SHINee songs that are awesome but underrated
SHINee’s back.
SHINee songs, especially their title tracks, are typically adventurous and ahead of the curve. Hence, it’s no wonder why their fans, affectionately dubbed “Shawols”, have been patiently waiting for new content from the group – their sound is irreplaceable.
The K-pop veteran group finally made a comeback on 22nd February 2021 with their 7th studio album, Don’t Call Me. The comeback marked the end of a 2-and-a-half year hiatus, which saw members Onew, Key, and Minho complete their military service.
And on 12th April, they came back with a repackaged album titled Atlantis, which features a nautical-themed electropop title track.
If you’ve just joined the fandom thanks to SHINee’s recent releases and aren’t sure where to start with their extensive discography, here are 20 SHINee songs – in no particular order – that you should check out.
Table of Contents
- SHINee songs that are awesome but underrated
- Underrated SHINee songs
- 1. Shift
- 2. Romance
- 3. Dangerous (Medusa II)
- 4. Lock You Down
- 5. One For Me
- 6. Excuse Me Miss
- 7. Symptoms
- 8. Please, Don’t Go
- 9. Beautiful
- 10. You & I
- 11. Prism
- 12. Jojo
- Must-listen SHINee songs
- 13. Don’t Call Me
- 14. Replay
- 15. View
- 16. Married To The Music
- 17. Good Evening
- 18. Tell Me What To Do
- 19. Love Like Oxygen
- 20. Romeo + Juliette
- SHINee songs that are hidden gems
Underrated SHINee songs
1. Shift
Image adapted from: SHINee
Shift is a chill, laid–back song infused with a strong base and beat, reminiscent of an ‘80s pop song. It’s best played when you’re on a long drive, in the cool evenings or on a hot summer day.
Video credit: SHINee
It’s composed and written by Kenzie, who’s famous for producing hit songs such as Girls’ Generation’s Into The New World, EXO’s Overdose, and Red Velvet’s Red Flavor.
British songwriting duo LDN Noise also took part in the arrangement of this song.
Fun fact: Key performed this during his 1st solo concert in 2019 and covered all the members’ parts perfectly.
Video credit: 햇살아,안녕?
Album: 1 of 1 (2016)
Genre: UK Garage, House, Dance
2. Romance
Image adapted from: SHINee
Romance is a fast-paced fun and funky song best listened to when you want to get pumped up and moving. With Latin influences and beachy vibes, this song reminds us of a mix between Mario Kart Wii themes like Coconut Mall and Rainbow Road.
Video credit: SHINee
SHINee’s main rapper, Minho, contributed to the lyrics of this song.
Album: Odd (2015)
Genre: Disco funk, Dance-pop
3. Dangerous (Medusa II)
Image adapted from: SHINee
Dangerous goes for a retro-esque vibe with synths added here and there, and it will make you bob your head to the music.
American singer-songwriter Teddy Riley, who produced and wrote multiple songs for Michael Jackson, took part in producing this song.
Jonghyun also took part in writing the lyrics for Dangerous, which talks about a dangerous girl who has sparked the curiosity of the boys.
Video credit: SHINee
Album: Misconceptions of Me (2013)
Genre: Dance, Electropop
4. Lock You Down
Image credit: 샤이니 (SHINee)
Lock You Down was arranged and produced by the Grammy-nominated record label The Stereotypes, who’s known for producing hits such as Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic and Red Velvet’s Bad Boy. It is an upbeat song that evokes elements of fun throughout the track.
This was Jonghyun’s last song with SHINee, released as a special track in the final instalment of their 3-part EP, The Story of Light’.
Video credit: SHINee
This song shocked fans with the vocals of the late Jonghyun, and Shawols – SHINee’s fandom name – can’t help but feel bittersweet when listening to this track.
Album: The Story of Light’ EP.3 (2018)
Genre: Dance, Pop
5. One For Me
Image credit: The SHINee Wiki
One For Me is a slow, romantic R&B song that will make your heart swoon with smooth vocals and beats.
