K-Song Review: Bicycle by RM

Writer: Priyanka Sangolkar (Nagpur, Maharashtra, India)

Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India)

BTS’ band leader RM released a new soulful solo, ‘Bicycle’, in honor of the K-pop band’s 8th anniversary and to keep the FESTA 2021 spirit flying high. It is RM’s first solo song since the release of his 2018 playlist project ‘MONO’. The song was produced, written and arranged by the rapper alongside singer-songwriter John Eun. Last year, RM provided backing vocals on Eun’s song ‘Hope’.

It is a beautiful, sombre song that makes you nostalgic and wistful at the same time, peaceful and sad simultaneously. The song comes to life and touches listeners’ emotions because of RM’s heartfelt reflections and his lovely, euphonious voice. It instantly relaxed me, and I felt longing for late-night outings. 

THE COLLABORATION AND ARTISTIC TOUCH

The cover illustration was provided by Moon Sung-silk, since RM has always admired his work. He believes that the artwork effectively depicts the artist’s drawing style. He also expressed his gratitude to John Eun for his collaboration in creating this masterpiece. To this, John Eun responded, saying,

“The feeling of making music with someone who makes you feel that you are profoundly connected is hard to come by. I feel extremely lucky and blessed to make music with Namjoon that I resonate both musically and personally.” 

To make things even more exciting, RM penned down a heartwarming letter explaining that the song was inspired by his favorite pastime, cycling, and hence was the primary motivation for him to pen down the lyrics. After the release of ‘Mono’, he was struggling to pull together a series without a set timeline, and FESTA 2021 celebrations served as a good platform for him to develop and release this new song. 

“After many twists and turns, in February and March, I rode my bike like crazy here and there and finished by putting melodies and lyrics over Hee-young hyung’s guitar playing. I really made the song while riding my bike. I hummed the song so much, I can’t even remember how many times I hummed,” he wrote in his letter. 

RIDING THROUGH EMOTIONS: THE MEANING BEHIND THE LYRICS

“For me, riding a bike always gives me a thrill, but when I put my feet on the two pedals, it always feels a bit sad,” RM wrote. “Whether it’s because there are a lot of things that I miss or maybe it’s because I don’t have a driving license… Even I don’t know the reason.” He added, “Ever since I was a trainee, I always wanted to move the blurry scenery that I couldn’t quite capture while riding a bicycle into a song.”

Just look at the lyrics:

“I wanna keep the bass down low 

 My heart/mind is already in weekend mode 

 I don’t see no open cars, no open bars 

 It’s not bad, being all alone on this road 

 People’s hearts floating like islands 

 A night that somehow just may not come 

 I walk along and cycle along the horizon 

To that vanishing point we decided upon”

 

What a beautiful way to capture the rollercoaster of emotions he felt riding a bicycle. The weekend mode, silent streets, lesser crowd, a thrill, hoping the sun never sets, and just cycling till the day ends. 

“Take your feet off the ground

Be like the birds

Float like an island 

Dance with the wind 

Yeah, it’s okay to cry

Happiness usually comes with sadness

If we’re sad, let’s ride our bicycles 

 Let’s place the wind underneath our two feet 

 Oh, let’s ride our bicycles 

with our two arms stretched out in freedom,”

The eloquent and soulful verse gives us a glimpse into the deep emotions that RM experiences, the freeing and liberating emotions he feels while he is in nature and riding his bicycle. He confessed that this helps him cope with trying times and hopes it does the same to the fans around the world. The breeze underneath his feet gives him wings, and he is comparing it to flying like birds, dancing along the wind. He further says that happiness and sadness are two sides of a coin, so whenever you are sad, just connect with nature and ride a bicycle.

WHY ‘BICYCLE’ DESERVES A SPOT ON YOUR PLAYLIST

RM also expressed his thanks to ARMY and hopes that ‘Bicycle’ will remain on everyone’s playlist for a long time and become an anthem for people who love cycling. “With sad but fun, little cold but warm feelings, please accept this song as a small gift. Every day is a new day. If you’re sad, let’s ride a bike! I will always do the same,” he concluded his letter to ARMY.

The song boasts of RM’s trademark rap, insightful lyrics and dreamy, raspy low baritone vocals to keep listeners hooked to cycling an extra mile. This song is for anyone who loves drizzling weather, late-night long rides with no destination, wandering into nature, and allowing it to amaze you with scenes that were only seen in movies. Whether you are an ARMY or not, this song is a must for anyone who loves mellow tunes and bike rides. So, add it to your biking chilling playlist.

Comment below your favorite RM songs or lyrics!