Music: NCT 127 Cherry Bomb
The Deconstruction of Music, The Construction of NCT Aesthetics
Intro
Let me be straight and honest in the very first place, I love NCT 127's Cherry Bomb.
The moment I heard Cherry Bomb, I could tell it is definitely the best, not only for NCT 127, but also in K-POP so far this year. It is a song that intends to break barriers in all aspects, and it also demonstrates SM's ambition and determination in constructing a different genre of music away from the existing K-POP, which, in my view, might be addictive and catchy on the one hand but boring and repeating a fixed path to success in the market on the other. Most important of all, Cherry Bomb has a story to tell, which makes people feel like listening to, enjoying the performance, and digging the significance hidden in it. In one word, SM doesn't want to play safe. It could take a pretty long time before they are recognized nation- or world-wide, but I am truly glad that they stick to their innovation in music, making efforts to create interesting music and exciting stage performances.
Music Constitution of Cherry Bomb
This "fear-nothing" "surrender-to-nothing" attitude is inscribed in NCT's DNA. There is no exception to the latest single Cherry Bomb. When I first heard the name of their title track , the song with the same name by Runaways released in 1976 immediately came to my mind. Runaways's Cherry Bomb depicted a teenage girl's desire to run away from the norm, an outcast's scream to challenge the world. As they sang "Hello, daddy. Hello mom. I'm your ch- ch- ch- cherry bomb! Hello world! I'm your wild girl. I'm your ch- ch- ch- cherry bomb!" they were announcing to world that they might be as delicate and beautiful as cherries, but they would explode and shock the world with whatever they are doing and are going to do. In this sense, NCT 127 share some similarities with their predecessor Runaways.
These young men no doubt have attractive faces, juicy as cherries. However, if you consider they are delicate and sweet, getting hurt easily, you would be making the biggest mistake. They, unlike cherries, are more like little bombs wrapped in cherries. Once getting hit, people will be so amazed at the formidable power inside those cherries. They are confident enough to impress the world with their unique music. Like it or not, there is more to NCT's music than meets the eye.
The biggest breakthrough is the blend of different genres and a re-formation of the constitution of a popular song. Normally the constitution of a popular song is composed of a musical intro, verse, chorus, another verse and chorus,bridge and chorus, and the song ends with a musical outro. In K-POP songs, it is typical to embed rapping before the second verse or make rapping the bridge. However, it is usually considered an addition to enrich the song rather than the main part; in other words, it is the singing and the chorus that are supposed to be emphasized and paid attention to. After all, a song gets its popularity because it is easily followed and sung along to. Thus you can imagine how listeners will feel when they hear Cherry Bomb for the first time, confused and annoyed since the song seemingly focuses more on rapping than on singing. With mechanical voice and rapping being the intro, listeners feel the weird impact, and then in the middle comes one climax-- the singing part, in which listeners get to appreciate the brilliant chorus of the vocals. In the second half, there is another intricate but radiant arrangement, in which they neither sing nor rap but merely dance to fully show off their perfect dancing before the song comes another rapping. Another climax comes as they sing "na na na" while slowly doing the splits in a V formation. The song starts with rapping, and ends with rapping as well, constituting a complete musical structure to satisfy listeners's ears. Indeed, there have been complaint about too much rapping, which, in my view, reflects a fact that rapping is still underrated and degraded as not suitable for the central part of a popular song. With Cherry Bomb, NCT 127 tries to subvert the usual constitution of a popular song, making the singing instead of rapping an embedded part. Why not? Singing and rapping are equally important. With proper arrangement, both rapping and singing can be highlighted and flatter each other.
Another issue that bothers listeners is the line distribution because it appears to be unfair that some particular members get far more lines. Nonetheless, It is my belief that Cherry Bomb is a song dedicated to express the main idea that a popular song is not only about melodies but also a stage performance,and thus artists should really strike a balance among singing, rapping and dancing in order to create the best stage performance. Hence some members who do not sing or rap that much will be in charge of leading the dance in certain parts of the song. In conclusion, Cherry Bomb is not only to listen; it is meant to be enjoyed in multiple ways, and members will present the best in themselves to make a wonderful and eye-catching stage performance.
