Universe (Let's Play Ball) Explained

Universe (Let's Play Ball)
Cover:Universe Let's Play Ball NCT.png
Type:single
Artist:NCT U
Album:Universe
Recorded:2021
Length:3:51
Lyricist:
Composer:
Producer:
  • Dem Jointz
  • Kenzie
Chronology:NCT U
Prev Title:Work It
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Baggy Jeans
Next Year:2023

"Universe (Let's Play Ball)" is a song recorded by South Korean boy group NCT U, the first unit of NCT under the management of SM Entertainment. The song was served as the lead single of NCT's third studio album Universe, and it was released on December 10, 2021, four days prior to the release of the album.

Composition and lyrics

"Universe (Let's Play Ball)" was composed by Carlos Battey, Wayne Hector, Breyan Isaac, Alexandru Cotoi, Marcel Botezan, Dem Jointz, Ryan S. Jhun and Kenzie, with the arrangement held by Issac, Cotoi, Botezan, Jointz and Kenzie.[1] [2] It was recorded at two SM Entertainment's recording studios, SM Yellow Tail Studio and SM SSAM Studio, and was produced by Dem Jointz and Kenzie, SM's long-time frequent collaborators.[2] The song was composed in the key of F minor, with a tempo of 180 beats per minute.[3]

Described as an EDM hip-hop song with catchy hook, clattering percussion,[4] the lyrics, which were written by Kenzie and NCT U's member Mark,[1] [2] talk about "espousement of fearlessness in terms of pursuing what one deems as his destiny", and also "made abundantly clear that a romantic interest plays an all-important role in his perception of achieving that goal".[5]

Music video

The music video, which was directed by Hong Jae-hwan and Beomjin, was released alongside the song by SM Entertainment on December 10.[2] It features scenes of NCT U's members "challenging each other to a game of baseball, alongside shots of the group performing choreography".[6]

Accolades

Program! width="140"
Date (3 total)
Music BankDecember 24, 2021[7]
December 31, 2022[8]
January 7, 2022[9]

Credits

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[10] [11]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2021)Peak
position
Global Excl. US (Billboard)[12] 146
scope="row"
South Korea (Gaon)[13] 86
South Korea (K-Pop Hot 100)[14] 96
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[15] 14

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel(s)
VariousDecember 10, 2021SM Entertainment
South KoreaCD

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Universe (Let's Play Ball) – NCT U/Song Information. Melon. March 13, 2023. March 13, 2023.
  2. Universe. NCT 2021. 2021. Credits. photobook. SM Entertainment; Dreamus. South Korea.
  3. Web site: Key & BPM for Universe (Let's Play Ball) by NCT U. Tunebat. December 10, 2021. December 10, 2021.
  4. Web site: Song Review: NCT U – Universe (Let’s Play Ball). 10 December 2021. 10 December 2021. The Bias List.
  5. Web site: “Universe (Let's Play Ball)” by NCT U. Song Meanings & Facts. Amanda London. December 11, 2021. December 11, 2021.
  6. Web site: NCT U release music video for ‘Universe (Let’s Play Ball)’. December 10, 2021. December 10, 2021. Chin. Carmen. NME.
  7. Web site: NCT, 오늘(26일) 'Beautiful' 퍼포먼스 스테이지 공개..희망찬 에너지. NCT unveils 'Beautiful' performance stage today (26th)... Hopeful energy. Min-kyung. Ji. December 26, 2021. OSEN. ko. January 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20211226011542/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004531667. December 26, 2021. live.
  8. Web site: 12월 5주순위. December 31, 2021. KBS. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231144302/https://program.kbs.co.kr/2tv/enter/musicbank/pc/board.html?smenu=a1e0fb&bbs_loc=T2000-0027-04-641103,list,none,1,0. December 31, 2021. live.
  9. Web site: '뮤뱅' NCT U, 'Universe'로 1위..쪼꼬미⋅원위 컴백→하이키⋅케플러 데뷔[종합]]. 'Mubang' NCT U, 1st place with 'Universe'..Jokomi・Onewe comeback→Highkey・Kepler debut [comprehensive]. Seung-hoon. Lee. January 7, 2022. OSEN. ko. January 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220107115225/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004537677. January 7, 2022. live.
  10. Web site: Universe - The 3rd Album. Naver Vibe. November 14, 2021. December 24, 2021. December 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211224030159/https://vibe.naver.com/album/6729268. live.
  11. Web site: Universe - The 3rd Album. QQ Music. November 14, 2021. December 24, 2021. December 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211214095423/https://y.qq.com/n/ryqq/albumDetail/002N5nPx0bEiX2. live.
  12. Web site: NCT U Chart History: Global Excl. US . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326010157/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nct-u/chart-history/glx/ . March 26, 2023 . March 25, 2023 . Billboard . en.
  13. Web site: 2021년 51주차 Digital Chart . Gaon Music Chart . ko . March 25, 2023 . December 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211223020422/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=51&hitYear=2021&termGbn=week . dead.
  14. Web site: NCT U Chart History: Billboard K-Pop 100 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728031611/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nct-u/chart-history/kpo/ . July 28, 2022 . March 25, 2023 . Billboard . en.
  15. Web site: NCT U Chart History: World Digital Song Sales . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728024112/https://www.billboard.com/artist/nct-u/chart-history/wdt/ . July 28, 2022 . March 25, 2023 . Billboard . en.

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