We’ve listened to the new album countless times, and now we’ve ranked all of the BTS Map of the Soul: 7 songs from our favorite to our least favorite!
BTS Map of the Soul: 7 was released on February 21, 2020. With the album brought a load of new songs, and some we’ve heard from Map of the Soul: Persona.
The album celebrates the members’ journey together from their debut to now, as well as all the obstacles they’ve overcome and continue to face.
Now that we’ve had plenty of time to play the songs over and over again, here’s how the Map of the Soul: 7 songs ranked for us — from our favorite to our least favorite!
Related: BTS song, album list: A complete guide to every single tune
Please note: These ranks are just our personal preferences! All the songs stand out in their own way, but we just like some better than others! 💜
BTS ‘Map of the Soul: 7’ songs ranked:
Beth:
“UGH!
“Interlude: Shadow
“Black Swan
“ON
“Dionysus
“Boy With Luv” (Feat. Halsey)
“Intro: Persona
“Louder than Bombs
“Filter
“Outro: Ego
“We are Bulletproof: the Eternal
“Moon
“Inner Child
“Friends”
“Respect”
“My Time”
“00:00 (Zero O’Clock)”
“Jamais Vu”
“Make it Right”
“ON” (Feat. Sia)
Sonya
“Respect”
“Interlude: Shadow”
“Outro: Ego”
“UGH!”
“Black Swan”
“Intro: Persona”
“00:00 (Zero O’Clock)”
“Louder Than Bombs”
“Make It Right”
“Boy With Luv” (Feat. Halsey)
“Jamais Vu”
“Moon”
“Filter”
“Friends”
“ON”
“Inner Child”
“Dionysus”
“My Time”
“We are Bulletproof: the Eternal”
“ON” (Feat. Sia)
BTS ‘Map Of The Soul: 7’ songs review:
‘Intro: Persona’
Sonya: I still remember the morning “Intro: Persona” dropped almost a year ago, and how obsessed I was with it then. That obsession never went away. The song perfectly shows off the brilliance of Kim Namjoon’s lyrical genius, wordplay, and rap flow. It’s easy to get hyped up listening to Namjoon’s non-stop verses, while the lyrics are something that everyone can relate to.
“Who am I? The question I had my whole life,” kicks off the song in a perfect way — a question that we’ve surely all wondered at various points in our lives. He doesn’t have an answer, though, and that’s what also makes it comforting.
“Intro: Persona” lets listeners know that we’re all out there trying to find ourselves while amping us up to deal with the mistakes we might make along the way. It was my favorite song off Map of the Soul: Persona, and it remains a top contender on Map of the Soul: 7.
‘Boy With Luv’ (Feat. Halsey)
Beth: I can’t think about “Boy with Luv” without imagining the colorful music video, the adorable choreography, and the stark difference between it and “Boy in Luv.” Where “Boy in Luv” was about an immature, hyper-masculine fascination written at a time where BTS focused on a tougher image, “Boy with Luv” is about a truer love that can only come with growing into oneself and appreciating more than just what’s on the surface level.
It’s light, it’s fun, and it’s catchy in the best way. Halsey’s vocals fit perfectly into the song, giving it that addicting hook of “oh my, my, my” that easily gets stuck in my head. Her inclusion in a song that describes BTS’ love and appreciation for ARMY doesn’t feel intrusive, but like a hug and a kiss on the cheek from a close friend who wants you to be the happiest you can be.
“Boy with Luv” also has some of my favorite verses on Map of the Soul: 7. Suga’s verse in particular stands out to me (with his ey-ey’s), because there’s something about the way he delivers it that if I miss it and am not paying enough attention, I have to go back to it.
‘Make It Right’
Sonya: “Make It Right,” hits differently when you think about BTS singing it to ARMYs. Throughout the group’s journey, they only had their fans. As much as both the group and fans have had to deal with, it’s always been worth it to be together.
At its core, that’s what the song is about. The lyrics show this: “But all of this is about reaching you / It’s the answer to my journey / I’m singing to find you.”
Not only does “Make It Right” touch our hearts on an emotional level. It’s also beautiful to listen to, with the singers showing off their lower registers as well as their higher ones. The track is soft but features a beat that makes the song easy to play on repeat.
‘Jamais Vu’
Sonya: With a subunit consisting of Hoseok, Jin, and Jungkook, “Jamais Vu” stands out right away, especially since we not only get Jung Hoseok as a rapper but also as a vocalist, which is an extra treat.
The song is based on the idea of being able to reboot your life in a game, but it’s also emotional in the way it can be interpreted for real-world situations as well. In a game, you can start over again, but in real life, you don’t always get a second chance.
