8 Must-Know Songs from BLACKPINK The Album: Complete Guide

BLACKPINK The Album made history as the highest-charting female Korean album on the US Billboard 200, reaching number two with 110,000 units sold. This groundbreaking achievement marked the highest position for an all-female group since 2008.

Released on October 2, 2020, this eight-song collection showcases powerful collaborations with Selena Gomez and Cardi B. The album's success speaks volumes - it topped the Gaon Album Chart with over 1 million copies sold in its first month, making it South Korea's best-selling album by a female act at that time. Notable singles include "How You Like That," which reached number 33 on Billboard Hot 100, and "Ice Cream" featuring Selena Gomez, which peaked at number 13, becoming BLACKPINK's highest-charting US song.

From chart-topping hits to emotional ballads, this comprehensive guide breaks down the eight essential songs that made BLACKPINK The Album a global phenomenon.

How You Like That: BLACKPINK's Explosive Comeback Single

After a 14-month hiatus following their Kill This Love EP, BLACKPINK marked their explosive return with "How You Like That" on June 26, 2020, as the first pre-release single from their highly anticipated debut album. This powerful comeback track would set the tone for BLACKPINK's most ambitious musical era yet.

How You Like That Production and Musical Elements

The track features production from YG Entertainment's ace producer Teddy Park, alongside R. Tee and 24. "How You Like That" showcases a bombastic blend of trap influences and electropop with strong hip-hop elements throughout. The song begins with a melodic opening verse backed by bubbling electronic beats before transitioning into a hard-hitting chorus.

Musically, the track employs a throbbing bassline, atmospheric synths in the pre-chorus, and an arresting EDM loop in the hook. The composition cleverly uses percussion breaks and tempo changes, particularly in the dance break where the melody shifts to double-time, creating a dynamic sonic experience. This structure allows each member to display their vocal and rap abilities while maintaining BLACKPINK's signature sound.

Breaking YouTube Records and Global Impact

"How You Like That" immediately shattered multiple records, firmly establishing BLACKPINK's global dominance. The music video amassed an extraordinary 86.3 million views within its first 24 hours, claiming three Guinness World Records:

Most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours
Most viewed music video on YouTube in 24 hours
Most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours by a K-pop group

Additionally, the live premiere reached 1.66 million peak concurrent viewers, setting records for most viewers for both a video premiere and a music video premiere on YouTube. These achievements surpassed previous record holder BTS's "Boy With Luv" featuring Halsey. The video proceeded to reach 100 million views in roughly 32 hours, demonstrating the group's immense global appeal.

Lyrics Analysis and Empowerment Message

The lyrics of "How You Like That" deliver a powerful message of resilience and empowerment. The song addresses overcoming obstacles and rising from difficult situations. BLACKPINK themselves explained to TIME: "This might sound grand, but we wanted to give a hopeful message. In whatever dark times or situations we encounter, we want everyone to have the strength and confidence to be able to rise up again".

The track explores themes of karma and reclaiming power, with lines addressing rising above negativity and turning the tables on detractors. Particularly significant is the reference to "grabbing the last bit of hope" and the transformation from being trapped "without wings" to soaring high. Released during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the song's message of perseverance resonated deeply with fans worldwide.

How You Like That Music Video Aesthetics

The visually stunning music video showcases BLACKPINK's fashion-forward image with high-end styling that rivals avant-garde fashion magazines. The members sport outfits from luxury brands including Dior, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and Area, alongside custom pieces from Korean designers.

Beyond fashion, the video incorporates rich symbolism with references to ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology. These visual elements potentially allude to deeper themes about the K-pop industry and resilience in the face of adversity. Each member's individual scenes feature distinctive settings – from throne rooms to floral landscapes – creating a visually cohesive yet varied aesthetic that complements the song's powerful message.

Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez): A Sweet International Collaboration

Released on August 28, 2020, "Ice Cream" emerged as a sugary sweet surprise in BLACKPINK's discography, marking their highly anticipated collaboration with American pop star Selena Gomez. As the second pre-release single from The Album, this cross-cultural partnership showcased a lighter, more playful side of the group's musical range.

