The Album,” and there’s a reason why. Falling somewhere between a classic love song and a breakup bop, the song balances heartbreak and triumph with an empowering message to uplift anyone who’s been burned by love. The clever lyrics are met with eye-catching choreography and a visually stunning music video. With a bouncy electronic track and a combination of sweet and vulnerable vocals, the track made a huge international impact. The group’s seventh number one on the World Digital Song Sales chart, “Lovesick Girls” topped charts worldwide and was certified gold in Japan and platinum in South Korea.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Stay”, “Square Two” (2016)
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“Ice Cream” with Selena Gomez, “The Album” (2020)
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“Love To Hate Me”, “The Album” (2020)
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“Don’t Know What To Do”, “Kill This Love” (2019)
A Soaring Pop-Ballad About Heartbreak
“Kiss and Make Up” with Dua Lipa, “Dua Lipa: Complete Edition” (2018)
An Electro-Pop Radio Hit & the Group’s First Collaboration
#1: “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du”
“Square Up” (2018)
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While BLACKPINK debuted with a whistle and a bang, they shot to the top with “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du.” With signature finger gun choreography, the bad-girl anthem over a trap-style hip hop track is a powerful assertion of the group’s dominance. The single earned endless accolades, breaking highest-charting records while topping charts worldwide. It became the first K-pop group music video to reach one billion views, and the song has been certified platinum twice in South Korea. BLACKPINK makes their message perfectly clear in the rapidfire rapping of Jennie. The unapologetic song encapsulates BLACKPINK’s iconic style beyond just a catchy hook: it’s both rough and regal, aggressive and graceful, sexy and commanding.
