LALALALA

"LALALALA" by Stray Kids is a powerful anthem centered on the theme of choosing pleasure and joy amidst life's struggles. The song's Korean title, "락 (樂)", is a clever wordplay, as "rak" is the Sino-Korean pronunciation for the character 樂, meaning 'pleasure,' which sounds like the English word 'rock'. This duality is the core of the song's message: finding liberation and expressing one's true, free-spirited self through the power of music and a rock-star attitude. It’s a declaration that regardless of the emotions one experiences—be it anger, sadness, or happiness—the ultimate choice should be pleasure.

The lyrics advocate for casting aside worries and anxieties ("Put a lock on your worries") and embracing a carefree, celebratory mindset. It's an invitation to a metaphorical paradise where the only rule is to enjoy oneself to the fullest. The song encourages listeners to confront challenges head-on, suggesting that after pain and adversity comes joy. This message is encapsulated in the idea of being a "rock star," which, according to the group, transcends the musical genre to describe anyone who is a free spirit, capable of making the best out of any situation.

The song erupts with a powerful invitation to a realm of pleasure and rock, referred to as "geungnak," a term for paradise. It’s an immediate declaration that what is to follow is an escape from the mundane into a world of unadulterated enjoyment. The lyrics paint a picture of letting go completely, urging listeners to cast aside their worries and inhibitions as if they are locking them away. The night is a canvas for liberation, a time to ignore trivial thoughts and societal formalities. The central message is to embrace the fun and chaos, even if it means getting stung in the process, comparing the energy to a buzzing beehive from which there's no escape. The song champions a philosophy of perseverance, suggesting that after enduring hardship and sleepless nights, joy is the inevitable reward.

This theme of release is woven throughout with powerful, almost visceral imagery. Phrases like "Burst your eardrums bang, bang" and "Thrash around, spit it out, toss it away" evoke a physical manifestation of breaking free from constraints. The music itself is presented as a potent medicine, a remedy for worries. The act of letting one's hair down becomes a literal and metaphorical symbol of this freedom. The atmosphere is that of a massive, inclusive party where everyone is encouraged to move, breathe, and participate in a collective celebration. The rhythm of the world becomes a guiding force, and the repeated call to "just feel the rock" is an instruction to immerse oneself in the primal energy of the music.

The recurring chant of "LALALALA" serves as a powerful, universal hook that transcends language, acting as a primal scream of joy and defiance. It’s a rallying cry for everyone to join in, reinforcing the song's communal and celebratory nature. The lyrics emphasize a relentless, non-stop momentum with phrases like "24/7, keep it going on" and "We dancing till we fall." This isn’t a temporary escape but a new way of being, a continuous state of rocking and rolling. The song asserts that day or night, in the face of any adversity, the choice is to live with joy and pleasure. It’s a declaration of artistic identity and a promise to their audience that they will continue to create their unique sound, crashing through silence and negative energy with unapologetic force.

"LALALALA" was written and composed by 3RACHA, the in-house production trio of Stray Kids consisting of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. They collaborated on the composition with VERSACHOI, the German hip-hop producer duo Cubeatz (Kevin and Tim Gomringer), and Luis Bacque. The song was originally created in November 2022 and was initially intended to be the lead single for their third studio album, 5-STAR. However, during the recording process, the group felt that "S-Class" was a better fit for that album's lead single. They believed "LALALALA" had immense potential as a performance-centric title track that could dominate the stage, so they decided to save it. The track was ultimately released on November 10, 2023, as the lead single for their eighth Korean-language extended play, ROCK-STAR. A rock version of the song was also included as the final track on the EP.

"LALALALA" is built on a foundation of intense, driving rhythm that is central to its identity. The song's primary rhythmic structure is aggressive and fast-paced, reflecting its high-energy hip-hop and drift phonk influences. The chorus is particularly notable for its percussive, chant-like quality. Rather than a melodic hook, it relies on a rhythmic shout—"LALALALA"—delivered in a short, snappy, and repetitive pattern that creates a powerful, stadium-ready anthem. This rhythmic hook is infectious and designed to be easily chanted by a large audience.

