There are plenty of things to love about BTS, and it’s easy enough to fall for the group’s quality music, spectacular choreographies, and lovable members. But one of the reasons BTS has become so widely popular is that people connect with their music on a deeply personal level: their songs are about following dreams, challenging norms, and staying true to yourself in the face of uncertainty. Because the members themselves overcame adversity to achieve their dreams, they have an incredible gift for penning lyrics that inspire audiences around the world to do the same. So no matter what stage of life you’re in or what your hopes and aspirations are, here are some of our favorite BTS lyrics that may inspire you:
1. “O!RUL8,2?”
“Who are you living for?
My heart stopped when I was nine or ten.
Put your hand on your heart and ask what your dream was,
What it really was.”
To start, we’re throwing it way back to the intro track from BTS’s 2013 EP “O!RUL8,2?” RM’s lyrics challenge us to look inward and ask ourselves what we want from our life. With a lyric that references a medical scare as a reminder that we should not take our time for granted, RM next advises us: “Never be late to do what you wanna do.” So if you’re late (or, rather, “L8”), let this be your wakeup call!
2. “No More Dream”
“What is the you that you dreamed of?
Who do you see in the mirror? I gotta say
Go on your path
Even if you live for a day
Do something
Put away your weakness.”
BTS’s debut song boldly demands that we face ourselves and question ourselves about who we want to be. The lyrics ask us what our dream is, daring us to truly live by finding our own path instead of simply going through life doing what is expected or what we’re told.
3. “N.O”
“Adults tell me that hardships are only momentary
To endure a little more, to do it later
Everybody say NO!
It can’t be any later
Don’t be trapped in someone else’s dream.”
In “N.O,” the guys point out the injustice of an education system that puts enormous pressure on students to be the best in school, teaching them to become studying machines instead of following their dreams. BTS rouses us to question why. Why put off these dreams? Why not say no?
4. “Dope”
“I worked all night, every day
While you were out clubbing.”
If you really want something, you simply have to put in the work for it. Instead of messing around with their free time, the members devoted it to crafting music and perfecting choreographies — and their efforts paid off!
5. “Moving On”
“We were always hoarse from an uncertain future and worries,
Seeing all the senior artists at the end of the year awards.
Let’s not forget those things, but put them away.”
In this sweetly sentimental song about moving out of their trainee dorm, the boys reminisce about their days as young idols. Despite being able to to put away some of the worries of their early careers, the boys resolved not to forget these more difficult times as they moved forward. After all, these struggles are what laid the groundwork for BTS’s later success — although when this song was released in 2015, the boys still had no idea of all that they would achieve!
6. “Wings”
“I believe in myself;
My back hurts in order to let my wings sprout.”
In a song filled with gorgeous imagery about shedding fears and trusting in your path, this lyric is particularly inspiring. Sacrifice and effort can be heavy burdens to bear, but they are the beginnings of the budding wings that will eventually grow so you can soar to new heights!
