Girls on Top (album)

Last updated

Girls on Top
Girls on Top - BoA.png
Studio album by
BoA
ReleasedJune 23, 2005 (2005-06-23)
Recorded2005
StudioSM Studios (Seoul)
Genre
Length44:50
LanguageKorean
Label SM
BoA chronology
Best of Soul
(2005)		Girls on Top
(2005)		 Merry Christmas from BoA
(2005)
Singles from Girls on Top
  1. "Girls on Top"
    Released: June 23, 2005
  2. "Moto"
    Released: August 17, 2005

Girls on Top is the fifth Korean studio album by South Korean recording artist BoA, released through SM Entertainment on June 23, 2005. [1] A repackage of the album, titled Moto, was released on August 17, 2005. The record saw a continuation of BoA's image change that began with her prior album My Name (2004); Girls on Top sought to portray a "mature and self-confident" image with themes expressing female empowerment. In Japan, a special edition of the album including a DVD was released by Avex Trax on March 26, 2008.

Contents

Commercially, Girls on Top peaked at number three on the monthly MIAK album chart in South Korea and entered the album charts in Taiwan and Japan. To promote the album, the title tracks "Girls on Top" and "Moto" were released as singles with accompanying music videos. Similar to My Name, the album also received an overseas version including a Mandarin version of the eponymous lead single, "Girls on Top". [2] An English version of the song was also recorded and included on BoA's self-titled debut English studio album BoA (2009).

Background and release

Girls on Top was released as BoA's fifth Korean studio album on June 23, 2005, and showcased a change in BoA's image and musicality compared to her previous releases, which largely consisted of lighter concepts and feminine visuals. [3] The title track "Girls on Top" was promoted as the main single and contains themes of female empowerment. [4] BoA's "bohemian" look on the album cover art aimed to represent "freedom and depth", while the visual for "Autumn Letter" (shown at the end of the music video for "Girls on Top") showcased BoA in traditional Korean fashion, weaving the "idea of Korean womanhood" into her music.

A repackage of the album titled Moto was released on August 17, 2005, and contained one new track "Autumn Letter", a cover of Kim Min-ki's 1993 song of the same name. [5] A Hong Kong and Taiwanese edition of the album containing a Chinese version of "Girls on Top" was released a week later on August 25, in commemoration of BoA's 5th anniversary of debut. In Japan, a special edition release along with a DVD was released by Avex Trax on March 26, 2008. [6] [7] An English version of "Girls on Top" was included on BoA's US debut album in March 2009. [8]

"Girls on Top" contains the message of not tolerating discrimination that is chronically prevalent in our society as the subtle inequalities felt as a woman should disappear from the hearts of all people.

— BoA talking about the themes of the album (Yonhap News) [9]

Composition

Usher Cannes 2016 (cutout).jpg
Ciara 2009.jpg
A critic from IZM compared the production of "Girls on Top" to music of Usher (left) and Ciara (right).

"Girls on Top" is a dance and hip-hop number with lyrics revolving around themes of female empowerment and countering male chauvinistic expressions. [4] IZM compared the song's production to that of Usher and Ciara, and felt that the change in styles unveiled a new side of BoA's musically. The publication added that the remake of Kim Min-ki's "Autumn Letter" offered a "feeling of gradual maturity". "Moto" is a R&B and dance number and contains a fast-paced hip-hop rhythm produced by Kenzie, who also composed BoA's "My Name". "Do You Love Me?" is an acid pop number while the song "Garden in the Air" was inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon. "Can't Let Go" is a R&B ballad containing backup vocals sung by Kangta while other songs such as "If You Were Here"', "Love Can Make a Miracle" and "Breathe Again" are lyrical ballads. [10]

Reception

Commercially, Girls on Top peaked at number three on the monthly domestic Music Industry Association of Korea (MIAK) album sales chart for June 2005, selling 52,558 copies. [11] The album sold a total of 112,954 copies by the end of 2005 and was ranked the 14th best-selling album of the year in South Korea. [12] In Taiwan, the album peaked at number 12 on the G-Music Combo Albums chart and number 3 on the G-Music J-pop Albums chart. In Japan, it peaked at number 153 on the Oricon Albums Chart in 2008.

