❃ BoA - The Discography Rate (Part 2) ❃ - Final Stats

Crisp X

Crisp X

she/her
24.png


Loving you is causing me to change
And it hurts so bad it don't feel the same
And now my friends are asking me "What did I do ?"
I done hurt myself, over loving you

I-Did-It-For-Love.gif


8.102

Jumping BoAs: (10) @RUNAWAY, @evilsin, @Ana Raquel, @clowezra, @Monado ; (9.25) @ohdenny
Still BoAs: (4) @odyism ; (5) @Kaz D'Oerba
Crispy's Score: 7.5

5 voters: #10 (average: 9.05)
10 voters: #20 (average: 8.225)
15 voters: #23 (average: 8.15)
17 voters: #24 (average: 8.102)

"I Did It For Love" is the 1st track from BoA, BoA's first English album, released on March 17, 2009 and the 4th track from the deluxe edition, released on August 31, 2009 . It features American songwriter, record producer and R&B singer Sean Garrett. It was released as the album's second single on June 2, 2009. It was written by Sean Garrett, Melvin K. Watson Jr. and Matthew I. Irby, composed and arranged by Sean Garrett and The Phantom Boyz. It peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play charts.​

While the complaints most commonly held about that era may also apply to this song, the sound it's going for works for me. For those who had missed the lead single, I'm curious how jarring it was for them to be greeted by this song when pressing play on the album, after being accustomed to her Korean and Japanese material for so long. It's not like she hadn't attempted electropop before, but had it sounded this on trend and Westernized before, for the lack of a better word?

I also wonder how much pressure SM Entertainment must have placed upon her because they had managed to hire quite big names for that era. The aforementioned producer/songwriter Sean Garrett was infamous in the pop and R&B landscapes for having then worked with the likes of Destiny's Child, Beyoncé, Ciara and, again, Britney Spears among others. If it wasn't still enough, the music video was directed by Joseph Kahn, with an equally very stacked portfolio. You'd think the odds were in her favor but sadly, much like "Eat You Up", the song wasn't a commercial success, and performed even worse than its predecessor.

Personally this has always been one of the songs I associate the most with the album. Similarly to his siblings, I would've given a higher score if the vocal performance was less anonymous. The heavy use of the vocoder fits the icy, robotic vibes, but I sometimes wish the vocal effects would've been turned off for a part or two, at least to let BoA show off her natural voice or even belt. Regardless, I'm a bit warmer on the song thanks to the music video, which reminds me of Janet Jackson due to the choreography and brings "Rock With U" to mind with its styling and visuals.

—

@Kaz D'Oerba (5) — "Okay I love the English album but this is probably the one song off it I don’t adore on some level and only just kinda like. Luckily it’s at the beginning so I can just act like it doesn’t exist teehee!"

@Attis (6) — "Too faceless and monotonous"

@M24 (9) — "This is so good. Maybe I could do without Sean Garrett's verse, but still, BoA owns the rest of the song. The MV is probably among her best, channeling both Madonna AND Janet with the chair choreo! We love to see it!"

@nanapop99 (9) — "We love those robotic vocoder-induced vocals. This song will always make me want to dance and that chorus lives rent free in my head since 2014. This would have been a 10/10 if there was no feature or maybe a better one."

@RUNAWAY (10) — "yeah it’s like so 2009 but god it’s still such a bop I can’t make the music not bop!!"

@clowezra (10) — "So many great memories with this one, I worked at an after school club and taught the kids in my care choreo to it, converted them all to k-pop naturally! The Janet inspired video is tons of fun too." This is so precious and heartwarming!!

—



​
 
Last edited:
Crisp X

Crisp X

she/her
22.png

1/2

Baby, do you, do you want me?
ijen mageul suga eopseo
teojeobeoril kkeonman gateun daemgwa gatjo Oh yeah
nal deo weonhandamyeon
geudae ane nareul gadweo jweoyo
In my heart, in my soul jeonbu geudaero

Do-You-Love-Me.png


8.117

Jumping BoAs: (10) @lalaclairi_, @nanapop99, @clowezra, @askew ; (9) @RUNAWAY, @Monado
Still BoAs: (3) @Kaz D'Oerba ; (7) @ohdenny
Crispy's Score: 7.5

5 voters: #18(average: 8.7)
10 voters: #38 (average: 7.75)
15 voters: #25 (average: 8.03)
17 voters: #22 (average: 8.117)

"둘이 함께 (Do You Love Me?)" is the 2nd track from Girls On Top, BoA's fifth Korean album, released on June 24, 2005. It was written, composed and arranged by Yoo Young-Jin.

