The Song of Choice
There were many songs I could have chosen for this analysis, but I decided to continue with the theme of Korean music. As I stated in my last blog, K-POP is underappreciated; the language is beautiful and can contain multiple meanings and the full package of rapping, singing, dancing, performance, etc. is mind boggling. While the song I chose to analyze is not considered K-Pop by fans, it is created by a K-POP artist with the inclusion of a collaboration from a well known talent within Korea.
The song I will be analyzing is “Everythingoes” by RM in collaboration with Nell. RM is the leader, part producer/composer (of a multitude of songs), and lead Rapper of the K-POP group, BTS. Nell is a South Korean indie rock band (consisting of vocals, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums) that is well known for their psychedelic, but somber music. This collaboration was well planned because the 2018 playlist that contains this song, titled ‘Mono’ progresses through many emotions that embody ones inner demons, self-reflection and acceptance. RM himself is known to really value music with essence, which is shown within this playlist that depicts his personal growth. This song was definitely needed in my life when it was released. The affirmation of pain being a part of life and understanding that sometimes you just need to let it go was a needed reminder for me to move on and heal.
While I am not analyzing all the music included in the ‘Mono’ Playlist, I will include a link at the bottom of this post to encourage listeners. RM provides his personal mixtapes/music for free on Soundcloud for his fans, so it is available without purchase. The playlist is quite emotional, thought-provoking and provides a perfect release when it is needed.
“With backing piano, guitars & synths, the track is an uplifting song about how everything in life, even the pain, has to pass. Nothing on earth lasts forever, including the hardships in life. The chanted lines throughout the song emphasize this message.”
LYRICS, MELODY, AND PITCH (My Thoughts)
As I go into the melody, I will be mentioning the lyrics as they are one of the most crucial parts of this song. I do believe this song is repetitive, but the point of this, in my personal opinion, is to try to drive a point. “Jina Ga”, translated as “It passes”, is a continued melody throughout the song. This is the phrase sung in the intro, chorus and outro. It is repeated multiple times in many different pitches as the song progresses. The pitch in the beginning is light, almost as if RM is whispering this to himself but not fully believing what he is saying. As the song continues, he sings this more forcefully, but then with a questioning, lighter tone. He’s questioning whether his current pain will go, even though he is telling himself it will. The pitch is played with throughout the song, showing the emotion and the thought behind what is being said. Behind this melody is a piano which grows into a synth. It is repetitive and it is a waterfall of sounds mixed together which goes with the meaning of this song. Water is fluid, and it washes everything away.
“Jina Ga” is repeated before Verse One, as almost a weary thought, and also as Verse one moves into the rap emphasizing analogies that connect inevitable occurrences of the world to human experiences.
I feel the lyrics of Verse One is definitely connected to a loss of innocence experienced as a person grows older (or the road of life/coming of age). Not because of anything tragic per se, but as a person grows older, and more experienced they lose that excitement, that spark, as they obtain more knowledge about the world around them. They are “dulled” and grow used to the happenings that occur around them in everyday life.
In Verse Two, its a little darker with the feeling and expression of ‘everything will end one day’. This is fact, life inevitably ends for everyone. And when life ends, all the pain incurred from that life, goes with it. RM expresses that due to this, you need to face the pain head on, and know that it will pass eventually. One thing about this Verse is the metaphor comparing wind to pain. “Just like all these winds/That like the winds it will pass”. While wind can be strong and forceful, it is also quick to die down to nothingness, which makes this metaphor quite beautiful.
With the outro, it comes full circle to the intro of “It rains / it rains / everything / passes” The intro and the outro are the same, I think this shows that while “everything goes”, it is also a continued cycle. Pain is never ending in an individuals life, it will repeat once again but it doesn’t always have to hurt.
“Everythingoes” By RM featuring Nell – English Lyrics
Because part of this song IS in Korean (the other half in English), I have included the full lyric translation in this post.
[Intro: RM]
It all passes
Someday
For sure
Certainly
[Chorus: Nell, RM]
(Everything, everything, everything goes
Everything everything else goes)
It passes
Repeat X7
[Verse 1: RM]
Just like the night leaves and the morning comes
The spring leaves and summer comes, but
Just like the flower wilts and the fruit grows ripe
Everything needs to go through pain
Embrace the world and suck in a breath
That prickling air that fills up your lungs says everything
Yeah, back when I wished to drink it in innumerable times
Underneath those old times when I, a fool, grew dull
[Verse 2: RM]
Everyday I pray (everyday I pray)
That I may become a slightly better adult
And everyday I stay (everyday I stay)
Since both people and pain will all die one day
If you want to become dull, you need to go out into the wind
You know forever isn’t possible in dreams
Instead of unclear words saying to have strength
Instead of the lies that it’s all just the way things are
Just like all these winds
That like the winds it will pass
I pray
[Chorus: Nell, RM]
(Everything, everything, everything goes
Everything everything else goes)
It passes 지나가
Repeat X7
[Outro: Nell]
It rains 비가와
It rains 비가와
Everything 모든건
Passes 지나가
Other Opinions/ Thoughts
I am not sure what would be considered a reputable source, but there are definitely all kinds of opinions and reviews that were written in regards to this song (and the playlist!)
9 Magazine did a review on ‘Everythingoes‘, stating “The song highlights on how all kinds of pain eventually passes through, drawing out all kinds of beauty found in nature and how everything and everyone has to go through different forms of suffering.”
Seoulbeats stated “RM chose to conversely produce complex beats and simplistic lyrics.”regarding this song. In review, does”present lyrics relatively uncomplicated compared to the rest of the playlist. This is also because the emphasis of the song falls on the repetition of “everything, everything, everything goes”, which is essentially the message of the song. “. ‘Everythingoes‘ is “musically intricate with the layering of Nell’s vocals, his rap, along with the sophisticated instrumental featuring percussion, drums, the piano, and the synth.”
The End
Hopefully this was easy to understand for everyone reading. I’ve come to realize that writing with the flow of your own thoughts is not always pretty when presented on paper. Or in this case, on a Blog.
Defintiely check out the links provided if you would like further information on this song, the Mono playlist, RM and Nell.
Thanks for reading my banter!
Britt
If You Want a Playlist For a Rainy Day….
SOURCES
“RM – Mono.” SoundCloud, soundcloud.com/bangtan/sets/rm-mono-2018.
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