Spring Day (song)
"Spring Day" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by BTS | ||||
from the album You Never Walk Alone and Face Yourself | ||||
Released | February 13, 2017 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | K-pop | |||
Length | 4:34 | |||
Label | Big Hit Entertainment | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Pdogg | |||
BTS singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Spring Day" on YouTube |
"Spring Day" (Korean: 봄날; RR: Bomnal) is a song recorded by South Korean boy band BTS. Released through Big Hit Entertainment, it was the first single from their 2017 album You Never Walk Alone, a repackage of the album Wings (2016). The single was a success, topping the Gaon Digital Chart, and has since surpassed 2.5 million downloads.[2] The song also won 'Song of the Year' at the 2017 Melon Music Awards.[3] A remix of the song entitled '"Spring Day" (Brit Rock Remix)' was released for free on SoundCloud in June 2018.[4]
Background
On February 12, 2017, BTS held a comeback preview show[5] on Naver V LIVE.[6] Starting on February 18, they held the 2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour in support of their album, having shows in South Korea, the Americas, and various Asian countries performing songs from the new release in front of fans for the first time.[7][8][9][10] Weeklong promotions on broadcasting networks started on February 23, with both singles "Spring Day" and "Not Today" being performed on Mnet's M! Countdown[11] even though one of the new songs, "Outro: Wings" was deemed unfit for broadcast by KBS.[12]
"Spring Day" earned BTS four first-place trophies on local music programs.[13] It debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and number 1 on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart, selling 14,000 digital downloads; moreover, all four new songs held down the first four slots[14] making BTS the first K-pop act to do so.
Composition
"Spring Day" is in the key of E♭ major and the main vocal range is between Bb3-Bb5. It mixes various styles, such as pop, rap, world, and K-pop, and features backing vocals from singer-songwriter Arlissa.[15] It is 107 beats per minute.[16]
Music video
The music video for "Spring Day" was uploaded onto the video sharing website YouTube on February 12, 2017,[17] surpassing 9 million views within 24 hours,[18] breaking the record of BTS's previous single "Blood, Sweat, & Tears". A week later, the music video for their follow up single "Not Today" overtook the record from "Spring Day" with 10 million views.[19] Similarly, "Spring Day" became the fastest K-pop group music video to reach 20 million views, achieving the feat in less than four days; "Not Today" bested it in less than three.[20] Many fans and media outlets rumored the music video was inspired by the Sewol Ferry tragedy.[21] It currently has over 300 million views on YouTube. Kultscene described the music video as "aesthetically pleasing,... beautifully shot and well thought out", with references made to movies and books, like Snowpiercer and Omelas, which "added layers to the video".[22] Similarities to the 1974 Ursula K. Le Guin novella The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas are discussed widely among fans. The novella tells the story of a utopian city called Omelas, whose citizens’ happiness depends on the ongoing suffering of a single child. The video suggests through imagery including the name Omelas, that the members are among those who, once enlightened to the suffering, walk away from Omelas.[23]
Similar to the song’s lyrics and theme, the MV is set in a snowy landscape, in order to express the idea of waiting through a long harsh winter and longing for the eventual spring day. And like the reference to the movie Snowpiercer, the MV features a train that moves through the snowy landscape.
Throughout the video, the members are seen inhabiting different places on their own but come together frequently as well. We see Jungkook at an abandoned carousel in the middle of nowhere, sometimes on his own, but in some scenes just standing while the other members move around him fast enough to just be blurs of colors. Jimin is on his own at an empty beach, Suga is stuck on a clothes mountain within a laundry machine, RM is seen walking through the train that Jungkook is sitting on, while V is walking along the train tracks. J-Hope is shown sitting on top of the moving train, and Jin is gazing up a staircase where the others are ascending, eventually leaving him alone at the bottom.
Then there are the sets of the hotel and the Laundromat being the places where the members are seen enjoying themselves and spending time together. Nearing the end of the video we see Jungkook running through these locations, now empty of everyone but him, searching for the other members. Eventually uniting with them, they move forward and come across the train that carries another version of Jungkook sitting on his own, their eyes meet and both are surprised at the appearance of the other. But near the end of the MV, we see the Jungkook that is sitting on the train look around and he (and the viewer) finds that the other members are sitting by him. The train stops and the members disembark, making their way through the barren landscape where the train has stopped. Jimin leaves the pair of sneakers, which he’s been carrying around the whole MV (on the beach 2:18, at the Laundromat 2:27), on a branch of a single tree they come across. In some cultures, shoes that belong to someone who has recently died are tied together and tossed onto tree branches to signify their passing.
