Ranking all BTS Singles

I have already listed my top 10 BTS songs, but I thought that a ranking of all of their near-40 singles would be a good return. BTS have built a remarkably consistent discography. That said, there have been quite a few duds. In the end, the good outweighs the bad by a good deal. You will note that the whole ranking does not agree with my ranking from the top 10 list at times. This is mostly due to songs moving quite a bit around in my favorites list in January.

Songs will be counted here only if they are considered singles. We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal, for example, counts as a b-side, as it was not promoted besides an animated MV. Remixes have also been excluded to simplify the ranking unless they were b-sides before being remixed. I also have removed all unpromoted singles, such as Don't Leave Me, as they really don't count.

And finally, I plan to update this list each time a new BTS single comes out!

36. Black Swan (2020)

Black Swan has no right to be anywhere this low, or even outside the top 5. In the end it is perhaps the largest waste of potential for BTS. The lyrics, the traditional instrumentation, the concept, and the themes are all quite perfect. Unfortunately, the song is let down by an unadventurous melody and heavy vocal effects. Somewhere beneath this mess is an amazing song, but it is buried too deep to see without looking.

35. With Seoul (2017)

With Seoul is a tourism ad song, and a surprisingly generic one at that. The strings are nice, but there is no real substance.

34. Stay Gold (2020)

For how solid their Korean songs tend to be, BTS's Japanese singles often end up being forgettable at best. Stay Gold has a fun, kallaidescopic chorus and some plucky keys, and not much else.

33. For You (2015)

You rarely ever hear about For You when any discussion on BTS singles comes up. The reason for this is simple, the song is simply forgettable. BTS had yet to build a sound for Japan and were possibly unable to properly transfer their Korean sound. The end result is one of the sleepiest generic mid-tempos of that year.

32. War of Hormone (2014)

War of Hormone is one of the few BTS songs (if not the only one) that is genuinely troubling. The lyrics are clearly misogynistic at times, even proclaiming women are the 'best gift'. It was somewhat in emulation of teenage boys but glorifies the style while putting down the general youth. At the same time, it is invigorating musically, even if quite repetitive.

31. Airplane Pt. 2 (2018)

A spiritual sequel to J-Hope's solo debut, Airplane Pt. 2 relies on its Latin groove, but fails to do anything with it. This leaves it as a forgettable entry into the BTS discography.

30. Permission to Dance (2021)

A slightly premature celebration of the ending of the pandemic and its quarantine. Permission to Dance has a strong melody, but suffers from an utterly forgettable instrumentation and drowning autotune.

29. Lights (2019)

One of the best Japanese BTS singles, Lights is a fine ballad, with a strong melody driving the song.

28. Make it Right Ft. Lauv (2019)

The first of two BTS singles written by Ed Sheeran, Make it Right's original version was slightly superior to the single remix with Lauv. However, the song's simple melody still holds together.

27. Mic Drop [Steve Aoki Remix] (2017)

Mic Drop was quite an underwhelming b-side when initially released. Its remix with Steve Aoki improved quite well by improving the production, even if the English lyrics were middling at best. At least the coda was really good.

26. We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2 (2013)

The only single in the Bulletproof trilogy, We Are Bulletproof Pt. 2 is best remembered as a meme amongst the fandom. Unfortunately, minus the blitz-fire raps, there is not much substance in the song, and it is mostly filled with pointless posturing. Thankfully, it received an excellent performance during the 2019 award season.

25. Dope (2015)

Dope is technically a b-side, but stood as BTS's first true international dent, and received a successful MV as a promotion. Thus, basically, everyone considers it a single. In the end, Dope is a whole lot of fun, with over-the-top self-pride lyrics. It is assisted with a big brassy hook. This style was in the vogue back in 2015, and Dope does not really stand out from the other brass riff songs of the era.

24. Dynamite (2020)

Dynamite was a song that split the BTS fandom in two. Those who supported it, and those who did not. Dynamite was clearly a commercial move, and an aim to secure the western market. It succeeded in that, topping the hot 100. Unfortunately, it robs BTS of their uniqueness in the process.

23. Life Goes On (2020)

Life Goes On is pretty average as BTS ballads go. Yoongi's second verse gets worse with each subsequent listen, but the chorus is memorable.

22. DNA (2017)

If there was a slow descent in BTS's musical quality, it started with the beginning of the Love Yourself series. DNA is fine, but certainly the first unambitious BTS single. Clearly created to maintain their commercial audience, it largely succeeded in this endeavor, becoming the group's first song to cross a billion views. At least it has a solid pre-chorus, and the verses are pretty good, too.

21. Film Out (2021)

Film Out stayed average for most of its run. Despite that, it absolutely explodes during its final minute-and-half, with stunning strings and a gorgeous melody to close things out.

20. Heartbeat (2019)

Heartbeat is a song created simply to reflect on BTS legacy. A stirring ballad, Heartbeat is much better than it has any right to be.

19. Fake Love (2018)

Fake Love is best in its rock remix, but the original single itself was solid at the very least. With its dark and atmospheric MV as support, Fake Love is more about the atmosphere than the actual song.

18. Butter (2021)

While it is one of the most unambitious BTS singles yet, Butter compensates with an excellent funky melody, with some great and smooth synths to support. The song reaches its groove midway through, and never lets its foot off the accelerator.

17. ON (2020)

ON stands as one of the few BTS songs that gets better with each and every listen. From the strong lyrics to the stunning chorus, ON has transcended several of its issues.

