Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By:
AB-English 4B
I. INTRODUCTION
Music greatly influenced our lives. It influenced the way we think and even the
way we act. Music has a power to manipulate us without knowing it. We havent
realized how it affects the way we talk, act, and perceive things around us. Music
broadens our knowledge of what is happening in the world. We have different cultures
around the world and each country has a different style of music. This style was spread
because of media. Through different kinds of media, we can easily access to different
kinds of music produced by talented artists. As people access to these different types of
media texts, they perceive these texts differently. A popular song which can also be one
of the media texts may be perceived differently by the individuals since human beings
know more about the Semiotics to understand what signs can do and how music
Semiotics involves the study not only of what we refer to as signs in everyday
speech, but of anything which stands for something else (Chandler, 2007). Signs can
be a form of words, images, gestures and even sounds. The term semiology was first
the role of signs as part of social life (Saussure, 1983). From the concept of semiology,
formal doctrine of signs (Peirce, 1931). Saussure his introduced the signifier (sound
image) and signified (concept) while Peirce on the other hand, introduced the icon
denotation and connotation are terms describing the relationship between the signifier
and its signified, and an analytic distinction is made between two types of signifieds: a
a popular song, a poster, etc. In this paper, we will use Semiotics as a theoretical
perspective and we will focus on the discussion of five different popular songs, and
uncover different signs and meaning that are found in these types of media texts.
II. BODY
There are different genres in music. Blues, Classical, Country, Jazz, Pop, R&B,
Reggae, Rock, etc. are just some of the genres in music that we enjoy listening to. Each
genre has its own characteristics that identify them. This analysis will focus on five (5)
popular pop music that greatly influenced the people nowadays. Different tones,
rhythm and lyrics of the song affect the perception of the listener. We will uncover why
Shape of You is under the category of pop music. This song greatly influenced
us nowadays. It affects the way we think and act. To uncover the deeper meaning of
Semiological thought proposes that the basic unit of communication is the sign
(Long and Wall, 2012). The sign that are used in this type of media text (songs) are
and, for the purposes of explaining how words work as signs, he suggested that signs
(Long and Wall, 2012). First, lets talk about the first stanza of the song Shape of You.
language), made of phonemes and letters the sounds of speech and the lines on a
page which constitute writing which, when combined into sentences, according to
meaning (Long and Wall, 2012). This first stanza communicates to the listener of the
music by stating the sequence of events that happened on the bar. In semiotics, the
word bar is what we call the sign in this song can be interpreted in different ways.
This is what we call polysemy. Polysemy occurs when two or more signifieds are
associated with the same signifier (Louis Hbert, 2013). If we will use the meaning of
the word bar from the Cambridge Dictionary, it can mean a strong pole, a support,
high table in such a place along which people stand or sit while drinking or one of
the small equal parts into which a piece of music is divided, containing a fixed number
of beats. We can see that one word can imply different meanings but in this song the
word bar is associated with the words like drinking and shots. So this means that
the composer is referring to the place where alcoholic drinks are served. We can also
notice the word club which is used in the first line of the song. This word can also be
a synonym of the word bar, but the composer chose to use the word club then
replaced it to the word bar in the second line of the song. In the fifth line of the song,
that states And you come over and start up a conversation with just me, the
composer used different pronouns in this line (you, me). As we all know that pronouns
like this can be a female or male. So these words or signs in semiotics can also
confuse the listener of the song. The signifiers which are in the form of pronouns (you,
me) can result to the two signifieds: female or male. The sixth, seventh and eighth line
We can also observe different signifiers here and this can result to different
signifieds if not interpreted well, it can be ambiguous. If we will interpret these three
lines structurally, it tell us that someone approached the other and they started dancing
with the song Van the Man which is played on the jukebox. But on the other hand, if
we will try to examine this part of the text, as someone approached the other, they see
an intimate conversation into spontaneous dancing while Van the Man which is
playing on the jukebox. Now, lets talk about the second stanza or the pre-chorus of the
song.
In the first stanza, the composer used different pronouns as signifiers to refer to
the characters in the song. Here, in the second stanza, we can now identify the gender
that came over because the composer used the word girl as a signifier so no doubt
the signified is the concept or image of a girl. The first line tells us that someone wants
love from the girl. The word love can also be interpreted in different ways. If we will
use the definition of love from the Cambridge Dictionary, it can mean to have
a strong affection for someone, which can be combined with a strong romantic
attraction. But on the other hand, if we will try to examine the text, and look deeper to
what it really signifies, it can also mean making love with the girl. The composer adds
the line Come on now, follow my lead. The word lead here can also be interpreted
in different ways or in other words, it results multiple signifieds from a single signifier.