The music video was directed by Choi YongSeok of Lumpens.[24] Other key personnel working on staff are Lee Wonju serving as the assistant director, Nam Hyunwoo the director of photography, Song Hyunsuk working the gaffer, Emma Sungeun Kim as the producer, and Park Jinsil the art director.[25]
Reception
"“Spring Day”’s existence is probably the most accurate representation of BTS’s artistry. They could have continued riding on the worldwide frenzy of “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” but they chose to release a poignant, visceral study in the very human challenge of coming to terms with a great loss. Everything about “Spring Day” plucks cruelly at a taut nerve: the lyrics that vivisect loss, the motifs of remembrance, and the looming spectre of something sinister in the video. All of this leads to the bittersweet moment of the boys reuniting, when they finally move on together. In this journey of growing up, you never walk alone."
— L.S. from Billboard[26]
Billboard's Tamar Herman wrote an article on the repackaged album You Never Walk Alone, describing the single "Spring Day" as an "alt hip-hop song infused with rock instrumentals and EDM synths" combining the rap elements for which BTS has become known with "dreamy vocals and yearning lyrics." Herman calls "Not Today" the dual single counterpart to "Spring Day", a power anthem for "all the underdogs in the world."[27] "Spring Day" ranked number one on Dazed's "20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2017" list, which described the song as "an intelligent, compelling and elegantly restrained study of loss and longing" that "deliberately avoids cliché pomp and drama".[28] "Spring Day" was included in Billboard's list of "The 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s: Staff List".[26]
"Spring Day" is the longest-charting song on Melon, charting for over 180 weeks. The prior song that charted the longest was Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One".[29] Upon release the song in South Korea became BTS' first "roof hit" and remained number one in real time on MelOn for twenty-four hours. It also ranked number one on eight other South Korean portals.[30]
The song is the sixth most watched K-pop video of 2017.[31]
Credits and personnel
Korean versionThe Korean credits are adapted from the CD liner notes of Spring Day.[32]
|
Brit Rock RemixThe remix version of the song credits are adapted from soundcloud.[4]
|
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Accolades
Critic/Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
10 Magazine | The 10 Must Listen To Korean Artists Of 2018 | — | [49] |
Billboard | The Best K-pop Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks | 5 | [50] |
Dazed Digital | 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2017 | 1 | [28] |
Idolator | The Best K-Pop Songs Of Q1 | 8 | [51] |
Publication | Accolade | Rank / Year | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
The 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s | 37
|
Year | Award ceremony | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | 19th Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Music Video | Won | [53] |
9th Melon Music Awards | Song of the Year | Won | [54] | |
Melon Popularity Award | Weekly Popularity Award (February 20) | Won | [55] | |
2018 | Golden Disc Awards | Digital Bonsang | Won | [56] |
Digital Daesang | Nominated | [57] | ||
Gaon Chart Music Awards | Song of the Year – February | Nominated | [58] |
Program | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Show Champion (MBC Music) | February 22, 2017 | [59] |
M Countdown (Mnet) | February 23, 2017 | [60] |
Music Bank (KBS2) | February 24, 2017 | [61] |
Inkigayo (SBS) | February 26, 2017 | [62] |
Sales
Chart | Sales |
---|---|
South Korea[63] | 2,500,000+ |
United States[45] | 14,000 |
References
- ^ "YOU NEVER WALK ALONE". naver.com. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ "Gaon's Observation Note" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Kim, So-yeun (December 3, 2017). "BTS, EXO, IU win big at 2017 Melon Music Awards". Kpop Herald. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ a b "봄날 (Brit Rock Remix For 가요대축제) - BTS". soundcloud. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
- ^ "BTS 'YOU NEVER WALK ALONE' Preview SHOW".
- ^ Hong Dam-young (May 23, 2017). "[V Report Plus] Social artist BTS garners success on V app". Kpop Herald. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ Park So Young (February 8, 2017). "BTS' comeback to be on Feb. 18 concert.. Will perform the follow-up to WINGS". Naver. OSEN. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ NaverStarcast (February 20, 2017). "[STARCAST] "First time to see an ensemble?"… BTS in the New World of concert". Naver. NAVERENTER. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ Seon Mi Kyung (February 19, 2017). "BTS, preparing to prove their global popularity". Naver. OSEN. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ Susan Min (July 3, 2017). "BTS Successfully Completes ′Wings Tour′ Around the World". MWave. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ Susan Min (February 17, 2017). "BTS Set to Appear on ′M COUNTDOWN′ for First Music Program Stage". MWave. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ Yoon, Sung-hee (February 8, 2017). "[단독]방탄소년단 '윙스' KBS 방송 불가 판정 "비속어 포함"". star.mt.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved May 19, 2018.
