FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN SONG LYRIC “RED” BY

Dianti Dini Rahmani1, Sukma Septian Nasution2 Universitas Pamulang [email protected]

Abstract Observing the figurative language in a song lyric entitled “Red” by Taylor Swift, this study aims at (1) finding out kinds of figurative language and (2) analyzing the appropriate intent of figurative language Taylor Swift’s song. This study uses a song from the fourth Taylor Swift's called Red. This study employs qualitative methods in data collection. After collecting the data, it encompasses that simile and hyperbole are dominantly found. It also reveals that figurative language used in this song is to deliver her deepest feeling. The use of figurative language in this song is very dominant which can provide knowledge to the reader to know the type of figurative language. Keywords : Figurative language, Hyperbole, Simile, Song Lyric.

INTRODUCTION Language has current variations. communicate with others from a different As time goes on, languages and literature background, language develop and create a are increasingly developing and have lots variation, one of the language variations is of variations. The development of the Figurative Language. language makes the language have its own People use variated language to color, but the meaning of color here is not simplify meaning that suitable with the like the primary or secondary color that we condition. People use figurative languages already know is still the color in this such as personification, hyperbole, simile, language is a figurative language. metaphor and many more to convey their Figurative language makes the language ideas not only in speaking but also in more colorful, varied and beautiful like art. writing easier. According to Abrams The language itself has a big role in (1999: 96), it is told that figurative our life. People use language in any sector, language is the use of language that is for example, people use language for striking by language users and understood communication, interaction like as the standard meaning of words, to attain negotiating and bargain. According to some special meaning or effect. Figurative Harmer (2007) said that language is language sometimes becomes an applied broadly between people to alternative for someone to convey an communicate with each other. Language implied message to be easier to understand has an important role to make a by listeners. relationship with others. Therefore, due to Perrine (1982) said that figurative people use the language every time to language is defined as a way of saying

32 things in a different way than usual. The latest interview with Elle UK magazine, use of figurative language is used by the Delicate singer recounted the reason someone to express their thoughts by for having written a song, "I like writing being different from ordinary people. In songs because I can keep memories like this way we will know the person's putting a picture frame that contains your personality in addressing a problem the feelings. I like using nostalgia as speaker is facing by raising his opinion inspiration when writing songs and the using figurative language so that the same reason I like taking photos," said listener must think about what the speaker Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift really likes to means because when someone remember things in detail. So when communicates, they better implement writing a song he will remember all the cooperative principles which must memories from the color of the clothes to understand and work together in the air in great detail. conversations with how to understand the Similar study has actually been personality of the interlocutor and also conducted such as by Sadiasih, Ni understand what he says even in figurative Komang Putu Mulya Dewi, Putu Chrisma language. (2016) conducted a study entitled As we know, the song is a form of “Figurative Language in Song Lyrics By literary works. A song is a music with Rihanna and Katy Perry” it was meaningful words from the author. The disseminated in University of Dhyana song is a combination of melody and Pura. The objectives of the study are to vocals, as well as some composers, have identify and to analyze the figurative written instrumental works. The words of a language and the important concept idea in song are called lyrics. Lyrics can include a song lyrics of Rihanna and Katty Perry. series of verses usually telling the story of Based on the study research, it was found the author. In the lyrics of the song usually that the study shows six types of figurative contains the outpouring of the author's language, namely hyperbole, simile and heart. The song became popular and liked metaphor in Rihanna song lyrics and by many people due to its melodies that personification, hyperbole, simile, were pleasant to hear and the lyrics were paradox, metaphor, and irony in Katy touching. Moreover, people like it more if Perry song. The similarity of both studies the lyrics written by the composer are is the same as analyzing the figurative based on the experience of the composer. language on Taylor Swift song. Moreover, One of the various ways to in the Taylor Swift song, the same gets 3 understand the intentions of the other kinds of figurative languages which are person to avoid the allegations of the other similar namely simile, metaphor and person is to use figurative language. In hyperbole. song lyrics “Red” by Taylor Swift is The difference is the related studies telling about a love story and she described are analyzing the figurative language in the the song by the color. The use of color to song Taylor Swist and Katty Perry. describe the composer’s feeling is one type Moreover, in the related study found more of language variation which can be called types of figurative language namely a figurative language. The use of figurative personification, paradox, and irony. language is very creative and attracts Another related study that writers to analyze it. appropriate is from Siallagan, Sari Rishita This song is Taylor Swift's own Manurung, Sulastri Sinaga and Juwita creation which is her personal experience Boneka (2019) conducted a study entitled and most of her songs are her own “Analysis of Figurative Language and creations and are made based on her Imagery in Taylor Swift's Songs” it was experience in a love relationship. In his written in Anglo-Saxon: English Language