Behind the Selena Gomez Collaboration

The collaboration stemmed from BLACKPINK's growing international presence. Though unable to meet in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the artists communicated frequently during production. In behind-the-scenes footage, Selena revealed she was first introduced to BLACKPINK after meeting Jisoo and Rosé during New York Fashion Week in 2018. Meanwhile, the BLACKPINK members shared they had grown up listening to Gomez's music and were thrilled to discover she was equally a fan of theirs. This mutual admiration created natural chemistry despite recording on different continents.

Ice Cream's Unique Production Style

"Ice Cream" represented a significant sonic departure from BLACKPINK's earlier releases. Unlike their typical hard-hitting tracks, this song embraced electropop and bubblegum pop elements with underlying trap influences. The production team featured an impressive lineup – YG Entertainment's Teddy Park collaborated with Tommy Brown, Steve Franks, Bekuh BOOM, Victoria Monét, 24, and notably, Ariana Grande as co-writer. This fusion of K-pop and American pop sensibilities resulted in what the New York Times described as a "relentlessly bouncy and chipper" track built around a simple nursery rhyme melody.

Analyzing the Playful Lyrics and Double Entendres

Written primarily in English with minimal Korean verses, "Ice Cream" employed dessert-themed metaphors throughout. The lyrics exuded confidence through playful double entendres comparing the singers' charms to ice cream – "cold on the outside but feisty when tasted". Standout flirty lines included "I know that my heart can be so cold, but I'm sweet for you, can put me on a cone" and "He's my favorite flavor, always gonna pick him". This bold approach represented BLACKPINK's most forward English-language content to date.

Commercial Performance and Fan Reception

The song achieved remarkable commercial success, debuting at #13 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart – the highest position ever reached by a K-pop girl group at that time. On YouTube, the music video surpassed 400 million views in just 80 days and eventually joined BLACKPINK's collection of videos exceeding 500 million views after only 171 days. Furthermore, "Ice Cream" earned numerous accolades, including nominations for Best Collaboration at the MTV Europe Music Awards and Best K-Pop at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Music Video Concept and Styling

Directed by Seo Hyun-seung, the music video showcased vibrant, retro-inspired aesthetics with numerous costume changes. Due to pandemic restrictions, Selena filmed her scenes in the United States while BLACKPINK shot theirs in South Korea. The video featured colorful sets including an ice cream truck (labeled "Selpink"), tennis courts, and blow-up ice cream props. Styling referenced various eras – from 1950s pin-ups with Selena in a sailor hat and striped bikini to 1970s flower power with macramé outfits. This visual feast helped the video garner nearly 80 million views in its first 24 hours, becoming the third biggest 24-hour debut for a music video at the time.

Pretty Savage: BLACKPINK's Ultimate Confidence Anthem

Standing as the third track on BLACKPINK The Album, "Pretty Savage" delivers an unapologetic dose of confidence and attitude that perfectly embodies the group's bold musical identity. Released on October 2, 2020, this fan-favorite anthem quickly established itself as one of the most impactful songs in BLACKPINK's discography.

Pretty Savage's Hard-Hitting Production

"Pretty Savage" embraces trap music elements with a "skittish, staccato-style beat" and "haunted vocals" that create an instantly recognizable sound. The production team features YG Entertainment's veteran producer Teddy alongside R.Tee, 24, and Bekuh Boom, who crafted a track that balances hard-hitting instrumentals with the group's vocal dynamics.

The song's production effectively juxtaposes the concepts of "pretty" and "savage" – mirroring the group's name itself – through contrasting musical elements. This duality appears throughout the track, with softer melodic sections suddenly giving way to aggressive beat drops. As one reviewer noted, the song is "a sassy, EDM filled track encompassing what drew and continues to draw people into BLACKPINK".

Lyrical Breakdown and Attitude

Lyrically, "Pretty Savage" functions as what Rolling Stone called "the sassiest kiss-off track since Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next'". The song revolves around themes of:

Self-confidence and embracing individuality
Defiance against criticism and judgment
Duality between beauty and fierceness
Success and luxury as rewards for hard work

The memorable line "Yeah, we some bitches you can't manage" serves as what Insider described as an "ace-in-the-hole" statement of empowerment. Other standout lyrics include Lisa's "Born skinny, bitch, no matter how much weight I gain, I'm slim" – a direct response to social media criticism about her appearance.

