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Home , Five (group), Flying Without Wings, Fool Again, If I Let You Go, I Lay My Love on You, Queen of My Heart

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS USED IN ’S

Atika Puspasari1, Efdy Saputra2 Dosen Universitas Bina Darma1, Mahasiswa Universitas Bina Darma2 Jalan Ahmad Yani No.3, Palembang Sur-el: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: This study discusses idiomatic Expressions used in Westlife’s Songs. In this study, the writerswere interested to find outidiomatic expressions in westlife songs. The writersanalyzed35 songs of Weslife’s songs. In this study, the writers used a qualitative method and descriptive approach. The result of the analysis showed that there were one hundred and ninety- four idiomatic expressions found in those thirty- songs. After the writers classified the idioms based on Seidl and McMordie theory, the writer found out one hundred and twenty- five idioms in the form of sentence, sixty -two idioms in the form of phrasal verb, three verbal idioms, three idioms with adjective + noun, two identical pairs, and one idiom with key words from special category.

Keywords: Idiom, , and Westlife’s songs.

Abstrak: Penelitian ini membahas ungkapan-ungkapan idiomatik yang ada di lagu Westlife. Pada penelitian ini, penulis tertarik untuk mengetahui apa saja Idiomatic Expressionsl yang muncul dan arti dari setiap Idiom tersebut. Penulis meneliti 35lagu dari lagu- lagu Westlife. Pada penelitian ini, penulis menggunakan metodologi qualitatif dan pendekatan deskriptif. Hasil dari penelitian ini memperlihatkan bahwa terdapat 194idiom yang di temukan dari 35 lagu tersebut. Setelah peneliti mengklasifikasi idiom berdasarkan teori Seidl dan McMordie, peneliti menemukan 125 idiom dalam bentuk kalimat, 62 idiom dalam bentuk phrasal verb, 3 dalam bentuk verbal idiom, 3 dalam bentuk ejektif+ kata benda, 2 identical pairs, dan 1 idiom dalam bentuk kategori spesial.

Kata Kunci: Idiom, Lagu, dan Lagu- lagu Westlife.

1. INTRODUCTION that semantics is the study of meaning communicated through language, while Yule Language is as a tool of communicating and (2006:112), states that semantics is the study of expressing people’s ideas, feelings and the meaning of words, phrases and sentences.In expectations when they interact to each other. Yule semantic analysis, there are phrases or According to Guralnik (1996:15), language is expressions consisting of more than one word or used to express or Guralnik communicate sentence, whose meaning cannot be inferred from thoughts and feelings, and it is a system of the meanings of the individual words. For these combination of vocal sounds to convey meaning expressions, the usual semantic rules for as language has some units and structure. Finegan combining meanings do not apply. Such (2004: 185) describes words and sentences as the expressions are called idioms.Idiom is a phrase or two units of language that carry meaning. When a sentence whose meaning can not be literally we use the language, we need to know the translated. Idiom is one aspect of semantics that is meaning of words or sentences we utter. sometimes difficult for people, especially students Semantics is the study of the meaning of words to understand. According to Fromkin and Rodman and sentences. Some definitions of semantics are (2007:185), idiom is often difficult to translate stated by some linguists. Saeed (2005:3) states because the meanings of idiom can not be inferred

