F.T.S. — The song that Influenced my Life and Music
F.T.S. — The song that influenced my life and music
F.T.S. is a song from Jennie’s Ruby album. Why am I writing about it now, more than a year after its release? First, it never gets old and remains very close to my heart. Second, I recently had an interview for a Music Writer Intern position on a news-like platform.
I had my first round, and it went well. I didn’t expect much, but then I received a call for another round, which I wasn’t even sure about. However, the impression it left on me was very upsetting. I’m not saying they were mean or rude; they were just doing their job, yet I was left with zero self-esteem.
They asked, “Which song changed your perspective?”
I said, “It’s the song ‘F.T.S.’ from the ‘Ruby’ album. It stands for ‘Fuck That Shit,’ and it changed my perspective.”
“How?”
The song says, “Fuck that shit, Flip the script,” which means that no matter how many obstacles life presents, we should move on to the next chapter.
“But that’s a life perspective, not a musical one. How did it change your perspective on music?”
Because I read the article in Rolling Stone about Jennie’s ‘Ruby’ album, I said, “It includes musical elements from the 2000s and 2010s. As someone born in 2000, I felt the change in that music and missed that style.”
She asked, “Why music? You’ve never been in this field — it’s just your personal passion, not something to pursue as a career.”
I replied, “I have already written an article about an Indian web series called ‘PATAL LOK’, which is a form of entertainment.”
“But that’s entertainment; it’s not music. Music is completely different from entertainment.”
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I never realized that music is different from entertainment. I thought writing might vary in those areas, but I thought fundamentally, they are the same.
The interview lasted a bit longer than expected. They pointed out every flaw in me. I realized that as soon as the meeting ended, I would be out. I can understand their perspective, but a girl who is trying every possible way to get an opportunity and find the right path — even if it’s not immediately visible — might not understand this. However, I am taking it as a lesson. This is not arrogance or an attempt to show off; I am simply here to learn about my own capabilities.
RUBY
Ruby is Jennie’s first solo album from BLACKPINK. On the day of its release, I remember having a second countdown to listen to the album; it was midnight here in India when it was released. Every track was amazing. “Like Jennie” captured all my attention the first time I heard it. I had heard her rap before in BLACKPINK songs, but this was on another level. It felt raw and fresh. Although it was Korean rap, I could really feel the energy. I listened to it twice that day. My favorite tracks from the album have changed over time. I loved every song, but the tracks “Twin,” “Damn Right,” “Seoul City,” “With the IE,” “Zen,” and “F.T.S.” left a Silver lining on me.
F.T.S.
The song “F.T.S.” begins with a rainy, somewhat somber melody. It opens with the line, “Maybe it’s time to take a leap of faith, and come to my senses and take my shirt off in the rain.” It’s truly beautiful. The message encourages us to believe in ourselves and not worry too much about what others think. Instead, we should live in the moment, because that is all we truly have.
The best line for me is, “Whatever happened to freedom and honesty?” It conveys a powerful and independent message that resonates with everyone. Although the world has evolved significantly, we still lack the freedom to be our true selves. There is a great deal of unwarranted criticism, especially directed at those in the public eye. Moreover, honesty seems to have vanished; the world is filled with so much falseness, yet people continue to embrace it, particularly through social media.
There’s a phrase: “Fuck that shit, I’m over it, off the grid.” It expresses the sentiment, “I’m done with all this, and I’m going to go Zen — disconnecting from all the negativity to live a better life.”
The music is so catchy in the background, especially when we hear it through headphones; it truly connects us.
“I’m in love, you’re on game.” There’s a saying: “One line from an artist can have many meanings,” and I understand it now. This phrase can apply to relationships or anything else one can relate to. For me, it feels like the other person doesn’t realize that I’m putting my whole soul into something, while for them, it’s just another random thing.
Another punchline is, “I’ll say what I want if this shit’s true.” People have lost the independence to be honest about major issues because they believe there are always two sides to every story, and no one wants to hurt anyone.
How it made an influence on my life and music.
We all face significant challenges in life that are not always visible to others. Unfortunately, during these times, a person can feel trapped indefinitely. It is in these moments that music becomes our refuge, offering an escape and a means to heal. Music is never impersonal; we love it because we feel it, resonate with it, and relate to it. Ultimately, music connects us all.
The song still makes me cry, even when I’m both happy and sad. After the interview, the first thing I did was listen to this song. Even in the background, her voice resonated deeply with me, reminding me to have faith in myself and to do my best for the future.
The music was a blend of R&B and pop, marked by a unique authenticity. This track has stayed with me even after a year, thanks to its lyrics, which are both daring and classy. Jennie’s voice was pure throughout the song, and the honesty she brings to her music was evident.
This song is definitely not obscure; it is quite popular. However, considering its music and lyrics, it remains a timeless hidden gem.