The track also contains references to BLACKPINK's previous hit "DDU-DU DDU-DU" with the line "If you get our name wrong, get hit like ddu-du-ddu-du". Moreover, Jisoo's verse "I am black, I am pink, I can change between both if I want" cleverly references the group's name while highlighting their multifaceted personas.

Essentially, "Pretty Savage" addresses how BLACKPINK's success comes from being different from everyone else. The lyrics project fierce independence with statements like "If you mad stay mad, we not alike" and "I wore something similar to you, but it looks better on me".

Live Performance Impact

First, the group's performance of "Pretty Savage" on SBS's Inkigayo on October 11, 2020, achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 100 million YouTube views by December 27, 2020. According to YG Entertainment, this achievement was especially notable as it's "very rare for a performance on a music show, not a music video for a newly released song, to reach such a record".

Subsequently, BLACKPINK performed the track on The Late Late Show with James Corden in January 2021, with the performance quickly amassing over 3 million views on YouTube. This appearance served as a preview for their livestream concert "The Show," highlighting the song's significance in their performance repertoire.

Fan reactions to these performances were overwhelmingly positive, with many noting how the choreography perfectly complemented the song's attitude. One fan commented that the performance showed "all four of 'em ATE this performance, actually had me hype". The choreography incorporated powerful movements that emphasized key lyrics, although some fans felt it could have been even more intense for such a hard-hitting track.

"Pretty Savage" also received broader cultural recognition when it was featured in the 2021 Netflix film To All the Boys: Always and Forever and in the soundtrack of the 2021 Brazilian telenovela Quanto Mais Vida, Melhor!. Furthermore, South Korean boy band iKon performed a remake titled "Classy Savage" with Lisa as a guest in the 2021 Mnet competition show Kingdom: Legendary War.

Bet You Wanna (feat. Cardi B): The Unexpected Hip-Hop Fusion

The fourth track on blackpink the album features an unexpected collaboration that broke new ground for the K-pop quartet. "Bet You Wanna" marked BLACKPINK's first-ever rap feature in their discography, bringing Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B into their musical universe. This upbeat track showcases a different side of the group's versatility while maintaining their signature confidence.

Cardi B's Contribution to BLACKPINK's Sound

Cardi B's involvement represented a significant milestone for BLACKPINK, with member Jennie specifically noting: "Cardi B is our first rap feature. We are so excited to share this music with you guys". The collaboration presented a unique challenge for Cardi, who typically delivers explicit verses in her solo work. She openly admitted on Twitter that it was "really hard for me to do a verse with no curse words and PG". Initially, her rap was much longer with multiple curse words, but was subsequently shortened and cleaned up to make the song more family-friendly. Nonetheless, she delivered what Rap-Up described as a "fierce and fiery verse".

Bet You Wanna's Pop Production Elements

The production team behind "Bet You Wanna" boasted impressive credentials, including Tommy Brown, Steven Franks, and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, alongside Melanie Joy Fontana and Torae Carr. Musically, the track has been characterized as "an upbeat party" pop cut with a simple beat enhanced by the group's voices and Cardi's rap flow. Billboard's Jason Lipshutz ranked it the fourth best track on the album, describing it as "playfully soulful, with Jennie and Rosé showcasing their vocals". Furthermore, Rap-Up labeled it a "club-ready bop", highlighting its danceable qualities.

Lyrics and Theme Analysis

Lyrically, "Bet You Wanna" delivers a confident message about knowing one's worth and maintaining control in relationships. The song revolves around promising a significant other a good time until "said person is hooked". The chorus reinforces this theme with lines like "Something 'bout me's taking you higher/And you ain't ever gonna come down".

Despite its cleaned-up lyrics, the song maintains playful double entendres throughout. As Cosmopolitan noted, the track is "basically about Rosé, Lisa, Jisoo, and Jennie (with assistance from Cardi, of course) simultaneously teasing and promising their boo thang a good time". The pre-chorus repeats the titular phrase "I bet you wanna," creating an earworm hook that reinforces the song's flirtatious tone.

Fan reception to "Bet You Wanna" was mixed but generally positive. Some listeners described it as sounding "like a fresh cup of lemonade" with a "jazzy and colorful" chorus, while others noted that Cardi's contribution, though well-executed, could have been handled by the group's own rappers, Jennie and Lisa.

