"Love Song" is a single by South Korean group Big Bang. It was released on April 8, 2011 by YG Entertainment, as the lead single for their album Big Bang Special Edition (2011), a repackaged version of the extended play (EP) Tonight released earlier on February 23, 2011. The lyrics were written by G-Dragon, T.O.P and Teddy and the music was composed by G-Dragon, Teddy.
Composition
Standing out from Big Bang's usual "heavily produced electronic dance tracks",[2] "Love Song" is pop-rock ballad[1] that was compared to Coldplay's early material.[3] The single "utilizes building strings and overlapping vocals to create an uplifting tone despite the otherwise depressing lyrics"[2] and combines "electronic rhythm and modern rock elements to express the nostalgia and agony of a loving woman who left the world."[4] Additionally, the song was noted for its structure that alternates tension and relaxation in a "dreamlike" melody.[5]
Reception
"Love Song" was well received. Billboard named the track Big Bang's sixth best song, praising the "excellent vocal performances".[1] The music video ranked as the thirteenth best K-pop video by Stereogum.[3] "Love Song" debuted at number nine on the Gaon Digital Chart.[6] The following week, the single rose to number one on the Digital[7] and Download charts, selling 413,645 copies.[8] On its third week, the song reached the peak position of one in the Streaming chart.[9] On Billboard World Digital Songs, "Love Song" spend two weeks at the second position,[10][11] the highest peaking entry of the group until "Loser" topped the chart in 2015.[12]