Girls’ Generation’s Cover of “Girls’ Generation”

aespa and “Dreams Come True,” NCT Dream and “Candy”... K-Pop cover comebacks are all the rage nowadays. Let’s recall an older cover that goes unsung—in fact, few westerners realize it’s a cover at all! Girls’ Generation’s powerful cover song of the same name was the lead single off their debut album. It showcased powerhouse vocals and yet still more powerful lyrics about a young woman taking a stand for herself. 

Don’t tease me and call me young,

Too shy to even speak

Don’t tease me and call me young

They’re just passing words

After taking a look at the full lyrics, it becomes clear that the song features a young but strong girl at the center. However, the track was originally written and sung by a man: Lee Seungchul. In 1989, he debuted the song on his self-titled album Lee Seung Chul: Part 2. Though he may seem like an unlikely songster and original performer of “Girls’ Generation,” Lee Seungchul proved his devotion and passion for the song in live performances. In fact, he later went on to reprise the song along with Girls’ Generation on M!COUNTDOWN. 

Last but not least, the most interesting fact about Girls’ Generation’s cover of “Girls’ Generation” is the least well-known. However, it may be the most obvious—the song inspired their group name! So, even though “Girls’ Generation” was a cover, one could say that it was practically made for the queens of K-Pop.

*Lyrics translated by Molly Kate Toombs

Edited by Erin Rupprecht