This album track is a comforting listen because it's very reminiscent of an R&B era that defined some childhood memories. I get reminded of Beyoncé's Dangerously In Love in particular, even vocally, I wonder if anyone else feels this way? It must be the delivery here and there but I could imagine the former tackle it. Regarding the production, one of you mentioned Darkchild, and I'd add that it also recalls Pharrell's older work overall. There's a lot going on, which makes it an exciting and a little overwhelming listen at first. The couple beat switches and key changes add some dynamism to the package. It's also brimming with sensuality, which is even more apparent in the electrifying live performances it received. The second one from 2013 embedded below would be my go to version thanks to BoA's more mature, raspier vocals!

—

@Kaz D'Oerba (3) — "This feels more like a track 9 kinda song rather than a track 2. “I need a B-side quick” vibes."

@M24 (7.5) — "The horniest song in her discography? "I'm like a dam about to burst", wow. Kpop was not ready for this BoA album. Imagine if this was released now! Knets would go wild."

@evilsin (8) — "What is this experimental ditty that changes itself every 30 seecond? I dig it and I might like it even more after some time with it."

@clowezra (10) — "So close to being my 11, the switch ups are genius, the hooks are timeless, whew!"

@nanapop99 (10) — "Love the production. Very Darkchild-esque. The random switch-ups on the second verse and the bridge are definitely the highlight of this song. Her vocals are so strong on this one. Special shout out to that one high note at 2:46."

@Attis (8) — "Aah classic SM, that beat switch in the bridge."

—


​
 
Crisp X

Crisp X

she/her
22.png

2/2

Subete wo hitomi ni utsushite
Ah massugu ikiteku
Diamond no you na
Sono toumei na kokoro de

Diamond-Heart.png


8.117

Jumping BoAs: (10) @lalaclairi_, @RUNAWAY, @Ana Raquel ; (9.75) @askew
Still BoAs: (6.5) @M24 ; (6.75) @nanapop99, @Kaz D'Oerba
Crispy's Score: 8

5 voters: #27 (average: 8.2)
10 voters: #20 (average: 8.225)
15 voters: #27 (average: 8.016)
17 voters: #22 (average: 8.117)

"Diamond Heart" is the 8th track from THE FACE, BoA's sixth Japanese album, released on February 27, 2008. It was initially released as a B-side to the album's 2nd single "Love Letter", released on September 26, 2007. It was written by Emi Nishida, composed and arranged by ArmySlick. "Diamond Heart" was promoted during the summer of 2007 on commercials for the Toshiba W53T, featuring BoA herself.

It may be the festive season influencing me but in that time of the year, I'm a sucker for disco infused dance bops like this album track. BoA makes more use of her lower register, more particularly in the verses, with an understated and delicate performance. The recurring "Party, yeah" hook makes me swoon too. I love the slight switch up in the second verse, with the keyboards and its melancholic chords taking center stage versus the synth bass centric first one. It's such a joyous, feel good song, one that translates quite well live as seen below, and I know I'm going to revisit a lot more during these holidays.

—

@nanapop99 (6.75) — "I should be enjoying these dance-pop tracks but this is a little bit too repetitive for my liking."

@Attis (8) — "The audio from the Youtube playlist sounds like it's recorded from another device nn, and it still slaps even in shitty quality."

—






I've been dreading the next elimination since I inputted the final ballot, it's a certain single...​
 
Crisp X

Crisp X

she/her
21.png


Won't you make a secret? hitomi kara
afureru meaning sasayaku love
Won't you make a secret? mada darenimo
kidzuka retakunai
take me take me away

make-a-secret.gif


8.176

Jumping BoAs: (10) @RUNAWAY ; (9.5) @Slice of Life
Still BoAs: (6) @clowezra ; (6.75) @odyism, @askew
Crispy's Score: 9

5 voters: #20 (average: 8.6)
10 voters: #17 (average: 8.325)
15 voters: #20 (average: 8.216)
17 voters: #21 (average: 8.176)

"make a secret" is the 5th track from OUTGROW, BoA's fourth Japanese album, released on February 15, 2006. It was first released as the album's second single on August 31, 2005. It was used in a commercial for KOSE Fasio. This single got little to no promotion and the commerical was rarely shown on television. Also, coinciding with the release of Mika Nakashima's Nana single (a single featuring songs from the huge movie hit, Nana, and which would go on to sell over 420,000 copies), it was doomed to failure and would go on to barely sell 48,000 copies in three weeks, and 54,000 copies overall. It was written by Narumi Yamamoto, composed by Masaaki Asada and arranged by YANAGIMAN.