Lovesick Girls: The Album's Emotional Center

At the heart of BLACKPINK The Album lies "Lovesick Girls," the title track that serves as both the emotional anchor and artistic breakthrough for the quartet. Released alongside the album on October 2, 2020, this guitar-driven anthem showcases a more vulnerable side to the group's typically confident image.

Jennie and Jisoo's Songwriting Contributions

"Lovesick Girls" marks a significant milestone as the first BLACKPINK song to feature members actively participating in composition. Both Jennie and Jisoo received official writing credits, with Jennie additionally contributing to the composition. In a candid Rolling Stone interview, Jisoo explained their creative process: "We are involved from the beginning, building the blocks, adding this or that feeling, exchanging feedback... We don't just receive a completed song". This involvement extended beyond songwriting to choreography development, with members suggesting specific movements to enhance performances.

Musical Influences and Production

Musically, "Lovesick Girls" diverges from BLACKPINK's previous electronic-heavy singles. The track features a sophisticated melody built upon country-style guitar sounds, complemented by the group's powerful vocals over retro-influenced production. Collaborating with renowned producer David Guetta, the song delivers what critics described as a "cathartic" experience with a "guitar-driven heart". The composition boasts a full-throated chorus comprised of two distinct, catchy refrains—the chanted titular hook followed by a more dramatic vocal section.

Lovesick Girls Music Video Storytelling

The visually striking music video, filmed at rooftop parking lots in South Korea, portrays each member coping with heartbreak differently—from running through empty streets to mourning alone in cars and bathtubs. Nevertheless, the ultimately uplifting chorus suggests better days ahead as they dance through pain and take a freeing countryside drive together. Within 24 hours, the video garnered over 61 million views, eventually surpassing 800 million views by March 2025.

Chart Performance and Critical Reception

Commercially, "Lovesick Girls" achieved remarkable global success. The track reached #59 on Billboard Hot 100, #40 on UK Singles Chart, and #27 in Australia. Furthermore, it topped the Global YouTube Song Top 100 chart for two consecutive weeks. In South Korea, it broke records by charting in Melon Weekly Chart TOP10 for 22 non-consecutive weeks—the longest for any girl group. Impressively, it ranked on Melon Annual Charts two consecutive years (#59 in 2020, #14 in 2021).

Live Performance Evolution

The group's October 2020 performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live became another phenomenon, accumulating over 406 million views. Critics praised this rendition for highlighting the members' vocal abilities while maintaining their signature charisma. Throughout their promotions, the choreography evolved to emphasize the song's emotional journey from heartbreak to empowerment.

Crazy Over You: BLACKPINK's Experimental Sound

As the sixth track on BLACKPINK The Album, "Crazy Over You" stands out as perhaps the most sonically adventurous composition in the group's discography. This experimental offering showcases BLACKPINK's willingness to push musical boundaries beyond their established sound formula.

Unique Production Elements and Middle Eastern Influences

"Crazy Over You" immediately captures attention with its eclectic production—a patchwork of diverse sonic elements including Bollywood-inspired strings, flute samples, rave synth stabs, and what sounds like a Japanese gottan. The track's foundation incorporates elements of Egyptian chord progression, a recurring pattern throughout several BLACKPINK songs. This production approach reaches what The Guardian described as a "deranged height," with bursts of sub-bass interspersed between these varied cultural influences.

The song keeps listeners on their toes with jarring transitions between verses, pre-chorus, and chorus sections. Interestingly, the South Asian beats in the verses contrast with the hip-hop-inspired chorus, creating a multifaceted listening experience that defies genre categorization.

Lyrical Themes of Obsession

Thematically, "Crazy Over You" explores intense infatuation bordering on obsession. The lyrics depict possessiveness and overwhelming emotions in relationships. Key lines express desires for exclusive attention with declarations like "If you're my man, I want you to myself". Throughout the track, metaphors of going "crazy" and being "mad" over someone illustrate the irrational behavior that accompanies intense attraction.

Fan Reception and Critical Analysis

Critical responses to "Crazy Over You" have been notably divided. Some reviewers praised the track's boldness, with one music writer noting how "Jennie's fairylike vocals juxtapose beautifully with the rubbery beat". Conversely, others considered it "the most disappointing song on the album," arguing that it follows too closely to the formula established in "How You Like That".

