Feature

EXO: A Career In Song Ratings

There are a number of acts who have debuted in the past few decades and have dozens of song ratings on this blog. I thought it would be fun to lay these ratings out in chronological order, line-graph style, and take a macro view of their careers so far. Then, similar to my “Underrated K-pop” features, I can average their ratings into one mega-score and place them in a pantheon alongside other acts.

As always, this feature has some rules of its own. I’m including any “Song Review” ratings as part of this graph, including Japanese releases and collaborations with one other artist. I’m not including Buried Treasures or solo/sub-unit releases. For the ratings themselves, I’m using the most current number on this blog, so if a song was part of a “Risers and Fallers” or “Legendary Songs Inauguration” post, that’s the rating you’ll see displayed here. That means there will still be a few ratings here and there I find slightly inaccurate, but it’ll mostly reflect my up-to-date feelings.

Finally, these scores are completely subjective. Feel free to agree, disagree and argue (that’s part of the fun!), but know that this chart reflects the opinion of only one person (me).

Check out EXO’s placement on the ULTIMATE ARTIST RANKING page!


EXO: A Career In Song Ratings


The Breakdown


Highest Rated Songs

What Is Love, History, Mama, Growl, Call Me Baby, Love Me Right

Lowest Rated Songs

Lotto, Let Me In

Imperial Phases

What Is Love -> Love Me Right (2012-2015)

Slump Phases

None


Rating Average: 8.70


Overall Trendline:

22 thoughts on “EXO: A Career In Song Ratings

  1. wow… for my all time favs they def had a bit of a fall off but I must say, they never really stopped down under 7.5 which I would consider as the bare average for a group release. I really hope their future comebacks can include more of our favourite members (CBX) and really start to shine again!

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              • I’m going to keep screaming “EXO is nine” until SM gets their shit together and put Chen, Baekhyun & Xiumin back in EXO!

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                  • SHUT THE FUCKING FUCK UP! YOU’RE NOT IN CHARGE OF EXO! YOU DON’T HAVE A SAY IN WHO STAYS IN EXO AND WHO DOESN’T!

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                    • okay i don’t know much about exo nor do i have much of a personal attachment to them, but please chill. You should probably ignore this person, too, judging by their username it’s most likely a troll.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    • I’m sorry, I broke my promise about not giving in to those comments. This time, I will try harder to ignore them, and like Ju said, I will support CBX in whatever they do next and support EXO as they are.

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                • I am really sorry for your loss, but I don’t think they’ll ever come back, and the sooner you accept this, the better it will be for you. CBX did mess up their relationship with SM, and that’s on them. In the last couple of years, a lot of members have left their SM groups and still worked with the company to remain part of those groups, CBX didn’t do that.

                  It was their own mistake, and while it’s sad for the fans, actions have consequences. It’s better to support CBX in whatever they choose to do next and support EXO in whatever they will be doing as well. Being rude and shouting at people here won’t change anything.

                  Liked by 1 person

            • didn’t you do this last time someone said EXO had less than 9 members? please stop and spare us all the secondhand embarrassment in the future. the comment count had me all anticipating people happily discussing their fave EXO singles and it’s just you freaking out, smh

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              • Yes, but I’ve learned my lesson. I will continue to support EXO as they are and support CBX in whatever they do next. I would appreciate it if you do not reply to these comments anymore as I’ve accepted the current situation and I won’t be complaining about the number of members anymore. That goes out to everyone, please stop paying attention to my comments under this post, as I’ve learned my lesson about the current situation and will no longer complain about the current state of EXO. As Nick stated earlier, these “A Career In Song Ratings” posts are meant to be a celebration, and I didn’t mean to sour the vibe. Go ahead, start a new comment about your favorite EXO songs or b-sides and pay no attention to my comments. Have a great rest of your day.

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        • I get your anger in a way. As the resident ELF here, I know there are still some K-ELF who are virulently angry that Sungmin got married.

          On the other hand, these things happen, groups break up all the time. People are still mad at Yoko Ono.

          To quote that song, Let it Go. Arguing with strangers on the internet will not soothe your wound. Just some advice from mom.

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Wish they promoted ”Gravity” instead of ”Tempo” during 2018. It might be my favourite song by them. In terms of singles, ”Mama” is the strongest.

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  3. I kind of appreciate just how love-it-hate-it Wolf is. I was geared up to become a super stan after the Mama mini, and that song felt like SM had personally come to my house to punch me in the face lol

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  4. Wow, they did have some absolute gems in their career!! These posts for most of the time has worked as a reminder for me, of many of the amazing songs that I had forgot.

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