AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS OF

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS

OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT

14

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG

LYRICS OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR

SWIFT

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

[email protected]

*1

, [email protected].id

*2

Teacher Training and Education Faculty

*1, 2

University of Bengkulu

*1, 2

Received: Jan 9, 2023 Accepted: Jan 25, 2023 Published: March 11, 2023

ABSTRACT

This study aims to discover the figurative language and its meaning in the song

lyrics used in the "Midnights" album. The data included the lyrics of all songs (13

songs) from Taylor Swift's "Midnights" album. This study employed a descriptive

qualitative method as well as a content analysis design to describe types of

figurative language and its meaning in song lyrics. The findings revealed that

eight types of figurative language were used in the "Midnights" album's song

lyrics: personification, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, irony, litotes, metonymy, and

oxymoron. Personification with 12 data (12.5%), simile with 21 data (21.9%),

metaphor with 25 data (26.0%), hyperbole with 15 data (15.6%), irony with 2 data

(2.1%), litotes with 2 data (2.1%), metonymy with 17 data (17.7%), and

oxymoron with 2 data (2.1%).It was found that metaphor is the most frequent type

of figurative language used in the song lyrics of the "Midnights" album. It

indicated that Taylor Swift used a lot of metaphor to create her songs in the

“Midnights” album because figurative language can make a song more aesthetic,

artistic, and meaningful, as well as the song lyrics in the "Midnights" album can

be effective material for students to learn figurative language.

Keywords:Figurative language, Midnights, Song lyrics, Taylor Swift

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31943/wej.v7i1.189

INTRODUCTION

Language is a medium of human communication and message

transmission. According to Fajrin (2021), language allows people to connect with

each other and express their thoughts and feelings. Language, whether spoken or

written, can be used to communicate or convey ideas. In various situations,

language can be implemented in literal and non-literal ways based on the use of its

language. Figurative language is a non-literal language that is crucial to use in

conveying the ideas in literary works. Purba et al. (2021) stated that figurative

language is applied in many forms of literary works, including poems, short

stories, song lyrics, and so on. Various authors used figurative language in their

literary works to create a special effect by making a creative comparison and to

draw the reader's imagination to interpret the meaning of the literary works.

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Additionally, figurative language may be used to maximize a literary work's

beauty and meaning (Taufik & Cahyati, 2022).

The song lyrics are a short literary work written by a writer to convey a

simple message to the readers. Many songwriters write song lyrics using

figurative language to make the song lyrics more interesting, unique, and

aesthetic. It concerns that an author transfers his or her feelings through figurative

language in the song lyrics that may have various meanings depending on the

audience's thinking. They also produce a song to illustrate and present the

message of the regular lifestyle, such as in songs by Taylor Swift. Her songs are

literary works that describe feelings through beautiful lyrics and figures of speech

based on her life experiences.

In education, figurative language can be taught through song lyrics in high

school and university. It is very useful for the students in order to improve their

comprehension ability. An English lecturer can use songs as media because songs

are more commonly used as interesting material in order to make students learn

English and enjoy the lesson. In addition, using figurative language through songs

helps students understand the lesson by motivating them to study, enriching their

knowledge of language and culture, mentoring students to think critically, and

providing feedback to enhance students' comprehension skills (Fatimah et al.,

2020).

Previously, Nainggolan et al. (2021) conducted research about types of

figurative language in Joe Biden's victory speech. From 86 data, they found

metaphor, personification, hyperbole, simile, and litotes, of which metaphor

appeared frequently. Furthermore, Karimah et al. (2022) analyzed the figurative

language in "Tale-Tell Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe. The results presented 9 data

for four figurative languages: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and personification.

The difference between the previous studies and this present study is the source

chosen by the writers. The previous studies used a speech and a short story, while

the present study chose all song lyrics in an album of "Midnights" by Taylor Swift

and interpreted their meaning, which has not been analyzed previously. Therefore,

the purpose of this study is to identify types of figurative language and its

meaning in the song lyrics of Taylor Swift's "Midnights" album.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Figurative language is one in which the meaning of words, phrases, or

utterances differs from their actual meaning. Figurative language affects language

that is expected to be followed or standard, and it has had a major influence on

how humans believe about something and their perceptions of the world (Amalia

et al., 2021).

In relation to the term definition, McKenzie (2016) viewed that figurative

language involves to the language which informs the ideas beyond the factual

meanings of the word, phrases or sentences. Figurative language imparts a

sensation of beauty while focusing on the importance of what is being conveyed.