Among fans, however, the song gained a devoted following, with many considering it "the freshest sound from The Album". By December 2020, the track had amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify. Its commercial performance included debut positions at #49 on Billboard Global 200 and #30 on Billboard Global Excl. US charts.

Love To Hate Me: The Sassiest Track on BLACKPINK The Album

"Love To Hate Me" stands as the only track on blackpink the album written entirely in English, representing the group's strategic appeal to global audiences. This sass-filled dance-pop anthem became a standout B-side despite not receiving an official music video or promotional single treatment.

English Lyrics and International Appeal

The seventh track on the blackpink the album tracklist achieved remarkable international success, debuting at #54 on the Billboard Global 200 and reaching #33 on Billboard Global Excl. US charts. The song's English lyrics made it immediately accessible to international listeners, consequently helping it surpass 110 million streams on Spotify. Interestingly, "Love To Hate Me" became Jisoo's favorite BLACKPINK song, regardless of being the member most comfortable with Korean rather than English lyrics. The track's global appeal extended to Shazam, where it surpassed 200,000 searches, indicating listeners actively sought the song after hearing it.

Production Breakdown and Musical Elements

Crafted by a powerhouse team including Tushar Apte, Rob Grimaldi, and 24, "Love To Hate Me" features a sophisticated production that blends dance-pop with a bass-heavy trap beat. The track opens with an almost a cappella introduction where layered, slightly auto-tuned vocals create an instrumentation-like quality. Thereafter, the percussion kicks in, establishing a laid-back yet confident rhythm that persists throughout. The song's synth-pop elements maintain a consistent energy level rather than building to typical BLACKPINK drops, demonstrating the group's versatility within their blackpink discography.

Thematic Connection to BLACKPINK's Image

Thematically, "Love To Hate Me" perfectly aligns with the mature image BLACKPINK aimed to project throughout their first studio album. The lyrics address dismissing jealous ex-lovers and critics alike with lines like "You ain't worth my love if you only love to hate me". This dual interpretation speaks to both personal relationships and the group's experience with detractors in the industry. In contrast to the aggressive approach of "Pretty Savage," this track takes a more unbothered stance toward negativity, showcasing another facet of confidence within the blackpink songs list.

You Never Know: BLACKPINK's Vulnerable Ballad

Closing blackpink the album with a powerful emotional statement, "You Never Know" stands as the group's most vulnerable offering, revealing a rarely seen introspective side of the quartet. This poignant ballad, produced by 24 and co-written by Bekuh Boom and LØREN, serves as the perfect counterbalance to the album's predominantly confident tracks.

Emotional Depth and Lyrical Vulnerability

"You Never Know" explores themes of public scrutiny and emotional struggles behind a celebrity facade. The opening lyrics "On the day when I laughed hard, why is the night darker? It keeps bringing me down, down, down" immediately establish the song's melancholic tone. Indeed, the track addresses how easily strangers pass judgment without understanding the artists' lived experiences, captured perfectly in the chorus: "But you'll never know unless you walk in my shoes". This sentiment resonates particularly with Jennie, often considered the most criticized member of the group.

Musical Composition and Arrangement

Musically, the track diverges from BLACKPINK's typical electronic and hip-hop influenced productions. Under the guidance of producer 24, the arrangement features a restrained instrumental backdrop that allows the members' vocals to take center stage. As such, Rosé's emotive delivery in particular stands out, with many fans noting how her voice "left them emotional". Jason Roberts handled the mixing engineering, creating a polished yet authentic sound that complements the raw vulnerability of the lyrics.

Connection to BLACKPINK's Journey

"You Never Know" offers a rare glimpse into the challenges BLACKPINK faced throughout their career. Thus, lyrics addressing how "celebrities have to hide their feelings many times" reflect the pressures of maintaining their public image. The song acknowledges the paradox of their success – despite reaching unprecedented global fame, they still face constant scrutiny and criticism. Furthermore, the track's message of perseverance connects to their evolution from trainees to global superstars.

Fan Impact and Reception

The ballad profoundly affected the BLACKPINK fandom, with many considering it "one of the best songs from them". For numerous listeners, it triggered emotional responses, with one fan admitting, "this song made me weep". Others appreciated how it helped them understand "how hard it is to be an idol". Finally, some fans expressed that "You Never Know" deserved to be a title track rather than an album closer, believing its vulnerability could have built significant album hype.