Idiomatic Expressions Used in Westlife’s Songs …… (Atika P & Efdy S) 59 from the meanings of the individual words in it. 2. METHODOLOGY For examples, (1) “rain cats and dogs”, means “rain heavily”, (2) ”live from hand to mouth”, In this study, the writers applieddescriptive means “spend money as soon as it is earned”, (3) method. The writers referred to Seidl and “kick the bucket”, means “die”. Idioms are McMordhie’s theory on Idiom. The data analyzed usually used in novels, poems, plays and songs. in this research were taken from thirty- five out of Asong means a lyric from the poem or a history of fifty- eight songs in the greatest album of poetry (Roberts and Jacobs, 1989:901). The Westlife’s songs. There were one hundred and characteristics of the songs are short poems, ninety- four idiomatic expressions found in those formal in meter and rhyme, and concerned with thirty- five songs. Thet were classified into six personal feelings rather than stories or ideas. categories of idioms. They are sentence idioms, There are many songs which are well known to phrasal verb, adjective+noun idiom, idiom with listeners and some of the song lyrics which words/special category, verbal idiom, and contain idioms and are popular are sung by identical pairs. Westlife .Westlife is an Irish pop group formed on 3 July 1998. The personnels of the group are , , Mark Feehily, 3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION and Brian McFadden (who left in 2004). Their first seven singles went straight to The followings are ten sample analyzed Number 1, and they have been sold for over 45 songs. million records worldwide. Their greatest songs are My Love, , Up Tiown 3.1 Girl, , I Have a Dream, , , , Flying Without Wings, , I Need There were eight idiomatic expressions You, More That Words, I Left My Heart in found in Flying Without Wings song. There are California, and Heart Without a Home.To three idiomatic expressions in the form of phrasal understand what the singers try to express in their verbs, one idiomatic expression in the form of songs, one needs to understand the lyrics which adjective + noun, and four idiomatic expressions include the idioms. However, it is not usually easy in the form of sentences. Each of the expressions to understand the idioms. It needs processes to is discussed in the table below. make sure what the meanings of them are.Based on the explanation above, the writer were interested in analyzing the idiomatic expressions used in Westlife’s songs, through semantic approach.

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Table 1. Expressions of Flying Without Kinds of Wings Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning No Kinds of Expressions Express- Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning ions No

Expressions Express- 7 “Cos who’s Sentence We do not ions to know know, 1 “Everybody's Phrasal Everybody which one something that looking for verb tries to find you let go, we hope to get that something lost. Would have out from our something” in “something” made you life and it is line 1 means complete” in something or happiness. line 21 and 22 someone that 2 “You’ll find Phrasal Get it 8 “To watch Sentence Whenhas made you us find so it in the verb the sunrise on thehappy. value of a strangest your face” in close places” in line 24 relationship line 3 you find

3 “You’re Phrasal You will be happiness. flying verb safe even you without do not have wings” in line anything with 3.2 My Love 9 you because you have found what you makes you feel There were seven idiomatic expressions you do not found in My Love song. There are three idiomatic need anymore thing. expressions in the form of phrasal verbs and five 4 “A simple Sentence Simple things idiomatic expressions in the form of sentences. line can make that can make you laugh or us feel happy Each of the expressions is discussed in the table cry” in line and sad. 13 below. 5 “You’ll find it Idiom with When you have Table 2. Expressions of My Love in the deepest adjective + a real friendship” noun relationship in line 14 with your Kinds of friend that Idiomatic Meanings No Idiomatic often give you Expressions Express- happiness. ions 6 “And when Sentence The time we 1 “An empty Sentence He feels alone in you know can know the street, and the world and how much meaning of the empty house, the place seems that means” things or a hole inside to be smaller or in line 16 someone. It my heart, I’m feel no one in means you all alone the the place, feel no have found the rooms are one beside him. most special getting you think for smaller” in your life, so line 1 until 5 you can do 2 “I’m holding Phrasal He always keeps everything on forever” verb his love bravely. in line 12 eventhough he does not know where the girl is.

Idiomatic Expressions Used in Westlife’s Songs …… (Atika P & Efdy S) 61 Kinds of form of identical pairs. Each of the expressions is Idiomatic Idiomatic Meanings No Express- discussed in the table below. Expressions ions Table 3. Expressions of I Lay My Love On You

