No More Dream - Lyric Review
If you’ve been an A.R.M.Y (official term for BTS fans) long enough, you’ll know by now that socially conscious lyrics are the trademark of BTS. It’s even more appealing since the members themselves, pen down the lyrics. Since day one, they’ve always made sure their songs deliver a message or touch upon taboo subjects. Their lead single ‘No more dream’ from their debut album, ‘2 Cool 4 Skool’ is one of my favorite songs by BTS - and that’s saying something - not only for it’s catchy tune but also because of it’s hard-hitting lyrics.
RM starts off the song by asking us, “Hey you, What’s your dream?”
Now, if you were back to being a kid, you would have replied with something preposterous since we all believed the notion ‘You can be anything you want’ religiously. But our older and more mature selves, know it’s easier said than done and hence, we settle for having success, lots of money and a comfortable life instead.
In the first verse, Suga mocks this mentality of ours, as he raps:
“I wanna big house, big cars & big rings
But actually, I don’t have any big dreams
Haha, I live quite comfortably
Even if I don’t dream, no one says anything”
RM takes over from there, rapping:
“Everyone is thinking the same way as me
I completely forgot about my childhood when I had a lot of dreams
Don’t worry about college, I’ll at least go to a school that’s far away”
The last line holds a lot of weight as we’re all conditioned to believe that if we graduate from a good college, our life will be sorted out. Sometimes, it’s not about the benefits that come with studying in a prestigious college, but it’s about the honorary status that comes with it. RM ridicules this belief. In the pre-chorus, V and J-hope ask us if this is really how we want to live our lives? They urge us to live the way we want, even if we live for one day.
“What is the you that you’ve dreamed of?
Who do you see in the mirror? I gotta say
Go on your path, even if you live for a day
Do something, put away your weakness”
But, perhaps my most favorite part of the song is Jungkook’s verse:
“Why aren’t you saying anything?
You don’t wanna study but you’re scared to quit school?
See, you’re already getting ready for school
Please grow up, you’re all talk dude, you have a glass mentality boy
(Stop) Ask yourself if you’ve ever worked hard for anything”
The lyrics hit very close to home for me as I’ve been afraid to do my own thing, in the past. I was afraid of failure so I choose the safe way instead of pursuing something I was passionate about. A lot of people can relate to this as well, and I know a few of my friends who hate what they do too, but they still continue because they think they can’t do any better. Some people on the other hand, live for someone else’s dream. They force down their own dreams and try to live up to their parent’s or an elder’s expectations.
“Sick of the same day, the repeating days
Grown-ups and my parents keep instilling confined dreams to me”
BTS understands all of this and they know everything that’s wrong with the education system. Each line of this song is meant to comfort the youth and remind them of their dreams. You could also say, this song is meant to be an anthem for all those who are struggling to find their own way. Life is too fleeting to be following someone else’s path and regretting it later. Even if you’re afraid and unsure, you should follow your heart. It sounds cliche right? But since I’m being cliche, I’ll throw out another one: Hard work will always pay off in the end. So let’s listen to Jin and rebel against the norms. Lets us go on our own path.
“That’s a lie, you such a liar
See me, see me, ya you’re a hypocrite
Why are you telling to go a different path? Take care of yourself
Please don’t force me”
This song is one of the most inspirational songs by BTS and it deserves so much more recognition. So, if you haven’t watched the music video yet, check it out below!
Lyrics source : https://popgasa.com/2013/06/11/bts-no-more-dream/
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