This was one of the early standouts when I got into her music and I'm saddened to see it get thrown out of the Top 20 right at the end, by only one spot... and I only have myself to blame because this wouldn't have been the case had I not included the English version of "Girls On Top" as a separate track in the first place nn. This is such a slick, sensual R&B jam that rivals with the best of that genre, and one of BoA's peaks in my humble opinion! The hook is one of her all time bests as well and never gets old. It's like there's a desperation in her voice when she sings those words, and that goes straight to my heart.

It got a stunning, more cinematic revamp for her recent anniversary album The Greatest. When it came out earlier this year, I remember thinking this was a standout. The intro, with the minimalistic beat and the harmonized "secret" followed by that luxurious drop, gives me chills every single time. Some days, I even prefer this version over the original.

—

@M24 (8) — "I like it but I had to give it a lower score than I would've wanted to because its runtime length works against it: the production is too monotonous to repeat the chorus twice before the middle-8, and then to have a 1-min outro. The Greatest version is an improvement in that sense: the new arrangement gives it the much needed dynamism it lacked. If we could also rate that version, then I'd give it a 9!"

@Kaz D'Oerba (8) — "It’s so funky!"

@nanapop99 (9) — "BoA was totally in her Janet Jackson bag on this one. I was surprised to learn (from Wikipedia) that the reception for this track was disappointing. I always thought it was a stellar throwback-y jam. I'm glad she did a rendition of this underrated single on her new album The Greatest. Available now on iTunes."

@evilsin (9) — "What a fun track! That playful synth is so catchy. The chorus has some very lush melodies and I'm definitely here for the MJ vibe."

—



​
 
Last edited:
Crisp X

Crisp X

she/her
Top 20


561-girlsontop-07ba.jpg

(3/13)

MOTO
Girls On Top
공중정원 (Garden In The Air)


568-outgrow-hg7i.jpg

(4/13)

Silent Screamerz
DO THE MOTION
OUTGROW ~Ready butterfly~
抱きしめる


569-madeintwenty20-2w36.jpg

(2/14)

Lady Galaxy
Winter Love


570-theface-uwnt.jpg

(3/15)

AGGRESSIVE
Sweet Impact
LOSE YOUR MIND feat. Yutaka Furukawa from DOPING PANDA


81kk-VXcu4-OL-SL1500.jpg

(3/13)

Did Ya
Eat You Up
Girls On Top (English version)


23.png

(5/22)

Bad Drive
Believe in LOVE feat. BoA
永遠
UNIVERSE feat. Crystal Kay & VERBAL (m-flo)
Girlfriend feat. BoA


Do you already have any predictions for the songs that will make up the final Top 10? Which one do you want to leave next? Stay tuned for #20 later today!​
 
Crisp X

Crisp X

she/her
evilsin said:
Pretty surprised seeing some songs get into Top20 like "Did Ya", "UNIVERSE" and "Girlfriend", They aren't bad in the slightest, still would think people would oust them before Top20.
Click to expand...
clowezra said:
UNIVERSE is in my top 5 BoA songs ever so I’m gagged we’ve managed to get it so high! Bad Drive smashing is correct too.
Click to expand...
Welp...




