Lyrics of On The Ground — ROSÉ (BLACKPINK)

Song Info

• Title: On The Ground
• Artist: ROSÉ
• Album: R - Single
• Release Date: March 12, 2021
• Genre: Synth-Pop, Electro-Pop, Pop-Rock
• Producers: 24, Jon Bellion, Teddy Park, Ojivolta, Jorgen Odegard
• Label: YG Entertainment, Interscope Records

Annotations

In episode 5 of their YouTube series 24/365 with BLACKPINK, Rosé and the members of BLACKPINK revealed that they used to live in cheap dorms before their debut. They even lived in a dorm with insects inside, but they didn't have enough money to move to a better place. In an interview with Zach Sang, Rosé mentioned having a crack in her wall, which was a clean wall with a boiler and water heater. Now all BLACKPINK members live comfortably in their own luxury homes after their great success in the industry. Most things in life come with a price, whether it be fame, love, or both. Since their debut in August 2016, BLACKPINK has become increasingly popular and famous globally. As they transition from being well-known in Korea to the entire world, masses of people support them, and an estimated $6 million to take home a year may seem stellar on the surface. However, like every other famous artist, their privacy slowly declined, and now everybody watches and talks. In this sense, Rosé singing the lyrics "gold's just plastic" could refer to how something so affluent and beautiful on the exterior to the public is in fact fake on the inside, with many artists feeling like they must live "staged" lives. The promise of becoming a star as a trainee is a goal in which many young aspiring Korean artists must work towards everyday. In a March 2021 interview with Zach Sang, ROSÉ said that she admires her traits from her older days, such as being driven, having wild dreams, and aspire to be herself in the old days. Now, she is trying to look outwards but also inwards because that old version of her is already her. She is trying to check back into who she is as a person and what she values the most. The music video of "On The Ground" features a sequence where ROSÉ goes back to her childhood house and finds her younger self praising the current success, represented by Roseanne writing her future stage name on a mirror. But ROSÉ left Roseanne behind somewhere along the way and now she's working on getting back the traits that made her who she is to keep growing as an artist. Rosé, a talented Korean singer and actress, trained to become an idol since 2012 until her debut with BLACKPINK in 2016. In the group's 2020 documentary Light Up The Sky, Rosé shared her tough experience as a trainee and the sacrifices she had to make at a young age. She moved from Australia to South Korea alone at 16, not being used to Korean culture or dancing. However, she pushed forward and released her first release, "Without You," with fellow labelmate G-Dragon five months after starting her training. Throughout her life, Rosé has been driven by her ambition and aspirations, focusing on becoming the best artist she possibly can. As she reflects on her rising success, she realizes that the most important things have and always will be within her. In the post-chorus of the song, Rosé sings from two perspectives: her current self (ROSÉ) and the doubts from her past self (Roseanne). Training to become an idol is a hard process, as expressed throughout this song. Roseanne spent four years training to ultimately be in BLACKPINK, and the competition was tough with everyone constantly criticizing her. The label didn't release any other activities with ROSÉ for the rest of her training years, and she wasn't even credited on that feature until she debuted as BLACKPINK in 2016. The present ROSÉ is telling her younger self that she doesn't need to keep trying to reach for the stars. Roseanne can't see that what she needs to succeed is already within her, but at the time her insecurities were louder. In the outro of the song, Roseanne's demons are no longer audible. Even if ROSÉ can't go back in time to tell herself what she learned over the years, she knows now that whenever she is in doubt, what she needs to get out of that headspace is within her grasp. In the music video of "On The Ground," ROSÉ goes back to her childhood house and finds her younger self praising the current success the little, hardworking Roseanne had always dreamed of. But ROSÉ left Roseanne behind somewhere along the way and now she's working on getting back the traits that made her who she is to keep growing as an artist. Since their debut in August 2016, Rosé and her fellow members from BLACKPINK have experienced an exponential surge in fame and success, as they rose to become one of the more prominent Korean girl groups known internationally. In the post-chorus of the song, Rosé acknowledges her current status, the acknowledgements and compliments she gets from others, while also remaining aware of the fact that before her fame, she already had everything she ever needed and is content with her life.

Exploring the meaning of "On The Ground" by ROSÉ

Main Themes and Interpretation

On The Ground is a song of self-reflection and introspection, where ROSÉ reflects on her journey from humble beginnings to global stardom. The lyrics examine the concept of fulfillment, exploring how true contentment is often found within, rather than through external achievements or material success. Phrases like “I worked my whole life just to get high, just to realize everything I need is on the ground” express ROSÉ’s realization that despite her success, the most valuable aspects of life remain close to her roots and sense of self. The song also touches on the idea of staying grounded despite fame, as illustrated by the lyrics and visuals in the music video, where a meteorite hitting a limousine represents the grounding of one’s dreams and identity.

Technical Composition and Structure

The track combines acoustic guitar and EDM-inspired beats to create a synth-pop sound layered with dynamic, rising beats. The song is structured with a catchy chorus that emphasizes ROSÉ’s reflections, while the verses narrate her journey and realizations. The post-chorus and bridge are designed to build a powerful, anthemic feel, mirroring ROSÉ’s emotional connection to the song’s themes.

Emotional Analysis

Lyrics	Emotions
[Verse 1] My life's been magic, seems fantastic... You find out that your gold's just plastic	Disillusionment, realization
[Chorus] I worked my whole life... Everything I need is on the ground	Acceptance, introspection
[Post-Chorus] On the ground... Yeah, what goes up, it must come down	Groundedness, humility
[Bridge] I'm way up in the clouds... But I figured it out	Revelation, peace

Similar Songs

Listeners who connect with On The Ground may also enjoy:

• Lose You to Love Me by Selena Gomez – A self-reflective song on finding oneself through heartbreak.
• Rise Up by Andra Day – An anthem of resilience and inner strength.
• Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield – Celebrates personal growth and the journey of self-discovery.
• Only Love by Katy Perry – Discusses the importance of love and relationships over material success.

Comparisons to Previous Work

On The Ground contrasts with ROSÉ’s previous work with BLACKPINK, showcasing her personal journey and philosophical outlook. Unlike the bold, performance-heavy songs of BLACKPINK, this track takes a softer, more introspective tone, offering listeners a glimpse into ROSÉ’s deeper, more contemplative side.

"Basically the song is kind of about looking for answers in life for a purpose in life... everything we need is already within us."

ROSÉ on On The Ground