- ^ Jeong Jun Hwa (February 26, 2017). ""Music Show All Kill, Grand Prize, and Billboard"…BTS's 'Spring Day' was bright". Naver. OSEN. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ "World Digital Song Sales - Week March 4". Billboard. March 4, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ "Spring Day By BTS - Digital Sheet Music". musicnotes.com. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "BTS Song Search". tunebat.com. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ^ ibighit (February 12, 2017), BTS (방탄소년단) '봄날 (Spring Day)' Official MV, retrieved January 26, 2018
- ^ Herman, Tamar (March 1, 2017). "BTS and TWICE Speeds Past Youtube's K-pop View Records". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
- ^ "BTS's "Not Today" is the fastest MV to surpass 10 million views". Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
- ^ * "BTS "Spring Day" MV is the fastest KPOP group MV to reach 20 million views". Edaily. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
- "BTS's parade of new records... "Not Today" is the fastest MV to reach 20 million views". Edaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
- ^ "BTS' Most Political Lyrics: A Guide to Their Social Commentary on South Korean Society". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ^ "Best K-pop music videos of 2017 | Top K-pop mvs of 2017". Kultscene.
- ^ "BTS The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas - A Short Story".
- ^ LUMPENS. "SPRING DAY 봄날 - BTS 방탄소년단". vimeo.com. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ "BTS (방탄소년단) '봄날 (Spring Day)' Official MV". youtube.com. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ a b "The 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s: Staff List". Billboard. November 25, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
- ^ Tamar Herman (February 13, 2017). "BTS Gets Sentimental In 'Spring Day' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ a b Dazed (December 7, 2017). "The 20 best K-Pop songs of 2017". Dazed. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ "BTS's Spring Day breaks another record". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- ^ "봄날 (Spring Day)". genius.com. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ "Estos son los 20 videos de K-Pop más vistos el 2017 en YouTube". El Comercio (in Spanish). May 1, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ You Never Walk Alone. Big Hit. February 13, 2017.
- ^ "France Singles Top 100 - Music Charts". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Suomen virallinen lista – Latauslista" [Finland's Official List – Download List] (in Finnish). IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Finland Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [ 2017/05/22 付け ]" [Billboard Japan Hot 100 dated [2017/05/22]]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. February 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 16, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | Heatseeker Singles (Chart Archive: 20 February 2017)". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Music Weekly Top 30 Singles Chart Philippines". Music Services Asia. February 18, 2019. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- ^ "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. July 24, 2017. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- ^ "Spring Day by BTS - Music Charts". Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. February 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ 2017년 07주차 Digital Chart (2017.02.12~2017.02.18) [gaon chart | Weekly Digital Chart (2017.02.12-2017.02.18)] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on February 23, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. February 17, 2017. Archived from the original on March 21, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. February 17, 2017. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ a b c Benjamin, Jeff (February 21, 2017). "BTS Crack the Bubbling Under Hot 100 With 'Spring Day,' Conquer Multiple Charts With 'You Never Walk Alone'". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 22, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "2017년 Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ "2018년 Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ "2019년 Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Kim, Albert (January 23, 2018). "The 10 Must Listen To Korean Artists Of 2018". 10 Magazine. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ Benjamin, Jeff; Herman, Tamar; Kelley, Caitlin (April 17, 2017). "The Best K-pop Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ Peterson, Jacques (December 29, 2015). "From Red Velvet To BTS, The Best K-Pop Songs Of Q1". Idolator. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "The 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s: Staff List". Billboard. November 25, 2019. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ Dolan, Tom (December 4, 2017). "BTS win Artist of the Year at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)". AXS. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ Mathew, Ilin (November 17, 2017). "Melon Music Awards 2017: Winners of Top 10 Artists awards, nominees for category awards". International Business Times. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ 주간 인기상 [Melon Music Weekly Award] (in Korean). Melon. Archived from the original (Click on tab labelled '2월' at top of page to view winners for February. "Spring Day" is in the section marked '02.20') on March 20, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "The 32nd Golden Disc Winners". Golden Disc Awards. January 12, 2018. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Golden Disc Awards 2018: Host, nomination list and voting details of 32nd annual award show". International Business Times. December 15, 2017. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "7th Gaon Chart Music Awards 2017 – Song of the Year Nominees" (in Korean). Gaon Chart Music Awards. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ Park, Pan-suk (February 22, 2017). '쇼챔피언' 방탄소년단, '봄날'로 첫 1위..'역시 대세' [종합] ['Show Champion' BTS, first number one with 'Spring Day'..'As expected.' [General]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2020 – via Naver.
- ^ Hong, Min-ki (February 23, 2017). ‘엠카’ 방탄소년단 ‘봄날’로 1위…트와이스 컴백 ['M Countdown' 'BTS' #1 with 'Spring Day'… TWICE Comeback]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ Kim, Young-rok (February 24, 2017). 방탄소년단, 컴백과 함께 뮤직뱅크 1위…트와이스 컴백 [종합] [BTS, #1 on Music Bank with a comeback...TWICE Comeback [General]]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim, Young-rok (February 26, 2017). '인기가요' 방탄소년단 '봄날', 1위로 굿바이…트와이스 컴백 [종합] ['Inkigayo' BTS 'Spring Day', goodbye with 1st place…TWICE Comeback [General]]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020 – via Naver.
- ^ "GAON′s 관찰노트 (See 'Over 2.5 Million Downloads)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 12, 2018.