Though you may not even know it, you’ve probably heard at least one BTS song by this point — the seven-member K-pop group has reached a level of popularity that’s hard to even fathom. Their popular songs like “Dynamite” have become famous for breaking records with YouTube views and streams on platforms like Spotify. Still, the group has been churning out hits since their debut in 2013, so it’s hard to know which tunes among their vast discography are the best BTS songs.
For new fans (aka ARMYs) just starting to check out the group, the sheer amount of work that BTS has released may be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve made it easy by rounding up 20 of the best tracks the group has ever made, whether you’re looking for something to dance to, or for the most powerful and emotional lyrics that will have you crying like a baby.
Ranked in no particular order, this list only contains songs that feature all seven members (RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook). After all, if we were planning to include best subunits and solo tracks as well, this list would be twice as long. We’ve also included songs in English as well as in Korean, plus a mix of older underrated gems and the band’s more recent offerings. Simply put, this list has got everything you could need for the ideal ARMY playlist. Happy listening!
1. Spring Day
Ask any ARMY what the best BTS song is, and most of them will probably point you to “Spring Day.” As the lead single for their 2017 repackage album You Never Walk Alone, this song is a touching ballad that compares reuniting with a loved one and making it through a dark period to the transition from winter to spring. If you need proof of its popularity, the song broke a record in January for charting in South Korea for five consecutive years.
2. I Need U
Released as the title track for 2015’s The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1, “I Need U” is often pinpointed as the origin of BTS’s explosive success in Korea, if not worldwide. In 2019, Billboard named it one of the songs that defined the decade. The track also signaled a shift in sound for BTS, who had previously focused on more hard-hitting hip-hop tracks, and foreshadowed the incredible versatility they would continue to explore in following years.
3. Paradise
Every group has those beloved, underrated B-sides, and for BTS, that’s “Paradise,” a comfort song that reminds listeners to take life slow rather than always rushing toward some far-off dream. This track off of 2018’s Love Yourself: Tear album remains one of the few BTS songs that has never been performed live, leading to a running joke among ARMYs that BTS has forgotten all about it. Youngest member Jungkook even seemed to forget the title in a 2021 livestream, though he did eventually sing a bit of the song, so fingers crossed “Paradise” fans will get to hear it live one day.
4. Louder Than Bombs
Troye Sivan helped write this B-side from BTS’s 2020 album Map of the Soul: 7, so you know it has to be a banger. This track also flies under the radar, both because of its more low-key sound and the fact that it has yet to be performed live, making it an underrated gem in their discography.
5. Blood Sweat & Tears
“Blood Sweat & Tears” was the group’s title track for their 2016 album Wings, which leaned heavily into angel-devil imagery and took inspiration from Herman Hesse’s 1919 novel Demian. The themes of temptation are front and center in the lyrics and stunning music video, and this song’s catchy melody and sultry vocals are only made better by the choreography (Jimin casually showing off his bare shoulder has gone down as a moment to remember in ARMY history).
6. 2! 3!
Another sentimental fan-favorite, “2! 3!” is a message from BTS to ARMYs about wanting to more good days together in the future. Considering this track dropped with their Wings album in 2016, before BTS’s popularity truly exploded, it’s safe to say that those wishes came true.
7. We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal
Oh, you thought we were done crying? Never. Named as a follow-up to BTS’s earlier tracks “We Are Bulletproof: Part 1” and “We Are Bulletproof: Part 2,” which originate from their earliest days as a group, “The Eternal” was released on 2020’s Map of the Soul: 7 as a tribute to their fans. The lyrics, “We are not seven with you” point to the special relationship between BTS and their fanbase, and if that doesn’t already make you teary-eyed, the poignant animated music video they released right before their seventh anniversary as a band definitely will.
8. Dynamite
BTS was already wildly popular in the U.S. when they dropped all-English track “Dynamite” in 2020, but this was their first hit on U.S. radio (a metric of success that remains a huge barrier to almost all K-pop groups trying to “make it” in America). The music video was also notable for racking up over 100 million views in just 24 hours — it seems like everyone needed a bit of the groovy, upbeat happiness “Dynamite” sought to spread when it came out mid-pandemic.
9. Dope
If you want to see a music video that shows off BTS’s incredible dancing skills, look no further than 2015’s “Dope,” shot as a one-take that demonstrates how in sync and high-energy the members can be. The song also features an addicting brassy-sounding hook that will be stuck in your head all day.
