The first original Japanese single from BTS of 2019 has arrived, and it is an uplifting dance power ballad sure to brighten up anyone’s day.
“Lights,” released worldwide today (July 2) as midnight struck in Japan on July 3, is an inspiring track that soars with the members’ sweet vocals and evocative raps as they sing about the light they bring to listeners, and what they give to them in return.
“Within the noise, time stops/ We are connected by sound,” the members sing in the song’s pre-chorus before addressing how “you,” what may be a reference to their fandom ARMY, is their light. The motivational brightness is twofold, as they later address how they serve as the light to ARMY, with BTS and their fans brightening up one anothers’ lives. “Let’s walk forward without fear, you and I.”
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Throughout “Lights,” the members offer up advice about how they and their listeners can face the world in a positive way despite hardships. “I don’t wanna listen to just happy songs/ I’ll face my loneliness, color my life/ Losing and gaining, but I’m still searching for something today,” contemplates J-Hope. “Decide for yourself what it means to be happy,” suggests RM. “Every day, take a step to grow.” “But it’s okay sometimes to show weakness/ It’s okay to be you,” advises Jimin.
The accompanying music video for the song shows the group reflectively interacting with one another, predominantly a movie theater, potentially tying it in with their music video for “Boy With Luv,” which featured the act performing in front of a theater.
The new single fronts BTS’ 10th Japanese single album Lights/Boy With Luv, which was also released today and features not only “Lights,” but also Japanese versions of the group’s hits, “Boy With Luv,” which was released on this year’s Billboard 200 chart-topping EP Map of the Soul: Persona and featured Halsey in the original Korean version, as well as “IDOL,” which fronted last year’s No. 1 album Love Yourself: Answer.
Watch the visual below:
Following the song’s release, several hashtags trended worldwide on Twitter.
Check out some of the response from ARMY, including their theories on how it relates to BTS’ other songs and the act’s BU creative narrative, as well as an adorable response from Canadian singer Lights, below.
“we can walk without fear”
“don’t lie to yourself anymore”
“it’s okay to be you”
“it’s okay sometimes to show weakness”when i tell you i love them, this is why. #LightsMVOutNow
— ? (@fictaus) July 2, 2019
Lights (2019)#LightsMVOutNow pic.twitter.com/NP8pVQI0QO
— ———- ——–. (@nixxtlove_) July 2, 2019
“Love? What the heck is love. It’s all fake love” – Yoongi, Fake Love
“What is love? If there’s an answer, I wanna know right now” – Yoongi, Lights#LightsMVOutNow #Lights @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/IFDhGY1Fzo
— jungoo (@loveyanochu) July 2, 2019
i love that they’ve acknowledged that hoseok deserves all the kisses #LightsMVOutNow pic.twitter.com/H991s7n7NF
— karolina (@vaegutae) July 2, 2019
Here is my thread of Lights’ Theories related to BU :
Jin is looking at the 6 other members on the screen as if he was watching their memories that he recorded with his camera or an alternative world/movie in which he isn’t part of ..#LightsMVOutNow pic.twitter.com/49XSUn1YLN
— BTS Army — (@Yrmastb) July 2, 2019
A @BTS_twt BU theory on Persona, Lights, and Shadow: this year the FESTA announcement used Saturn as a prominent feature. In astrology, Saturn represents limitation, fear, and discipline, but also reps the wise old one and great teacher. + pic.twitter.com/jIy1Z6TXsq
— Sarah Liz —- (@smego155) June 20, 2019
these lyrics right here are so powerful….. we are the ones who can decide what makes us happy and that it’s okay to be ourselves and show vulnerability sometimes. at the end of the day, we’re all human. #LightsMVOutNow pic.twitter.com/3A9LSAVpGv
— claire//crying over jin’s ‘this night’!!!–?– (@Randomsplashes) July 2, 2019
Gettin lots of @BTS_twt fans accidentally tweeting me and I’m INTO IT —
— Lights (@lights) July 2, 2019