Day 21: Magic Shop - BTS

Song: Magic Shop
Artist: BTS
Jan 21

I was having a pretty solid day emotionally today, that is until my best friend felt compelled to, out of the blue, send me a smattering of messages that simply moved me to tears. Ugly, fat, sobbing tears. I don't know how I lucked into finding quite literally a soup snake in her but I do know I am forever grateful I did. I mean realistically she didn't really have a choice as I totally abducted her from the other kids. 

"Magic Shop" is attributed to being primarily written and produced by Jungkook, the main vocal and maknae (youngest member) of BTS.  It was written as a fan song from BTS to their fanbase ARMY.

Our intro to "Magic Shop" is sweeping and whimsical. The background synth constantly makes me think of a lone fairy making her way back home through a moonlit meadow. Preceding the synth we have a repetitive guitar that is earthy and grounded in this kind of otherworldly scene that is unfolding around us. Tae (V) opens our vocals soft and gentle. His voice is so full of warmth reminiscent of a crisp summer night. Kook's following vocal is breezy and calming in its sweetness, the perfect compliment to Tae's. RM maintains the gentle warm atmosphere that has been established in his verse. I find his verse especially to be reassuring and encouraging. Though the drum beat has been there since the beginning it takes shape within RM's verse as well and within our synths it now sounds as if there is a conversation happening, or rather a call and response, between what I earlier dubbed the fairies. We build into the chorus with Jin and Jimin as the beat drops around us like fireworks. Jhope's verse strikes me as if someone wraps you up in a comforting embrace, stroking your hair while quietly soothing with sweet nothings. Suga's verse sounding like a response to the comforter, Jhope, opening up until the two sing together their identical desires. I am obsessed with the moment of softness we have during the bridge. Again, I am struck with the warmth of Tae's voice melting all anxiety and worry away while Jungkook is heard as a faint echo in the back. The entrance of Jimin's high keening, voice over a rallying guitar and drum, is fairy like in it's own respect and it feels like a call home.


As with all BTS songs our lyrics are thoughtful, deep, and meaningful. Unlike a lot of modern artists their lyrics are speaking to something greater than just a simple theme.

"I know you're hesitating
Because even if you tell the truth, it'll come back as scars
I won't say cliched things like "have strength"
I'll just listen to you, listen"

I'm going to be totally honest with you and tell you that the lyrics to this song make me think of my best friend, with her as the speaker. That's not to say that there aren't moments where I would be the speaker to her as well. I just relate this back to her trying so hard to return the passion and fire I lost when I was at my lowest. Just being there through all of it.

"What did I tell you?
I told you you'd overcome
You didn't believe (really)"

"I wanna hear your melody
The stars in your Milky Way
How will they appear in your sky?
At the end of my despair
I found you, don't forget
You're my last reason
Standing at the edge of a cliff
Live"

RM's verses seriously fill me with emotion. My one true sadness is that some of the brilliant poetry of Namjoon gets lost in translation, however, his lyrics are still so powerful and beautiful despite translation follies.  I mean the first three lines of that second snippet. The genuine air and caring nature in those three lines would make anyone feel so beloved and relevant.


"I wanted to be someone's comfort
I wanted to touch someone's heart
I want to take away your sadness, your pain"

I relate more than I should probably admit to these desires. After my cousin committed suicide I became hyper aware of the people around me, be it strangers or close friends. I started to live with the mindset that I never wanted anyone to feel the sadness or loneliness my cousin did, and I most certainly didn't want anyone to go through the pain I went through losing someone that way. So I always tried to be there for anyone and everyone, I wanted to take the hurt and pain out of them and replace it with love and care. It was probably a foolish desire on my part but it is still something I abide by to this day.

Lyric that attacked me:
"Days when you hate that you're you
Days when you wanna disappear
Let's make a door in your heart
If you open that door and go inside
This place will be waiting for you
It's ok to believe, it'll comfort you, this
Magic Shop"

Song Color: Lavender, deep midnight blue, and Soft green

Mood: Loved

Comments

Popular Posts