Covers and usage in media

Girls' Generation covered "Girls on Top" along with "My Name" during a special stage on November 10, 2007. Shinee made a performance of the song during a MBC Star Dance Battle on October 4, 2009, and renamed it "Boys on Top". [13] Oh My Girl and WJSN performed parts of the song at the 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards. [14] It was performed by Team China on the dance competition television show Stage K in 2019. [15] On July 31, 2020, Baekhyun of Exo released a remake of "Garden in the Air" as part of BoA's 20th anniversary tribute project, titled SM Station: Our Beloved BoA. [16] The release peaked at number 83 on the Gaon Digital Chart. [17]

In 2022, SM Entertainment debuted supergroup Got the Beat as part of a project group titled Girls on Top, which was named after the album and single. [18] The group consisted of BoA herself alongside members of Girls' Generation, Red Velvet and Aespa. [19] At KCON 2023 in Los Angeles, Everglow and Lapillus performed a joint stage and covered "Girls on Top". [20] A remix version of the song was performed on the girl group survival show Universe Ticket . [21]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "Girls on Top"
YearAward-giving bodyCategoryResultRef.
2005 Mnet KM Music Video Festival Best Female Artist Won [22]
Best Dance Performance Nominated
Music program awards for "Girls on Top"
ProgramDateRef.
Music Camp July 16, 2005 [23]
July 23, 2005 [24]
M Countdown July 28, 2005
Inkigayo July 17, 2005 [25]
July 24, 2005 [26]
July 31, 2005 [27]

Track listing

Girls on Top – Standard edition [28]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Moto" Boa Kwon, Kenzie 3:05
2."Do You Love Me?" (둘이 함께;Dul-i Hamkke)Yoo Young-jin3:31
3."Girls on Top"Yoo3:37
4."If You Were Here" (오늘 그댈 본다면;Oneul Geudael Bondamyeon)Joleen Belle, Young H.Kim3:38
5."Love Can Make a Miracle"Waeromoe, Samuel, Kwon3:42
6."Addiction"Jamie Jones, Jin Young-jin4:04
7."Freak in Me"Yak Bondy, Charlotte Eiram, Kwon3:26
8."Garden in the Air"Kenzie3:50
9."I Spy"Hayden Bell, Hong Ji-yoo3:17
10."Can't Let Go"Deviller Dane, Hosein Sean, Kenzie3:55
11."Heroine" (시선;Siseon)Shin Ji-won, Vincent Degiorgio 3:08
12."Breathe Again" (숨...)Ha Jung-ho4:26
Total length:44:50
Girls on Top – Hong Kong and Taiwan edition (bonus track) [2]
No.TitleLength
13."Girls on Top" (Chinese version)3:37
Moto – repackage edition [5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Autumn Letter" (가을편지;Gaeulpyeonji)Kim Min-ki, Ko Eun0:50
Moto – VCD
No.TitleLength
1."Girls on Top" 
2."Moto" 
3."Making of "Girls on Top Music Video" 
Girls on Top – Japan special edition (DVD) [29]
No.TitleLength
1."Girls on Top" 
2."Moto" 

Charts

Sales

Region Sales amount
Japan3,000 [34]
South Korea113,000 [33]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BoA</span> South Korean singer and actress (born 1986)

Kwon Bo-ah, known professionally as BoA, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, producer and actress. One of the most successful and influential Korean entertainers, she is often referred to as the "Queen of K-pop".

<i>Atlantis Princess</i> 2003 studio album by BoA

Atlantis Princess is the third Korean studio album by South Korean recording artist BoA, released on May 30, 2003 by SM Entertainment. The record spawned several singles, including the promotional single "Lights of Seoul", the title track "Atlantis Princess", and "Milky Way", with accompanying music videos produced for the latter two songs. An overseas version of the album, containing a bonus video CD, was released in several territories in Asia such as the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

<i>My Name</i> (BoA album) 2004 studio album by BoA

My Name is the fourth Korean-language studio album by South Korean singer BoA, released by SM Entertainment on June 11, 2004. It includes the title track "My Name" and the song "Spark", which is a Korean-language cover of Luis Fonsi's "Keep My Cool" (2002). The album saw BoA's transition into a more mature image in comparison to her previous records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valenti (song)</span> 2002 single by BoA

"Valenti" is a song by South Korean singer BoA. It was released for her second Japanese studio album of the same name (2003) on August 28, 2002, serving as her sixth Japanese single under Avex Trax. It features "Realize " as a B-side. A Korean version of "Valenti" was released as part of her compilation album Miracle, which was made available by SM Entertainment on September 24, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 1 (BoA song)</span> 2002 single by BoA

"No. 1" is a song recorded by South Korean recording artist BoA. It was released on April 12, 2002, for her second studio album of the same name (2002) through SM Entertainment. In Japan, the song was released as a double A-side CD single with the track "Kiseki" on September 19, 2002, via Avex Trax. The single, titled "Kiseki / No. 1", was included in her second Japanese studio album Valenti (2003). "No. 1" was written by Kim Young-ah, while production was handled by Sigurd Røsnes and Ahn Ik-soo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U (Super Junior song)</span> Single by Super Junior

"U" is a song recorded in multiple languages by South Korean boy group Super Junior, with the original Korean version released through SM Entertainment on May 25, 2006. A CD single was released in South Korea on June 7 and peaked at number one on the monthly MIAK album chart in June 2006, selling copies over 83,000 copies by July 2007. The song won five first place awards on South Korean music programs.