In certain word, figurative language is indeed a various word or phrase with such

a hidden message.

Figurative language is achieved by using words that are out of context.

When a researcher employs literal language, he or she is conveying the actual

information as it is. In comparison, figurative language uses overstatements or

word replacements to communicate a particular linguistic meaning. Figurative

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS

OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT

16

language is used to describe something by contrasting it with something else. This

type of description is typically used to convey a sense of beauty and to emphasize

important elements (Karimah et al., 2022).

Leech (2013) divided figurative language into eight types: personification,

simile, metaphor, hyperbole, irony, litotes, metonymy, and oxymoron.

1. Personification is a figurative language style in which inanimate objects are

described as if they have human characteristics. It is inanimate objects that act

and behave like humans, or human manifestations. (Remakers & Melion,

2016:1) The functions of figurative language style in song lyrics with human

characteristics, including actions, emotions, and human manifestations. For

example, the wind whispered in my ears.

2. Simile is a direct comparison. It means that something is immediately stated to

be the same as something else. This necessitates efforts that explicitly

demonstrate the similarity, namely the words: like or as (Leech, 2013:156).For

example, her hair is as smooth as silk.

3. Metaphor is a shortened analogy that compares two things directly. Unlike

similes, metaphor does not use comparative words with like or as, so the first

point is directly related to the second subject (Stack, 2020:4). This metaphor

implies that something is the same or valuable as other things that are not the

same. For instance, his eyes are moonlight.

4. Hyperbole is a figurative language that demonstrates the point by using an

exaggerated statement (Ismail et al., 2020). For example, I traversed the

universe to meet him.

5. Irony is defined as a statement in which the speaker's assumed meaning

contrasts dramatically from the ostensibly expressed meaning (Harris, 2017).

For instance, this food is so delicious that I have a stomachache eating it.

6. Litotes is a figurative language used to describe statements that have been

shrunk from their original size (Leech,2013:168). It combines two negative

words to form a positive phrase. For example, the boy's behavior wasn't as

bad as it had been in the past.

7. Metonymy uses the name of something with the name of another that is

closely connected (Taufik & Cahyati, 2022). Its purpose is to connect a name

in people's heads with something else. For instance, I wanted to build a

bungalow in your life.

8. Oxymoron is the comparison of two expressions that are semantically

incompatible, so that the combination of words has reference to reality (Leech,

2013:140). For instance, his joke is seriously funny.

Figurative language can be used in a lot of literary works in order to make

literary works more beautiful, alive and attract the audience's interest. One of the

most common literary works that employs figurative language is song lyrics. A

song lyric is a literary work that is filled with a beautiful combination of lyrics

and melodies to create a piece of music that represents meaning and messages that

are either directly or indirectly expressed to art connoisseurs, especially those who

really appreciate music (Sarumaha et al., 2022).

Abdullah and Rahmawati (2018) stated that a song is a short literary work

or perhaps another collection of words written, produced, and designed to be

performed. Songwriters use creative abilities and figurative sense to compose

song lyrics. Song lyrics are someone's perceptions about something they have

seen, heard, or personally encountered.

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Taylor Swift is a well-known American singer who writes and records

many songs. Taylor Swift (born December 13, 1989) is a well-known American

singer-songwriter who writes and records many songs about her life experiences.

She received numerous awards, including Grammys, American Music Awards,

Billboard Music Awards, and Guinness World Records. Her music has been

credited with inspiring a new generation of singer-songwriters. She had released

ten albums from 2006 until now (Wikipedia, 2022). "Midnights" is her newest or

tenth album and consists of 13 songs. Midnights is an album that tells the story of

Swift's life during a pivotal evening in her career, such as her insecurity expressed

in the lyrics of "Anti-Hero" as well as her relationship with her boyfriend in the

past and present.

RESEARCH METHOD

This research used a descriptive qualitative method. Creswell (2014) said

that qualitative research is an investigation process in comprehending the

methodology that is different in observing social problems. Descriptive qualitative

research employs a case study method or approach (Sugiyono, 2017).The writer

identified a word, phrase, or sentence in each line of the song lyrics to get the data

completely. Applying content analysis design, the writer identified a word, phrase,

or sentence in each line of the song lyrics to get the data regarding various types

of figurative language and its meaning completely.

