INTRODUCTION, START HERE: Swim by BTS is often categorized as a commercial, radio-friendly pop ballad due to its surface level English lyrics. However, there lies a far more complex narrative, which is what this analysis is about. These are my theories on solely the lyrics of Swim, not the MV. My analysis argues that it is not a traditional love song, but a song about survival, the fans, and their return. It documents their struggle to re-enter an industry following a long hiatus and the troubles that come with it. In short, Swim is a song disguised as a commercial pop hit, yet its ambiguous lyrics suggest a deeper, more personal, inspirational message hidden within. 1. CHORUS - * Water falling off your skin - This ties to one of the other lines later in the chorus, this is how it all begins. The water represents struggles, struggles washing off, as in BTS is persevering by swimming through the current. This signals the start of a new journey as they re-enter the industry, facing backlash and other issues. * I could spend a lifetime watching you - This is a direct reference to ARMY/their fans, expressing that no matter what, they will always be there for ARMY, to silently guide/help them along the way, since ARMY is also their constant that allows them to navigate the deep water. * This is how it all begins - This also means restarting the cycle, making music for the fans and dealing with whatever issues the industry throws at them. * I just wanna dive, I just wanna dive - Rather than fearing the “high waves” (challenges) of the industry, they are choosing to immerse themselves. They prioritize the connection with ARMY over the safety of the shore. 2. RM'S RAP - Bad world. Gone away and I still wake up in this mad world - RM isn’t talking about a bad relationship, he is talking about the “trauma” of reentry. Even after going away to the military, he still wakes to this mad/suffocating world of a celebrity. *. Lookin' like a goody-goody in this bad world - RM is rapping about the persona, the “goody-goody” image he is forced to put on. The reality IS a BAD world, so it feels like this performance is a lie. *. I'm in the deep, tell me where the h3ll you at, girl - The girl represents the fans, where in the dark times, he turns to the comfort of the fans, the only thing that hasn’t changed which ties back to the intent of the chorus. PS - [another observation - the chorus defines the method of how they will survive (persistence/resilience) whereas this verse defines the motivation.] *. A few other lines like, name a place that i could be on this map world, or u ain’t even got to love me bad girl, is RM’s way of asking for the help of the fans and just a little bit of love in this bad/mad world. FUTURE NOTE FOR LORE: I'm also guessing each of the rappers represent the stages of their mental health journey after the hiatus. RM represents the first stage, the fear and vulnerability after it. Their chorus is brilliant because it functions as the stage of acceptance, where they stop fighting the anxiety and start "diving" into the work. 3. Jungkook's PRE-CHORUS - *. Right here with the moon and the sharks - the sharks represent the challenges, and the moon represents the guide. That guide is ARMY. *. I ain’t gotta think about a thing baby - With ARMY, he feels like he can do anything, and that he doesn’t need to overthink. This elaborates on RM’s verse, a more heartfelt plea rather than desperation. 4. Suga's verse - *. Water, water so deep, water so deep - the depth of the water implies drowning in a figurative sense, as in a lot of worries/anxiety *. Yeah, you know me, yeah, you know me - this is talking about army, army helping Suga because the next line- *. Sittin' on the shore, now I'm ready for the whole sea - he was on the shore because he was too nervous to fight the darkness, but with army he IS ready *. Why you run away? You can run in (Yeah) - This is self-realization. ARMY is helping BTS overcome their fear, and Suga realizes instead of running away from the deep sea, you have to face it. This could also be interpreted as Suga inviting ARMY in due to all ARMY has done for them, and both of them facing the deep waters together. *. Salt on my tongue, she's stunnin' (Yeah) - Salt represents the bitterness, but due to self-realization, he’s come to face it, and is accepting it. So this is the second stage of their anxiety, self-realization, and ARMY was a huge part of it. (CONTINUED IN NOTES AND CREDITS)
5. J-hope verse: *. Splash, drift, i make waves with my two fins - This is the final stage, the continuation to the self-realization Suga rapped about in his verse. J-hope is carving out a path through this darkness. *. Under here, we don’t chase the time - We can see in RM’s rap verse, with the “mad world”, this implies deadlines, public perception, and more. This is what the time suggests. J-hope is putting aside the stress and completely accepting it and chooses to find happiness in the small moments. *. Baby, everything can't be so sad - This pretty much just further implies the line above. *. Turn my face from the land - Even though he chooses to be happy, he chooses to do it while swimming away from the shore. He chooses to confront the stress and anxiety in a rather positive manner, but doesn’t look back and fuel his fear. This rap verse is the final stage, putting that self-realization into reality. CONCLUSION: This song is not a lovey-dovey commercial song, it is the voice of many celebrities around the world. However, it's also universal, since it represents anxiety, and overcoming it. ARMY is BTS' guidance and motivation, whereas for me it would represent BTS & my online friends(y'all), or for someone else it would represent their friends, family, or online community! THIS IS LITERALLY A MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY!!! For all those toxic fans who say "I miss the old BTS" or give excuses for hating their album because you think it's dumb, remember, you barely scratched the surface. AAAND there's the MV, which has even more complex metaphors which I may make a separate analysis on later! Until then, see y'all!