<i>Inkigayo</i> South Korean television program

Inkigayo is a South Korean music program broadcast by SBS. It airs live every Sunday. The show features some of the latest and most popular artists who perform on stage. It is broadcast from the SBS Open Hall in Deungchon-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

<i>Cant Let You Go Even If I Die</i> Extended play recording by 2AM

Can't Let You Go Even If I Die is the debut extended play by South Korean boy band 2AM. The title track "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die" was released as a single. It was the most downloaded song of 2010 in South Korea, with 3,352,827 downloads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Peep Bo Peep</span> 2009 single by T-ara

"Bo Peep Bo Peep" is a song by South Korean girl group T-ara. It is the first lead track from the album Absolute First Album, the other being "Like The First Time" (Korean: 처음처럼). The song won 5 weekly number one awards on KBS Music Bank and SBS Inkigayo. It was later re-recorded in Japanese for the group's debut single, which was released on September 28, 2011. They are the first Korean group to debut at the number one spot in both Oricon's weekly chart and Billboard Japan Hot 100. The single has sold a total of more than 91,343 copies to date and was certified Gold for a shipment of over 100,000 paid downloads by the RIAJ.

Music programs of South Korea are broadcast weekly, with different artists performing on the shows to promote their music.

<i>Kiss My Lips</i> 2015 studio album by BoA

Kiss My Lips is the eighth Korean-language studio album by South Korean singer BoA. It was released digitally on May 12, 2015, and physically a day later by SM Entertainment, and distributed by KT Music. The album features twelve tracks in total, including two singles; "Who Are You" and the title track. The self-produced record is her first Korean full-length release since Only One (2012).

"Knock Knock" is a song recorded by South Korea girl group TWICE for their special album Twicecoaster: Lane 2 (2017). The song was released by JYP Entertainment on February 20, 2017, as the album's lead single. It was written by Shim Eun-jee, Lee Woo-min "Collapsedone", and Mayu Wakisaka.

"Heart Shaker" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released by JYP Entertainment on December 11, 2017, as the lead single from Merry & Happy—the group's reissue of their first studio album, Twicetagram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missing You (2NE1 song)</span> Song by 2NE1

"Missing You" is a song by South Korean girl group 2NE1, released on November 21, 2013 by YG Entertainment. The song was produced and written entirely by long-time producer and collaborator Teddy. Commercially, "Missing You" debuted at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart and sold over 1 million digital units by the end of 2014.

"Scientist" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released on November 12, 2021, by JYP Entertainment and Republic Records as the title track of the group's third Korean and overall sixth studio album Formula of Love: O+T=<3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eleven (Ive song)</span> 2021 single by Ive

"Eleven" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Ive for their debut single album of the same name. It was released as the group's debut single on December 1, 2021, by Starship Entertainment in conjunction with the single album. Written and produced by Peter Rycroft (Lostboy), Lauren Aquilina, Ryan S. Jhun and Alawn with additional songwriting credits by Seo Ji-eum, "Eleven" is a dance-pop song that lyrically expresses the members' romantic feelings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wa Da Da</span> 2022 single by Kep1er

"Wa Da Da" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Kep1er for their debut extended play (EP) First Impact. It was released as the title track on January 3, 2022, by Wake One Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got the Beat</span> South Korean girl group

Got the Beat is a South Korean supergroup and first sub-unit of project group Girls On Top. Formed by SM Entertainment in 2022, composed of the seven female artists who already debuted under the agency: soloist BoA, Taeyeon and Hyoyeon from Girls' Generation, Seulgi and Wendy from Red Velvet, and Karina and Winter from Aespa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomboy ((G)I-dle song)</span> 2022 single by (G)I-dle

"Tomboy" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group (G)I-dle for their first studio album I Never Die. It was released as the album's lead single by Cube Entertainment on March 14, 2022. The song marked the first release of (G)I-dle as a quintet following the departure of member Soojin in August 2021. It is an alt-rock and pop punk song that takes influence from rock music. It incorporates guitar riffs, drum beats, and lyrics that revolve around breaking the mold of being a perfect girlfriend.

