The 17 Most Definitive SEVENTEEN Songs
What to listen to in order to understand what makes a song a SEVENTEEN one!
In no particular order besides chronological, these are the songs that best encapsulate the essence of SEVENTEEN!
Song: “Adore U”
The classic SEVENTEEN-ism: Contagious enthusiasm
Also worth appreciating: How solid of a debut song it is! SEVENTEEN skipped the “finding our footing” phase. The image in people’s minds of the group upon debut was exactly what they’d hoped for: a spirited group of go-getters for which it would always feel like the best was still yet to come!
Song: “Pretty U”
The classic SEVENTEEN-ism: The topic of struggling to find the right words to describe intense emotions, ultimately settling for plain compliments like “You are pretty”!
Also worth appreciating: The song’s bright tone that perfectly represents the sensation of being consumed with a crush!
Song: “CALL CALL CALL!”
The classic SEVENTEEN-ism: The message about not hesitating to ask for help or a sympathetic ear the second one starts to feel the need for it
Also worth appreciating: The verve conveyed in their voices! They won’t take “No” for an answer and refuse to let someone suffer in silence when they are just a call away!
Song: “Getting Closer”
The classic SEVENTEEN-ism: The juxtaposition between sound and substance. Sharp sounds define the song, but so do sensitive questions like “Where are my friends?”
Also worth appreciating: The iconic live performance of this song at the 2018 MAMAs!
Song: “Fallin’ Flower”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: The thoughtful ways the theme comes to life (the fast beat is followed by a mood drop when they sing about petals falling down); the title’s dual meanings (“Fall In” and “Fallin’”); expressing gratitude for loyal companionship
Also worth appreciating: The metaphor about even the flowers whose petals are falling deserving someone who wants to hold them!
Song: “Fearless”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: Circling back to a previous song (this one involves an altered version of the “Fear” lyrics); lyrics about “re-blooming”
Also worth appreciating: The way the song is primed for live performances!
Song: “HOME;RUN”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: The exuberance, encouraging message, and catch phrase (“SEVENTEEN right here!”)
Also worth appreciating: How the lyrics nod to the corresponding album’s refreshing theme of taking life at one’s own pace.
Song: “Do Re Mi”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: A “Take life at your own pace” reminder; acknowledging how frustrating it can be when the perfect way to articulate a feeling is elusive; advice about “writing your own tomorrow” (to paraphrase)
Also worth appreciating: The sing-along nature of the chorus, which emphasizes the song’s peer-to-peer nature, in place of a patronizing one. Also, “Do Re Mi” is a great example of how to use auto-tune in ways that are artful and not overkill!
Song: “Ready to love”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: Addressing hesitation towards a relationship; talking about the ability to communicate with a loved one without words (“The moment my eyes [see] you / Everything’s clear”)
Also worth appreciating: The lyric “You give me purpose,” a succinct way to state the “Power of Love” era’s main message. Other people are what make SEVENTEEN’s lives meaningful, because that’s how love enters their lives, and love is what gives their lives meaning.
Song: “Rock with you”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: Expressing gratitude for those one cares about; communicating without needing words (“Let me read and write my emotions through you”); the way the sentiment evolves (from “I wanna rock with you” to “I wanna stay with you”)
Also worth appreciating: The DIY component. “Rock with you” was released as an “audio kit” for fans to use to make their own remixes!
Song: “DON QUIXOTE”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: Messages in both the book Don Quixote and in SEVENTEEN’s music: feeling empowered to create one’s own reality, trying not to sweat the small stuff, life’s inability to ever offer truly clear-cut answers, feeling perpetually out-of-place, the contradictions within a person, and the thought that happiness is a journey made up as one goes.
Also worth appreciating: How, intentionally or not, Don Quixote comes to mind when seeing the knight costumes SEVENTEEN wear in HAPPY BURSTDAY teasers!
Song: “Super”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: Saying their catch phrase; a confident “in a league of our own” message; showing appreciation for each other (“I love my team, I love my crew”)
Also worth appreciating: The reference to Son Oh Gong from the fantasy series A Korean Odyssey, which adds more room for song interpretations!
Song: “I Don’t Understand But I Luv U”
The classic SEVENTEEN-ism: The title says it all! A message about how being there for someone is all that matters
Also worth appreciating: The flower, flame, and wave references that all bring to mind previous lyrical symbolism.
Song: “God of Music”
The classic SEVENTEEN-ism: The message that all are welcome to SEVENTEEN’s party! A song that is all about inclusion and celebrating everybody’s contributions to the soundtrack of life!
Also worth appreciating: How next-level this song is when hearing it and singing and clapping along to it live!
Song: “Headliner”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: The insistence on showing up for someone, physically and metaphorically, as much and as often as possible; celebrating people who are finally ready to let their individuality shine
Also worth appreciating: The lyric about being “in your first row” even “if it rains again;” a sweet statement in its own right and also a nod to previous rain-related lyrics.
Song: “Diamond Days”
The classic SEVENTEEN-isms: Being an overt sequel to an older song; reiterating the message “We’re still the same as we were at the start” (which is a verbatim lyric)
Also worth appreciating: Their use of “we” and “you” when talking about reaching new heights and letting one’s light shine. They want to share the glory - the “polish” that comes after the pressure needed to form diamonds!
Song: “MAESTRO”
The classic SEVENTEEN-ism: Mixing familiarity with newness. “MAESTRO” incorporates pieces of seven older SEVENTEEN songs into a new arrangement!
Also worth appreciating: The reiteration of their humble and caring “I’ll always be with you” message.
Stay tuned for more SEVENTEEN-themed articles in this series!