Hello and welcome to the fifth edition of “The Best of the Best”: a countdown of the best in Girls’ Generation music, CFs, and related media. While this time I went over the Top 5 Non-title tracks, you guys can tell me what you want to see next by voting in the poll at the end of the article. More votes are always better, so please tell me what you want! As for this edition, read through my explanation for each choice then leave your own opinions of the best non-title tracks in the comments section! I’ll leave a link to the respective song at the start of each explanation. Let’s start shall we?
5. Etude
Following the smash hit Genie on their second mini album, “Etude” certainly brings something both different and similar to the table. Reminding us of the cuter songs that the girls were known for in the past, it mixes a happy atmosphere with an upbeat tone and catchy rhythm. While I liked it a lot when the second mini album was first released, Etude has really blended in with some of the girls’ other songs as the years have passed, not really showing its staying power. Its nostalgic value certainly makes it stand out on a mini-album which had a little bit of everything, but doesn’t make it too special on this countdown compared to the other unique tracks.
4. Destiny
“Destiny” brings a distinct electronic sound and is a track that is different from the rest of the songs on the “Gee” mini-album. The song definitely goes a step further by showing the variety and potential that the girls are capable of. While the song is fast paced, the bridge in the middle showcases the amazing vocals the group is known for, creating a perfect mix. The track has its set of advantages in terms of its sound and use of vocals, but lacks a special beat or catchy rhythm that could propel it higher on the countdown.
3. Oscar
“The Boys” was an album chock full of tracks that were more positive and very upbeat, so the few tracks that didn’t follow that trend and tried to be different stood out more for me. “Oscar” is a perfect example of a track that tried to do something unique and inevitably succeeded. The song starts off with a beat that signals it is far more darker and aggressive than many of the other happy-go-lucky songs that fill the album. The song does well in showing how the girls are growing from bubblegum pop to more mature fare. An addictive chorus which spells out the namesake of the song, coupled with a climax full of a deep electronic sound, make “Oscar” an electrifying track which surely deserves the number three place on our countdown.
2. I’m In Love With The HERO
“I’m In Love With The HERO” begins with a pulsating beat that is unlike anything you’ve ever heard; a repetitive string of words with a booming sound that blows you off your feet. The catchy beat seems to shift its tone at a breakneck pace but uses that swift rhythm to its utmost advantage by sounding crisp with each transition in the track. While electronic sounds and autotune do dominate what seems like most of the song, it doesn’t deteriorate the quality of it. The track selectively utilizes the girls’ full vocal power during key sections of the song, which creates an amazing mix with the song’s addictive beat. This song would be number one if not for the fact that the top song on this countdown does everything better, with more to boot.
1. you-aholic
Starting off with the words “psycho, sexy, super magic,” you know that this song is going to be something special. This song, at least to me, seems to implement a lot of English phrases into key parts of the track, especially into the build up of the chorus as well as the chorus itself, which goes from “I’m a you-aholic,” to “you’re the gin inside my tonic”; this gives a more modern feel to me and widens its appeal to international audiences. It has the perfect aspects of a hit song (if only it was promoted in some fashion besides their concert): it contains a beat that is nothing short of extremely catchy, a mix of phrases that are unique and easily repeatable (up to this day, “you-aholic” and the “gin inside my tonic” can be heard among SONES), and effectively showcases vocals that many of the girls’ more popular songs lack, by showing them singing at a fast pace during some parts of the track while letting them power through with their voices during the slower portions. A perfect mixture of the electronic sound that gave Girls’ Generation’s Japanese album its signature sound is present here, along with just about everything else you can ask for.
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Written by: JeremyJay22@soshified
Contributors: residentbenchwarmer@soshified, michaelroni@soshified
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i agree very much with your selection for spots two, three, and four.
destiny was a very unique song, especially at the time when the girls
were in their super cute phase. it was out of the ordinary, daring, and
brought a fresh side to the girls i really enjoyed. other songs have
followed along the same path since, but as is expected as the girls
mature. this was a mature, sexy song at a time when the girls were not
portrayed as such. they went out on a limb, and i liked it! i love oscar.
i love dark soshi and this adds to the infatuation i have with my mature
soshi! i also love i’m in love with the hero. it has a very quick and
powerful baseline, a very good tune, and tremendous vocals to compliment.
i disagree with etude and you-aholic. a song that i know will never make
it on any list of snsd songs except maybe least played will be probably my
favorite song from a purely musical standpoint, no sentimentality attached.
that is wake up. i love that song! so dark, so powerful! this is the song where
i feel the girls are releasing the most emotions through their vocalization.
you can really hear the feeling in every word. a very emotional, moving song
that will never receive its due recognition.
