BTS’s “Spring Day” Earns Spot Among the Greatest Songs of the 21st Century

BTS’s “Spring Day” ranked No. 37 on Rolling Stone’s list.
A timeless song of love, loss, and hope.
Its legacy continues ahead of BTS’s 2026 comeback.

When Rolling Stone released its list of “250 Best Songs of the 21st Century So Far,” BTS’s enduring anthem “Spring Day” stood tall at No. 37, the highest-ranking Korean song on the chart. More than eight years since its release, the track continues to define the essence of emotional storytelling in K-pop and beyond. It has transcended borders, languages, and generations, standing as both a comfort song and a symbol of healing for listeners across the world.

The recognition from Rolling Stone is more than just a music industry milestone. It reaffirms what millions of fans have felt since the song’s release in 2017: that Spring Day is not just a song to listen to, but to live with. The publication praised it as “the quintessential BTS song,” capturing “transcendent emotions of recovery and hope blossoming amid loss.” In a century where pop music often seeks the next viral hit, Spring Day remains timeless, a song that listens back to you, offering solace when words fail.

The Meaning and Story Behind “Spring Day”

Released in February 2017 as the title track of BTS’s repackage album “You Never Walk Alone,” “Spring Day” has long been described as the heart of BTS’s artistry. Musically, it is a soft blend of Brit-rock elements and delicate electronic layers, creating a landscape of longing and warmth. But beyond its sound lies a story deeply personal to its creators.

RM and SUGA co-wrote the lyrics, weaving together reflections on friendship, distance, and emotional reconciliation. In several fan discussions, it was revealed that SUGA drew inspiration from a close friend he had lost touch with, the same friend he mentioned in “Dear My Friend.” As one fan account wrote:

“Many new fans don’t know that SUGA wrote the lyrics while thinking about his friend from the past. It’s the same friend he mentioned in ‘Dear My Friend.’ A lot happened between them and they drifted apart.”

That emotional backstory gives new meaning to lines like “The morning will come again / No darkness, no season is eternal.” The lyrics portray the ache of separation yet hold onto the quiet belief that someday, reunion and understanding will return. In the “10-Year Record of BTS,” SUGA expressed similar sentiments, saying, “I missed them so much, but I couldn’t see them. I resented my friend, but I’ll let you go now.” The song captures this bittersweet journey, from grief to acceptance, from holding on to letting go.

This is why Spring Day resonates so deeply. Its message is universal, about friendship, loss, and waiting for brighter days, themes that every listener can relate to. It’s a reminder that love and connection can persist even when time and distance separate people. Fans often describe it as a “warm hug in winter,” a song that arrives quietly but stays forever.

Global Praise and Cultural Legacy

Since its release, Spring Day has shattered records and defied musical timelines. It became the first Korean song to surpass 1 billion cumulative streams on Melon and still holds the record for the longest stay on the platform’s daily chart, nearly eight years and counting. It also helped BTS’s repackage album debut at No. 61 on the Billboard 200, proving that a song written from sincerity could thrive in a global pop landscape dominated by trends.

The song’s music video, filled with winter landscapes and references to Omelas, added another layer of symbolism representing loss, remembrance, and the quiet endurance of the human spirit. Each frame mirrored the same emotional fragility the lyrics carried.

Fans across the world celebrated its recent Rolling Stone achievement with heartfelt tributes on X (formerly Twitter):

“This is the man who wrote this masterpiece. He deserves his flowers. Thank you RM 💐💐💜”

“Spring Day is the song that made me ARMY. After all these years, it still makes me emotional every time I listen to it, right there with The Beatles’ Yesterday and Hey Jude for me.”

“From the moment a single leaf fell, it became a comfort anthem during hard times. A very deserving acknowledgment for BTS’s musical sensibility.”

“Spring Day is maybe the most beautiful track they wrote next to Black Swan. The performances are ethereal, like a fluttering snowflake in the wind.”

“There’s that yearning, loneliness, and hope encapsulated in Spring Day. It’s a song about new beginnings, that no darkness lasts forever, and that we will meet again. A classic BTS masterpiece.”

Through all these years, Spring Day continues to embody what BTS has always represented: resilience, empathy, and human connection. It remains a song that bridges generations and brings comfort in times of uncertainty. Its longevity is not just a testament to BTS’s artistry, but to the emotional truth that music can heal.

As fans celebrate Spring Day’s recognition, anticipation grows for BTS’s long-awaited group comeback. The members are set to return as a complete group in spring 2026, with a brand-new album and a large-scale world tour. Just like the song promises, “no season lasts forever,” and soon, both Spring Day and BTS will bloom again together with their fans.

Sources: Rolling Stone, Yonhap News, OSEN