⋆ Genre: Hip hop
⋆ Producing Credits: Slow Rabbit
⋆ Writing/Composing Credits: Ebenezer, Magnus, Yeonjun, danke, hitman bang, Taehyun, Jo Yoon Kyung, Beomgyu, January 8th, LUTRA
About: ‘No Rules’ is a bold anthem of rebellion with a catchy, rebellious spirit, expressing a desire to reject societal norms and live freely. The song captures the exhilaration of breaking out of the expected, aligning with The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE’s broader themes of defiance and self-discovery. It suggests that by challenging the “rules” that confine them, the boys can begin to escape the emotional freeze they’re experiencing. This carefree spirit embodies the spontaneity of youth, bringing warmth to the album and underscoring its call for self-acceptance and authenticity.
As a thematic continuation of TXT's earlier song 'New Rules', ‘No Rules’ explores the struggle for freedom and identity at different stages of growing up. In 'New Rules', the boys navigate the tension between societal expectations and their desires, rebelling against restrictive norms as they seek to understand their place in the world – there’s confusion but also hope as they set new boundaries for themselves. By the time we reach ‘No Rules’ this frustration has intensified. Instead of making new rules, they now reject rules entirely by embracing chaos and personal freedom. The song reflects their exhaustion with societal pressures and their longing to live without constraints, mirroring the overwhelming challenges of growing up in an unpredictable world—especially relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, the songs tell a story of growth, moving from curiosity and rebellion to a deeper frustration and yearning for freedom. [Please note that this is our interpretation of the song's meaning, based on the ongoing narrative of TXT's discography and insights from the members and official press releases. It's perfectly fine to have a different interpretation—after all, that's the beauty of music ♡]
LYRIC VIDEO: (Be sure to check out the written lyrics below for additional explanations of any lyrics or references not covered in the lyric video).
LYRICS (translations by @translatingTXT)
Let’s go let’s go
Come and feel my vibe, vibe
Yeah yeah come on
Why is it like this?
I don’t really know either
Quickly wake up, you wake up
(Come my way, come my way, come my way)
I close my eyes again
Continue my dream yeah
It was me who wanted to be a punk
Reference to 'New Rules': If it crosses the line, I want it / If they tell me not to do it, I do it / Stupid but I / Want to be punk"
Whether it's my left foot or right
Reference to 'New Rules': "If it’s left foot, right foot / Right foot, left foot is more comfortable"
Whether it's A.M. or P.M.
This broken pattern
Everything's thrown into confusion
What is right? I don’t get it
Woo, my world is panic
(Yeah you know what I like)
The vibe I’ve dreamed of every day
The drive that never stops
One more time yeah
I just wanna dance, dance
Until we can’t
No more
It was me who wanted to be a punk (why)
Why does it feel like I’m about to burst with a pop?
It was me who wanted to be a punk (why)
Oh my oh my
It’s all chaos, all chaos
Yeah it’s so weird
This routine I never wanted
When it’s time to sleep, the alarm rings
Yeah why does that even exist
The extra belly fat is a bonus
There's no more time for spacing out
Yeah, I wanted to be a punk
Ah, have I really become an idiot?
This place trapped within lines
Can you return it to how it was?
To a time when there were no rules
I wanna go back
In this game, a diamond
In reality, at the bottom
Hit me like lightning
The vibe I’ve dreamed of every day
The drive that never stops
One more time yeah
I just wanna dance, dance until we can’t
No more
Oh my oh my
It’s all chaos, all chaos
It was me who wanted to be a punk (why)
Why does it feel like I’m about to burst with a pop?
It was me who wanted to be a punk (why)
Oh my oh my
I don’t wanna feel this vibe
I’d really like to stop this vibe
I’m getting tired yeah
I don’t wanna dance, dance anymore
No more
My life trapped between the lines feels like doom
Even after the lines are lifted, I still feel insane
It was me who wanted to be a punk, why
Oh my oh my
It’s all chaos, all chaos
Doom
Helpful Context (Album Series Summary): Following the complexities and challenges that threatened the boys’ dreamlike world at the end of 'The Dream Chapters' and 'Minisode 1,' the 'Chaos Chapters' capture the disruption of this idyllic world as the boys confront the harsh realities and responsibilities of the world that begin to challenge their dreams and relationships. Their daily lives are thrown into turmoil, leaving them feeling frozen and overwhelmed until a transformative presence, represented as 'you,' appears before them. This series marks a transition from the nostalgic themes of earlier chapters to a deeper, more introspective examination of internal and external conflicts. Influenced by real-world events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, the 'Chaos Chapters' reflect the broader chaos and struggles inherent in youth.
Helpful Context (Album Summary: The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE): 'The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE' portrays a world where the warmth of friendship and youthful dreams is disrupted by sudden coldness and isolation. The album delves into the emotional freeze experienced when facing the harsh realities of growing up, such as alienation, heartbreak, and confusion. It reflects TXT's efforts to navigate personal and external conflicts amidst the chaos of adolescence. The narrative conveys a sense of being stuck in time, grappling with changes and challenges. Yet, amidst this emotional coldness, the appearance of 'you,'* a special someone, symbolizes warmth and connection, offering moments of hope and resilience.
*The character of 'you' is intentionally broad, allowing for various interpretations. 'You' can be seen as a platonic figure (as depicted in the MVs), a romantic interest (which ties into the transitional chapter Minisode 2), or MOA, TXT’s fans (building on the Dream Chapters, which narrate TXT’s journey from trainees to debut). This broad interpretation of 'you' enables a wide-ranging illustration of TXT’s personal experiences as well as the experiences of youth more broadly.
Helpful Context (Album Summary: The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT OR ESCAPE): 'The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape' sees TOMORROW X TOGETHER build upon the narrative of 'The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE,' by delving deeper into their internal and external struggles. The album’s title reflects the crucial choices they face: whether to confront their challenges directly or seek escapism. As a repackage of 'The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE,' this edition introduces two new tracks that expand on the themes of the original album, exploring the tension between facing adversity and the allure of escape. It emphasizes their ongoing battle with fears and uncertainties, showcasing their determination to navigate obstacles and find their path forward while underscoring the value of supportive relationships. The album captures the essence of choosing between fighting against the chaos or finding solace together.
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