3 “Reaching Phrasal He wants to Kinds of Idiomatic for a love verb bring his love Idiomatic Meaning No Express- that seems so back to where he Expressions far” in line is. ions 13 4 “And hope Sentence He really wants 1 “There’s an Sentence There is a very my dreams to get the place angel beautiful girl will take me to meet the girl standing standing next to there” in line that he loves. next to me” him. 15 in line 3 5 “I try to Sentence He had tried to 2 “Reaching Phrasal There is a girl read, I go to forget the girl for my verb that makes him work, I’m but he can not. heart” in to be in love. laughing He tried to be line 4 with my busy with many 3 “Just a Sentence When she smiles friends, but I things to let the smile and he thought that can’t stop to girl out from his there’s no she is so keep myself mind but it is way back” in beautiful. He from useless. line 5 never wants to thinking” in leave her. line 24 until 4 “I lay my Sentence She gives all his 27 love on you” love just for the 6 “To hold you Sentence The boy really in line 11 girl because the in my arms, wants to keep girl is so to promise the girl beside beautiful and you my love, him and to tell fascinating. to tell you everything from 5 “You open Phrasal The girl makes from my his heart that he up my verb him feel like he heart, You’re always thinks heart” in can talk freely all I’m about the girl for line 14 about everything. thinking of” every single day. 6 “I was lost Sentence Before he met in line 45 in a lonely her, he did not until 48 place” in feel like he had 7 “Where the Sentence When he meets line 14 place in the skies are the girl he feels world. , to see a good time or 7 “holding on Phrasal Before he met you once he misses a to verb her, he felt like again my beautiful time yesterday” he did not had love” in line when he was in line 16 any purpose for 52 with the girl. his life. 8 “Far, far Identical It takes a long too long” in pairs time. 3.3 I Lay My Love On You line 17 9 “I never Sentence Before he met knew that her, he does not There were ten idiomatic expressions found love know that love could’ve felt makes him in I Lay My Love on You song. There are three so good” in happy. idiomatic expressions in the form of phrasal verbs, line 25 10 “You make Idiom with He feels really one idiomatic expression in the form of noun + me feel Noun + new feeling or brand new” Adjective different adjective, five idiomatic expressions in the form in line 29 situation. sentences, and one idiomatic expression in the

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3.4 Kinds of Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning No Express- Expressions There were eight idiomatic expressions ions found in Uptown Girl song. There are two 7 “And makes Phrasal She decides to up her verb get what she idiomatic expressions in the form of phrasal verbs, mind” in wants. five idiomatic expressions in the form sentences, line 13 and one idiomatic expression in the form of verbal 8 “She’ll see Sentence The girl will I’m not so know that the idiom. Each of the expressions is discussed in the tough, I’m in man will not be table below. love with an confident with uptown girl her. Table 4. Expression of Uptown Girl in line 14 and 16 Kinds of Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning 9 “You know I Verbal The man is not No Express- Expressions can’t afford idiom rich and he can ions to buy her not give her pearls” in everything that 1 “Uptown Sentence The girl is rich line 24 she wants. girl” in line and a part of high 1 society. 2 “She’s been Sentence She only knows 3.5 The Queen of My Heart living in her about the rich life up town and she does not world know anything There were eight idiomatic expressions out side of her own experience. found in The Queen of My Heart song. There are

3 I bet she Sentence The man thinks two idiomatic expressions in the form of phrasal never had a that she never verbs, one idiomatic expression in the form of backstreet met or date with guy, I bet a poor man. adjective + adverb, and five idiomatic expressions her mama never told in the form of sentences. Each of the expressions her why” in is discussed in the table below. line 2 until 4 Table 5. Expressions of The Queen of My 4 “I’m gonna Sentence The man tries to Heart try for an be close with the uptown girl” girl Kinds of in line 5 Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning No Express- Expressions 5 “And now Sentence The girl wants to ions she’s find a man from looking for a down town area. 1 “So far Idiom with They are downtown So that she can away” in Adjective surrounded by man” in line live freely. line 4 + Adverb people but they 8 so focus on each other the people 6 “And when Phrasal “Get up” means seem along she wakes verb that when the girl distance from up” in line realizes what she them. 12 wants.

Idiomatic Expressions Used in Westlife’s Songs …… (Atika P & Efdy S) 63 Kinds of 3.6 Fool Again Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning No Express- Expressions ions There were four idiomatic expressions

2 “We both Sentence Both of them found in Fool Again song. All of the idiomatic have our have planning for dreams, we their future. expressions are in the form of sentences. The both wanna distribution of the expressions can be seen in the fly” in line 12 and 13 following table.