Video credit: SHINee
This song was written by the popular ballad singer Wheesung, and it song highlights Jonghyun’s powerful vocals and extensive range. The lyrics talk about a boy comforting his long-term crush after her break-up, and how he finally has a chance to treat her better than her ex.
Video credit: Platypizz2
Album: The SHINee World (2008)
Genre: R&B, Ballad
6. Excuse Me Miss
Image adapted from: SHINee
This slick R&B song mesmerises the listener with soulful vocals from the boys. The lyrics describe the jittery feelings one has when one is with their crush.
Video credit: SHINee
Excuse Me Miss was performed live for the 1st time during SHINee’s 4th concert tour.
Video credit: SHINee World IV
Album: Misconceptions of Me (2013)
Genre: R&B
7. Symptoms
Image adapted from: SHINee
Symptoms was written by Jonghyun and produced by The Underdogs, an American R&B and pop duo. The duo is known for producing songs for renowned R&B artists such as R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake, and Chris Brown.
Video credit: SHINee
The heavy R&B and slow jam influences in the song show off SHINee’s distinct charms that set them apart from their contemporaries.
Album: Everybody (2013)
Genre: R&B
8. Please, Don’t Go
Image credit: 샤이니 (SHINee)
Please, Don’t Go is an emotional ballad sung by SHINee’s leader Onew and main vocalist Jonghyun.
Video credit: SHINee
Lyrics such as “You can’t, don’t leave like this” and “Please just one more time, hold me in your arms again” really hits the spot, perfectly describing how one feels after a break-up.
Album: Romeo (2009)
Genre: Ballad
9. Beautiful
Image adapted from: SHINee
Beautiful was also produced by Teddy Riley. It’s an upbeat and feel-good song that was promoted alongside this EP’s title track, Dream Girl.
Video credit: MBCkpop
Accompanying the feel-good vibes of this song are lyrics that embrace listeners with comfort and reassurance, especially when the song ends off with a line that says “Your existence alone is beautiful.”
Video credit: nalzjiq
Album: Misconceptions of You (2013)
Genre: Pop, Dance
10. You & I
Image credit: 샤이니 (SHINee)
You & I was entirely written by SHINee’s diva, Key, in the summer of 2017.
The lyrics can be interpreted as one acknowledging their feelings of sadness and accepting the loss of a loved one, especially with lyrics such as “I’m the only one who’s hurting, though I seem fine but I’m not easy” and “Out of all the stars in my heart, there’s one star that shines painfully / I don’t want to hold onto it, but I don’t want it to extinguish either”.
Video credit: SHINee
The audience of episode 401 of Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook got to hear a snippet of this song performed live.
Video credit: 내가 보고싶은온유
Album: The Story of Light’ EP.1 (2018)
Genre: Ballad
11. Prism
Image adapted from: SHINee
Prism starts off slow before jumping into a fast-paced UK garage song. Jonghyun took part in the composition of the song together with American producers Jamil “Digi” Chammas from Orange Factory Music and R&B singer-songwriter Vedo.
Video credit: SHINee
Despite the pace of this song, SHINee managed to impress the audience with stellar execution of dance moves while not compromising on their live vocals.
Video credit: Mnet K-POP
Album: 1 of 1 (2016)
Genre: UK Garage, House
12. Jojo
Image credit: 샤이니 (SHINee)
Produced by Kenzie, Jojo is a song that speaks about how ones feels after breaking up, unable to forget about their ex.
Video credit: SHINee
Catch the live performance of Jojo here:
Video credit: MBCkpop
Album: 2009, Year of Us (2009)
Genre: R&B, Pop
Must-listen SHINee songs
13. Don’t Call Me
Image credit: SMTOWN
Also produced by Kenzie, Don’t Call Me is a song about a boy’s resentment towards his ex. This is the first time SHINee has attempted a genre like this, but they managed to pull it off like the musical chameleons that they are.
Video credit: SMTOWN
In commemoration of the group’s comeback, celebrities such as IU and Super Junior came together to react to their music video.
