As a spin-off to my Battle of the B-sides feature, I’m pleased to announce the arrive of “Battle of the Title Tracks!” In this feature, I’ll be pitting three K-pop title tracks/singles against each other and choosing a winner. These songs will mostly be from pre-2016 since I’ll try to focus on music I haven’t yet written about on the blog.
As always, the competition is all in good fun. Most importantly, I hope you discover (or re-discover) some great songs!
Battle of the Title Tracks: Round Three
Henry – Trap (ft. Kyuhyun & Taemin) (2013)
They really gave Henry all the firepower he needed for his solo debut, huh? Both Super Junior’s Kyuhyun and SHINee’s Taemin join him for Trap, yet somehow he’s not overshadowed. The brilliance of this song rests in its insistent, ultra-catchy piano riff – an instant nod to Henry’s prowess as a classical musician.
It’s rare that a mid-tempo track like this hits me so hard, but I remember being smitten on the very first listen. The melodies are simple but unforgettable and the production delivers a satisfying stomp that keeps the energy surprisingly high.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
Lee Jung Hyun – Peace (2000)
This is such a goodie from way back when. Most readers know that I’m a Janet and Michael Jackson stan, so Peace’s jagged, percussive beats are right up my alley. I’m absolutely obsessed with the production on this. It’s so forceful and dynamic, especially when the guitar comes in and absolutely shreds. This pre-dates many of SM Entertainment’s “SMP” style tracks but informs much of what Yoo Young-Jin ended up doing with groups like TVXQ.
Peace’s hooks are no slouch either. Though the song isn’t super melodic, its aggressive structure allows for an equally combative performance. It’s all just so cool.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 9.5 |
SHINee – Everybody (2013)
What the heck is my randomizer doing to me today? Three 9+ rated songs in one battle? I feel sorry for Henry and Lee Jung Hyun because you just don’t beat SHINee in this era. Everybody is a beast of a song and I can’t believe I haven’t rated it until now. It’s probably the best example of K-pop’s early-2010’s dubstep trend, punctuating its soaring melodies with swipes of rugged electronics.
But what I love most about Everybody is how its intensity never lags. When I say I want idol groups to perform as if they’re putting their lives on the line, this is what I mean. No moment of the song lacks energy, which means the climaxes must go even bigger and bolder. There are multiple points when Everybody practically explodes. Its extended instrumental bridge is the stuff of K-pop legends, yanking us into a go-for-broke finale that pulls no punches. Just brilliant.
| Hooks | 10 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 10 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 10 |
My Verdict:
The winning track of this edition is SHINEE’s Everybody!
Readers, what do you think? Leave your own ranking in the comments!
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Honestly, I need more mid-tempos like Trap, that song sure knows how to make a mid-tempo song interesting. Definitely Henry’s best track besides Fantastic.
Early/mid-10s SHINee is unbeatable. Having songs like Lucifer, Sherlock, Everbody, View, Tell Me What to Do, Good Evening in 6 years (excluding the years the guys were promoting in Japan only) is just- *chef’s kiss* (might as well throw the bonkers Ring Ding Dong in even if it was released in 2009, but she’s too iconic to be excluded). Everybody is sure a dubstep treasure (plus Onew’s helicopter/fan arm move in the dance break is too good).
Now this motivated me to listen to Everybody again 🙃
LikeLike
In 2013, SHINee really said ‘Let me one of the best full length albums in kpop (The Misconceptions of Us)’ and then mere months later said ‘Let me drop of the the best EPs in kpop (Everbody)’. It’s crazy how many timeless and amazing songs they released in the span of a year (Dream Girl, Runaway, Hitchhiker, Dynamite, Punch Drunk Love, Beautiful, Aside, Why So Serious, Nightmare, Evil, Like a Fire, Everybody, Queen of New York, Symptoms, One More Minute, Destination). If I can ramble on a bit. I absolutely love how SHINee explored the soundscape of Sherlock in their Misconceptions of You album. Starting from the album opening track ‘Spoiler’, which it’s honestly one of their most clever and self referential songs. Starting off with a sample of Sherlock’s instrumental and then just having a blast spoiling their title of most of the songs in the album while stating it’s a spoiler (mind you while the song itself being a groovy and funky banger). I’m proud to say that I was finally able to own the album and it’s been a treat playing it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also how did I not know of that Lee Jung Hyun (I think she’s also known as Ava, right?) song’s existence??? I’ve been enjoying her music for a few years (Wa, Change, Ari Ari, Going Crazy) and it crazy I haven’t heard of it! Sincerely thank you Nick! (and that generator 😂)
LikeLike
And on Japanese releases, who can forget the amazing Password!! (still gives me chills whenever I listen to it, simply amazing)
LikeLike
i too own a copy of these albums. name a more crazier three consecutive album run than misconceptions of me, you, then everybody. quintessential stuff. f(x) comes pretty close too.
LikeLike
read the title and knew shinee was winning + everybody era gave us some interesting camerawork for music shows lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought you already reviewed Everybody along with the rest of SHINee’s discography with the K-Pop A-Z feature, turns out it was EXO instead of SHINee lmao
LikeLike
Oh so many goodies.
Henry, oh Henry. They just don’t make songs with this sound these days. The languid uhm-bump-uhm-bump is very Britney “Baby one more time” and “Oops I did it again”.
The Lee Jung Hyun – I did not hear this song until now, but yes, its very proto-TVXQ. Speaking of 1st gen, Nick, maybe in the doldrums of summer you can educate us all with lessons on 1st Gen.
SHINee. SHINee’s back back back. I may claim to be an ELF, but more often when I need a kpop pick me up, I put a festival of SHINee on my car stereo. ooh, yassss, I am admitting it. Super Junior is for long road trips. SHINee is for a half hour of power.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad to see the love for Everybody on this site! Maybe I was hanging out in the wrong circles back in the day, but I remember people were critical of the chorus for the dubstep and repetition. I’ve always thought it was a masterpiece! And that choreo!
LikeLike
I remember it polarizing opinion upon release, too. I think it’s because back then we were kind of at the end of the dubstep trend so it may have felt a bit derivative and unnecessary. It’s only improved with age, though!
LikeLike
“Everybody” is in my Top 10 SHINee songs.
LikeLike
Everybody is a blast!
LikeLike