Lyrics of Cherry Bomb: A Confident Self Assertion
Rather than talking about love or romance, NCT 127's lyrics are always about a search for the self and the yearning for the unknown. From Firetruck, Limitless, to Cherry Bomb, NCT 127 has constantly been expressing their resentment about a fixed mold in all aspects, and they are ready to challenge it with a unique perspective. With three mini albums, listeners can really feel their growth. The repeating "I'm the biggest hit" is like a manifesto that demands everyone to watch out because they are like bombs which might blow away people's rigid thoughts. If you can't take it, you'd better move away; but "if you are happy, clap your hands"-- a line from a noted nursery rhyme, a confident outcry that invites people to enjoy what they are doing. They do not know when the bomb is going to explode, signifying they have energy within so much so that even they themselves do not know when the end will be, but once it does, it's going to be magnificent fireworks that stun every and each one of you. They are fearless; even though the bombs might be exploded just for one display, that will be an unforgettable explosion; they are going to strive for perfection on that stage, just like the short but enchanting cherry blossom that would leave a lasting and forever impression on the world.
As a coordinate, there are images such as bikers, abandoned factories and cars in the music video to respond to their lyrics. bikers have been considered symbolic of rebellion, not willing to abide by the authority. Abandoned factories are not for the public to stay, and neither do piles of abandoned cars. But it is in those abandoned places that they could do whatever they want to do, create whatever music they like. They are not going to be those airplane models placed in display windows for the audience to watch; instead, they would be real helicopters flying high in the sky, throwing those cherry bombs to shock the world. One day, they are going to stand high, with the yellow flags as the representation of future triumph, watching those who used to belittle them.
Outro
Cherry Bomb, being the last piece of NCT 127's musical jigsaw, constructs the one and only music world together with their previous singles. Their goal is not merely to seek popularity but, more importantly, to demonstrate an attitude of taking on the challenges. Their concept, music, and the visual effects of their music videos all convey a coherent main idea,which is to break the mold and make themselves followed instead of following others.With their latest single, NCT 127 presents us with more flexibility and possibility in the experiment of music and stage performances, which makes me wonder what will come next.
So, are you ready for the sweet and dangerous cherry bomb?
Cherry Bomb
快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum
I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on the stage I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on the stage I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on the stage I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on the stage
時機是勢必會來臨 I'mma do ma thang 待機室前面聚集的人都睜不開眼 yo hands up in the air 全都跟我來 yo hands up in the air We back get away 現在正蓄勢待發everywhere 吞噬掉我吧 然後感受著 在Stomach 仔細地品嘗著 Cherry Bomb 何時何時會爆發我不知道 Popping your head like Kingsman Chip No fireman這是fireworks Cherries in the sky high
I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on the stage I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on the stage
If you are happy and you know it Clap your hands yo (in this beat) If you are happy and you know it Clap your hands (in this beat)
快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum
I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit
全部都噓 即將要爆發的刺激 It tastes like a cherry bomb 輕易看待會出大事的 你已經深陷其中了 慢慢膨脹的現在 即將爆發的心情 屏住氣do do that 要來唱歌才對 na na na 插著的保險栓全給拔起來 全都會突然感到驚訝的 We gonna make it
I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on this stage I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on this stage
If you are happy and you know it Clap your hands yo (in this beat) If you are happy and you know it Clap your hands (in this beat)
快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開 right Cherry bomb feel it yum
盡頭會是在哪 我能走到哪裡才停下 just the half of it 現在開始吧 just the half of it 退縮不前的模樣 it's over 在喧鬧忙碌的世界裡 不想在原地被困住的自我 就一次 用煙火將我的全部燃燒
I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit
Uh Hard rack Scalp Head shot Pop No talk 要到哪去 才能生存 尋找著周圍人們的掌聲 Ay你就是因為我 才打起了精神吧 討厭追趕在後 所以現在要在前面說 我就在你面前 還不彎下腰 Keep watching 每天想要注視我 Hater hater talk talk 吃下什麼你就得好好消化 Take a fist or stone or a gunshot 放下致命的NINE承受看看cherry bomb
I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on this stage I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on this stage
Yeah If you are happy and you know it Clap your hands yo (in this beat) If you are happy and you know it Clap your hands If you are happy and you know it Clap your hands
快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum 快點快點避開right Cherry bomb feel it yum
Nanana nanana I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on this stage Nanana nanana I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on this stage Nanana nanana
快點快點避開 right Cherry Bomb Nanana nanana 快點快點避開 right Cherry Bomb I'm the biggest hit I'm the biggest hit on this stage
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