This is what we call a polysemy. The word lead can mean that a guy is the one who
will lead the dance or the one who will lead the making love on the bed. We can
observe that a single signifier can lead to multiple signifeids depending on how the
listener of the music will interpret the song. Now, lets talk about the third stanza of the
song.
The third stanza is also the chorus of the song. The chorus was given emphasis
since it is always repeated. In the first line of the chorus we can say that the guy is
now in love with the shape of the girl. A signified can be interpreted as connotative and
denotative. Denotation is what we call the literal meaning of the word. The first aspect
or level of signification is the most obvious, literal or generally agreeable (Long and
Wall, 2012). On the other hand, connotation is defined as the further associations,
more abstract, debatable and contextual depending upon who is deploying and
interpreting the sign (Long and Wall, 2012). In the first line of the chorus, the
composer used the word shape. If we will use the definition of the Cambridge
Dictionary, the word shape means the particular way something looks as a whole,
kinds of definition of the word shape are what we call the denotative meaning of the
sign. On the other hand, connotative meaning of the sign is more abstract. If we will try
to examine the text above, the word shape refers to the body of the girl. The second
line of the song can be more ambiguous. It tells us that us that the guy and the girl is
now dancing push and pull like a magnet do or it can also mean that push and pull
like a magnet do is done not only on the stage or while dancing it can also be done on
the bed while theyre making love. In the third stanza, the word falling is used. If we
will just refer to the denotative meaning of the word falling, we can say the heart of
the guy is falling literally, which we all know that it is inappropriate. But if we will refer
the connotative meaning of the line Although my heart is falling too, it tells us that
the guy is now falling in love with the girl. In the fourth line of the chorus, the word
shape is now given another character by using the word body. Then, in the fifth and
sixth line of the chorus we can use the denotative meaning of the signs used by the
composer. In other words, we can just interpret it literally without going deeper in the
structure of the text. It tells us that the last night the girl was in the room of the guy
and his bed sheets smell like the girl. We can also notice that the chorus has its
repeated lines like OhIohIohIohI, I'm in love with your body. This line
was repeated three times in the chorus. If the signs are repeated in a text, the writer
wants to emphasize this line or the meaning of that specific line. Now lets talk about
is described by the composer. The composer is using words to tell a story of what is
happening. The words or signs used by the composer can be interpreted in a structural
level. In other words, we can just use the denotations of those specific words to
understand the meaning of the text. We can say that a song doesnt always use
connotation or the abstract meaning of the text. The listener can easily interpret a song
if the composer will only use simple words to refer to the concept he is referring to. But
on the other hand, the composer added the line We talk for hours and hours about the
sweet and the sour. If we will use the denotative meaning on this specific part of the
text, the meaning can mislead us. The words sweet and sour are usually associated
with the sense of taste, but in this line, it refers to the taste or experiences in life. So, in
interpreting texts like this, we must analyze carefully each sign that is used by the
composer to successfully understand the meaning it conveys. Now, lets talk about the
The line Come on, be my baby, come on is repeated in the bridge of the song.
The word baby is the signifier that is used by the composer. If we will use the
young child. So, if the analysis will just use the denotative meaning of the word
baby, it may seem inappropriate. We must use the connotative meaning of the word
to interpret this text. The word baby in this text refers to girlfriend. We can say that
Music, just like the poem is using different figures of speech to produce a meaningful
work of art.
Flashlight by Jessie J
Flashlight is also under the category of the pop music. This song once
influenced us. It has also a different appeal on the audience. Unlike the Shape of You,
the lyrics of Flashlight may be perceived not as dirty or wild like the lyrics of the
Shape of You. It tells us more about the story of the girl that is afraid of taking risks
in life but someone inspired her and gave light into her life. We will also use different
concepts of semiotics to analyze the different signifiers that was used by the composer
of the song. First, lets talk about the first stanza of the song Flashlight.
As we can observe, the first stanza of the song may be interpreted using the
denotative meaning or literal meaning of the song. If we will try to look deeper, the
composer used the word tomorrow. This word can be interpreted by using the
connotative meaning of the sign. As we all know, connotative which is discussed above
is the abstract meaning of the word. The word tomorrow is defined by Cambridge
Dictionary as the day after today. This is what we call the denotative meaning of the
song. On the other hand, the word tomorrow which is used on this stanza can mean
only as the future. It is not necessarily that we refer to it as the day after today. So
this stanza tells us that someone is afraid or frightened of the things that will happen in
the future. We can also notice that the word tomorrow is repeatedly used by the
composer. In semiotics, it is what we call the redundancy, the process of repeating
one signified, either by associating it with several different signifiers or by repeating the
sign in which it is conveyed (Louis Hbert, 2013). In this stanza the word tomorrow
is repeated to give emphasis that the speaker is afraid of what will happen in the
future. Now, lets talk about the second stanza of the song.
