Figurative Language In “Four” Album By One Direction : Semantic Analysis

Salsabila Kayla; Ervina Cm Simatupang

doi:10.51673/jurnalistrendi.v10i1.2418

Salsabila Kayla Widyatama University, Indonesia
Ervina Cm Simatupang Widyatama University, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51673/jurnalistrendi.v10i1.2418

Keywords: Semantics, Figurative Language, Song, One Direction

Abstract

This research investigates figurative language in song lyrics, specifically focusing on One Direction's ‘Four’ album, to uncover deeper meanings and evoke emotional responses. Using a qualitative method, the research collected and analyzed data based on Johnson and Arp’s classification of figurative language, which consists of twelve types. The data were collected through careful listening and textual analysis of the album’s official lyrics, with findings cross-verified using multiple sources..The findings reveal a total of 66 instances of figurative language in the album, distributed as follows: irony (7 instances, 10.6%), personification (6 instances, 9.1%), symbol (17 instances, 25.75%), metaphor (23 instances, 34.84%), and hyperbole (13 instances, 19.7%). The results indicate that metaphor is the most frequently used type of figurative language in the album. This study highlights the role of popular music as a creative medium for literary expression and provides insight into how figurative language can enhance listener engagement. The findings may serve as a reference for educators and students in the fields of linguistics, literature, and music studies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Afriani, I. H. (2014). An analysis of figurative language in Michael Jackson’s song lyric “Heal the World”. Jurnal Ilmiah Progressif, 11(32), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.21831/jip.v11i32.2345

Arifah, K. (2016). Figurative language analysis in five John Legend's songs. Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University of Malang.

Astuti, R. D., & Setyanto, A. (2023). An analysis of figurative language in William Shakespeare's selected poems. Journal of Indonesian Language and Literature Pedagogy (JILP), 3(1), 1–10.

Ayunikmah, C., & Hoque, M. S. (2023). Bru elt. 1(1).

Billboard. (2014, May 19). Billboard 200: Top 10 albums of the week. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2014-05-19/

Dewi, D. A. M. K., & Putra, I. G. A. S. (2022). An analysis of figurative language in the song lyrics by Adele’s. BULLET: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu, 1(5), 922–926. https://journal.mediapublikasi.id/index.php/bullet/article/view/1286

Faskhalia, A. N., Muryati, M., & Wahyuni, S. (2020). An analysis of figurative language in selected songs of Rex Orange County. Eliterate: Journal of English Linguistics and Literature Studies, 1(2), 1–10.

Jannah, R., & Istiqomah, K. (2021). Conceptual metaphor in Kahitna’s song lyrics. NOBEL: Journal of Literature and Language Teaching, 12(2), 199–213. https://doi.org/10.15642/NOBEL.2021.12.2.199-213

Harmer, J. (2007). The practice of English language teaching (4th ed.). Pearson Longman.

Johnson, G., & Arp, T. R. (2017). Perrine's literature: Structure, sound & sense (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.Kamalia, S. N. N., & Juanda, J. (2024). Hyperbole in the lyrics of Billie Eilish’s "Birds of a Feather". MAHADAYA: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, dan Budaya, 4(2), 231–238. https://doi.org/10.34010/mhd.v4i2.13738

Kamarizki, R., & Wuryandari, D. A. (2022). An analysis of figurative language in Autumn!’s album “Golden Child, Chapter 3”. JEdu: Journal of English Education, 3(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.30998/jedu.v3i3.10384

Listiawati, R., Sudiatmi, E., & Muryati, M. (2025). An analysis of figurative language in selected songs about loneliness. Digilib UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. https://digilib.uinsa.ac.id/63911/

Milana, H., & Ardi, H. (2021). An analysis of figurative language in the song lyrics by Saif Adam. English Language and Literature, 9(3), 111–120. https://doi.org/10.24036/ell.v9i3.111364

Pateda, M. (2001). Semantik leksikal (Edisi ke-2). Rineka Cipta.

Rejeki, C. S., Yulianti, F., & Kustantinah, I. (2022). The figurative language used in Ayu Meutia’s poetry Tigress based on Gibbs & Colston’s theory. Applied Linguistics, Linguistics, and Literature (ALLURE) Journal, 2(1), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.26877/allure.v2i1.9492

Rosita, H. E., Purwanto, B., & Rosyidi, M. I. (2019). An analysis of the symbol in Westlife’s song lyrics. Rainbow: Journal of Literature, Linguistics and Cultural Studies, 8(1), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.15294/rainbow.v8i1.29231

Saeed, J. I. (2003). Semantics (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

Sa-ae, S., & Maisarah, I. (2024). An analysis of figurative language and meaning in “Drive You Home” song lyrics by Jackson Wang. Journal of English for Specific Purposes in Indonesia, 3(1), 57–63.

https://doi.org/10.33369/espindonesia.v3i1.285

Sihaloho, A. R., Sihombing, L., & Sihombing, R. (2021). An analysis of figurative language used in the song lyrics of Maher Zain. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 6(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.21462/jeltl.v6i1.1234

Yule, G. (2006). The study of language (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Zahro, M. (2010). The use of song lyrics to improve students’ vocabulary of verb.

Zainurrahman, Z. (2015). Semantics: The basic notions.

Zuhdah, D. R., & Alfain, I. (2020). Denotative and connotative meaning used in writing poetry. Journal of English Language and Literature, 5(2), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1234/jell.v5i2.12345

Figurative Language In “Four” Album By One Direction : Semantic Analysis

Abstract

Downloads

References

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Jurnalistrendi : Jurnal Linguistik, Sastra dan Pendidikan