NCT 127 B-Sides
In the four years since their debut, the many sub-units of NCT have accomplished a lot of things and released a lot of great music. This week we’ll be focusing on the second sub-unit, NCT 127, and a handful of some of their best B-sides.
“Mad City”
“Mad City” is an urban hip-hop track off the first NCT 127 mini-album NCT #127 and is the perfect song to listen to when you’re angry. Mark and Taeyong take turns rapping about being the best in the game with Mark saying in his first verse, “Guess that’s why rumors around the world are saying that Mark is absolutely fully capable.” Later on Taeyong says, “Everybody is getting mad and I know the reason why. Mad City I don’t know how you’ll view me. Nobody knows what is going to happen. I’m quite chemical,” because he knows his words will get a reaction. A majority of Mark’s lines are in English while Taeyong’s are in Korean, showing that the two are global forces to be reckoned with.
“Running 2 U”
Off of 2017’s mini-album Cherry Bomb, “Running 2 U” is a noise pop track all about chasing after the girl they love. In the first pre-chorus, Taeil sings, “Shall I tap on your shoulders? The moment I hesitated, you’ve turned around,” before all members sing together, “And you’re already getting farther away, I follow you, running to you,” showing that sometimes you need to act first before you miss out on something good. Luckily for the boys of NCT 127, as the song progresses, things start to turn in their favor.
“Summer 127”
Another B-side off of Cherry Bomb, “Summer 127” is an upbeat pop track perfect for any last minute summer vacation plans you might have. Jaehyun opens the track with, “Let yourself ride baby, to the sea, to the sea, let it go,” and away we go to the sea with NCT. The lyrics focus on letting loose and dancing with the boys on the beach. If Yuta’s soft, “Let’s go on our secret adventure to the sea,” isn’t able to convince you to drop everything and join them for a spur-of-the-moment trip, then we here at The Kraze aren’t sure what will.
“Come Back”
Originally released in Japanese on their debut Japanese EP Chain, “Come Back” was re-recorded in Korean for Regular-Irregular and promoted with “Regular” in 2018. The song would once again be re-released, this time by sub-unit WayV on their 2019 single album The Vision. The lyrics talk about being separated from the one you love, though it is up to interpretation on whether this is a physical or emotional separation. The chorus is super catchy, with all the members singing, “Come back to me. Please, my days without you are like a nightmare. Come to me.”
“Sit Down!”
Released on 2020’s NCT #127 Neo Zone and the repackage NCT #127 Neo Zone: The Final Round, “Sit Down!” is an in-your-face hip-hop track with an R&B influence. The lyrics are all about following your dreams and not letting anybody stop you from achieving them and the boys of NCT 127 don’t pull any punches in their delivery. The chorus is aimed at their critics, telling them to “sit down” and stop telling them who they should be and how they should live. After the first chorus, Johnny says, “Don’t get up, don’t stand up, please don’t put your hand up, and don’t make me tell you again,” reiterating the fact that they don’t need others’ opinions and neither do we.