BTS's Musical Evolution: Ranking 20 Essential Tracks
As the global K-pop phenomenon BTS prepares for their highly anticipated first album release in three years, following the completion of mandatory military service by all members, we take a comprehensive look back at their remarkable discography. This ranking celebrates the band's journey from their hip-hop inspired beginnings to becoming one of the world's most influential pop acts.
20. No More Dream (2013)
Launching their career with a surprisingly gritty sound, BTS introduced themselves with No More Dream, blending Korean idol aesthetics with assertive rap influences. Band member Suga's early declaration that "Our life is hip-hop" found perfect expression in this track's growling vocals, blaring backing, and distinctive double-bass sample that immediately captured attention.
19. Mikrokosmos (2019)
Written with arena performances in mind, Mikrokosmos showcases BTS's ability to create electronic pop that balances melodic beauty with epic scale. The track's title sparked fan discussions about ancient Greek philosophy, while its shimmering production perfectly complemented the sea of light sticks at their legendary live shows.
18. Save Me (2016)
Demonstrating the vulnerability that became central to BTS's appeal, Save Me combines upbeat tropical house and electropop influences with breathy, desperate vocals. The contrast between the energetic music and lyrics expressing emotional entrapment created a powerful dynamic that resonated deeply with fans worldwide.
17. Mic Drop (2017)
A breakthrough moment in Western markets, the Steve Aoki remix of Mic Drop gave BTS their first US Top 30 hit. However, the original version stands as a masterful example of trap-fuelled pop, featuring a hook reminiscent of Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On that showcased their growing international confidence.
16. Run (2015)
Marking BTS's gradual shift toward more straightforward pop, Run (distinct from 2022's Run BTS) combines rap elements with wistful melodies and euphoric house-fuelled choruses. This track demonstrated their evolving musical sophistication while maintaining emotional depth.
15. Idol (2018)
A defiant response to critics, Idol innovatively blends South African gqom with traditional Korean pansori, featuring synthesised gayageum and janggu instruments. The Nicki Minaj remix version highlighted BTS's rising US popularity while the original celebrated their cultural heritage with contemporary flair.
14. Burning Up (Fire) (2016)
This career milestone became BTS's first track to top Billboard's global digital sales chart, combining harsh stadium dubstep electronics with sneering, Beastie Boys-esque rapping. The unforgettable hook demonstrated their growing mastery of creating instantly memorable pop moments.
13. Dope (2015)
Banned in Korea for allegedly vulgar lyrics, Dope served as a powerful statement about BTS's work ethic and artistic autonomy. The track defiantly addressed media and adult critics who dismissed the band as puppets, establishing their reputation as artists with something meaningful to say.
12. Boyz With Fun (2015)
Breaking from their increasingly heartfelt pop direction, Boyz With Fun delivered pure disco enjoyment with knowingly daft lyrics and Funkadelic-inspired hooks. This track revealed BTS's versatility and willingness to embrace pure, uncomplicated fun alongside their more serious material.
11. Boy With Luv (ft Halsey) (2019)
From their conceptually ambitious Map of the Soul: Persona album, Boy With Luv featured American singer Halsey and represented BTS at their most accessible. This perfectly crafted bubblegum pop track demonstrated their ability to create light, infectious music while maintaining artistic integrity.
10. Boy in Luv (2014)
Echoing Rick Rubin's iconic 80s productions for Def Jam, Boy in Luv combines immense beats and distorted rock guitar reminiscent of Run-DMC and Beastie Boys classics. The massive pop chorus attached to this hip-hop foundation showed early signs of BTS's genre-blending genius.
9. Butterfly (2015)
From The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Part 2, Butterfly marked BTS's significant departure from their hip-hop roots. This feather-soft ballad featured breathy delivery and unexpected Haruki Murakami references, while the 2016 Prologue Mix version intensified the track's ethereal, sigh-like quality.
8. Black Swan (2020)
The lead single from Map of the Soul: 7 struck a surprisingly sombre note, with lyrics suggesting weariness with fame over languid hip-hop beats and traditional gayageum sounds. This introspective track revealed BTS's willingness to explore darker emotional territory even at their commercial peak.
7. DNA (2017)
DNA provided BTS with their breakthrough US television debut at the American Music Awards, where their intricate choreography captivated audiences. The track's effervescent pop-EDM fusion played a crucial role in their Western breakthrough, demonstrating their ability to create globally appealing music.
6. Dynamite (2020)
Making history as the first US No 1 single by a South Korean band, Dynamite served as a pandemic-era antidote with its disco euphoria. Like Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia, it offered precision-tooled 21st-century pop that felt like a celebration in challenging times.
5. Fake Love (2018)
A supersized angst-drenched ballad, Fake Love combines stadium rock guitar, trap beats, epic synths, and shout-along hooks. Some fans interpreted its lyrics about self-erasure as commentary on K-pop industry pressures, adding layers of meaning to this emotionally charged track.
4. Butter (2021)
Designed by band member Jimin to be "easy to listen to", Butter delivered hook-laden 80s-inspired funk with Jam and Lewis-style synths and Daft Punk influences. This track demonstrated BTS's ability to create accessible, chart-topping music without sacrificing musical sophistication.
3. I Need U (2015)
The song that transformed BTS into K-pop's biggest stars, I Need U maintained hip-hop roots while introducing pastel-toned production with synthesised panpipes and musical box elements. The sweet musical backdrop contrasted powerfully with raw lyrical vehemence, creating compelling emotional tension.
2. Blood Sweat and Tears (2016)
Perfectly exemplifying BTS's ability to absorb contemporary trends while maintaining unique identity, Blood Sweat and Tears incorporated moombahton's dembow rhythms into their distinctive sound. The track felt both of its moment and distinctly separate from mainstream pop trends.
1. Spring Day (2017)
Nearly a decade after its release, Spring Day remains the definitive BTS ballad, initially inspired by the 2014 Sewol ferry tragedy. The track combines impassioned spoken-word rapping with tear-jerking melodies, while booming drums and EDM synths create grandeur that never overwhelms the song's profound emotional core. Its video's subtle disaster references add depth, but the emotional resonance transcends specific context, making it their most enduring masterpiece.
This ranking reveals BTS's remarkable journey from hip-hop inspired newcomers to global pop icons, showcasing their musical evolution, emotional depth, and cultural impact as they prepare for their next chapter.
