Actual “B”-Sides
Sometimes it’s difficult to come up with ideas—whether you’re writing an essay, a story, or a weekly column for a magazine. Not knowing what to write is stressful, so I went into my Spotify library for inspiration, and that’s when my silliest idea ever hit me. Please enjoy these four B-sides that start with a “b” by artists that also start with a “b.”
“Big Boy” by BIGBANG
“Big Boy” is T.O.P’s solo off of BIGBANG’s debut album, BIGBANG Vol. 1 - Since 2007. Featuring Lee Eunjoo of former YG Entertainment girl group Swi.T, this introduction to T.O.P is raucous and fun. “Big Boy” is a self-proclaimed “club banger” that relies heavily on synth beats, so it’s best played at top volume with the windows down.
“BTS Cypher Pt.3: Killer” by BTS ft. Supreme Boi
BTS released their first full-length album in 2014. Titled DARK&WILD, this 14-track album features “BTS Cypher Pt.3: Killer,” the third in the series of cyphers released by the rap line. With lyrics by RM, SUGA, j-hope, and Supreme Boi, this track is the BTS boys setting the record straight—they’re here to show that no matter what stage they’re rapping on, they’re still among the best in the business.
“Bingle Bingle” by Block B ft. DEAN
Performed by members B-Bomb and U-KWON, “Bingle Bingle” is off Block B’s 2016 mini-album Blooming Period. With lyrics and music by DEAN, this track also features him and ZICO interjecting at times. “Bingle Bingle” is all about letting loose and having fun, making it a perfect track for a party; the alternating tempos help the song lend itself to dancing with friends or with a hopeful romantic partner while the repeated “bingle bingle bingle” line is positively infectious.
“Black” by BoA
Off her 2019 mini-album Starry Night, “Black” was written and composed by BoA. Focusing on a failed relationship, BoA compares the ending to burning to ash, the two of them burning out their relationship until it became black. Despite the fact that the lyrics are quite bleak, there’s an upbeat charm to the track that you can’t help but dance to, with the song taking a brighter turn at the end when BoA proclaims that she’s not going back.