27 Scientific Journal Study Program. The understand nicely about figurative objectives of the study are to find out the language. Figurative language is kinds of a kinds of figurative language and imagery word that has an implicit meaning. This in the song lyrics of Taylor Swift’s “1989” figurative language can be analyzed by Album. Based on observation, it was using a qualitative method. According to found eight kinds of figurative languages Moleong (2010), qualitative methods are in the songs lyrics, namely, research techniques that can obtain personification, metaphor, hyperbole, descriptions of words and performance simile, oxymoron, allusion, litotes, and that can be researched by people. The use metonymy. Six kinds of imagery also of a qualitative method is by collecting the found in the songs lyrics, namely, visual data from the object and explain it in detail imagery, auditory imagery, organic to greatly solve the available problem to imagery, kinesthetic imagery, tactile achieve the aims. imagery, and olfactory imagery. The similarity of both studies is the same as DISCUSSION analyzing figurative language in Taylor Rozakis (1995) says that Swift’s song. The difference of both "Figurative language expresses one thing studies is the related study analyzing not in another than usual to achieve special only figurative language but also imagery meaning". It means that figurative of the song. Moreover, it found more type language is a method used by people or of figurative language namely writers to convey their intentions personification, oxymoron, allusion, indirectly. This figurative language cannot litotes, and metonymy. be interpreted with the true meaning, the The last example of a related study writer must first find out what is meant by that corresponds is from Syahrul Efendi the author regarding the intent. Based on Lubis (2017) conducted a study entitled the song lyrics Red by Taylor Swift, the “An Analysis of Figurative Language in writer found several kinds of figurative the Song Lyric "Diamonds" sung By language that are Simile, Metaphor, and Rihanna” it was written in Cohesion Hyperbole. There are 13 data that the Scientific Journal. The objective of the writer found, but only 9 data which is study is to give assistance to the reader to analyzed. Namely, 3 words simile, 3 words know about figurative language palpably. metaphor and 3 words hyperbole. Based on the observation, it was found some types of figurative languages, such Simile as 1. Simile, 2. Repetition, 3. Imagery, 4. According to Keraf (2001) Simile is an Metaphor, 5. Alliteration, 6. Metonymy, 7. explicit comparison. It means that simile is Hyperbole, 8. Personification, 9. a comparison between two different words Assonance. The similarity of both explicitly that have certain intentions. In researches is the same analyzing figurative song Red by Taylor Swift there are several language in song. The difference of both figurative languages, but this section will studies is the related study is analyzing wrestle one kind of figurative language "Diamonds" sung By Rihanna and it found namely, simile. As explained by the expert more types of figurative language such as above, this simile deals with a comparison repetition, imagery, alliteration, between two words that have special metonymy, personification, and assonance. meaning. In song Red by Taylor Swift song there are several Simile that can be METHOD found, but the writer takes 3 examples that The way to find out the objectives can be analyzed of the study by the writer was first to read “Loving him is like driving a new Maserati the song’s lyrics Red by Taylor Swift and down a dead-end street”

