BTS Albums In Order: A Complete Guide To Their Songs
Hey ARMY! Are you ready to dive deep into the discography of the biggest boy band in the world? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore BTS albums in order, listing all their amazing tracks and giving you a glimpse into their incredible journey. From their debut days to their global stardom, we've got you covered. So, grab your lightsticks, and let's get started!
BTS's Early Years: The School Trilogy
Let's kick things off with BTS's debut era, known as the School Trilogy. This series of albums laid the foundation for their unique blend of hip-hop and youthful energy. These albums captured the hearts of many fans with their relatable themes and powerful messages. Each album in this trilogy explores the trials and tribulations of adolescence, making them incredibly relatable to young listeners around the world. The group's raw talent and passion were evident from the start, setting the stage for their future success. These albums not only showcased their musical abilities but also their storytelling prowess, which is a hallmark of BTS's work. So, let's take a closer look at each album in the School Trilogy and see how BTS began their journey to global stardom.
1. 2 Cool 4 Skool (2013)
2 Cool 4 Skool marked the explosive debut of BTS on June 12, 2013. This single album introduced the world to their hip-hop infused sound and rebellious spirit. The title track, "No More Dream," is an anthem for breaking free from societal expectations and chasing your own dreams. With its powerful rap verses and high-energy choreography, it immediately set BTS apart from other K-pop groups. The song's lyrics critique the pressure put on students to conform and question the status quo. Other notable tracks include "We Are Bulletproof Pt.1" and "Skit: Circle Room Talk," which offer a glimpse into their early struggles and aspirations. The album was a bold statement, announcing BTS's arrival with a bang and establishing their commitment to addressing relevant social issues through their music. The raw energy and passion displayed in 2 Cool 4 Skool resonated with young listeners and laid the foundation for their ever-growing fan base.
2. O!RUL8,2? (2013)
Released on September 11, 2013, O!RUL8,2? (Oh! Are you late, too?) served as a direct continuation of their exploration of youthful rebellion and dreams. The title track, "N.O," doubles down on the critique of the education system, urging listeners to resist the pressures and expectations placed upon them. The song's intense beat and powerful lyrics create a sense of urgency, encouraging young people to take control of their own lives. The album features tracks like "Attack on Bangtan" and "Coffee," which showcase their versatility. "Attack on Bangtan" is a high-energy, aggressive track that highlights their rap skills, while "Coffee" offers a softer, more melodic side. O!RUL8,2? reinforced BTS's commitment to addressing social issues and solidified their image as a group unafraid to speak their minds. This album showcased their growth as artists and their ability to blend powerful messages with catchy tunes.
3. Skool Luv Affair (2014)
Skool Luv Affair, released on February 12, 2014, shifts the focus towards the theme of first love, a universal experience that resonates deeply with their audience. The title track, "Boy in Luv," captures the intensity and excitement of young love with its energetic beat and passionate lyrics. The song's catchy chorus and charismatic performance made it an instant hit. This album also features tracks like "Just One Day" and "Tomorrow," which explore the bittersweet feelings of longing and hope. "Just One Day" is a dreamy, romantic track that expresses the desire to spend just one perfect day with a loved one, while "Tomorrow" offers encouragement and motivation for those facing challenges. Skool Luv Affair showcased BTS's ability to evolve their sound while staying true to their core themes. It marked a significant step in their musical journey, blending youthful energy with heartfelt emotions.
The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Series (Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa)
Following the School Trilogy, BTS entered a new era with The Most Beautiful Moment in Life series, also known as Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa. This series delves into the themes of youth, anxiety, and the beauty of life's fleeting moments. These albums are considered by many to be a turning point in their career, showcasing their growth as artists and their ability to tackle complex emotions. The series is known for its cinematic music videos and intricate storylines that captivated fans around the world. Each album explores the challenges and joys of youth, creating a deep connection with listeners. Let's take a closer look at each album in this series and see how BTS continued to evolve their sound and message.
4. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 (2015)
Released on April 29, 2015, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 explores the anxieties and uncertainties of youth. The title track, "I NEED U," marked a shift in their sound, blending pop and hip-hop elements to create a more emotional and melodic feel. The song's lyrics express the pain and desperation of unrequited love, resonating deeply with listeners. The album also features tracks like "Dope" and "Hold Me Tight," which showcase their versatility and musical growth. "Dope" is an energetic track that celebrates their hard work and dedication, while "Hold Me Tight" is a heartfelt ballad that expresses vulnerability and longing. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1 was a critical and commercial success, earning BTS their first music show win and solidifying their position as rising stars. This album marked a significant turning point in their career, showcasing their ability to tackle complex emotions and create music that resonated with a wider audience.
5. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2 (2015)
The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2, released on November 30, 2015, continues the exploration of youth and its struggles, delving deeper into themes of uncertainty and resilience. The title track, "RUN," is an upbeat and energetic anthem about chasing your dreams despite the obstacles in your path. The song's music video features stunning visuals and intense choreography, capturing the spirit of youth and determination. This album also includes tracks like "Butterfly" and "Silver Spoon (Baepsae)," which showcase their artistic range and social commentary. "Butterfly" is a delicate and ethereal track that expresses the fear of losing something precious, while "Silver Spoon (Baepsae)" is a hard-hitting critique of social inequality. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2 further solidified BTS's position as leaders in the K-pop scene, earning them numerous awards and accolades. This album demonstrated their ability to blend meaningful lyrics with innovative sounds, creating music that resonated with fans on a deeper level.
6. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever (2016)
The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, released on May 2, 2016, is a compilation album that concludes the Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa series. It includes tracks from the previous two albums, as well as new songs that reflect on the themes of youth and nostalgia. The title tracks, "Fire" and "Save ME," are both iconic BTS songs that continue to be fan favorites. "Fire" is an explosive and energetic track that encourages listeners to live life to the fullest, while "Save ME" is a heartfelt plea for help and connection. The album also features tracks like "Epilogue: Young Forever," which reflects on the beauty and fleeting nature of youth. The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever served as a powerful conclusion to the series, leaving a lasting impact on fans and critics alike. This album showcased BTS's ability to create a cohesive and meaningful narrative through their music, solidifying their reputation as storytellers and artists.
Wings and You Never Walk Alone Era
The Wings era marked a significant turning point in BTS's career. With Wings, BTS explored themes of temptation, growth, and self-discovery, drawing inspiration from Hermann Hesse's novel Demian. This album was a massive success, breaking numerous records and solidifying their status as global superstars. Following Wings, You Never Walk Alone served as a repackaged version, offering a message of hope and support to their fans. Together, these albums represent a period of immense growth and artistic exploration for BTS. Let's dive into these transformative albums and explore the depths of their musical and thematic brilliance.
7. Wings (2016)
Released on October 10, 2016, Wings is a landmark album in BTS's discography. Each member had a solo track exploring individual temptations and personal struggles. The title track, "Blood Sweat & Tears," is a sensual and captivating song that blends pop, trap, and moombahton elements. The song's lyrics explore the themes of temptation and sacrifice, drawing inspiration from Hermann Hesse's Demian. The album also features solo tracks for each member, including "Begin" (Jungkook), "Lie" (Jimin), "Stigma" (V), "First Love" (Suga), "Reflection" (RM), "Mama" (J-Hope), and "Awake" (Jin), each offering a unique glimpse into their personal experiences and emotions. Wings was a groundbreaking album that showcased BTS's artistic growth and solidified their status as global superstars. The album broke numerous records, becoming the first Korean album to enter the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. Wings demonstrated BTS's ability to create complex and meaningful music that resonated with fans around the world.
8. You Never Walk Alone (2017)
You Never Walk Alone, released on February 13, 2017, is a repackaged version of Wings that offers a message of hope and solidarity. The title tracks, "Spring Day" and "Not Today," are both powerful and uplifting songs that provide comfort and encouragement to listeners. "Spring Day" is a melancholic and nostalgic track that reflects on the theme of longing and friendship, while "Not Today" is an energetic and empowering anthem that encourages listeners to fight for their dreams. The album also includes tracks like "Outro: Wings," which celebrates their journey and success. You Never Walk Alone served as a message of support to their fans, assuring them that they are not alone in their struggles. The album's themes of hope and solidarity resonated deeply with listeners, further solidifying BTS's connection with their fan base. You Never Walk Alone demonstrated BTS's ability to create music that not only entertains but also provides comfort and encouragement to their fans.