This research used the lyrics of all songs in the "Midnights" album by

Taylor Swift. The writer selected “Midnights” album among all of Swift's albums

because itis the newest album from Taylor Swift and it contains popular songs

that many people listen to, despite the fact that it was only released on October,

2022. This album is comprised of 13 songs, namely Lavender Haze; Maroon;

Anti-Hero; Snow on the Beach; You‟re You Own, Kid; Midnight Rain;

Question?; Vigilante Shit; Bejeweled; Labyrinth; Karma; Sweet Nothing; and

Mastermind. The writer adopted the theory from Leech (2013) in analyzing of

types of figurative language in the song lyrics of the "Midnights" album. Leech

(2013) has classified figurative languages into eight types. They are:

personification, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, irony, litotes, metonymy, and

oxymoron.

In collecting data, the writer used documenting, in which she downloaded

and printed the song lyrics from the "Midnights" album that can be accessed on

the website https://www.azlyrics.com/t/taylorswift.html#111651. This study

followed the framework from Miles et al. (2014)in analyzing the data, in which

there are four stages: data reduction, data display, drawing conclusion, and data

coding. Several steps were taken in this study, as follows: First, the writer read the

printout of each song's lyrics from the "Midnights" album and listened to each

official song on Taylor Swift's YouTube channel to ensure there were no mistakes

in the song lyrics. Second, the writer identified the data by repeatedly reading and

listening to the study's source. Then, the writer marked parts of the lyrics in the

printout that contain figurative language and categorized them into types of

figurative language based on Leech's theory (2013). After that, the writer

presented the findings in the table, giving a code for each data. Lastly, the writer

explained the findings, interpreted the meaning of the types of figurative language

used in the lyrics of 13 songs on "Midnights," and drew the conclusion.

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS

OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT

18

FINDING AND DICUSSION

Finding

Table. 1 Types of Figurative Language in Song Lyrics of “Midnights” Album

Types of Figurative Language

Number

Percentage

Personification

12

12.5%

Simile

21

21.9%

Metaphor

25

26.0%

Hyperbole

15

15.6%

Irony

2

2.1%

Litotes

2

2.1%

Metonymy

17

17.7%

Oxymoron

2

2.1%

Total

96

100%

1. Personification

Personification is a type of metaphor in which inanimate objects are

decorated to act, and speak like humans.

Data 1

:

I feel the lavender haze creeping up on me

(Lavender Haze, line. 10)

In data 1, the author applied personification that gave life to an

inanimate thing (lavender haze) that could crawl on Swift's body. It indicated

that lavender haze could move like a human. This song's lyrics contained a

hidden meaning that could mean that lavender haze is love, and Swift felt that

she was in love with someone.

Data 2

:

The rust that grew between telephones (Maroon,

line. 18)

From data 2, the author used personification that could be seen in line 18

of the song lyrics for Maroon. She described an inanimate object (the rust) as

if it were alive (grew).This line could be referring to Swift's strong bond and

relationship with her ex when he was still her boyfriend.

Data 3

:

When my depression works the graveyard shift

(Anti-Hero, line. 3)

Data 3contained personification, in which the author used works to bring

an inanimate thing (my depression) to life. This data showed that Swift

mentioned when her depression appeared and disrupted her sleep, making it

difficult for her to get a good night's sleep.

Data 4

:

Sapphire tears on my face (Bejeweled, line. 42)

Data 4 contained personification, in which the author used an inanimate

object as if she had given it life. It demonstrated that sapphire could cry,

despite the fact that sapphire is a precious gemstone and not an animate object.

This data had connotative meaning, meaning that the sapphire could be shown

as Swift's tears that fall on her face.

Data 5

:

Karma takes all my friends to the summit (Karma,

line. 50)

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The author used personification in data 5, she described karma as an

inanimate object that came to life by using the verb take. Swift assumed that

karma was a good thing and that karma could make people successful,

including her friends who do good and kind things.

Data 6

:

The dominoes cascaded in a line (Mastermind,

line. 10)

The author used personification in data 6 by using dominoes and giving

the verb cascaded as if the dominoes had human characteristics. The lyrics of

this song had the connotative meaning that the dominoes represented the

scheming that Swift's plan ran smoothly as she desired.

2. Simile

Simile is comparison figurative language that is used to describe a

situation by comparing it to something else by using like or as.

