IU, who recently celebrated her 12th debut anniversary, is easily one of the most influential and hard working female soloists in the K-Pop industry. Her stage name IU is derived from "I" and "You", symbolising her hope that people come together through music. Her voice is angelic and she's extremely expressive.
Many male idols and actors alike have openly mentioned that IU would be their ideal type. This includes BTS Jungkook and actor Lee Dong Wook among many others.
IU's music has given hope and respite to many during times of crisis and pain as well as brought tears to those who needed to cry. On the other hand, she has also written the happiest of songs with cheerful lyrics and melody.
Here's a list of IU songs for any mood whatsoever.
1. PALETTE FT. G-DRAGON
This coming of age song is one for the history books. Featuring G-Dragon, this song expresses the emotions of finally finding your true self and coming to terms with it.
A song about owning who you are left and right, IU's BBIBBI is a message to haters so they know not to mess with her.
"It's me, it's me nothing different
What are they gossiping about me these days?
The searching light scanner, scanner
What's my score today? Jealous, jealous"
3. ABOVE THE TIME
A passionate love song about patience and perseverance, love lost and found, IU follows up on "You and I" with "Above the Time".
"Even if I don't record it
I'll remember everything of you
Wait
If we finally meet
Out of the boundary of time
If I stand without stepping on the past
I'll dance until I run out of breath..."
4. THROUGH THE NIGHT
IU's love letter in a song resonates with many as they reminisce memories of love.
"Like the words written in the sand
Where the waves are
I'm afraid you'll disappear
So I always miss you
I can't take out
All these words in my heart
But this means that I love you"
5. BLUEMING
A song that perfectly captures the excitement and eagerness of new love, Blueming has a unique concept as it compares exchange of messages with newfound love with the blooming of flowers.
"Our rectangular chat screen is in bloom
With my thumbs I make roses bloom
I think I'm going to get intoxicated off this scent
This is what you get when two genius lyricists meet. Under the production and feature of BTS Suga, Eight is the story of looking back on one's happy youth. However, IU and Suga tackle loss and letting go in this track as well. In introducing 'Eight', IU shares: "While I'm not sure whether it's from my personal emotion or from the overall atmosphere of our society that is amidst hard times, my 28th year would be remembered by the recurring feeling of lethargy and longing for the 'orange island' where there is no sadness and we are able to be free." Fans have theorised and with good reason too, that IU wrote this song in dedication to the friends she lost and that is evident from the heaviness of the lyrics.
"So are you happy now?
Finally happy now, are you?
Well, I'm exactly the same
I think I've lost everything
Everything comes as it pleases and leaves without a goodbye
Like this, I don't want to love anything
Where the sun has set, as far as the sun sets
I travel in those memories"
7. ENDING SCENE
There is no way anyone can listen to this song without shedding a waterfall of tears. The music video features Kim Soo Hyun and IU as they navigate threads of memories holding them and finally cut them off.