20.png


We get it on high, we makin clap shinsekai tourai Dance
DJ play mo Digi Style Can you follow ? Dance in miraikei
1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 Be Strong

UNIVERSE.png


8.191

Jumping BoAs: (10) @lalaclairi_, @RUNAWAY, @odyism, @clowezra, @Slice of Life, @Crisp X ; (9.25) @askew
Still BoAs: (4) @Kaz D'Oerba ; (6) @nanapop99, @Monado
Crispy's Score: 10

5 voters: #25 (average: 8.3)
10 voters: #33 (average: 7.85)
15 voters: #28 (average: 8)
17 voters: #20 (average: 8.191)

"Universe" is the 2nd track from Eien/Universe/Believe in Love, BoA's 27th Japanese single, released on June 4, 2009. It features Japanese singer Crystal Key and VERBAL of Japanese hip-hop group m-flo It was written by VERBAL, KOMU, Henrik Jonback and Bloody & Avant, composed and arranged by Bloodshy & Avant.

I'm glad this reached the Top 20 because, among the other electropop tunes that make up a portion of this rate, this banger differs a bit from the rest. The beat reminds me of quirkier hip-hop song from the late 90s / early 00s for example! It's interesting seeing Henrik Jonback and Bloodshy & Avant on the credits because it recalls some of Madonna's Music and Britney's In The Zone, two artists they have worked with, just not on the particular songs I have in mind. It has a mouthful of a hook, but it works for me! The way both BoA and Crystal Kay spill it, almost like they have so little time to get it all out they have to resort to shouting... it gets me so hyped up! Crystal Kay and VERBAL fit well and each performer gets their time to shine here. I wish it had gotten a music video to cap off this unique collaboration. In my head I can visualize one partly happening in a club, with some choreography and retro-futuristic looks on the side, something more early 00s than 2009 I guess?

—

@Kaz D'Oerba (4) — "I feel like I should like this but I…just kinda don’t"

@nanapop99 (6) — "Something is missing with this track which keeps me from bopping to it entirely. Maybe it's the monotonous production that somewhat lacks life. It's not a bad song but it's a disappointment knowing that Bloodshy & Avant produced this."

@M24 (7.5) — "Bop bop!"

@evilsin (7.5) — "It's a funky song and I love that all three are here, but it could use a better hook."

@clowezra (10) — "Another 11 contender for me, one of her best songs! Walking anywhere to this slaps every time." I can confirm!

—



​
 
Crisp X

Crisp X

she/her
19.png


LOSE YOU MIND futton jau gurai
MAKE ME WILD shigeki teki na WILDLY
BABY LOSE YOUR MIND "BOYS KNOW WHAT GIRLS WANT"
Motto kimi wo muchuu ni sasetai LOSE YOUR MIND

LOSE-YOUR-MIND.gif


8.205

Jumping BoAs: (10) @ohdenny, @RUNAWAY, @nanapop99, @evilsin, @Slice of Life ; (9) @lalaclairi_
Still BoAs: (5.75) @Kaz D'Oerba ; (6.25) @askew
Crispy's Score: 7

5 voters: #7 (average: 9.3)
10 voters: #13 (average: 8.525)
15 voters: #15 (average: 8.416)
17 voters: #19 (average: 8.205)

"LOSE YOUR MIND" is the 5th track from THE FACE, BoA's sixth Japanese album, released on February 27, 2008. It was initially released as the album's 3rd single on December 12, 2007. It features Yutaka Furukawa, vocalist and guitarist of Japanese rock band DOPING PANDA. It was written by Shoko Fujibayashi, composed by Jonas Jeberg, Simon Brenting, Damon Sharpe and Greg Lawson and arranged by h-wonder. It peaked at #6 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

I've been spinning this a lot lately and it makes me wonder if I should've given it a slightly higher score.. rates really help song suddenly grow on me nn. What makes me come back to this single is that driving beat and the funky instrumentation, both making it such a danceable song. It was nothing new for BoA at the time but I love how comfortable she sounds on it, with that catchy hook that I never really get out of my head afterwards! Special mention to the quirky guitar solo in the bridge that gets me everytime. It sounds unintentionally funny to me for some reason. By that I mean it's not what I would usually imagine over that vibe, so there's an element of unpredictability to it. It comes out sounding fun, which best describes this song!

—

@M24 (7.5) — "This is The Face's Revolution/Prayer from the previous japanese album. It's good but I don't think it's as good as those two. By the way, I love that there's a group out there called "Doping Panda"… I might have to stan them without ever listening to their music."

@nanapop99 (10) — "So many amazing singles on this album. In an alternate universe, this would have been her breakthrough song internationally. It's a hit! It's a bop! Amerie (and Beyoncé) could never."

—





Another single and one of my favorite songs departs next...​
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top