Throwback Thursday: It’s Giving Title Track Part 3
Photo: SM Entertainment
Back in December of last year, we talked about B-sides that would be phenomenal title tracks. We are back to talk about some more B-sides out there that, if given the chance, would have been an unforgettable title track.
WayV - “Poppin’ Love”
On November 1, 2023, NCT subunit WayV released their second full-length album On My Youth. A beautiful album with 10 fantastic songs, each track has the potential to be a title track. Each song has a strong presence, and with their instrumental work, they can easily become immediately recognizable tracks. One song that stood out among listeners is the second track on the album, “Poppin’ Love.” This track is an upbeat song, with a strong bass instrumental that mixes both R&B and pop to create a fun track. WayV is known for merging the two genres, and you can hear the R&B soulfulness and lighthearted pop sound in their strong voices. “Poppin’ Love” lyrics are in both Mandarin and English, showcasing the group's language fusion. Throughout the song, the members deliver moments in the lyrics that become their signature for the track. For example, the “Ain’t it poppin’ love, poppin’ love, poppin’ love, yeah” is heard repeatedly throughout the track, and it gets stuck in any listener's mind after the first listen. It is such a fun song, and with how exciting the song is, it could have been an equally fun title track.
SEVENTEEN - “Snap Shoot”
On September 16, 2019, SEVENTEEN released theit jam-packed album An Ode. Packed to the brim with standout songs, An Ode remains one of the group's most celebrated releases. There are so many songs on the album that would make a fantastic title track, but there is one in particular that draws an immediate smile from listeners. The second-to-last song, “Snap Shoot,” is an upbeat pop track that excites Carats around the world. “Snap Shoot” is a lighthearted track that is bright from beginning to end. Throughout the song, the members sing at a higher pitch, creating a bubbly, lively aura. When this song is performed in front of fans, the venue erupts in excited cheers. This is a track that has so many memorable moments, for example, Dino’s second verse rap or Seungkwan’s iconic bridge, so when it is heard live, fans can’t help but sing along and smile. It is an undeniably energetic song, and if it had been a title track, it could have been another fun moment in SEVENTEEN's fantastic discography.
EXO-CBX - “Vroom Vroom”
On April 10, 2018, EXO sub-unit EXO-CBX released their second mini-album Blooming Days. A unit filled with strong vocalists, Xiumin, Baekhyun, and Chen, Blooming Days is packed with unforgettable tracks. Their title track for the mini-album, “Blooming Days,” stands as a landmark release, filled with strong vocals, captivating instrumentals, and striking choreography, but there was one song that caught the eye of many. Their B-side, “Vroom Vroom,” is the fifth song on the mini-album and commands attention from the first note. Consistent with the retro concept that runs through the rest of the album, “Vroom Vroom” is an R&B track with a funk instrumental. The heavy synth sound is heard in every instrument and is followed by an electrifying beat that will make any listener want to dance. It would have been really interesting to see this song be a title track. “Vroom Vroom” was something new for the time, and it’s a track that resonated with so many.