3 “ To carry Phrasal The man is Table 6. Expression of Fool Again us through” verb saying never Kinds of in line 15 forget tonight. Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning No Express- 4 “So let’s Sentence The man does Expressions ions take to not allow the

night, and woman to go 1 “I know the Sentence The man has never let away from his story, I’ve known there is go” in line life. seen the something wrong 17 and 18 picture, It’s by how the 5 “While Sentence He wants to kiss written all woman looks. dancing his girl very over your we’ll kiss, passionately face” in line like there’s because it will be 2 until 4 no the last time. 2 “Can’t Sentence The man feels tomorrow” belive that disappointed in line 19 I’m a fool with his friend and 20 again, and I because he has who thought tricked him. 6 “ You’re the Sentence The man really you were my queen of my assumes that the friend” in heart” in girl is so special line 17 until line 34 in his heart, she 18 is everything, she 3 “If I could I Sentence He wants to go is in the whole of would, turn back to the way his heart. back the things were, but time” in line he could not. 7 “ As I walk Phrasal Forget 35 until 36 away” in verb 4 “I should’ve Sentence He should have line 39 seen it known that coming, something were 8 “And all of Sentence All their sadness should’ve wrong by the our tears, will be finished read the way by the girl is will be lost when they meet signs” in acting. in the rain, again and the line 38 until when I’ve man will be 39 found my happy when the way back, to girl comes back your arms again. 3.7 Seasons in The Sun again” in line 42 until 45 There wereseven idiomatic expressions found in Seasons in the Sun song. There are three

idiomatic expressions in the form of phrasal verbs, one idiomatic expression in the form of idiom

64 Jurnal Ilmiah Bina BAHASA Vol.4 No.2, Desember 2011: 59 - 68 with key words from special category (colour), 3.8 Soledad and three idiomatic expressions in the form of sentences. Each of the expressions is discussed in There were seven idiomatic expressions the table below. found in Soledad song. There are two idiomatic Table 7. Expression of Seasons in The Sun expressions in the form of phrasal verbs, and five Kinds of Idiomatic idiomatic expressions in the form of sentences. Idiomatic Meaning No Express- Expressions Each of the expressions is discussed in the table ions below. 1 “Goodbye to Sentence Someone who you my says goodbye Table 8. Expresssion of Soledad trusted with his best Kinds of friend, we’ve friend. “ nine or Idiomatic known each ten” means they Idiomatic Meaning No Express- other since were still Expressions ions we were children. nine or ten” 1 “Even when Sentence The man always in line 1 I close my thinks about the until 3 eyes, there’s woman an image of “Soledad” even 2 “Learn of Phrasal When he your face” when he’s love and verb struggles with his in line 5 and sleeping. ABCs” in friends since the 6 line 5 first time. 2 “And once Sentence The man can not 3 “Goodbye Sentence Saying goodbye again I come find any other my friend and the person to realize, it’s hard to says that he is girl. You’re a die” in line hard to leave and loss I can’t 8 forget his replace” in previous line 7 and 8 memory. 3 “It’s a Sentence Because of 4 “Pretty girls Sentence Now they are keeping for Soledad’s are adults. the lonely, leaving, he felt everywhere, since the day alone, he is very in line 11 that you sad and felt 5 “Think of Phrasal When his friend were gone” something me and I’ll verb thinks of him, it in line 10 missed in his life. be there” in will be like he is and 11 line 12 there with him. 4 “Walking Sentence He used to be 6 “I was the Idiom with He is considered down the with the girl but black sheep key words bad or worthless streets of now he does not of the from by other people Nothingville, believe that he is family” in special in the family. where our alone and line 18 category love was without his girl. young and ( colour) free, I can’t believe just 7 “Wonder Phrasal He wonders that what an how I got verb he leaves this empty along” in along. place” in line 20 line 18 until 20

Idiomatic Expressions Used in Westlife’s Songs …… (Atika P & Efdy S) 65 Kinds of Kinds of Idiomatic Idiomatic Idiomatic Meaning Idiomatic Meaning No Express- No Express- Expressions Expressions ions ions