Love Yourself Series
The Love Yourself series is a pivotal collection of albums in BTS's discography, emphasizing the importance of self-love and acceptance. This series, comprising Love Yourself: Her, Love Yourself: Tear, and Love Yourself: Answer, explores the different facets of love, from the initial excitement to the pain of heartbreak and the ultimate realization of self-worth. The Love Yourself series resonated with millions of fans worldwide, promoting a powerful message of self-acceptance and mental well-being. Each album in the series offers a unique perspective on love, creating a cohesive and impactful narrative. Let's delve into these albums and explore the themes and messages that have made them so beloved.
9. Love Yourself: Her (2017)
Love Yourself: Her, released on September 18, 2017, marks the beginning of the Love Yourself series, focusing on the euphoria and infatuation of first love. The title track, "DNA," is an upbeat and catchy song that blends pop and electronic elements. The song's lyrics express the idea that love is predetermined and inevitable. The album also features tracks like "Best of Me" (a collaboration with The Chainsmokers), "Mic Drop," and "Serendipity," each exploring different aspects of love and connection. "Best of Me" is a heartfelt declaration of love and gratitude, while "Mic Drop" is a confident and assertive track that celebrates their success. "Serendipity" (sung by Jimin) is a dreamy and ethereal track that expresses the joy of discovering love. Love Yourself: Her was a massive commercial success, breaking numerous records and solidifying BTS's status as global pop icons. The album's themes of love and connection resonated with fans around the world, making it a cultural phenomenon.
10. Love Yourself: Tear (2018)
Released on May 18, 2018, Love Yourself: Tear delves into the darker side of love, exploring themes of heartbreak, separation, and the pain of wearing a mask to please others. The title track, "Fake Love," is a powerful and emotional song that blends rock, hip-hop, and pop elements. The song's lyrics express the realization that love can be false and that sacrificing your true self for someone else can lead to heartbreak. The album also features tracks like "The Truth Untold" (featuring Steve Aoki), "Singularity" (sung by V), and "Anpanman," each exploring different aspects of pain and self-discovery. "The Truth Untold" is a haunting ballad that expresses the pain of hiding your true self, while "Singularity" is a sensual and introspective track that explores the theme of self-identity. "Anpanman" is an upbeat and playful track that compares themselves to the superhero Anpanman, who is always there to save the day. Love Yourself: Tear was a critical and commercial success, earning BTS their first number one album on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album's themes of heartbreak and self-discovery resonated deeply with listeners, making it a cultural touchstone.
11. Love Yourself: Answer (2018)
Love Yourself: Answer, released on August 24, 2018, is a compilation album that concludes the Love Yourself series, offering a message of self-love and acceptance. The title track, "Idol," is an energetic and celebratory song that blends Korean and African rhythms. The song's lyrics express the idea that you should love yourself for who you are, regardless of what others think. The album also features tracks like "Epiphany" (sung by Jin), "I'm Fine," and "Answer: Love Myself," each reinforcing the message of self-love and acceptance. "Epiphany" is a powerful ballad that expresses the realization that self-love is the most important thing, while "I'm Fine" is an upbeat and empowering track that declares their strength and resilience. "Answer: Love Myself" is a heartfelt anthem that encourages listeners to embrace their flaws and love themselves for who they are. Love Yourself: Answer served as a powerful conclusion to the series, leaving a lasting impact on fans and critics alike. The album's themes of self-love and acceptance resonated with millions of people around the world, making it a cultural phenomenon.
Map of the Soul Series
The Map of the Soul series is a profound exploration of the human psyche, inspired by the theories of Carl Jung. This series, consisting of Map of the Soul: Persona and Map of the Soul: 7, delves into the concepts of persona, shadow, and ego, offering a deep and introspective look at the self. These albums are considered to be some of their most ambitious and thought-provoking works, showcasing their intellectual depth and artistic vision. The Map of the Soul series challenged listeners to confront their own inner selves and explore the complexities of the human experience. Let's delve into these albums and explore the themes and messages that have made them so impactful.