Data 7

:

Tale as old as time (Anti-Hero, line. 7)

In data 7 from Anti-Hero's song lyrics, the author talked about “tale,”

which she compared to being as old as time. It was demonstrated that a tale

existed and that it grew old with time, just as everyone, including the author,

has their own old story.

Data 8

:

My smile is like I won a contest (Snow on the

Beach, line. 23)

Data 8 was taken from the song lyrics of "Snow on the Beach," which is

a story about falling in love. In this line, the author is described as saying that

her smile is the expression she uses when she wins a competition, and smile

means happy. It indicated that the author used simile (like) in illustrating her

smile when she is falling in love by using the phrase "I won a contest."

Data 9

:

I touch my phone as if it's your face (You‟re On

Your Own, Kid, line. 10)

According to data 9, the author used simile in these song lyrics. The

author compared her phone to a man's face, which could imply that she

handles her phone with care, just as she would a man she loves.

Data 10

:

It came like a postcard (Midnight Rain, line. 28)

From data 10, the author applied simile to the song lyrics of "Midnight

Rain," especially in line 28. She used a postcard as a comparison something

that she wanted to compare. In the song lyrics, it could be meant as memories

that Swift had with his boyfriend in the past, like a card that contained a

picture of them.

Data 11

:

Karma's on your scent like a bounty hunter

(Karma, line. 45)

Data 11 showed that the author added simile to her song lyrics. It could

be seen that the author used a bounty hunter to illustrate karma. Swift saw

karma in this data as a good action with a positive outcome for herself. This

data could have meant that karma was a bounty hunter that could chase

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS

OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT

20

someone based on the scent that stuck in their body and return the proper

action that people take in their lives, whether it was a good or bad thing.

Data 12

:

I spy with my little tired eye

Tiny as a firefly (Sweet Nothing, line. 1-2)

Data 12 contained simile, in which the author used a comparison of the

thing that she wanted to compare. In this data, Swift used a firefly to describe

her tired eye. A firefly is a small animal that is difficult to see, and this

comparison indicated that she needed a rest because she was really tired and

her eyes did not focus anymore.

Data 13

:

So I've been scheming like a criminal ever since

(Mastermind, line. 30)

Based on data 13, the author used simile in thirtieth line of Mastermind's

song lyrics. She assumed that she was a criminal when she started to make

plans. In general, a criminal is someone who does bad things that violate the

town or country's policy rules, and Swift is similar to a criminal in that she

would do anything, including manipulate a man, to get him.

3. Metaphor

Metaphor is used by authors to help them describe things more clearly

by comparing one thing to another thing by using is.

Data 14

:

Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby

And I'm a monster on the hill(Anti-Hero, line.19-

20)

According to data 14, the song lyrics contained two metaphors: she as a

monster and the other as sexy babies. It was assumed that the author described

herself as a monster, whereas others were sexy babies. It meant that everybody

had a beautiful, sexy, and young appearance, while Swift assumed she was not

sexy or young enough to compete with them.

Data 15

:

Life is emotionally abusive (Snow On The Beach,

line. 5)

Based on data 15, the author used metaphor in her song lyrics for "Snow

on the Beach." She used "abusive" to illustrate life. In the dictionary,

"abusive" meant awfully distasteful and disrespectful. It might be related to

her experience when she met people in her life; she thought that life was

rough, wild, manipulative, and difficult.

Data 16

:

He was sunshine (Midnight Rain, line. 18)

In data 16, the author used metaphor (is) to illustrate the man that had

been her boyfriend in her song. Swift presented him as being like sunshine, in

which the man is friendly, humble, cheerful, making the days of the people

around him pleasant and providing happiness, comfort, and joy to them.

Data 17

:

But some guy said my aura’s moonstone

(Bejeweled, line. 44)

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Data 17 of the song lyrics entitled "Bejeweled" showed that some people

compare Swift to moonstone. Moonstone is one of those expensive gemstones

that not everyone can afford. It assumed that Swift was described as a difficult

woman who would be difficult for people, especially men, to approach.

Data 18

:

'Cause karma is the thunder

Rattling your ground (Karma, line. 43-44)

According to data 18, the author applied metaphor in the song lyrics of

Karma, especially in lines 43–44. She described karma as thunder with

meaning; karma was a good or bad action that had an effect on yourself, as

well as the fact that it could come from anything and anywhere.

Data 19

:

I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian 'cause I

care(Mastermind, line. 34)

In data 19, the author used metaphor by comparing herself to something

else. It implied that the true meaning of the song's lyrics was that she was a

manipulative woman who had and used any and all strategies to achieve and

obtain what she desired.

4. Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figurative language that exaggerates and even contradicts

itself.

Data 20

:

I waited ages to see you there (You‟re On Your

Own, Kid, line. 16)

Data 20 used hyperbole in which the author used ages to describe how

long she waited for her friend. The lyrics of this song indicated that the author

in love with her best friend in long period and hoped that one day he would

realize it.

Data 21

:

A slow motion, love potion

Jumping off things in the ocean(Midnight Rain,

line. 15-16)

In data 21, the author used exaggerated words. She wrote that a love

potion could jump in the ocean, but that it was impossible while people

couldn't see love itself. This line of lyrics could imply that Swift's boyfriend

desired her love and wanted a strong relationship with her.

Data 22

:

‘Cause I don’t remember who I was before you

Painted all my nights

A color I have searched for since (Question, line.

6-8)

Data 22 had the meaning that this was the author's first time finding

someone that she thought suitable and understood her well, but she described

it with overstatement, which could be seen when she used a sentence that she

did not remember herself before meeting a man and a color that she wanted to

find out (love).

Data 23

:

They say looks can kill and I might try (Vigilante

Shit, line. 4)

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS

OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT

22

Based on data 23, the author used hyperbole by using overstatement, in

which she mentioned that appearance could kill someone. However, the true

statement could be that someone's appearance could make people change their

attitude or personality toward someone else; it could be a compliment or a

mockery. It indicated that using hyperbole made the lyrics more dramatic.

Data 24

:

When I walk in the room

I can still make the whole place shimmer

(Bejeweled, line. 8-9)

Data 24 showed that the author used hyperbole in her song lyrics for

"Bejeweled." She presented the idea that when she walked around, all places

would glimmer because of her effect. This phrase had a deeper meaning than

the literal one, which was that her presence could draw people's attention

because she was encrusted with jewels.

Data 25

:

You would break your back to make me break a

smile (Labyrinth, line. 16)

The song lyrics in tab 25 contained hyperbole. The author described her

boyfriend breaking his back to make her smile. It was only an expression that

could say but hardly to do even Swift's boyfriend was really love her, but this

song lyrics assumed that her boyfriend would do anything that he could to

make Swift happy.

5. Irony

Irony is a figurative language that conveys messages that are

diametrically opposed to reality.

Data 26

:

Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby

And I'm a monster on the hill

Too big to hang out

Slowly lurching toward your favorite city

Pierced through the heart but never killed

Did you hear my covert narcissism

I disguise as altruism like some kind of

congressman?

(Tale as old as time)

I wake up screaming from dreaming

One day I'll watch as you're leaving and life will

lose all its meaning

(For the last time) - (Anti-Hero, line.19-29)

Data 26 demonstrated irony in which the author stated that her

narcissism (someone who sets high standards for herself and believes she is

better than others), despite the fact that this lyric had the opposite meaning in

which she was an insecure woman who was afraid that her boyfriend, friends,

and other people in her life would abandon her, and she also tried her hardest

not to make any mistakes.

Data 27

:

I broke his heart ‘cause he was nice (Midnight

Rain, line. 17)

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According to data 27, the seventeenth line of "Midnight Rain" contained

irony. It was ironic because it showed how Swift ended his relationship with

his ex-boyfriend because he was a good man. It implied that having a caring

partner would not guarantee a long-term relationship.

6. Litotes

Litotes is a type of figurative language in which something uses the

negative form to make it less than its true description.

Data 28

:

So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment

and taste it

You've got no reason to be afraid (You‟re On

Your Own, Kid, line. 44-45)

From data 28, the author used litotes to make the description less than

reality by using negative words in "You've got no reason to be afraid." The

phrase meant that you should be brave and strong, especially in building

relationships with others.

Data 29

:

So I told you none of it was accidental

(Mastermind, line. 35)

Based on data 29, the song lyrics of Mastermind, especially in line 35,

contained litotes, in which the author used the negative form that had a polite

meaning. Another interpretation of "none of it was accidental" was that all

events had happened as planned by the mastermind.

7. Metonymy

Metonymy is a figurative language in which the name of something is

used to subtly refer to something else with which it has a relationship.

Data 30

:

They’re bringing up my history (Lavender Haze,

line. 23)

Data 30 contained metonymy that was shown by using "history." History

can also be referred to as “past”. This data indicated that people around her

talked about her bad past to her boyfriend.