I don’t get why Oscar is always “the chosen one” XD lol I prefer Trick… But still I get it, Trick lacks the originality that Oscar obviously has… So yeah XD
Anyway, I’m pretty satisfied with this ranking… if I had to choose it would be really difficult for me :P
Oh no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no!!!!! Must have Star Star Star and Mistake. Great ballads by SNSD. just my opinion :)
i usually love ballad songs
but i have no problem with you-aholic & i’m in love with the hero
want to see best performances next! :D
For me, “motion” is the track that represents the best what I’m expecting from SNSD: Happy, Pop-ish, great orchestration and arrangments but still energic, and this asian typical kind of jazzy chords progression.
Not liking a lot new style stuff like trick, oscar and even the boys :( I don’t want to hear lady gaga/britney spears-like songs when I buy a k-pop album.
But fortunately, they still make awesome stuff ;)
My fav:
1 I’m in love with the hero
2 Trick
3 Show!Show!Show!
4 HaHaHa song
5 Be Happy
I only agree with Oscar and Etude. Trick should replace Destiny for the electronic song.
Visual Dreams should be somewhere in the list unless collaborations don’t count D:
Diamond should realllly be on the list too since that song was awesome as well.
I really think that I’m in love with the hero is great. Otherwise, my picks would’ve been Star star star, Trick, Oscar, Vitamin and Time Machine.
I’m happy Destiny, Oscar and I’m in Love with the Hero were included, I love those songs.
But there are two I believe to be left out that deserve a high place on their own.
1) Wake Up
2) Trick
Every time I listen to those I literally cry out of joy. I often do the same with other tracks, but those two are especially close to my heart.
I completely agree with you-aholic being #1. It’s by far my favorite song of the album, and one of my favorites of them all.
i don’t agree with u i think there is other songsr that desreve (Top 5 Non-Title Tracks)like “my bestfriend,my mistake,say yes,telepathy”
Thanks for this post, but the songs here were not what I was thinking haha. Yeah and do a post on ballads! That would be really cool :D
hmmm… i honestly thought this version would talk mostly about ballads!
the softer side of SNSD…
and honestly, most of the songs here, i don’t really feel…
i was expecting, well ballads basically, Dear Mom, Complete, Forever, Born to be a Lady, Let it Rain, Day by Day…
maybe best ballads next time?
Bad Girls wins hands down for me as best non-title track. It was so good, they had to make a video. I can’t say I much like the video, but their live performance on 2011.07.18 on FujiTV’s Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ was daebak! “BAD GIRL Feat. DEV [The Cataracs remix]” on the Re:package Album is equally good.
Opinions on a list like this are going to vary dramatically. For myself, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have put any of the top three songs in this article into even my top 10 list of non-title songs, much less at the top. And I personally can’t imagine how such a list as this could have omitted either “Forever” or “Complete”. But, like I said … opinions are going to vary. :)
My 5 fav:
5. kissing you
4. talk to me
3. snowy wish
2. lets talk about love
1. say yes
:)
it looks like something to do/say/wish to your boy/girlfriend ^^
Viraflea: haha..in this case it would be to all the girls..
How Great Is Your Love, Perfect For You and Dear Mom should be here!
Man you didn’t insert Trick?? For me it’s good enough to be a a title track :D
Add another one expecting “How great is your love” to be on this list. That one truly is my own personal number 1 favorite. But with as many great songs as the girls have, inevitably some are going to be left out. All the songs presented are indeed amazing.
i thought “How Great is Our Love” or “Complete” are in the list
but i like “Etude” too….
absolutely agree with you!
I’m In Love With The Hero” is one of my favorite songs as well as “Beautiful Stranger” which isn’t on this list…both songs are so catchy! I could listen to each song all day if I could! :) <333
Cannot agree more with number 1! you-aholic is my favourite song from SNSD and their dance for it is really memorable. Their voices fit so well with it ~ The song is psycho sexy super magic indeed.
Can you guys do one with ballads? I prefer their ballads than the other songs.
i totally love ETUDE~! :D ♥ but i was expecting HOW GREAT IS YOUR LOVE to be on the list too…..but all of their songs are great! :) ^^
Yea i agree trick should be around there,but that doesn’t matter still love them all <3 … thanks,waiting for the next one
i really really love “i’m in love with the hero”!!!! i thought other sones just ignoring this song… guess i was wrong!!! really really expect the next top 5 performances :DDDD go go soshified!!!