Although I tend to listen to faster tracks the most, I do love to listen to songs that I can connect with emotionally. With the way that Hoseok, Jin, and Jungkook sing “Jamais Vu,” it’s hard not to get emotional. It will make you sad, but it’s still beautiful to listen to.
‘Dionysus’
Beth: There are certain songs where you’ll always remember the first time you listened to them. For me, “Dionysus” is one of those songs. When I started listening to BTS, Sonya had given me a list of songs she thought I’d like because I lean toward faster songs in general. “Dionysus” was one of them, and when it came on, my jaw dropped. It remains on my shortlist of favorite BTS songs, and I’m sure you all know how hard it can be to narrow those down in any capacity.
For me, “Dionysus” is The Track. From when it’s performed live and BTS put their all into it every single performance, to dancing around to it alone in my room, it’s a solid headbanger. Not to mention it’s named after the god of wine, has a lavish feel of drinking and debauchery about it, but underneath all of that, it’s about their unquenchable thirst for more.
‘Interlude: Shadow’
Sonya: “Interlude: Shadow” was the first new song we got hear off Map of the Soul: 7 before the album was released. Although the album version of the song is different than the comeback trailer, it’s even better. The track beautifully blends the sounds of classical instruments with a hip-hop beat — making it both soothing and energizing at the same time.
Min Yoongi’s lyrics are always intriguing, too. He has an ability to take on tough subjects and leave the listener with some inner peace so that others understand what they’re going through. “Interlude: Shadow” focuses on the struggles of wanting to achieve all your dreams but having to deal with the shadows that come along with that. As many of his other songs have shown, there are always ups and downs in life.
In my opinion, the song is easily one of the best on Map of the Soul: 7. After weeks of only being able to listen to it on YouTube, I couldn’t wait for it to finally be released on the album. It’s even become my new favorite solo song by Yoongi, and that’s saying something given my love for “Seesaw.”
‘Black Swan’
Sonya: My only complaint about “Black Swan” was that it wasn’t the lead single! It sounds unlike anything we’ve heard before, and it stands out for that — not only because of the track, but also because of the topic the lyrics take on. As someone with a creative passion and creative career, it hits close to home.
Inspired by a quote by Martha Graham, “A dancer dies twice – once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful,” the song tackles the pain of losing one’s passion. Whether that is because you’re forced to or because the passion fades away for some reason, it can be like losing oneself completely.
BTS delivered not only a beautiful song but also a brilliant concept with “Black Swan.” The melody will get stuck in your head, and the topic will live in your heart. It ranks high for me because of this, and it’s one that I know I can listen to for years to come and never grow tired of.
‘Filter’
Sonya: The guitar at the beginning of “Filter” somewhat reminds me of “Promise.” Except that it has an entirely different vibe. “Filter” allows Jimin’s undeniable charm to shine through as he seduces listeners with his vocals. I’m a little afraid of what will happen when he performs it live. Will any of us survive?
Its upbeat track makes it great to listen to, and paired with Jimin’s beautiful voice, it’s impossible to get tired of. “Filter” is also much different from his previous two songs. It feels way more playful and somehow perfectly encompasses his personality.
‘My Time’
Sonya: What’s interesting about “My Time” is how Jungkook used the song to reflect on his life in the entertainment business. As the youngest member of BTS, Jungkook left home at a much earlier age than some of the others. He was still in his early teens and has quite literally grown up before the fans’ eyes.
Of course, Jungkook is living out his dream of being on stage, but that’s not without consequences. He had to grow up much faster than his peers, and like the other members, he’s under the spotlight for any little mistake he might make.
Jungkook sings, “But is it too fast? There’re traces of losses / Don’t know what to do with, am I livin’ this right? / Why am I alone in a different time and space?” The song is deeply personal and gives insight into where Jungkook’s mind is at. Just for that, it’s an incredible song.
‘Louder Than Bombs’
Beth: When we found out that Troye Sivan helped write a BTS song, I was ecstatic. I’m a huge fan of Troye’s style, the heavy bass and slow yet somehow also fast tempo that flows throughout his songs. I hoped that “Louder Than Bombs” would have some of that essence to it, and it does. You can feel Troye in it, as well as BTS, and merging the two is hauntingly beautiful.
“Louder Than Bombs” has a weight to it that can be felt from the bass to the way that every lyric is sung, the emotion heady and enticing. BTS wants us to know that they see and feel our pain, even though all we want to show them is happiness, they know each of us has darkness closing in around us, much like the shadow that follows them.