Data 31

:

I searched ‘aurora borealis green’ (Snow On The

Beach, line. 20)

In data 31, the author used metonymy by using "aurora borealis green."

It is also called "Northern lights" in the North pole while it is called "Southern

lights" or "Auroro Australis" in the South pole. Green is the most commonly

seen color. In relation to the song lyrics, in which this song told about love,

aurora could mean love because both finding aurora and true love were

difficult.

Data 32

:

My boy was a montage (Midnight Rain, line. 14)

Data 32 contained metonymy, in which the author used a term in her

song lyrics. She used montage to describe her boyfriend, which could be

meant as a traditional man who wanted a serious relationship when he fell in

love with her.

Data 33

:

Driving in your Benz(Vigilante Shit, line. 18)

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS

OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT

24

Data 33 employed metonymy, in which the author described a vehicle by

its label rather than a broad term. In this data, the author used "Benz" (one

kind of car) rather than mention that it was a car, and people would know it.

Its meaning was clear: the woman had and drove a car (Benz).

Data 34

:

My pennies made your crown (Karma, line. 23)

The author employed metonymy in data 34, writing "pennies." Money

was another name for pennies. Therefore, it could mean that Swift gave her

money to someone to make him wealthy and powerful.

8. Oxymoron

Oxymoron is a figurative language that describes two opposite words in

one phrase or sentence.

Data 35

:

Slowly lurching toward your favorite city (Anti-

Hero, line. 22)

In data 20, the author used oxymoron, in which she presented two

contradictory words, "slowly" and "lurching," in one phrase. In the dictionary,

"lurching" is when someone makes a sudden movement, either sideways or

forward, and it is indicated that someone could not handle his or her stamina

when something was lurching. Related to the song lyrics, it could mean that

the author could not handle something that was around her.

Data 36

:

Good girl, sad boy (Question, line. 2)

Data 36 showed that the song lyrics of Question in the second line

contained oxymoron, in which the author used the opposite words "good" and

"sad." The author depicted a girl as good or happy and a boy as sad in their

daily lives.

Discussion

Figurative language is used when words and phrases have different

meanings than their interpretation. According to the findings of the study, there

were eight types of figurative language in the lyrics of 13 songs of "Midnights"

album, namely personification (12 data), simile (21 data), metaphor (25 data),

hyperbole (15 data), irony (2 data), litotes (2 data), metonymy (17 data) and

oxymoron (2 data).

Personification is used to describe an inanimate object as if alive such as

The rust that grew between telephones (Maroon, line. 18).According to Tairako's

view (2018), personification is a type of figurative language style that depicts

inanimate objects as if they have human characteristics. In personification, it

indicated that a thing or an object can do the human usually.

Simile is used to compare something to another thing by using as or like

such as Tale as old as time (Anti-Hero, line. 7).It is indicated when the author

uses figurative language with obvious words and uses similes that have an explicit

meaning. Some equations include details about their nature, while others do not.

The reader is then expected to deduce the nature of the equation for himself or

herself (Natsir et al., 2022).

Metaphor is used to describe two different things by using is or something

similar to is, such as He was sunshine (Midnight Rain, line. 18).It is similar to

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Valentino's view (2016) who stated that a metaphor is a comparison of two

dissimilar things. This metaphor implies that something is the same or valuable as

something that is not the same (Pradopo, 2012: 66).

Hyperbole occurs when an author uses words that are exaggerated in

comparison to reality such as I waited ages to see you there (You‟re On Your

Own, Kid, line. 16).Hyperbole can be used to create a humorous, sad, angry, or

convincing an impression(Taufik & Cahyati, 2022).

Irony is when the author makes a statement that is opposite from its true

meaning, such as Did you hear my covert narcissism(Anti-Hero, line.

24).Generally, irony refers to something by trying to reverse the context of what

happened (Tarigan, 2013); this figure of speech can also be said to conceal or hide

its true meaning. The sense of irony seems to be opposite to what is being said; it

is nuanced, but it may also try to give an unsubtle declaration of sense; this

figurative language is classified as humor or contradictory figures (Muhammad et

al., 2021). Irony gives a literary work more impactful meaning and pushes readers

to use their thoughts and ideas to acknowledge the text's underlying meanings

(Abdullah & Rahmawati).

