BTS Is Back With New Single “Permission To Dance”
Korean pop sensation BTS releases new single “Permission to Dance,” kicking off their anticipated comeback.
Written by Ed Sheeran, Jenna Andrews, Steve Mac, and Johnny McDaid, the track is the band’s third English single. Released on July 9 to commemorate ARMY’s, their ride-or-die fandom’s birthday, “Permission to Dance” is already breaking records. The single stands at #1 on US iTunes, with the music video garnering over 42 million views in only nine hours (at the time of this writing).
As the title suggests, “Permission to Dance” is an upbeat and overwhelmingly optimistic dance track. After a quarantined year of needing permission to go outside, BTS reminds listeners that dancing your heart out in your room is something no one can take away.
Still from “Permission to Dance” teaser hints at the band’s theme (Courtesy of Big Hit Music)
The band’s iconic declaration of love for their fans, “I purple you” or “borahae” in Korean, guides the music video’s thematic emphasis. Purple balloons begin traveling all over the world to signal a start of a new era. Prompting people from all walks of life to shed their masks and begin celebrating the post-Covid reality.
Everything about the video is a nod to ARMY and a brighter future where BTS can finally meet them in concert. The music video also boasts an inclusivity featuring mural art by Mexican artist Abel Macias, and a choreography composed of sign language for dance, fun, and peace.
Still from “Permission to Dance” music video featuring wall art by Abel Macias (Courtesy of Big Hit Music)
While “Permission to Dance” is an obvious nod to the pandemic, it also is a testament to the band’s global reach. Everyone in the world can dance to BTS, and the trifecta of their English singles have declared them a mainstream music force. No longer bound to an exclusive K-Pop label, BTS are their own genre and their new music video testifies that.
“Permission to Dance” is the cherry on top of a week of groundbreaking success. Their previous release “Butter” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six-weeks straight. And the septet celebrated their debut as runway models for Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Fall/Winter 2021 collection.
A bright seven-starred constellation, BTS is a powerful cosmos of talent that you can’t ignore. Their music continues to break borders and records alike. And as they call people from all over the world to come dance with them, we can’t help but follow.