Top 10 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written by BTS
#10: “Over the Horizon” (2021)
Suga
BTS’ ambassadorship with Samsung has been an incredibly fruitful effort which considerably increased the popularity of the smartphone brand. So, when they were looking for artists to reimagine their signature sound, “Over the Horizon”, they didn’t have to look far from home. While he technically did not ‘write’ the track, Suga is the producer behind it and reworked the melody with a dynamic composition of strings, drums, and guitar. He also peppers in a splash of spoken word to give it the Min Yoon-gi touch. BTS fans would be familiar with both the sound and the feelings this tune evokes. For others, it’s a fantastic default ringtone you don’t have to change for once.
#9: “Love U, Hate U” (2010)
2AM feat. BTS
BTS’ musical DNA is widely recognized both in and out of K-Pop. Part of the reason why is that they write their own songs. What many might not know is, this practice dates back to their pre-debut days. The group was first introduced to the world in 2013 but three years before that, as a trainee, RM earned his first-ever songwriting credit. “Love U, Hate U” was for 2AM, a senior group known for their ballads, a whole different ballpark from RM’s hip-hop roots. Even so, a hitmaker can never be tied down by genres. He co-wrote the lovestruck lyrics of this adorable track with just as much conviction as he puts in his fiery rap verses. Now, that’s versatility.
#8: “Party (XXO)” (2012)
GLAM
Also written by a pre-debut RM, this anthemic track impressed fans for its progressive lyrics. It was lauded for its positive portrayal of queer love, with lyrics such as “Are you a boy? Girl? I don’t care. Passion is key.” Despite the tricky political climate around LGBTQ+ rights in South Korea, RM has shown on several occasions that he stands with the community. This song goes to show that his support has always been a part of who he is as a person. Knowing his knack for making listeners feel good and love themselves just as they are, it’s not surprising that his lyrics for GLAM’s song are so empowering.
#7: “Timeless” (2018)
Tiger JK feat. RM
At first listen, this is obviously a banger with insane beats and a hard flow. However, it held much deeper meaning for both artists. For the uninitiated, you can think of Tiger JK as the ‘Godfather of Korean hip-hop’. While BTS had long wanted to collaborate with him, the group’s success made him uncertain about the possibility. However, when he was working on his final album as Drunken Tiger, it was RM who personally requested to be a part of it. His verse in “Timeless”, the last song on the tracklist, is filled with tributes to Tiger JK and comes from a place of sheer respect. The gesture was so endearing, it moved the legendary rapper to tears.
#6: “Dilemma” (2016)
Homme
If you’re in the mood to be serenaded, look no further than this song. Before you make your guesses, yes, it’s also written by RM. The same man who gave us the deliciously clever and brilliantly irreverent “Groin” also made us cry our eyes out with “Dilemma”. That’s just Kim Nam-joon’s genius for you. When speaking of the song, he once admitted it was, quote, “weird” for him to write a ballad but clearly, his outstanding talent for it says otherwise. The delicate emotions in the lyrics are a testament to his understanding of the human condition, especially when in love, and we want more.
#5: “Song Request” (2019)
Lee So-ra feat. Suga
If you’ve had this song recommended to you by the YouTube algorithm at least once in your life as a K-Pop fan, congratulations, you have elite taste. After all, Lee So-ra is one of the finest vocalists South Korea has to offer. Co-written by Suga and Epik High’s Tablo, “Song Request” took years to be polished into the diamond that it is. The cherry on top is the BTS rapper’s own addition to the song – a poignant verse that might just make you choke up. It is inherently poetic, thanks to Suga’s pen game but also relatable on a soul level. No wonder it won the Best Collaboration award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2019.
#4: “We Don’t Talk Together” (2019)
Heize feat. Giriboy
You might know this track as one of producer Suga’s best works, but did you know he also wrote it? A breakup bop of the highest order, it’s exactly the type of song to get you crying in the club. While the alt-R&B tune is perfect to jam out to, the lyrics are just as heartbreaking. Suga amplifies its effect by pulling a fast one on us with the peppy production. Although he isn’t featured in the song, traces of his musicality are felt very obviously. Clearly, he knows what his listeners want and never fails to deliver.
#3: “Wine” (2017)
Suran feat. Changmo
Suga’s tryst with writing music for wonderful female soloists continues with this song. admired for her honeyed voice, Suran is a prominent name in the Korean R&B scene. Her collaboration with Suga was very well received in both her fandom and in the K-Pop sphere. This wasn’t their first time working together, though. In 2016, Suran was featured in Suga’s solo song, “So Far Away”. Rather than write the lyrics to “Wine,” Suga is credited with composing the music, giving it the whimsical, airy feel that is so beloved. Featured rapper Changmo, also a renowned artist, brings it to an edgy completion.
#2: “You” (2022)
ØMI
We love an international king. When Japanese pop star Hiroomi Tosaka a.k.a ØMI reached out to Suga for a collaborative track, it was an instant yes. The Sandaime J Soul Brothers member had long appreciated his artistry. So, when he started working on his solo album “ANSWER… SHINE”, Suga was an obvious choice as co-writer and producer. It was the way he expressed the, quote, “light and darkness of the soul” that appealed to Hiroomi. Once the song was released, ØMI credited the K-Pop idol for helping him connect with a wider audience across the world.
#1: “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” (2021)
TOMORROW X TOGETHER feat. Seori
Very rarely has BTS’ RM written a song for another K-Pop group, but their little brother band, TXT, was a worthy exception. What is so impressive about this track is how flawlessly RM captures the essence of the group’s artistic identity in the lyrics. It is perfectly tailored to their concept and the burgeoning rock sound. The collab came about thanks to HYBE chairman Bang Si-Hyuk, who enlisted RM’s help. Then, Nam-joon took it a step further and even picked it as the lead single for TXT’s album “The Chaos Chapter: Freeze”. The song became so popular that it spawned two remixes and a Japanese version, which RM also participated in writing.
Which BTS member’s songwriting style do you like the most? Tell us in the comments!