It cannot be understated how important the recurring theme in Map of the Soul: 7 is: that BTS is with ARMY, will stay with us, and will fight for us as long as we also fight for ourselves. They want us to know that we aren’t alone, and “Louder Than Bombs” solidifies that.
‘ON’
Beth: “On” as the title track is not only powerful, but showcases the strength of all seven of them. It’s about how difficult the past seven years has been, about them getting knocked down and continuing to get up again. It’s an anthem and a declaration that they won’t stand down, and that they will keep fighting not only for themselves, but for their fans.
The lyric “to the small things; breathe” refers to the original Korean title of “Boy with Luv,” which is translated to “a poem for small things.” In other words: ARMY. Following these lyrics, it talks about how we are their oxygen and light, which reminds me of RM’s speech at Citi Field where he said to use him, to use BTS to love ourselves because in a way he’s used ARMY to do the same.
What I love about “On” is that BTS tell us that not everything is okay, but that they are taking the steps to keep moving forward, fighting the shadows that follow them. The shadows can be their own, or the pressures around them: It doesn’t matter. What matters is that BTS aren’t going anywhere.
‘UGH!’
Beth: From the first gunshot, I knew “UGH!” would be one of my favorite tracks on the album. I’m a “Cyphers” enthusiast and tend to lean toward the more rapline-heavy songs like “Tear” and “Ddaeng,” so it comes to no one’s surprise who knows my taste in BTS songs that “UGH!” is right up my alley.
Not only does “UGH!” have an amazing beat, is bass heavy and is addicting, but the lyrics are as deep as we come to expect from the rap line. They went all out in this song, and I can’t stop listening to it. Their anger at empty, anonymous hatred online has an outlet in this song, and you know that they are going to destroy this song live.
The vocals in “UGH!” are some of my favorites of the entire album. From J-Hope’s incredible verse that I can’t get enough of, to RM and Suga’s guttural growls and quick tonal shifts, it’s jaw dropping. Not to mention that screaming “ahem” along with them is probably one of the best things to do at the top of your lungs.
’00:00 (Zero O’Clock)’
Beth: Some of the songs on Map of the Soul: 7 hit a little too close, and for me one of those is “00:00.” Devastatingly relatable, every lyric resonates so deeply that I’m not always up for listening to it when it comes up on my playlist. It’s melancholic, describing depression (or the symptoms of it that I see within myself) and the difficulty of day-to-day life and hoping that the next day will be better.
Map of the Soul: 7 continues to advocate for mental health and the uphill battle that managing it can be. How often have I gone to bed saying, “Tomorrow will be better”? The answer is a lot, and BTS want us to know that we aren’t alone in feeling this way. BTS write about how zero o’clock is a reset, that every day is a new chance for us to be happy, but it’s up to us to do it.
‘Inner Child’
Beth: The first time I heard “Inner Child,” I cried even though I had no idea what V was saying. His voice told his story. The emotion behind it was so palpable that I couldn’t stop tears from falling. That, of course, didn’t change once I read the lyrics. If anything, I think I’ve only stopped myself from crying at “Inner Child” a total of two times. Even now, I have tears in my eyes, but that’s what tissues are for.
V sharing “Inner Child” with us is heavy, revealing his inner pain over the past years by singing to his younger self that everything will be worth it because he’s happy. It is empowering, showing ARMY that he’s worked hard on managing his mental health and is in a good place now.
“Inner Child” is a tough song for me to listen to, even though I love it, because of my own personal battles. Many songs on Map of the Soul: 7 feel personal; our attachments to them may vary, but something grasps onto us as BTS share their own vulnerabilities in a sometimes terrifyingly honest way. “Inner Child” makes me think about my own inner child and the work I still need to do to get to the place V is at.
One thing is for sure: When V sings “Inner Child” live, I doubt there will be a single ARMY that has dry eyes.
‘Friends’
Beth: It’s no secret that V and Jimin are close, but “Friends” solidifies that in the most pure way. An ode to their friendship, “Friends” is adorably catchy, with a sense of playfulness that encompasses both V and Jimin perfectly.
It’s a V and Jimin world, and we are merely spectators as they sing about how much they mean to each other, describing personal milestones and inside jokes. You can feel the happiness radiating off of them as they sing about each other, can tell that they smiled as they recorded it.
From them both emotionally belting that they are each other’s soulmate to them saying that after all the cheers are gone they want to stay by each other’s side, “Friends” has a sense of genuine honesty that is refreshing to see in a time where a lot of music feels like its full of empty platitudes.
‘Moon’
Sonya: I have to say that “Moon” is my favorite solo song for Jin. It’s refreshing to see him getting a song with a more uplifting beat. The singer has a fantastic voice, which was often showcased through ballads, and this time, we get to enjoy his sound with a beat that bops.
Of course, the lyrics are also absolutely touching. In “Moon,” Jin compares himself to the astronomical body and portrays fans as the Earth. The Moon wants to stay together with Earth and admires it from afar. I’m not sure that there’s any cuter song from an artist to fans. Jin beautifully sings, “You are my Earth / I’m just a moon to you / Your little star that lights up your heart / You are my Earth / And all I see is you.”
‘Respect’
Sonya: Easily one of my favorite songs on the album, “Respect,” gives us everything we could want from a Namjoon/Yoongi subunit song. The song sounds like something we might have heard in the ’90s, which gives it an element of nostalgia in a brand new song. The way the two rappers involve dialogue in their lyrics brings a fun touch to a serious topic.
The two rappers faced a lot of backlash in their youth for becoming idol rappers, something others in the Korean hip-hop community looked down on. A sense of needing to appear strong developed: “Sometimes I’m scared of myself / What if the weak me is found out.”
In the years since they’ve become international superstars, they’ve earned more recognition, but with that comes people who will try to tear them down even harder. Or even those who will fake their admiration in an attempt to gain something: “You have no intention to respect me so just skip it / Respect, I respect you / Applause to that pal who speaks ill while smiling.”
‘We are Bulletproof: the Eternal’
Beth: Throughout Map of the Soul: 7 BTS talk about continuing forward, of getting past hard times, and that they are with ARMY. All of those intense emotions gathered from “Louder Than Bombs” and into “ON” culminate in “We Are Bulletproof: the Eternal.”
If you are ARMY, then you know how much BTS care about us. It’s written throughout this entire album that they walk with us, share our burdens, and want us to be happy because we help them in the very same way, and this is what “We Are Bulletproof: the Eternal” encompasses. It’s beautiful, and a reminder that every step of the way they have loved and respected ARMY with their entire selves, and will continue to do so.
The lyric “we are not seven, with you” says it all: BTS isn’t just Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jeong Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, and Jeon Jungkook, but that they are more because they have ARMY.
Seven members, seven years, and here’s to seven more. Borahae.
‘Outro: Ego’
Sonya: “Outro: Ego” might be the last song on the album, but it’s certainly not the bottom of the barrel. Jung Hoseok was the perfect match for this song, which features a beat that makes you want to move along with the uplifting lyrics. The song details the difficult journey of going after one’s dreams and learning to trust oneself through it all.
“Just trust myself” is repeated in the chorus, giving the listener plenty of hope to face any difficulties in their own lives. At the same time, you can’t listen to the song without knowing how amazing it will sound performed live. It’s a song you can listen to anytime and become your very own hope.
‘ON’ (Feat. Sia)
Sonya: Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike “ON” (Feat. Sia) but I definitely prefer the original version over this one. Sia’s feature on the song doesn’t make it worse, but it also doesn’t make it better.
BTS ‘Map Of The Soul: 7’ ranked final thoughts:
Beth: When Sonya asked me if I wanted to help write about Map of the Soul: 7, I didn’t hesitate at the opportunity to talk about how much this album means to me. With such an emotional punch to most of the songs, it’s no wonder I can’t stop listening to this album with BTS’ soul bared for all to listen to.
From Jungkook’s bridge in “ON,” to V’s heart on his sleeve in “Inner Child,” or Suga’s expressive “Intro: Shadow,” feeling seeps out of every song on the album. There are truly no skips on this record, only songs for specific moods. If you’re in the mood to feel deeply, there are songs for you. If you want hope and love, or to express rage as well as persevere, Map of the Soul: 7 has it.
Writing the rank was the hardest part of this because how can one truly rank BTS songs? Each has a special place in my heart. If anything, ranking them showed me how much I appreciate every song individually.
Sonya: Without a doubt Map of the Soul: 7 has become my new favorite BTS album. Sorry, WINGS. It was extremely hard to rank the songs in order because I really don’t feel like any of them are skips. I have a clear preference for songs by the rap line, but I still highly appreciate the other songs as well. I was really impressed by all the subunit songs and OT7 songs as well.
The album shows a journey for each of the members, and it feels like a journey itself listening to them. You can go from jamming to “UGH!” and then when the playlist switches to “00:00,” you’re suddenly emotional. It has a great balance and each song feels like the members really put their all into it.
If I had to pick an album that I felt like best represented the group, it would be this one! I really can’t say enough good things about Map of the Soul: 7, and I’m grateful that the group continues to deliver us such high-quality music.