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10 songs by SHINee's Key perfect for different life situations

By Michelle Caligan
Published September 22, 2022 11:00 PM PHT
Updated September 22, 2022 11:00 PM PHT

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SHINee Key


Looking for a confidence boost, pulling an all-nighter, or nursing a broken heart? Whether you are going through something or just want to have a good time, SHINee's Key has songs that you can totally relate to. Here are 10 of his past and current releases you can listen to all day long.

Regardless of genre, SHINee's songs have always been top-tier, and the members' solo work is no exception. Aside from the powerful vocals and unique musical style, the Princes of K-pop's individual releases were also a collection of their personal thoughts that conveyed meaningful messages and served as a source of comfort to fans everywhere.

Take for example Key, SHINee's lead rapper, dancer, and vocalist, who is celebrating his birthday today, September 23. Key has released one Japanese and four Korean albums since his solo debut in 2018, giving SHINee's fans some of K-pop's most memorable bops and ballads. A talented songwriter, he has also written lyrics for a good number of his songs which usually contain bits and pieces of his life and career.

If diving into his Korean and Japanese discography is a bit overwhelming, then here are 10 songs from Key's solo albums--as suggested by SHINee World--that you can listen to for just about any situation you are in:

"Proud" - celebrating little wins

With self-written lyrics based on his mom's parenting diary, "Proud" is Key's personal story flawlessly transformed into this B-side track of his latest album Gasoline.

Lyrics:
"Man, I'm so proud
Racing without answers
Thus, I made it
The stars that protected me
I made a commitment every day
Never chase the famous"

"It's nice to celebrate small wins with this song. I remember humming to this song and singing the English parts yesterday after I finished my tasks for the day." - @kiseki_sonyeo

"Imagine" - remaining hopeful

"Imagine" is the only all-English song off of Key's first full album FACE. He previously revealed that he includes an English track in all his albums for his international fans and that there are some lines that are just better delivered in English than in Korean.

Lyrics:
"Just imagine, so much magic
Show your heart to make it right
Keep you dancing through the night
Just imagine, so much magic
Shine your light into the night
Only love can give you life"

"This is perfect to inspire you to love, to be yourself, to believe in magic and the goodness of the world." - @joe_noona

"Easy To Love" - not getting into a relationship

"Easy To Love" is another B-side track from Key's FACE album. He also participated in writing its lyrics, along with JQ and Moon Hee-yeon. It was described as "a house R&B song that combines a groovy synthesizer and a sweet electric piano melody that honestly expresses the feeling of being lonely [and] alone but too afraid to start a relationship."

Lyrics:
"If I excitedly open my heart that's wrapped up like a present
I find out that it's as light as an empty box
Even if I say I want to meet someone
I like being alone because it's so easy
I also don't understand my heart"

"This is perfect for someone like me who prefers to be single right now. It felt like Key was explaining the reasons why one chooses not to enter a relationship." - @dkyungsO__O

"I Can't Sleep" - working/studying late

True to its title, "I Can't Sleep" is that song you'd want to put on loop while pulling an all-nighter or on a long commute going home.

Lyrics:
"Covering ears with earplug
Blinking in a meaningless eye patch
Don't sleep at night
Although their eyes and ears are closed
Anxiety and coming
There are thousands of cockeyed ideas
I'm curious about the world of Insta
I shouldn't have turned on my phone again"

"I've been listening to this non-stop. Not only because I can kind of hear '2 Kids' through the beats but I can personally relate to not being able to sleep especially when I am working at night. This one is best for night owls - when you're studying, working, driving, or commuting home and you still have that pent up energy to do something to the point where you don't know how to rest. I personally relate to the line: '알람 없이, I'm already awake' (Without an alarm, I'm already awake). This is also a good song for a chill rainy weekend evening when you get your plans cancelled." - @jxamri_

"Eighteen (End Of My World)" - doubting yourself

"Eighteen (End Of My World)" is the first collaboration between Key and Fil-Canadian singer-songwriter August Rigo, with August composing the English demo and Key supplying the Korean lyrics. The song is Key's personal favorite from his BAD LOVE album, as it is dedicated to his younger self.

