A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS IN BILLIE EILISH SELECTED SONG LYRICS

Hasanah, Alviatul (2026) A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS IN BILLIE EILISH SELECTED SONG LYRICS. Undergraduate thesis, Universitas Islam Negeri Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember.

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Abstract

Alviatul Hasanah, 2026: A Semantic Analysis of Figurative Expressions in Billie Eilish Selected Song Lyrics
Keywords: Semantic Analysis, Figurative Expressions, Lexical Meaning, Contextual Meaning, Billie Eilish
Figurative expressions are forms of language whose meanings cannot be understood literally because they convey deeper emotional and symbolic meanings. In song lyrics, figurative expression is frequently used to express feelings, psychological experiences, and artistic messages indirectly. Billie Eilish is one of the contemporary singers whose song lyrics contain various figurative expressions with strong emotional and symbolic nuances. Therefore, semantic analysis is needed to reveal the meanings embedded in the lyrics, particularly lexical meaning and contextual meaning.
The focus of this study were: 1) What types of figurative expressions are found in the lyrics of Billie Eilish’s songs “Wildflower” and “Bury a Friend”? 2) How are lexical meanings and contextual meanings realized in the figurative expressions found in those song lyrics? The objectives of this study were: 1) To identify the types of figurative expressions found in the lyrics of Billie Eilish’s songs “Wildflower” and “Bury a Friend.” 2) To analyze the lexical meanings and contextual meanings conveyed through the figurative expressions in the selected song lyrics.
The data were collected through document study and analyzed using the Interactive Model of Qualitative Data Analysis proposed by Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing. The validity of the data was ensured through theoretical triangulation by applying Newmark's theory of figurative expressions and Lyons's theory of meaning, as well as expert judgment conducted by a lecturer specializing in semantics and figurative language.
The findings of this study showed that several types of figurative expressions were found in the selected songs, namely metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, and symbolism. Metaphor and symbolism were the dominant types. The analysis also revealed that contextual meaning was more dominant than lexical meaning in interpreting the lyrics. The figurative expressions represented emotional suffering, insecurity, fear, anxiety, inner conflict, and psychological struggle. These findings suggest that song lyrics can be utilized as authentic learning materials in English language teaching, especially for teaching semantics and figurative language.

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