- On August 21, global superstar boyband BTS released a new single titled "Dynamite," their first all English language song since their debut in 2013.
- BTS is slated to debut "Dynamite" during their upcoming Video Music Awards performance on August 30.
- Read below for the inspiration behind the song, as well as the lyrics.
Leave it to BTS, the mega hit boyband from South Korea, to find a way to bring joy to their fans this summer. Ahead of their highly-anticipated fall album, the band released a new single on August 21, titled "Dynamite." Although the seven-member group has previously released music that featured English lyrics—including "Boy with Luv," "ON," "Black Swan," "Euphoria," and more—this marks their first entirely English-language song.
Featuring a funky, upbeat, quick-paced staccato beat reminiscent of fireworks lighting up the sky, the song's striking high register and airy vocals evoke the best of carefree summertime living—providing the listener a welcome escape from the harsh realities of a pandemic.
In fact, that opportunity to provide a reprieve from our new normal was on BTS's mind when recording and releasing their new single. "We also needed a breakthrough during these unforeseen times, so we worked on this new song,” they said during a press livestream previewing the track, Forbes reported. “This is a new challenge for us as well. When we first heard and recorded the song, we were energized and our spirits were lifted up. We can’t wait to share this song with you all and enjoy it together."
RM, the group's leader noted that the pandemic left BTS members feeling "powerless" and "frustrated," at times and that "Dynamite" was a way for the group to recharge. "It’s dedicated to all the people who feel like they’ve fallen down while running a marathon," Suga, one of the group's rappers, added during a press conference leading up to the song's release, Variety reports. "Even if you’re going through tough times, let’s do what we can in our places, and find freedom and happiness through dance and music."
To help their fans—called ARMY—do just that, the band took on a distinctly retro concept with their new single, throwing it back to the disco era, with nods to the '70s as well as '80s. The music video features BTS members wearing bell bottom pants, a wash of bright disco-colors, vintage-looking sunglasses and breaking out choreography that nods to the era. Since its premiere at midnight, the "Dynamite" music video on Youtube racked up 10 million views within the first 20 minutes, and currently has over 60 million views—and that number is rapidly climbing.
"Dynamite" has already reached #1 on the US iTunes chart. But for BTS, a group that has broken numerous music industry records, they're eyeing the opportunity to top the Billboard Hot 100 charts, a feat complicated in the past by the fact that the band's songs have often been overlooked by mainstream American radio stations despite the group's extraordinary success. It seems this time around, BTS can expect more radio plays, with some stations like Baltimore's Z104.4 and Tampa Bay's 93.3 FLZ taking to social media, promising to play "Dynamite" on air.
Already hooked to the nostalgia of the retro music video? Feel like this is your 2020 summer song? Can't stop playing it on repeat? Below are the lyrics to BTS's "Dynamite," courtesy of Genius.com—so you can start memorizing and dancing along.
[Intro: Jungkook]
'Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight
[Verse 1: Jungkook]
Shoes on, get up in the morn'
Cup of milk, let's rock and roll
King Kong, kick the drum
Rolling on like a Rolling Stone
Sing song when I'm walking home
Jump up to the top, LeBron
Ding-dong, call me on my phone
Ice tea and a game of ping pong
[Verse 2: RM, j-hope]
This is getting heavy
Can you hear the bass boom? I'm ready
Life is sweet as honey
Yeah, this beat cha-ching like money
Disco overload, I'm into that, I'm good to go
I'm diamond, you know I glow up
Hey, so let's go
[Chorus: Jungkook, Jimin]
'Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight (Hey)
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah
[Verse 3: V, RM]
Bring a friend, join the crowd, whoever wanna come along
Word up, talk the talk, just move like we off the wall
Day or night, the sky's alight, so we dance to the break of dawn
Ladies and gentlemen, I got the medicine so you should keep ya eyes on the ball, huh
[Verse 4: Suga, Jimin, RM]
This is getting heavy, can you hear the bass boom? I'm ready (Woo-hoo)
Life is sweet as honey, yeah, this beat cha-ching like money
Disco overload, I'm into that, I'm good to go
I'm diamond and you know I glow up
Let’s go
[Chorus: Jungkook, V]
'Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight (Hey)
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah
[Post-Chorus]
Dynnnnnanana, life is dynamite
Dynnnnnanana, life is dynamite
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah
[Bridge]
Dynnnnnanana, ayy
Dynnnnnanana, ayy
Dynnnnnanana, ayy
Light it up like dynamite
Dynnnnnanana, ayy
Dynnnnnanana, ayy
Dynnnnnanana, ayy
Light it up like dynamite
[Chorus]
'Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite
(This is ah) I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah (Light it up like dynamite)
[Post-Chorus]
Dynnnnnanana, life is dynamite (Life is dynamite)
Dynnnnnanana, life is dynamite
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah
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Monica Chon
Monica Chon is the former editorial fellow at Oprah Daily, previously OprahMag.com.