28 In some music, composers often included in the simile category because it use comparisons in figurative words whose uses the word "like" which means Taylor names we already know are simile by is comparing something namely "Fighting combining comparative words using with him" Taylor wants to describe that comparative words: "as if, like, like," etc. she was fighting with a man she loved is In the lyrics above using the word "like". like “trying to solve a crossword puzzle Therefore, the utterance is a simile because and realize there’s no right answers” they compare two things between "loving Taylor meant here instead she could not him" and "driving a new Maserati in a find the right answer to the crossword dead- end street" and as a reference, puzzle but what she meant here was that Rozakis (1995) who said that that she was very uncomfortable and frustrated "Figurative language expresses one thing when fighting with the man she liked. As in another than usual to achieve special explained by the expert, Rozakis (1995: meaning "in the words above, Taylor Swift 28) that "Figurative language expresses uses another word than the real intention to one thing in another than usual to achieve get an effect meaning. special meaning". Taylor wrote songs “Touching him was like realizing all you using figurative language, which is an ever wanted was right there in front of utterance that is different from usual in you” order to achieve special effects to the As said by Keraf (2001) Simile is listener with the aim that she wants the an explicit comparison. A sign of utterance listener to understand what she feels by is a simile category, the expression has the imagining that if she doesn't get the right word "like" which indicates a comparison answer while playing puzzles, the feeling between things. The above statement is frustrating. explicitly explains that Taylor "touching him" he was the man Taylor loved and Metaphor compared with the word “realizing all you Peter (2002) said that metaphors ever wanted was right there in front of are figurative words, which compare one you” Taylor intends to describe what she thing to another without using the word felt when touching him was like a fun “like” or “as” or comparing it directly. thing what she wants is in front of her Metaphor is a type of figurative language eyes. This is because Taylor wants to show that describes an object with direct and that she is very happy to touch the man she precise comparisons on the basis of the loves. As explained by Rozakis (1995) same or almost the same nature as other who said that that "Figurative language objects. In song Red by Taylor Swift, the expresses one thing in another than usual writer found 3 metaphors in which Taylor to achieve special meaning.”Taylor uses a described it using colors that had the same figurative language to explain to the characteristics as the word he intended. listener something clearly and in detail “Losing him was blue like I'd never what he feels. Taylor wants to make the known” listener feel what she feels. Therefore, she A metaphor is an analogy that uses a figurative language that is using compares two things directly. The phrase other words to achieve the special "Losing him is blue like I'd never known" meaning. is comparing "losing him" is Taylor's “Fighting with him was like trying to solve feeling that losing a loved one with "blue" a crossword and realizing there's no right has an analogy that describes sadness. Two answer” things implied in the lyrics above illustrate A simile is a comparison between that Taylor wants to describe her two different words that explicitly has relationship with a man, namely the certain intentions. in the utterance above is relationship when she loses her male she