Video credit: SHINee
Fun fact: This song was originally meant for BoA, but she felt that it was better suited for a group. NCT was one of the potential groups for this song, but it was eventually handed over to SHINee.
Album: Don’t Call Me (2021)
Genre: Hip hop, Dance
14. Replay
Image credit: 샤이니 (SHINee)
SHINee debuted with the R&B track Replay in May 2008. This song reflects the feelings of a younger boy’s crush on an older girl.
Video credit: SMTOWN
Their debut stage surprised the audience as SHINee boasted impressive skills despite being just a rookie group at that time.
Video credit: onsoo lee
Album: Replay (2008)
Genre: R&B, Ballad
15. View
Image credit: 샤이니 (SHINee)
View was written by Jonghyun and produced by LDN Noise and Ryan S. Jhun. American songwriter and producer Adrian McKinnon, also took part in the production of this song.
Their music video was the most viewed K-pop MV in May 2018.
Video credit: SMTOWN
The catchy chorus is easy to follow, and the fan chant for this song is one of the most memorable parts of their live performances.
Video credit: Mnet K-POP
Album: Odd (2015)
Genre: Deep house, Dance
16. Married To The Music
Image adapted from: SMTOWN
Composed and arranged by LDN Noise, Adrian McKinnon, Ryan S. Jhun, and Zak Waters, Married To The Music is one of the 4 songs added to the repackaged album Odd.
Their quirky MV incorporates slightly disturbing visuals such as Taemin’s eyeballs popping out and Key getting decapitated. Don’t worry, there’s no blood involved.
Video credit: SMTOWN
Album: Married To The Music (2015)
Genre: Dance, Disco-pop
17. Good Evening
Image credit: @SHINee
SHINee made their 1st comeback as 4 with Good Evening as the title track for their album The Story of Light. The album marked the group’s 10th anniversary.
Shawols came up with various theories after watching the MV, which included a scene where the boys peered into a well while a shadow could be seen. Some theories include the band starting afresh as a quartet but still acknowledging that Jonghyun continues to play an important role in the band.
Video credit: SMTOWN
Minho and Key took part in writing the lyrics for this deep house track. Koharu Sugawara, who choreographed Taemin’s Move, did the choreography for this song.
Video credit: Mnet K-POP
Album: The Story of Light’ EP.1 (2018)
Genre: Electropop, Deep house
18. Tell Me What To Do
Image credit: @SMTOWNGLOBAL
Tell Me What To Do is an electropop track infused with R&B elements.
The MV features rising actress Han So-hee as the protagonist, whom Minho and Taemin are fighting over. The cinematography is so good that you’d have to rewatch the music video a few times to truly appreciate it.
Video credit: SMTOWN
Check out their performance of the song at the 2016 KBS Song Festival below:
Video credit: KBS WORLD TV
Album: 1 and 1 (2016)
Genre: R&B, Electropop
19. Love Like Oxygen
Image credit: The SHINee Wiki
SHINee made their 1st-ever comeback after their debut with Love Like Oxygen. This title track is a pop song with funky riff and an ‘80s vibe.
This song was a remake of Martin Hoberg Hedegaard’s debut song, Show The World. Hedegaard was the winner of Denmark’s The X Factor.
Video credit: SMTOWN
This song got SHINee their first Korean music show win, on Mnet’s M! Countdown.
Video credit: MaLaa0910
Album: The SHINee World (2008)
Genre: Pop
20. Romeo + Juliette
Image credit: 샤이니 (SHINee)
Romeo+Juliette is a synth-pop song that tells of a boy and girl parting ways after a failed relationship, and the boy reminiscing their time spent together.
Video credit: SHINee
Album: Romeo (2009)
Genre: Synth-pop
These SHINee songs are a good introduction to their discography, especially if you’re venturing into the fandom. Don’t forget to stream these SHINee songs along with their latest release – Atlantis – that just dropped last week.
Keep up with the band’s latest updates on their official Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channel.
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Cover image adapted from: SMTOWN