Figurative Language Found in Popular Songs of Secondhand Serenade

Philosophica Vol 4 No. 1, Juni 2021 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE FOUND IN POPULAR SONGS OF SECONDHAND SERENADE HANGGRAI DIFLAS DIAGA Universitas PGRI Semarang [email protected] First received: 1 October 2020 Final proof received: 12 Maret 2021 Abstract This study focuses on figurative found in popular songs of Secondhand Serenade, they are "Broken", "A twist in my story" and "I hate this song". The data were taken from the three songs of Secondhand Serenade which consist of many types of figurative language by using Perrine’s (1992) theory. The descriptive method was applied in this research, the data source from the research is song lyrics from the three songs of Secondhand Serenade. The writer found 17 sentences containing figurative languages in Secondhand Serenade's songs. All of these terms are divided into six categories, They are, hyperbole, personification, metonymy, simile, apostrophe, and symbol. The writer more often found types of figurative language that contain hyperbole. Nine sentences are almost found in every song from the three songs of Secondhand Serenade. By reading this study, the writer hopes this research could give more understanding in the analysis of figurative language to the reader. The writer hopes this paper inspires all students who want to research in the same field. This study shows to the reader types of figurative language found in popular songs of Secondhand Serenade. Keywords: Figurative language, Song, Secondhand Serenade INTRODUCTION fect to the listeners or readers. Mahmood The song is a kind of art, either in (2014) stated that each figure of speech the form of poetry or song lyric that ex- has its significance in making and descri- presses many aspects of life. Song lyrics are bing ideas. Also, the song is sometimes the same as poetry in terms of arranging used by the listeners or the readers to tell the words of the lines, and song lyrics have the feeling or the messages to someone, stanzas and lines like poems do. Songs are because some people are difficult to con- appreciated for their linguistic, pedagogi- vey their feeling or willingness directly and cal, cultural, and entertaining features and it becomes easier after they sing a song to they are precious language learning materi- convey them. als. They can be used to teach and develop Figurative language can be found in every aspect of a language. written and spoken language. In written The song is generally used figurative language, it can be found in the book, no- language in the lyrics. The usage of figu- vel, short story, and advertisement while rative language in a song is very important in spoken language, it can be found in the as a tool to convey the messages as well as song, speech, and tv program. Because of beauty and to give color and particular ef- that, Hamzah (2012:41) states that good 36 Philosophica Vol 4 No. 1, Juni 2021 language users are supposed to be able to to analyze 3 songs “Broken, A Twist in My express themselves in both written and Story, and I Hate This Song”, the songs spoken language. which are written by Secondhad Serenade. Creating song lyrics is not an easy job The very important reason is the writer to do. The creator needs imagination and found many figurative languages in the ly- figurative sense to create the lyrics of the ric of the song. By this research, the writer song to make somebody listens to it, feel expects that this research has an important interested in it. Therefore, very important role and could give some information for for the listeners or readers to learn about the readers in learning a literary work es- figurative languages because some people pecially a song. The writer also hoped that are difficult to interpret the meaning of this research could be a reference for tho- songs. It will be useless if just listening to se who will do similar research, especially the song without understanding what the about figurative languages. song wants to convey to us as the listeners. Analyzing figurative language in song ly- Figurative Language rics is important for some reasons. First, Figurative languages refer to words singing a song and knowing the meaning and groups of words that exaggerate or al- of the lyrics is better than singing without ter the usual meanings of the component understanding the lyrics. We can also gain words. The most commonly used types of some lesson learning and fruitful informa- figurative language are metaphor, simile, tion when we understand the nonliteral personification, and hyperbole. In each of meaning contained in song lyrics. Second, those types of language, the author imp- analyzing figurative language provides us licitly or explicitly compares something to more practice be better to understand the something else (Rhody & Lisa, 2012) figu- non-literal expression. rative language means allowing for a similar The writer found many songs espe- beautiful failure – not a failure of language, cially love songs using figurative languages but a necessary inclination toward a form in the lyric, One song that is recognized to that involves a diminishing of language’s have used very much using figurative is Se- possible meanings. condhand Serenade, almost in all of their The figurative language provides new songs lyrics figurative language could be ways of looking at the world, it always ma- found. Since Secondhand Serenade’s songs kes a comparison between different things. are very interesting to listen to, it is conside- Figurative language affect attitudes positi- red important to know what the meaning is vely across context (Kronrod, A., & Dan- implied within the songs. That is the reason ziger, S. 2013) Figurative language compa- for the study to analyze it more deeply. The res two things that are different in enough writer wants to analyze the figurative mea- ways so that the similarities are interesting, ning in Secondhand Serenade’s song lyrics. unique, and surprising. Figurative languages make the songs inter- Masters of figurative language can esting and many listeners enjoy the songs change an audience’s experience of a word because they use so many kinds of figura- or an idea by comparing it with something tive languages to express their feelings and else. Figurative language can improve so- ideas. cial communication skills (Kalandadze, T., Based on the explanations and Norbury, C., Nærland, T., & Næss, K. A. reasons stated above the writer is interested B. 2018). Philosophica Vol 4 No. 1, Juni 2021 37 They can also deepen the mood, tone, Secondhand Serenade, Awake in 2007 and and complexity of their work by choosing A Twist in My Story in 2008. The debut relevant comparisons. album used multitrack recording to create Figurative languages sometimes can- the sound of a band using technology, whi- not be translated literally, to translate them le the second album took a different path, into different languages may cause misin- using a proper band and an orchestra to es- terpretation. If it is translated word-for- tablish a more accomplished sound. word, it will often be completely misun- In 2005, Vesely released his debut derstood. Often linguistic devices such as album titled Awake. It was recorded as a irony are used (Farías, D. I. H., Sulis, E., demo, after booking a few days at a San Patti, V., Ruffo, G., & Bosco, C. 2015). Alt- Francisco studio earlier in 2005, “using just hough, there are always possibilities for the an acoustic guitar and his multi-tracked vo- readers to analyze, understand and transla- cals.” The album experienced tremendous te it correctly. online support, and by the end of 2006 Se- As an example, the sentence “The condhand Serenade had received millions ground is thirsty”, this sentence is using of plays on Myspace and had been the figurative language but to recognize the fi- social-networking site’s No. 1 Independent gurative language in this sentences we need Artist for months. Financially, he was said to know that the “ground” word has a lite- to be bringing in up to $20,000 a month ral meaning because the ground is not alive from downloads and merchandise sales out and therefore neither needs to drink nor of his home. He sold over 15,000 copies of feel thirsty. For the people who understand the album on his own, and on the strength the figurative languages, they will interpret of these sales and the support, naturally, the this sentence that the ground is dry and labels came knocking. Secondhand Serena- need water. de was signed by longtime label executive Using figurative language is not only Daniel Glass, on his new label Glassnote needs an interpretation but also familiarity Records, which is distributed through War- between the speaker and listener or bet- ners Independent Label Group. In 2006, ween the author and the reader because Rolling Stone announced Secondhand Se- an example in the statement “When I first renade as #3 in the magazine’s reader’s poll saw her, my soul began to quiver” this sen- for Best Myspace Artist. tence could present some interpretations In early 2007, Awake was reissued by to the reader or the listener, because these Glassnote Records with an additional two sentences may describe infatuation, panic, songs. It was released on February 6 and or something else. So, if the listener and gave Vesely his first chartings, debuting at reader have a familiarity with the speakers’ #16 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart. feelings, they will get what the speakers or Added success lead to it peaking at #164 authors mean easily. on the Billboard 200, #3 on the Top Heat- seekers, and #19 on the Top Independent Secondhand Serenade Albums chart.

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