29 will feel deep sadness by describing it with meaning similar to the subject and in color, and colors that have a relationship expressing it with emphasis so that the with sadness is blue, so Taylor uses blue as intentions conveyed by Taylor are a picture of sadness when she loses the conveyed clearly and there is an man she loves. As has been said by impression that is caused. experts, Rozakis (1995) says that Hyperbole "Figurative language expresses one thing Dennis (1996: 65) states that in another than usual to achieve special hyperbole is a figure of speech that has a meaning" Taylor uses another language statement that has excessive meaning for than the usual word to describe clearly its true intentions. Hyperbole is a what she feels when losing someone she figurative language that exaggerates what loved by using colors, that are blue. is actually with the intention of “Missing him was dark grey all alone” intensifying, increasing the impression and Metaphor is a method is a type of power of influence, both in number, size, figurative language that compares an and characteristics. In our daily lives we object directly. In comparing something often find this figurative language when metaphor has the same nature as other talking to someone to get a dramatic objects. In the words above "Missing him" impression and done with the aim to attract is when Taylor misses the man she loves the attention of the listeners. In song Red and compares it to the color "dark gray" by Taylor Swift song there are several which has an analogy to depression. figurative languages that fall into the Taylor uses figurative words to express category of hyperbole, but the writer only meaning by emphasizing the impression takes 3 utterances to analyzed. that will be caused. As the expert said, “Loving him is like trying to change your Rozakis (1995: 28) that "Figurative mind once you’re already flying through language expresses one thing in another free fall” than usual to achieve special meaning" Hyperbole is one figure that Taylor uses other meaningful words to implies excessive ideas. In "trying to explain to listeners that the above change your mind" it means changing the statement is written so that listeners condition or situation, but "once you've understand what Taylor feels. flown through free fall " is considered a “But loving him was red” condition that has happened. Basically, humans cannot change Peter (2002) says that metaphor is something that has happened in the past. In a figurative word, which compares one the lyrics above there is an excessive thing to another without using the word statement to love someone that is you want "like" or "as" or comparing it directly. In to change your mind when you have fallen the above utterances, Taylor writes "loving free. This is excessive and impossible. him" which is when she loves her male she However as the expert statement compares directly using color, which is mentioned above, Rozakis (1995: 28) says red. Red has analogies like happiness, that "Figurative language expresses one glad, delight, joy, and love. Taylor thing in another than usual to achieve described that she loved him with feelings special meaning". Taylor's intention to use of pleasure, gladness, delight, and joy. words that are different from the true Therefore, according to expert namely meaning is to describe how much Taylor Rozakis (1995: 28), he says that had loved him and could not forget all his "Figurative language expresses one thing memories with him and even made a in another than usual to achieve special special connection with him. meaning". Taylor in writing songs “Forgetting him was like trying to know expresses it in other words that have a somebody you've never met”

30 Hyperbole is a figurative language statement on Taylor Swift's surface is that exaggerates what is actually. In song excessive. Back to the notion of figurative Red by Taylor Swift again he described his language, Rozakis (1995: 28) says that feelings excessively by writing "Forgetting "Figurative language expresses one thing him" with "like trying to know someone in another than usual to achieve special you’ve never met." In this utterance, meaning". Therefore, Taylor uses a Taylor described that forgetting the man language that is different from the usual she loved was like knowing someone she word to get a dramatic impression and so never met. This is impossible and that is the listener understands the purpose that too much. Taylor uses these words to Taylor wants to convey with all her heart. attract the attention of listeners and Taylor wants listeners to understand that CONCLUSION forgetting someone who is loved is Figurative language has several impossible. Based on experts, Rozakis goals to help convey meaning. The use of (1995: 28) says that "Figurative language figurative language by the author is a way expresses one thing in another than usual to convey ideas in writing. The purpose of to achieve special meaning". Taylor uses figurative language is to develop certain words that are different from the ordinary impressions, beautify pronunciation and and expresses them with words that are attract attention from readers. The use of categorized as hyperbole, which are beautiful figurative language in any form excessive words intended to attract the title will usually appeal to readers or attention of the listeners. listeners. Not only in songs, but figurative languages are also used in many literary “Memorizing him was as easy as knowing works such as short stories, poems, and all the words to your old favorite song” drama scripts. As we know, hyperbole is one After analyzing figurative language figure that implies excessive ideas. In the in song Red by Taylor Swift according to above statement, it can be seen that the Rozakis’s theory the conclusion is 13 data quotation above is hyperbole from the found in the song Red by Taylor Swift. comparison of "Memorizing him" to "as However, the writer only takes 9 data to be easy as knowing all the words for your old analyzed namely 3 metaphors, 3 similes, favorite song " which Taylor keeps and 3 hyperboles. The dominant figurative memories of with the man she loves is as language in this song is simile and easy as remembering every word from an hyperbole. old song. This statement is an excessive statement. We as humans cannot use the brain 100% and remember things in detail. Gie (1995) argues that no matter how strong someone's memory at a time later that memory will experience a process of forgetfulness. Memory at one time can no longer present a statement that is needed because of forgetting. Forgiveness occurs because there is no use. This is explained in the theory of passive decay theory that memory makes a physical trace in a person's brain which is gradually erased by the passage of time. Therefore, the

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