Songwriting with BTS - How song structure creates diversity

BTS songs represent a particular challenge in terms of songwriting -- how does one write a song for seven people (three rappers and four vocalists) without making it feel too fragmented? In contrast to most songs by Western artists where the number of artists on one song rarely reaches seven, BTS songs require more “switching” if each member is meant to participate. While this can be an obstacle for most songwriters that may prefer a smoother, predictable structure in their songs, BTS use their size and stylistic differences as a strength. The construction of a BTS song, therefore, is a tool that BTS use to create diversity in their discography.

In a BTS song, the way each member’s part is arranged and presented in context with the others influences the emotional and sonic essence of the track. This structural variety was all too apparent in BTS’s latest release, Map of the Soul: 7. By outlining the structure of the three title tracks, we can see how BTS are using their seven-member status as an advantage when creating sonic diversity.

“Boy with Luv,” the title track of BTS’s EP Map Of the Soul: Persona and the second track off of Map of the Soul: 7, is frequently described as “bubblegum pop.” But what exactly does this mean? The structure of “Boy With Luv” shows that it follows a common construction for a standard pop song. The track begins with an intro followed by a verse-chorus form. The breakdown of the verses and choruses can be better understood through the following outline:

- Boy with Luv

• Intro

• Vocal verse 1 (Jimin)

• Vocal verse2 (V, Jin)

• Pre-chorus (Jungkook, Jimin)

• Chorus (Jungkook, Jimin, V, Jin)

• Rap verse 1 (Suga)

• Rap verse 2 (J-Hope)

• Pre-chorus (V, Jin)

• Chorus (Jungkook, Jimin, V, Jin)

• Rap verse 3 (RM)

• Chorus (Jungkook, Jimin, V, Jin)

*Background vocals were not accounted for in the member-based distribution

*Halsey was not included for the purpose of understanding the breakdown of BTS members

*Structure can be broken down further into a more detailed form

From this breakdown, it is clear that the structure of “Boy With Luv” is accessible, easy to follow, and matches what the audience would predict when listening to BTS. The rap verses remain distinctly rap (aside from J-Hope’s verse, which does employ greater use of vocals than the other rap verses), and the vocal verses remain fairly consistent in each repetition. The distinction between rap and vocals in the track are easily noticeable. Therefore, the “bubblegum pop” label, while usually meant to describe the “happy” sound of the track, is also felt in the structure of the track itself.

However, it is clear that BTS departs from this structure throughout the rest of the album. The next title track in the album, the title track for the album’s “shadow” phase, is “Black Swan.” The structural breakdown of “Black Swan” is below:

- Black Swan

• Refrain (Jungkook)

• Rap verse 1 (Suga)

• Rap verse 2 (RM)

• Pre-chorus (V, Jimin)

• Chorus (Jungkook, Jimin, V, Jin)

• Refrain (bridge) (Jimin, V)

• Rap verse 3 (J-Hope)

• Rap verse 4 (Suga)

• Pre-chorus (Jungkook, Jin)

• Chorus (Jimin, V, Jin, Jungkook)

• Refrain (Jin, Jimin)

*Background vocals not included

*Structure can be broken down further into a more detailed form

Upon initial analysis, this structure appears to be relatively simple, possibly even more simple than “Boy With Luv.” However, the verses categorized as “rap” are much more lyrical and melodic than they were in “Boy With Luv.” The distinction between rap and vocals here becomes ambiguous -- there is clear vocal quality in how the “rap line” of BTS deliver their verses. On the other hand, the vocal line continues with the refrain, pre-chorus, and chorus -- all of which are less melodically dynamic than the vocal verses in “Boy With Luv.” Here, the notes in these three sections are rather repetitive, creating an almost rap-like, rhythmic quality. Once again, the clear-cut appearance of rap and vocals is no longer present, and the boundaries between both styles of music become blurred.

This transition from the distinct separation of rap and vocals in “Boy with Luv” to the blended approach in “Black Swan” is a striking example of how BTS use their seven-member characteristic to their advantage. While MOTS: Persona’s title track is a rather simplistic form of how a seven-part song can be written, using clear rap and vocal sections, “Black Swan” is a more nuanced approach, one that challenges the audience’s understanding of where the seven parts are. Potentially a reference to Carl Jung’s concept of the “shadow,” “Black Swan” indicates perplexity and conflict, a struggle of finding identity and individualization when all elements of the self (in this case, the song) appear to overlap. The presence of seven members, therefore, allows for individualization when required (such as in “Boy With Luv”) but also allows for entanglement when needing to appear ambiguous (as in “Black Swan”).

The final title track in MOTS: 7, “ON” is an appropriate final stage based on BTS’s journey. After the distinct separation of members in “Boy With Luv” to the clouded whole-ness of “Black Swan,” “ON” appears to be a proper balance between the two. The breakdown of “ON” is as follows:

- ON

• Intro

• Vocal verse 1 (Jimin, V)

• Rap verse 1 (RM)

• Pre-chorus (Jimin, Jungkook, Jin)

• Chorus (Jungkook, Jimin)

• Rap verse 2 (J-Hope)

• Rap verse 3 (Suga)

• Pre-chorus (V, Jimin)

• Chorus (V, Jin)

• Bridge (Jungkook)

• Pre-chorus (ending) (Jimin, Jungkook)

• Chorus x 2 (Jin, V, Jimin, Jungkook)

*Background vocals not included

*Structure can be broken down into a more detailed form

Here, the interaction between vocal and rap qualities appear to exist as a middle-ground between what was observed in “Boy With Luv” and “Black Swan.” Unlike the previous two title tracks, “ON” starts with a direct trade-off between a vocal verse and a rap verse before the chorus. After the chorus, the rap verse starts with a slight melodic quality to it (delivered by J-Hope) but eventually transitions to a more rhythmic style by the end of Suga’s verse. Finally, the track converts entirely from this vocal-rap interaction to a clear vocal bridge that breaks up much of the sonic tension throughout the song. The song then ends with the established, energetic chorus.

Although the same seven members are present in all three of these songs, they sound significantly different. This diversity does not only come from instrumentation and lyrics, but also from how the track is constructed. Writing a song for seven members is a challenge that few artists must face, particularly in the Western music industry -- but the presence of so many parts, each holding a unique role, allows for incredible diversity in how a song is expressed. BTS manages to use this characteristic to their advantage and create new sounds by simply altering the structure of their songs -- a creative and artistic opportunity that helps make a BTS song stand out from the rest.

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Written By: Alapadma

Edit By: Aury

Checked by: Euni