The rap verses, primarily delivered by Changbin and Han, showcase complex and rapid-fire flows that contrast with the straightforward rhythm of the chorus. The rhyme schemes within these verses are intricate, often featuring internal and multisyllabic rhymes characteristic of the members' styles. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm of the rapping and the underlying beat is a key feature of Stray Kids' music, and in "LALALALA," it serves to build and maintain an almost breathless momentum throughout the track, only briefly letting up for the bridge before launching back into the final explosive chorus.

"LALALALA" is a high-energy track that blends elements of drift phonk and Afrobeats with Stray Kids' signature aggressive rap and bombastic sound. The song's structure is intentionally dynamic and somewhat disorienting, moving through contrasting sections and off-kilter breakdowns to maintain a relentless intensity.

Literary Techniques: The lyrics employ clever wordplay, most notably with the Korean title "락 (樂)". This character means 'pleasure' but is pronounced "rak," phonetically mirroring the word "rock." This pun is the central lyrical motif, allowing the members to play with the dual meanings of locking away worries, embracing rock music, and choosing pleasure. The lyrics are filled with imperative commands ("Just feel the rock," "Lock, lock, unlock") that create a direct, anthemic address to the listener, urging them to participate.

Musical Techniques: The production is characterized by a powerful, foot-stomping beat, particularly in the chorus, which is designed for performance. The vocal delivery is predominantly shouty and aggressive, prioritizing energy and rhythm over complex melodies in the hook. This is contrasted with more melodic pre-choruses and intricate rap verses delivered by 3RACHA. The inclusion of a separate "Rock Ver." on the album highlights the song's adaptability, featuring more prominent electric guitars and a live band arrangement to emphasize the 'rock' aspect of its central theme.

"LALALALA" achieved significant commercial success and marked a major milestone in Stray Kids' global career. The song became the group's first entry on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 90. This made Stray Kids the second K-pop boy group, after BTS, to enter the prestigious chart. The song also performed strongly on global charts, peaking at number ten on the Billboard Global 200 and number six on the Global Excl. US chart, earning 44.7 million streams and 9,000 digital sales worldwide in its first tracking week.

In South Korea, it reached number six on the Circle Digital Chart, becoming their first top-ten hit. In the UK, it peaked at number 44 on the Official Singles Chart, their highest ranking to date. The song's success contributed to its parent album, ROCK-STAR, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, Stray Kids' fourth consecutive chart-topper. The song was recognized by critics, with Billboard naming it the 11th best K-pop song of 2023. Its music video also garnered significant attention, reaching 100 million views by January 2024 and being named one of the best K-pop music videos of 2023 by Teen Vogue.

The music video for "LALALALA" is rich with symbolism, primarily depicting an internal battle of emotions. It visualizes the Korean four-character idiom 'huiroaerak' (희로애락), which represents the full spectrum of human emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. This is portrayed through a group of young boys in a marching band who are overcome with stage fright, which manifests as giant, smoke-like monsters.

Inside their minds, the members of Stray Kids personify these conflicting emotions in different settings:

• Pleasure (樂): Represented by the group as fiery rock stars, embodying the song's core message.
• Anger (怒): Portrayed as pirates on a shipwreck.
• Joy (喜): Shown as bank robbers joyfully pulling off a heist.
• Sorrow (哀): Depicted in a desolate, melancholic setting with monoliths.

The most prominent recurring element in "LALALALA" is the titular phrase itself. The chant of "La-la-la-la, la, la-la-la-la" functions as the song's central hook and rallying cry. Its repetition creates a powerful, anthemic feel that is both memorable and universally accessible, encouraging audience participation.

Another key recurring motif is the wordplay on "락 (樂)" (rak/rock/lock). This word appears frequently throughout the lyrics in its various meanings. It's used to mean 'pleasure' or 'joy' ("after pain comes joy (Rock)"), the music genre 'rock' ("the genre itself is called joyful rock"), and the action of 'locking' ("Put a lock on your worries"). This clever lyrical device reinforces the song's core message from multiple angles: locking away negativity, finding freedom in rock music, and ultimately choosing a life of pleasure. Phrases like "Just feel the rock" and "We let it rock" are repeated to emphasize this central theme of liberation through music and attitude.