16. N.O (2013)

For many fans, the first true BTS single. In a way, N.O is a teaser of what they would accomplish within a few years. An aggressive criticism of the Korean educational system, N.O blends its message with theatrical and orchestral instrumentation for great success leading to the dramatic chorus. Even if the basic melody is not original, the song holds together well.

15. Idol (2018)

From its eclectic beat to the wild MV, Idol screams the self-confidence which was BTS's goal during the Love Yourself series. It was meant to polarize and largely succeeded in that aim, even if the autotune was a teaser of bad stuff coming up.

14. Come Back Home (2017)

An official remake of Seo Taiji's 1994 K-Rap classic. BTS add their own style to the song, even if it leaves the song lacking its original charm. However, the remake perfectly reboots the song for a new generation of K-Pop fans and succeeds greatly at that.

13. Fire (2016)

Taking the party-ready sound of Dope and refining it, Fire is BTS at their loudest, driven by a fun drop chorus, along with a melodic pre-chorus. However, the song's true speciality is the rap line, which was at its peak during the release of this song.

12. No More Dream (2013)

For many recent fans, No More Dream is remembered for its wannabe-edgy MV and the April Fools prank by Armys that sent it surging up the charts. But beyond that, No More Dream is a surprisingly competent debut for a K-Pop. From the clear message, asking one to work for their dreams, and the assured choreography, No More Dream ends up just a few feet short of being a modern K-Pop classic.

11. EPILOGUE: Forever Young (2016)

Despite it never really becoming as iconic as I Need U or Blood Sweat and Tears, Young Forever sounds like quintessential BTS. From the stadium-ready ballad chants to the personal message. It is personal but driven by clever musical choices. It is also one of their most clearly recorded songs, with all the voices complementing each other.

10. Just One Day (2014)

Just One Day is about that emotional sensitivity that BTS rarely ever got into for their singles. That is unfortunate, as Just One Day just gets better with each listen. RM's second verse rap is an excellent example of the style, and Taehyung's performance is the chorus is particularly memorable.

9. Boy with Luv (2019)

Boy with Luv is one of BTS's most simple songs. From the heartwarming lyrics to the bright color pallete in the MV, it is hard to refrain from smiling through the song. In the end, it is a perfect example of how BTS can successfully perform commercial pop.

8. Boy in Luv (2014)

Boy in Luv just a spot above Boy with Luv? Quite epic.

Abandoning their social commentary for the first time, Boy in Luv absolutely explodes due to its freedom. Driven by the rap-rock beat, the song still finds moments for some great vocal moments. Notably, the pre-chorus and subsequent high note. Criticism has been thrown at the MV for misogyny, even if it was not intentional. Thankfully, BTS seemingly took this to heart and improved from then on. At least the climax is pure joy.

7. Not Today (2017)

Not Today is easily the biggest BTS single yet, and it is not even close. A song dedicated to their success and effort, Not Today pulls together like a massive call-to-arms, never losing its momentum (except for the misstep that is the bridge). The members perform like crazy, driving the song to its epic conclusion.

6. Spring Day (2017)

It has been around 4 and a half years, but Spring Day is still firmly set in the top 50 of most major Korean charts. The meaning of Spring Day has been debated by the fandom since day one. Is it about lost love, friendship, or innocence? Another famous theory posits the song is dedicated to the victims of the Sewol Ferry disaster. In the end, I believe all of these are meant to be correct. Spring Day is a personal song, it means what you want it to mean. Perhaps this explains its legendary longevity, it means what you want it to mean. The stunning soft rock beat certainly plays a role as well.

5. Danger (2014)

Taking the basic themes from Skool Luv Affair and re-vamping them with some additional polish, Dark and Wild was a joy of an album. Definitely among the highlights was single Danger. From its stuttering hip-hop beat to raw confidence and fear, it remains a highlight. It was only improved with its excellent remix with Thanh Bui, which remains one of BTS's best moments.

4. Run (2015)

Run is rebellious and wild, driven by a spirit of self-destruction. However, behind this rebel-without-a-cause song lies significant heartbreak and pain, as well as the will of redemption. Acclaimed upon release, Run has only gotten better with age. From the thundering beat to the traditional instrumentation, Run is a classic tale of redemption, just through a modern lens.

3. Save Me (2016)

Save Me is arguably BTS's most artistic single, building with pure emotion as a driving factor. Everything comes together, from the raps to the melody, nothing is out of place. At the same time, Save Me played on the trends of the era to build a cohesive yet melodic piece.

2. I Need U (2015)

BTS's break-out hit, and for good reason. This is still one of the best break-up songs ever, driven by pure and raw desperation. The MV stands as BTS's MV-verse's peak, with the towering chorus truly a K-Pop moment. Many BTS singles have now outsold and outperformed I Need U, but few have made such a large impact culturally while telling a story poetically.

At the same time, I Need U is arguably their most authentic hit. They did not have ARMYs streaming, their large international fandom, or media coverage. The song rose based on its own quality and makes the success all the more impressive.

1. Blood Sweat and Tears (2016)

By the time Blood Sweat and Tears came out, BTS had already proved themselves to be more than just another K-Idol group, but it was Blood Sweat and Tears that truly defined themselves. No conversation of the best BTS song is complete without this modern classic. From the gothic and epic MV, the airy opening by Jimin, and the moombahton chorus, Blood Sweat and Tears feels like a true melodic finale to the best days of BTS.

Much like Save Me, Blood Sweat and Tears plays off the trends prevalent in the era but sounds timeless as it is defined by nothing. If someone asks me to introduce them to K-Pop, Blood Sweat and Tears is one of my first picks. A true modern classic of pop, and BTS at their very best.

Image Source: Refinery 29