12. Map of the Soul: Persona (2019)
Map of the Soul: Persona, released on April 12, 2019, explores the concept of the persona, the mask we wear to present ourselves to the world. The title track, "Boy With Luv" (featuring Halsey), is a cheerful and upbeat song that blends pop and funk elements. The song's lyrics express the joy of finding love in the small moments of everyday life. The album also features tracks like "Mikrokosmos," "Make It Right," and "Home," each exploring different aspects of the persona and our relationships with others. "Mikrokosmos" is a dreamy and ethereal track that reflects on the beauty and wonder of the universe, while "Make It Right" is a heartfelt plea for healing and connection. "Home" is a comforting and nostalgic track that expresses the importance of finding solace and belonging. Map of the Soul: Persona was a massive commercial success, breaking numerous records and solidifying BTS's status as global superstars. The album's themes of identity and connection resonated with fans around the world, making it a cultural phenomenon.
13. Map of the Soul: 7 (2020)
Map of the Soul: 7, released on February 21, 2020, is a deep dive into the shadow self, the darker aspects of our personality that we often try to hide. The title track, "ON," is a powerful and intense song that blends hip-hop, pop, and rock elements. The song's lyrics express the idea that we must confront our shadows in order to grow and evolve. The album also features tracks like "Black Swan," "My Time" (sung by Jungkook), and "Interlude: Shadow" (sung by Suga), each exploring different aspects of the shadow self and our inner conflicts. "Black Swan" is a haunting and introspective track that expresses the fear of losing your passion, while "My Time" is a reflective track about Jungkook's journey and growth. "Interlude: Shadow" is a raw and vulnerable track that explores the struggles and anxieties of fame. Map of the Soul: 7 was a critical and commercial success, earning BTS their fourth number one album on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album's themes of self-discovery and inner conflict resonated deeply with listeners, making it a cultural touchstone.
BE (2020)
BE, released on November 20, 2020, is a deeply personal and introspective album created during the COVID-19 pandemic. This album reflects on the challenges and emotions of that time, offering a message of hope and resilience. BE is unique in that the members of BTS were heavily involved in the creative process, from the music production to the album design. This album is a testament to their artistry and their ability to connect with their audience on a profound level. Let's explore the themes and messages that have made BE such a meaningful and impactful work.
14. BE (2020)
BE serves as a reflective journey through the emotions experienced during the pandemic, offering solace and connection through music. The title track, "Life Goes On," is a gentle and comforting song that blends pop and acoustic elements. The song's lyrics express the idea that even in the midst of hardship, life continues, and we must find ways to carry on. The album also features tracks like "Fly To My Room," "Blue & Grey," and "Stay," each exploring different aspects of the pandemic experience. "Fly To My Room" is a playful and experimental track that reflects on the feeling of being stuck at home, while "Blue & Grey" is a melancholic and introspective track that expresses feelings of sadness and isolation. "Stay" is an upbeat and energetic track that celebrates the importance of staying connected with loved ones. BE was a critical and commercial success, earning BTS their fifth number one album on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album's themes of hope and resilience resonated deeply with listeners, making it a cultural touchstone during a challenging time.
Proof (2022)
Proof, released on June 10, 2022, is an anthology album that celebrates BTS's incredible journey over the past nine years. This album features a collection of their greatest hits, as well as unreleased tracks and demo versions, offering a comprehensive look at their musical evolution. Proof is a gift to their fans, a way of saying thank you for their unwavering support and love. This album is a testament to their legacy and their impact on the world of music. Let's explore the themes and messages that have made Proof such a special and meaningful work.
15. Proof (2022)
Proof is a celebration of BTS's past, present, and future, showcasing their growth as artists and their impact on the world. The album includes three new tracks: "Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)," "Run BTS," and "For Youth." "Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)" is a reflective and hopeful song that looks back on their journey and looks forward to the future. "Run BTS" is an energetic and celebratory track that pays tribute to their iconic variety show, Run BTS! "For Youth" is a heartfelt anthem dedicated to their fans, expressing their gratitude and love. Proof was a massive commercial success, topping the charts in numerous countries and becoming one of the best-selling albums of the year. The album's themes of gratitude, reflection, and hope resonated deeply with listeners, making it a meaningful and impactful addition to their discography.
So there you have it, ARMY! A complete guide to BTS albums in order and their iconic songs. Each album tells a story, reflects a moment in their journey, and connects with fans on a profound level. Keep streaming, keep supporting, and let's continue to celebrate the incredible music of BTS! Hwaiting!
