Other meanings of Crooked
Music
“Crooked” (Korean: 삐딱하게; RR: Ppidakage) is a song by South Korean rapper G-Dragon, released as a digital single on September 5, 2013, by YG Entertainment. It served as the title track for his second studio album, Coup d'Etat, and became one of his most iconic solo hits, known for its punk-rock energy and rebellious lyrics.
“Crooked” was written by G-Dragon and Teddy Park, with production by Teddy and G-Dragon. It was released as the second single from Coup d'Etat on September 5, 2013, following the album's first single “Who You?”. The song was part of a dual title-track promotion alongside “Coup d'Etat” itself. The track was made available for digital download and streaming worldwide, and an accompanying music video was released on the same day.
“Crooked” is a punk-rock and pop-punk track with a fast tempo, driven by electric guitars and a driving drumbeat. The song's lyrics express feelings of frustration and defiance after a breakup, with G-Dragon singing about feeling “crooked” (twisted) and wanting to break free from societal expectations. The chorus features the repeated line “I'm going crazy” (미치겠다), capturing a sense of reckless abandon.1 The song's genre was a departure from G-Dragon's usual hip-hop style, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
The music video for “Crooked” was directed by Han Sa-min and filmed in London, England. It features G-Dragon in various urban settings, including a red double-decker bus, a graffiti-covered alley, and a rooftop. The video depicts him engaging in rebellious acts, such as smashing a guitar and spray-painting walls, while also showing moments of vulnerability. The visual style is raw and gritty, with a handheld camera aesthetic that enhances the song's punk energy. The video has been praised for its cinematic quality and has amassed over 100 million views on YouTube.
“Crooked” debuted at number one on the Gaon Digital Chart, becoming G-Dragon's third number-one single in South Korea. It also topped the Gaon Download Chart and peaked at number two on the Gaon Streaming Chart. The song was a commercial success, selling over 1.5 million digital copies in South Korea by the end of 2013. Internationally, it charted on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 and received attention from global music media.
“Crooked” received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its energetic production and G-Dragon's charismatic delivery. Pitchfork included the song on its list of “The 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2013”, noting its “anthemic” quality and “unapologetic” attitude. The song was also named one of the best K-pop songs of the year by Spin and Fuse. Critics highlighted the song's blend of punk and pop, which was considered innovative in the K-pop landscape at the time.
G-Dragon performed “Crooked” extensively during his 2013 world tour, “One of a Kind”, and later at various music festivals and award shows. The song became a staple of his live repertoire, often featuring a live band and audience sing-alongs. Several artists have covered the song, including K-pop groups like Seventeen and Stray Kids, who performed it on survival shows and concerts. The song's popularity has also led to numerous dance covers and fan-made videos.
“Crooked” is considered a landmark in G-Dragon's solo career and a significant contribution to the evolution of K-pop's incorporation of Western punk and rock elements. It has been cited by many K-pop idols as an inspiration, and its music video is often referenced as a visual benchmark. The song's rebellious theme and high-energy sound have made it a timeless favorite among fans, and it continues to be streamed and covered years after its release.2
While “Crooked” is widely known, several details are less commonly discussed. The song's working title was reportedly “Ppidakage”, which is the Korean word for “crooked” or “twisted”, and it was initially intended to be a B-side track before being promoted as a single. The music video was filmed in a single day, with G-Dragon improvising many of the scenes, such as the guitar smash, which was not scripted. Additionally, the song's lyrics contain a reference to the 1994 film The Crow, with the line “I'm a crow” (까마귀), which is a subtle nod to the movie's theme of resurrection and revenge. The song also features a rare vocal performance from G-Dragon, who is primarily known for rapping, and he has stated that he wrote the lyrics while in a state of emotional turmoil, which contributed to the raw intensity of the track.
This article is about the 2013 single by G-Dragon. For other uses, see Crooked (disambiguation).
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