BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE': Every track ranked best to worst

BTS
BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE out now (Image via Instagram/ @bts.bighitofficial)

BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' is the Korean boy band's first-ever live album.

Last month (June 30), BTS announced that they will be releasing a live album since all of the members are back together again after serving in the military. The live album will feature some of the biggest hits the band has ever sung, as well as songs from their Permission to Dance On Stage tour (2021-2022).

BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' has 22 tracks in total, with Halsey being the only artist they collaborate with. However, the collaboration with Halsey is a LIVE rendition of Boy With Luv. The live album will be the first album BTS has released since their 2020 album, Be. Fans are beyond excited to welcome back one of their favorite K-pop boy bands.

The album is now available for streaming on Spotify.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's personal opinions. Please feel free to share your thoughts or suggest how you would rank the songs in the list.


BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' tracks ranked best to worst

Here are all the 22 tracks from BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album ranked from best to worst.

Dynamite - Live

Dynamite was initially released on August 21, 2020, and was meant to comfort people during the pandemic. The song is the first track by the band to reach Billboard Hot 100 No.1. Additionally, it helped the boy band score its first Grammy nomination.

Butter - Live

Butter was initially released as a single on May 21, 2021. It is described as disco-pop and dance-pop, which is apt for its confident and catchy hooks. The song was well-loved in different countries, including Hungary, Japan, India, Malaysia, and more.

Boy With Luv (feat. Halsey) - Live

This is the only song in the BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album where the band is collaborating with another artist. The song was first released in 2019. The music video became the most viewed online music video in 24 hours at the time, making it a fan favorite for both Halsey fans and ARMYs.

FAKE LOVE - Live

FAKE LOVE - Live from BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album is ranked fourth in this list. The original track was released in 2018, and it has over 977,385,217 streams on Spotify so far.

A critic has reviewed BTS' FAKE LOVE by saying that it:

"might very well be the best representation of the pop excellence BTS brings to music."

Life Goes On - Live

Life Goes On was one of BTS' tracks that reached the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released in 2020. The synth-pop song has a beautiful message with a mellow vibe to it, which is exemplified in the live version.

Permission to Dance - Live

Permission to Dance - Live may be the last song in the BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' track list, but it is not the last on this list. It ranks sixth in terms of best to worst; it is uplifting and celebratory. The original track has garnered over 747,625,734 streams on Spotify.

DNA - Live

DNA was first released as a part of BTS' fifth EP Love Yourself: Her, back in 2017. The EDM/ pop track is littered with "musical bells and whistles," according to Idolator's Jacques Peterson. The original track has over 705,678,153 streams on Spotify.

Blood Sweat & Tears - Live

The eighth song on the list is Blood Sweat & Tears - Live. It was recorded in 2016 and featured in BTS' second studio album Wings. It falls under the trap, Moombahton, and tropical house genres, which are extremely different from BTS' usual style. What makes it a hit is the fact that fans want more than just 46 seconds.

Spring Day - Live

Spring Day - Live is also a part of the encore set list on BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album. It won "Song of the Year" at the 9th Melon Music Awards in 2017. Fans love it because of its emotional and poetic vibe. It is also considered to be the ARMY’s anthem of comfort.

Black Swan - Live

Black Swan - Live is one of those songs that starts with a soft intro but hits hard with the lyrics. It is an emo hip hop, cloud rap, and trap song, which has been described as BTS' "darkest single" by MTV's Crystal Bell.

ON - Live

ON - Live is the opening track for BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album. It was first released in 2020, and three of the members contributed to writing the song. These are RM, Suga, and J-Hope. The powerful opener sets the tone for the rest of the song, making it a well-loved studio anthem for ARMYs.

Burning Up (FIRE) - Live

Burning Up (FIRE) - Live is one of the more upbeat tracks on the BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE'. It is a classic hype song, which is still a hit among fans even though it was released in 2016.

Dope - Live

Nostalgia does not have to be accompanied by a ballad or a slow song. Long-time ARMYs would understand when it comes to BTS' Dope - Live. It is a high-energy song that depicts the boy band's early fire.

Airplane Pt.2 - Live

Airplane Pt.2 - Live is a follow-up to J-Hope's mixtape Hope World. If you are looking for the perfect summer song to loop on repeat from BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album, this is it.

MTV's Crystal Bell described BTS' live performance as:

"But to watch BTS perform the song live is to watch seven idols in full command of their artistry, where every subtle movement is part of a larger story."

IDOL - Live

What makes IDOL so iconic is not just the beats and the lyrics, but the choreography too. BTS' MMA2021 performance is forever etched into the minds and hearts of their fans, giving the song a cultural flex with their hanbok-inspired outfits.

Dis-ease - Live

With Dis-ease - Live, each of the band members' personalities shines in this upbeat and funky track. While it is not at the top of the list, it is still enjoyed by many fans.

Blue & Grey - Live

Fun fact about Blue & Grey, the song was supposed to be a part of V's solo mixtape, but it was released in 2020 as a part of the band's fifth studio album. Fans who like pop ballads would enjoy the live version even more.

Telepathy - Live

The original Telepathy track has garnered over 243,870,363 streams on Spotify. It is a feel-good song that makes fans feel like BTS is performing just for them. However, it does not rank as one of the best from BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album.

So What - Live

Next on the list is So What - Live. The original track that was released in 2018 has over 204,992,672 streams on Spotify. While this song gets the crowd jumping and singing along, the lyrics are not too deep, making it a party anthem.

Stay - Live

Stay was released as a part of BTS' seventh mini album BE. While it has an EDM-driven vibe with a heartfelt touch, it is not considered one of their best songs on the album.

Silver Spoon - Live

Silver Spoon has garnered over 299,828,273 streams on Spotify. Despite the rebellious vibe, hip-hop roots, and hard-hitting lyrics, other similar songs from BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' album rank higher.

Outro: Wings - Live

Outro: Wings is also included in BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LIVE' track list. It is a nostalgic song that reminds fans of the band's early days. It is not a big performance piece, but it still holds emotional value. It works more as a quiet, meaningful break in the concert.


BTS' 'PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LIVE' marks an exciting new chapter as all seven members return with powerful performances of their biggest hits. With 22 tracks capturing their journey, the album is a nostalgic yet energetic celebration of BTS' legacy.

Edited by Benidamika Jones Latam