Litotes is when the author uses a phrase or sentence to make the

expression seem less than it really is by using negative form such as I'm only

cryptic and Machiavellian 'cause I care (Mastermind, line. 34). This is supported

by Harris (2017), who stated that litotes illustrate the contradictory idea in the

author's mind by using understatement expressions rather than its reality. Litotes

is using ironic understatement to demonstrate an idea or expectation instead of

reducing its significance (Abdullah & Rahmawati, 2018).

Metonymy is when the author uses the words or name of something that

can be related to another thing, such as My pennies made your crown (Karma,

line. 23). As said by Glucksberg (2001: 6), metonymic statements can function as

comparisons when they concern transmission by reconciling or modeling the

abstract and the concrete.

Oxymoron occurs when an author uses two opposing words in the same

phrase or sentence, such as Slowly lurching toward your favorite city (Anti-Hero,

line. 22). Oxymoron is a figurative language that combines two contradictory

opinions that show up in a phrase or sentence, as well as unintentional errors that

expose an incompatibility. An adjective-noun combination of two words is the

most common form of oxymoron (Maulidia, 2022).

Furthermore, it was found that metaphor is the most dominant type of

figurative language used in the song lyrics of the "Midnights" album. It could be

seen in the song lyrics of "Karma" (8 data) and "Midnight Rain" (5 data), in which

the writer found a lot of metaphor. It is indicated that Taylor Swift uses a lot of

comparison in her song lyrics to describe something in relation to another thing.

The comparison that Swift used in her album could have an implicit meaning

based on people's interpretation. It is supported by Sumarsono (2012: 265-266),

who stated that the fundamental structure of metaphor is composed of only two

components: something being explained (compared) and something being

employed as a comparison. If indeed two things are close to each other, the

metaphor exists but lacks an expressive performance. In contrast, if the distance

between these two things is relatively wide, the more effective the metaphor

becomes. A metaphor is a message that is communicated indirectly by an author

or audience, and the representation or phrase employed by the author or audience

Pelsi Santika

*1

, Syafryadin

*2

AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRICS

OF THE ALBUM “MIDNIGHTS” BY TAYLOR SWIFT

26

to deliver information may not always define their denotative meaning (Sarwadi,

et al., 2015).

Overall, these findings showed that all types of figurative language

adopted from Leech's theory (2013) were covered in the album entitled

"Midnights." It is assumed that Taylor Swift used various figurative languages in

writing her songs in her newest album, "Midnights." It portrayed that using

figurative language makes a song more aesthetic, artistic, and meaningful. It

showed that the song lyrics in "Midnights" album can be an effective material for

students in learning the figurative language because these song lyrics had various

figurative languages. It is also to help students enrich their vocabulary, learn about

figurative language more deeply, understand it, and interpret the meaning based

on the context of the figurative language found in the song lyrics. It is supported

by Putri et al (2022), who stated that the importance of the song lyrics as authentic

materials in figurative language in conveying the feeling and meaning that need

higher level of comprehension. Therefore, it is significant for the students to study

figurative language and elaborate on its meaning through song lyrics.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

The writer conducted this research to find out types of figurative language

used in the song lyrics of "Midnights" album from Taylor Swift. The writer found

that all types (eight types) of figurative languages identified by Leech‟s theory

(2013). They were personification, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, irony, litotes,

metonymy, and oxymoron. Personification with 12 data, simile with 21 data,

metaphor with 25 data, hyperbole with 15 data, irony with 2 data, litotes with 2

data, metonymy with 17 data, and oxymoron with 2 data. The percentage showed

that metaphor had 26.0%, simile had21.9%, metonymy had 17.7%, hyperbole had

15.6%, personification had 12.5%, irony had2.1%, litotes had2.1%, and oxymoron

also had2.1%.Based on the findings, it was found that metaphor is the most

prevalent type of figurative language used in the song lyrics of the "Midnights"

album. It indicated that Taylor Swift used a lot of metaphor to create the

"Midnights" album. It showed that using figurative language makes a song more

aesthetic, artistic, and meaningful. In relation to education, the song lyrics in the

"Midnights" album can be effective material for students to learn figurative

language because these song lyrics have various figurative languages. It is also to

enrich their vocabulary, to learn and understand figurative language more deeply,

and to interpret the meaning based on the context of the figurative language found

in the song lyrics. The writer expected that this research could be a reference for

the next researcher who wants to do research, especially in a similar study.

However, this research only focused on types of figurative language and its

meaning in song lyrics and it will be better for the next researcher to do research

in a wider area.

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