10. Spine Breaker
According to fan translators, “Spine Breaker” pokes fun at teenagers who ask their parents for expensive or fancy clothes, particularly one type of North Face jacket that was popular in BTS’s youth. It was referred to as a “spine breaker” because its high price would lead parents to “break their backs” to be able to buy it for their children. The members made their own music video for the song, with silly outfits and meme-worthy choreography, as part of their reality show BTS Gayo. The video was unofficially released on streaming platform VLive exclusively for fans. Later, they brought back the choreography for live performances, like the one above, which have made the song a crowd-favorite.
11. Dis-ease
The BE album, released mid-pandemic in 2020, was perhaps more subdued than the group’s earlier releases, but “Dis-ease” is a standout for its deceptively bright sound. In a November 2020 interview, member j-hope explained that the theme for the song originated from him feeling like his work as an artist was a sort of “disease” because of the pressure he felt to be successful and to work even when he was resting. Fans can relate to the more serious lyrics and bop along to the beat; that’s a win-win if we ever saw one.
12. Epilogue: Young Forever
As part of The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, released in 2016, this track delves into the beauty and uncertainty of youth and the beginning of adulthood (aka, the titular most beautiful moment in life). The song has taken on a special meaning for fans, its poignancy was only increased when the attendees of BTS’s Wembley Stadium show in 2019 surprised the members by singing it to them even though it wasn’t on the setlist, and making the members visibly emotional on stage.
13. Silver Spoon (Baepsae)
Though “Silver Spoon” is the official title of this 2015 track, it’s more often referred to as “Baepsae,” which is the Korean word for a crow-tit. According to Genius, the song gets its title from a Korean proverb that says when a crow-tit tries to walk like a stork, it will split its legs. The entire song uses that concept as a metaphor to call out socioeconomic disadvantages that Korean youth (the proverbial crow-tits) face due to capitalism and the attitudes of older generations (the “storks”). While many fans have analyzed the lyrics’ deeper meaning, it’s the choreography that’s most often remembered, because its fun moves match the aggressive and upbeat sound of the song.
14. N.O
BTS spent much of their early songs speaking about social issues in Korea, and “N.O” is a prime example. Released in 2013, when most of the members were still teenagers, “N.O” urges students to push back against the high-pressure expectations placed on students to constantly study, get good grades, and become successful. The song’s message makes it a perfect match for finals season, when you’re fed up with all those assignments stacking up.
15. Mikrokosmos
Part of the 2019 EP Map of the Soul: Persona, “Mikrokosmos” was often BTS’s closing song during their Speak Yourself tour. This gives it a bittersweet and nostalgic edge, since that tour was BTS’s last before the pandemic started. The repetition of “You got me” and “I got you” in the lyrics act as a sort of call-and-response between BTS and ARMYs, who found something special in each other.
16. Life Goes On
Though it didn’t make as big a splash as “Dynamite,” which was on the same album, “Life Goes On” came at a much-needed time in late 2020, when the pandemic left morale pretty low for most fans. The song is much softer and more emotional than a lot of BTS’s lead singles, focusing instead on lyrics about healing during tough times. The music video was directed by member Jungkook, adding an extra personal touch.
17. Fire
We get it: Sometimes you need a song to jump around your room to. Lucky for you, “Fire” is that song. The track dabbles in both house and electronic sounds, and is pushed forward by chanting vocals that are easy to shout along to. Feel free to attempt the choreography, which is showcased in the colorful music video, but don’t be surprised if you break your legs in the process — those moves are fast.
18. Save Me
“Save Me” veers more toward electronica and house, with moody lyrics about wanting to be saved by someone. Like “Dope,” the music video was filmed as a one-take, but they forewent costumes and flashiness this time around for a simple cloudy, grassy outdoor location that allowed their emotion to shine front and center.
19. DNA
While “I Need U” was the song to kickstart BTS’s global success, it wasn’t until “DNA” came out in 2017 that mainstream America started paying attention. It’s easy to see why, with such a catchy hook and a trippy music video that feels like a dream to watch. The song also marked the group’s American award show debut, when they performed it at the 2017 AMAs to much fanfare.
20. Fake Love
“Fake Love” is a darker entry among BTS’s title tracks, aptly paired with the broodier concept of the album Love Yourself: Tear in 2018. Its grungier sound aids the lyrics’ discussion of wanting to let go of a toxic relationship (“I’m so sick of that fake love”), and the group’s voices shine on the chorus. It’s another BTS song that’s easy to sing along and dance to, which may be part of the reason for its huge success — the music video has racked up over a billion views on YouTube.