References

  1. ↑ "Girls on Top". Melon (in Korean). LOEN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 1, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "BoA Vol.5 - Girls On Top (Hong Kong Version)" (in Korean and English). YesAsia . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  3. ↑ "당당하게ㆍ우아하게…보아가 온다" [Proudly and gracefully... BoA is coming]. Herald Economy (in Korean). Naver. June 21, 2005. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "보아 `남성 우월주의 거부' 5집 앨범 발매" [BoA releases 5th album 'Rejecting male chauvinism']. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Naver. June 23, 2005. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "BoA Vol. 5 - Moto / Girls on Top" (in Korean and English). YesAsia . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Girls on Top [Special Edition]/BoA" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  7. ↑ "My Name(Special Edition)(DVD付) [CD+DVD]" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ "BoA by BoA". iTunes CA. Apple . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ "5집 발매 보아, '남성 우월주의 거부한다'" [BoA to release 5th album, 'I reject male supremacy']. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Naver. June 21, 2005. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  10. ↑ Eom, Jae-deok (July 2005). "Girls on Top Album Review". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  11. ↑ 2005.06월 – 가요 음반 판매량 [2005.06 – Sales volume] (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on August 14, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  12. ↑ 2005년 가요음반판매량 [2005 Album Sales Figures] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  13. ↑ "샤이니, 걸그룹 돌풍에 위풍당당 승부수 '보이즈 온 탑'" [SHINee, a majestic match for girl group sensation 'Boyz on Top']. Newsen. October 5, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ "'2018 MAMA 홍콩' 우주소녀, 세계 무대도 섹시+파워풀 '압도적 존재감'…차세대 한류돌 인증". Hankook llbo (in Korean). Naver. December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  15. ↑ "'스테이지K' 왕중왕전, 트와이스·아이콘·슈주 팀 4강 진출…비아이 통편집 [종합]". Xports News (in Korean). Naver. June 16, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  16. ↑ "BoA to celebrate 20th anniversary of debut with remakes of her classics". Korea JoongAng Daily . July 27, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  17. ↑ 2020년 31주차 Digital Chart [Week 30 of 2017 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. July 26 – August 1, 2020. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  18. ↑ "K-pop girl supergroup to feature stars from Aespa members to BoA". South China Morning Post. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ Chan, Tim (January 3, 2022). "Meet 'Girls on Top:' K-Pop's New Female 'Super Group'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  20. ↑ "에버글로우, '케이콘 LA 2023'에서 컴백 포문" [Everglow kicks off comeback at ‘KCON LA 2023’]. Sports Dong-a (in Korean). Naver. August 22, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  21. ↑ "'유니버스 티켓' 승급-탈락 희비 쌍곡선". Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  22. ↑ "보아, '...뮤직비디오 페스티벌' 축하공연 후 실신". Sports Chosun (in Korean). November 27, 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2021– via Naver.
  23. ↑ "보아, 순위 진입 2주만에 '음악캠프' 1위 차지" [BoA takes first place in ‘Music Camp’ just 2 weeks after entering the rankings]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. July 16, 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  24. ↑ "보아, '음악캠프' 2주 연속 1위" [BoA, 1st place on 'Music Camp' for 2 weeks in a row]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. July 23, 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  25. ↑ "보아, SBS '인기가요' 뮤티즌송 수상 ; '음악캠프' 이어 1위" [BoA, SBS 'Inkigayo' Mutizen Song Award; 1st place after 'Music Camp']. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. July 17, 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  26. ↑ "'걸스 온 탑' 보아, SBS '인기가요' 2주 연속1위" ['Girls on Top' BoA takes first place on SBS' 'Inkigayo' for 2 weeks in a row]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. July 24, 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  27. ↑ "보아, SBS '인기가요' 3주 연속1위" [BoA takes first place on SBS' 'Inkigayo' for 3 consecutive weeks]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. July 31, 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Girls on Top by BoA". iTunes JP. Apple. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Girls On Top(Special Edition)(DVD付) [CD+DVD]". Amazon.co.jp . Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  30. ↑ "ＢｏＡのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  31. ↑ "G-Music J-pop Chart – Week 38 of 2005" (in Chinese). G-Music. September 29, 2005. Archived from the original on October 1, 2005. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  32. ↑ 2005.06월 – 가요 음반 판매량 [2005.06 – Sales volume] (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on August 14, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  33. 1 2 2005년 가요음반판매량 [2005 Album Sales Figures] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  34. ↑ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon . Retrieved November 1, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.