Lyrics:
"Don't let it all fall down
Won't you look back
My eighteen, my eighteen
Don't let it all fall down
Don't be anxious
My eighteen, my eighteen
Flying without limits
My eighteen, my eighteen"

"For sure, these are the words that our 18-year-old selves want to hear. I swear, I'm going to listen to this song again when I turn 28. Whenever you feel self-doubt, this is the song that you should listen to." - @dkyungsO__O

"Gasoline" - achieving a certain goal or finishing a task

As the title track of Key's second studio album, "Gasoline" clearly spoke of the K-pop idol's determination in carving his own path in the industry. The heavy brass and drum sounds that complement Key and KENZIE's lyrics make it the perfect confidence booster.

Lyrics:
"A-list (champ)
The latest (champ)
Made it (champ)
(Champion) I'm ready"

"Inflame me, wind me up, I'll take it all
One spark is all it takes
Idling and the next thing you know, breaking speed barriers"

"Catchy beat, my non-judgmental friends (if there's any) might enjoy it. As for the lyrics, it's like gasoline that fuels my drive to achieve whatever goal it is I set my mind on achieving." @marybells525

"'Gasoline' is just the perfect anthem for any task that I need to accomplish. It instantly uplifts, revs up my energy, and boosts my morale. Such an empowering song!" - @empresslora

"Why Are You Here" - moving on from a heartbreak

The only Japanese song on this list, "Why Are You Here" is from Key's first Japanese EP Hologram released in December 2018. The track is a duet with CoCo and talks about misunderstandings between couples.

Lyrics:
"It's not too late to start over right now
Why do you keep looking at me with that look in your eyes
The love that wouldn't have ended if we were honest
Fails to take shape again"

"This song sounds and feels like the perfect soundtrack when you bump into your ex in a quaint event and you have your new man with you. Ex gives you that "You know we are the better pair" look but deep inside, you know that he just couldn't keep his part of the bargain that's why your relationship ended. Too bad for him though, your new man has no intentions of letting you go at this point." - Pat Sanchez

"Villain" - feeling mischievous

"Villain" is also part of Gasoline and features NCT's Jeno, whom Key personally picked to sing with. The song is about a villain who aspires to be the story's main character, and Key and Jeno's onstage chemistry in music shows proves why this is a crowd favorite.

Lyrics:
"You can call me villain
Whatever, it's fine
Take your time
I spit out lines that aren't in the script
Seeing something fun
Screams and thrills, surprise, startling reactions
Maybe I'm a villain"

"Villain is for days when you're feeling yourself, when you feel like a baddie, which I think we can all relate to. It gives off that mischievous energy that says 'I don't care if I'm the bad one in your story' especially when he sings the line, 'You can call me villain' and 'Maybe I'm the villain.'" - @jxamri_

"Another Life" - working out

While "Another Life" may be about pursuing love in another dimension, it deserves a spot in your workout playlist thanks to its electropop nature and synth sounds. The music video of this all-English track was initially released as a VCR in Key's "Groks in the Keyland" online concert in September 2021. The song was later included in his Gasoline album.

Lyrics:
"Like rockets we will blaze up to the outer-space
Until we reach the roof, hey, what we gotta lose?
See we're gliding now high above the ground
Lift off, past the moon
Leave all the madness
And let go
To another life (another life, another life)"

"If you want a song that can make you feel like you're ready to fight an alien warship with Key or rescue him, this is it. Or even when you have work and you're plain sleepy, this song is a good energizer and a workout song, too! Favorite line: I love the whole song but the pre-chorus and chorus get me every time." - @jxamri_

"This Life" - living without regrets

If you're looking for a song that screams YOLO, then "This Life"--the last track in FACE-- is exactly what you need to listen to. After all, it is described as "a progressive house song with a strongly addictive melody and a message similar to 'Carpe Diem' or 'YOLO' that is expected to captivate listeners."

"This Life" was part of Key's setlist during the Begin Again concert in the Araneta Coliseum last May, along with "Bad Love," "Helium," and "Saturday Night."

Lyrics:
"My mama said for tomorrow
Is why you're living now
My daddy said it might not be easy
But that's life
You only live once"

"'This Life' is an extra special song because I watched him perform it live during Begin Again and it was timely because we're in the COVID era right now. There are so many restrictions but this song says, "You only live once," and you have one life that you get to live so make sure to live it without regrets and focus on yourself. I recommend this song for days when you feel like you need extra self love." @jxamri_

If these 10 songs aren't enough, you may check out Key's solo discography and SHINee's discography on various streaming platforms.

MEANWHILE, GET TO KNOW KEY AND THE REST OF SHINee IN THIS GALLERY: