Second Spin: Get Ready for “Something” Special – The Best of Girl’s Day’s Underrated Tracks
Second Spin puts the spotlight on songs that have remained out of it. It is a chance to showcase some of the unpromoted tracks that are overshadowed by the signature songs in the featured artists’ discography.
Media Darlings Girl’s Day is one of the biggest-hitting girl groups in the K-pop game. After storming to the top of the Korean charts with their recent mini album, “Everyday 4,” the girls have confirmed their status as one of the most popular acts out there, to the extent that their new release even warranted a glowing write-up from US music site Billboard, who said the group, “sounds (and looks) very good.”
It wasn’t always plain sailing for the girls, however. They have had to go through a low-key debut, member changes and a less-successful-than-hoped-for early attempt to break into the Japanese market.
The massive success of songs like “Something” have put Girl’s Day firmly on the radar of K-pop fans the world over, though, and “Darling” finally won them their first K-pop chart Number 1 spot.
But now, four years to the month since they made their debut, it is time to get your “Expectation” levels up, as we go digging in the crates, looking for buried gold among the unpromoted tracks in the Girls Day discography.
“Shuppy Shuppy” from “Girl’s Day Party” (2010)
Girl’s Day’s first mini album did not make too many waves on the K-pop scene when it was first released, almost exactly four years ago. The group’s talent agency, Dream Tea Entertainment, decided to go with the slightly more mature, dance-driven “Tilt My Head” as the lead single from the album.
However, “Shuppy Shuppy” has a little more of the fun, poppy sound that one might expect from a young, debuting Korean girl group. The fact that the mini album also contains an instrumental version of this track makes you wonder if Dream Tea ever considered promoting this track as well as (or even instead of) “Tilt My Head.”
“Young Love” from “Everyday” (2011)
Girl’s Day’s sophomore release was “Everyday,” and unlike the girls’ debut EP, Dream Tea promoted every single track on it. Except for “Young Love,” that is. If you look past the fast-past, harder dance number, “Nothing Lasts Forever,” this album marked a change in concept for Girl’s Day. The tracks “Twinkle Twinkle” and “Hug Me Once” were softer in tone and lyrical content, and saw the girls switch to a cute and innocent concept.
Perhaps no track on this album quite fits that concept better than the only track they did not promote from it, though, “Young Love.” The lyrics are fun, the beat is strong and it has a catchy summer vibe to it – a perfect fit for the album’s July release date.
“Telepathy” from “Everyday 2” (2012)
This was Girl’s Day’s last mini album as a five-piece, and featured two promoted tracks, including, “Don’t Flirt.” It actually contains two stand-out unreleased tracks, the RnB number, “Two of Us,” and this song. But “Telepathy” stands out for two reasons. Firstly, because it was written (yes, the music and the lyrics) by the group’s leader, Sojin. And secondly because it’s a great tune.
Musically, it is very reminiscent of 1980s-style video games, and draws influences from the chiptune genre. You get the impression that if it had been promoted, it might have become a singalong favorite for Girl’s Day fans, but as it is, it remains a great addition to a very strong mini album.
“I Don’t Mind” from “Expectation” (2013)
Girl’s Day’s success, arguably, really took off with the release of this, their first (and to date only) full length studio album. This was the album that saw the girls, now a four-piece, after the departure of former member Jihae, set the benchmark of the so-called “sexy concept,” when they dropped “Expectation.” They followed the album up with a repackaged version that featured the smash hit, “Female President.”
Both of these tracks were powerful dance numbers, but “I Don’t Mind” takes an entirely different tack. Co-written and produced by Gregg Pagani, who has worked with artists like Babyface and Che’Nelle, this song sounds like it could just as easily belong on an early Destiny’s Child album, and is as smooth as they come. It is a sound they have never really experimented with before or since, but could be an interesting concept for them to try again in the future.
“Timing” from “Everyday 4” (2014)
It might be too early to call this track unpromoted. Dream Tea might well announce that the girls will release a video for another track from “Everyday 4” after they have finished promoting their latest smash, “Darling,” and if they, it might well be this one. As yet, it remains an album track, however.
Just like the lead track, “Timing” is another step away from the dance-heavy, sexy-concept tracks that the four-member version of Girl’s Day have become most well-known for. Instead, this is a jump back to their lighter, poppier days, although it has a markedly more mature sound than their earlier “cute-concept” releases.
“Control” from “Girl’s Day Party” (2010)
And it’s full circle and back to where we started for the final selection on this edition of Second Spin. Arguably the strongest unreleased Girl’s Day track of all, “Control” is a tight, exciting song with a strong verse and an infectious chorus, perfect for listening to while exercising. Unlike a lot of Girl’s Day numbers it features an (albeit short) rap section.
A little like “Tilt My Head,” it sounds a little too “grown up” for a young group making their debut, and in many ways it has a slightly more mature feel than many of the tracks Girls Day would subsequently release.
Girl’s Day continues to promote “Darling,” and the group’s popularity continues to escalate. Yura is currently appearing on reality show “We Got Married”. Sojin has recently confirmed she is set to star in TV Chosun’s upcoming drama, “Greatest Marriage,” marking her first acting role, perhaps an indication that the girls may look to step up their television work in the future.
What do you think of our Second Spin list, Soompiers, Daisy and fans? Can you think of any other Girl’s Day tracks that deserve a Second Spin? Let us know in the comments below!
timmydee is a self-confessed music geek with a penchant for pop, an enthusiasm for electonica and a hankering for hip-hop. When he isn’t writing for Soompi, he is remixing your favorite K-pop tracks – with sometimes astounding (but often catastrophic) results.
Any opinion expressed in this column is from the writer only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Soompi Editorial Team and its management.
Comments