5 “I would Phrasal Something that causing you to give my life verb make you realize make wrong away” in the truth about decision. line 22 the person. 2 “You always Sentence Before he broke said I was a up, he had great 6 “Cos I can’t Phrasal The man always dreamer plans for the still the verb thinks about now it’s future but now voice inside Soledad and dead, I’m all of his plans of me, that is always remember dreaming of are hopeless. calling out to her. things that’s your name” making my in line 24 mind go and 25 crazy” in 7 “ And after Sentence If the woman line 3 and 4 all were (Soledad) 3 “When I lie Sentence Eventhough meant to be, realizes that the in my bed when he is love will man really loves with the sleeping he bring us her and she really thoughts in always back you meaningful in his my head, remembers all of and me, if life, she will when we the memory only you come back to the danced and when he was could see” man. we sang and with his lovely in line 28 we laughed girl. until 30 all night” in line 8 and 9 3.9 Bob Bob Baby 4 “I got off to Phrasal You leave a day” in line verb place because it 16, “and put is the time to my mind at leave. There were five idiomatic expressions ease for found in Bob Bob Baby songs. There are three sure” in line 27 idiomatic expressions in the form of phrasal verbs, 5 “This is Phrasal Eventhough the and two idiomatic expressions in the form of when we verb girl has left him sentences. Each of the expressions is discussed in must set but he still need things right, her help to keep the table below. now that living. we’ve gone Table 9. Expression of Bob Bob Baby our Kinds of separateway Idiomatic s, I just can’t Idiomatic Meaning No Express- live these Expressions ions desperate days, this is 1 “ My mama Phrasal If some one or what I’ve said nothing verb something leads been trying would break you astray they to say” in me or lead will make you line 30 until me astray” believe 33 in line 1 something which is not true,

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3.10 Don’t Calm in The Storm phrasal verb, one verbal idioms, three idioms with Adjective + Noun, two identical pairs, and one There were four idiomatic expressions idiom with key words from special categories. found in Don’t Calm in the Storm song. All of However, idioms in the form of sentence is the the expressions are in the form of sentences. The most used by the author. It’s shown from expressions are discussed in the table below. Unbreakable song. In this song, the writer found Table 10. Expression of Don’t Calm in The seven idiomatic expressions and all of them were Storm in the form of sentences. Furthermore, in Love Kinds of Idiomatic Can Build a Bridgesong. The writer found six Idiomatic Meaning No Express- Expressions ions idiomatic expressions and they were in the from sentences. 1 “You say Sentence The girl wants to you need be alone. some time on your own” in line 1 2 But baby Sentence The man does don’t leave not want the me now all woman to leave alone in the him alone when cold” in line he needs 3 someone beside him. 3 “And we’ll Sentence If the girl stays make it with him they right” in can make the line 11 situation better. 4 “Oh baby, Sentence He says really just open sorry, he asks the your eyes, girl to look and hear me listen to the man now, it that he really doesn’t have loves her and he to be this does not want the way” in line relation to end. 18 until 20

4. CONCLUSIONS

From those six kinds of idioms based on McMordie theory (1988:6), the researcher found all the kinds of idioms used in the songs. They are one hundred and twenty-three idioms in the form of sentence, sixty-one idioms in the form of

Idiomatic Expressions Used in Westlife’s Songs …… (Atika P & Efdy S) 67 REFERENCES

Finegan, E. 2004. Language Its Structure and Use. 4th edition. Thomson Wadsworth. United States of America.

Fromkin et. al. 1998. An Intoduction to Language. 6th Edition. Harcourt Brace College Publishers. United States of America.

Roberts and Jacob. 1989. Literature: Introduction to Literature. 3rd editionn.

Saeed, I. Jhon. 2005. Semantics. Blackwell Publisher. Malden.

Seidl, J and W. McMordie. 1988. English Idioms. 5th edition. Oxford University Press. New York.

Yule, G. 2006. The Study of Language. 3rd edition. Cambridge University Press. New York.

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