We can observe that the composer used the word road. This signifier can refer
to different signifieds. Lets first examine the different meanings of the word road. In
Cambridge Dictionary, the word road means a route for travelling between places by
vehicle, esp. one that has been specially surfaced and made flat. This is just the
denotative meaning of signifier used by the composer. If we will look deeper the word
road can also mean as journey. We all know that the journey in achieving success is
long. As we can observe the word road is followed by the word long. So this means
that the composer refers to the long journey he will be taking to achieve success. The
word sky is also used by the composer. This word can also be interpreted in different
ways. We can say that the sky can also refer to our life. As he is experiencing life, he
experienced its dark side. The word dark also has a connotative meaning; it may refer
to the obstacles that he is experiencing in life. Then, for the last line, the composer
repeatedly used I sing along, to also give emphasis and force to the song, this is what
we call the redundancy. Now, lets talk about the chorus of the song.
In the chorus of the song, we can observe that the tone was changed. Here, the
composer stated that his life was changed because someone inspired him. This
interpretation was made because of the different signifier that we can found in the
second line of the song I look around me, and see a sweet life. The word sweet was
followed by the word life. It is not necessarily that the life tastes sweet or we must
really need to use our sense of taste to taste the life. In this case, we must see the
deeper meaning or the abstract meaning of the line to know the true message of the
composer of the song. For the third line of the song, it tells us that he is once in the
dark part of life. The word dark which is described above was the obstacles. Then the
composer used the word flashlight to refer to someone that gave light or inspiration
to him. We must not only consider the denotative meaning of the word flashlight we
must also look deeper and examine the connotative meaning of the sign used by the
composer. The composer added the line You're getting me, getting me, through the
night, to emphasize that someone saved him and gave him light. The word night
which can also refer to as the dark side of life was also used to make the song more
meaningful. We can observe that the chorus of this song must not only be interpreted
structurally, we must also look deeper beyond the surface of those signs used by the
composer.
For the whole song, we can say that the word flashlight was repeatedly used
by the composer to emphasize the light or the person that gave light and inspired
This song is also one of the pop popular songs that influenced us. Teenagers
nowadays can relate to this type of media text because this song tells more about a
broken hearted guy that was hurt by his girl. Here, we will uncover how the composer
used different signs to make the song more meaningful. First, lets talk about the first
For the first stanza of the song, the composer chose specific words to describe
what really the character feels. For the first line, the signs or words used by the
composer can be interpreted literally. We shall really not look deeper if the meaning
was already clear. On the second line, we can notice that the composer used the word
sore which is also related to the word hurt in the first line of the song. While on the
third line, the composer used different signs to give and describe how hurt he is. Your
words cut deeper than a knife, this line must be interpreted using the connotative
meaning not just the denotative meaning of the sign. The word words is used by the
composer, he refers to it as if it is the one that cut the character. We must use the
connotative meaning to interpret this line successfully. This line means that someone
said mean words to him and it hurt him so bad. The word cut was used instead of
hurt to give emphasis to the kind of feeling he is experiencing right now. Then, for the
last line of the first stanza, if we will use or consider the connotative meaning of the
line, it means that he needs someone to inspire him again and save him from being
This part of the text tells us how hopeless the character may be. The composer
used the word under to emphasize the feeling of the character. If we will use the
definition of the Cambridge Dictionary of the word under it means that in or to
a position below or lower than (something else), often so that one thing covers the
other. This is just the denotative meaning of the signifier. On the other hand, if we will
analyze it deeper, the composer wants to tell us that the character is really feeling
hopeless or down. Then in the second line, the composer used the word alive. This
word was used to give intensity to what is really happening to the character. The word
alive can also refer to the word survive that he knows he can still survive this kind
of feeling. Then, the third and fourth line of the pre-chorus can be interpreted using the
denotative meaning of the text. Although if we look at the connotative meaning of the
signifier, it can also mean that if they broke up, the girl must move on. It is not
necessarily that when the guy stopped calling her his lover, the girl must move on.
In the chorus of song, we can now feel the hurt feeling of the character. The
composer used the word bleed, shaking, aching, stitches to emphasize the
intensity of the hurt feeling. In semiotics, this is called redundancy. This is the process
repeating the sign in which it is conveyed (Louis Hbert, 2013). The third and fourth line
of the chorus And now that I'm without your kisses, I'll be needing stitches, can be
interpreted using the connotative meaning of the sign. If we will analyze it, it means
that now that the girl is gone the guy needs to be healed and move on that is why
the composer used the word stitches, to refer to the healing that the guy needs since
the girl is now gone. Lastly, lets talk about the bridge of the song.
Needle and the thread
Gotta get you out of my head
Needle and the thread
Gonna wind up dead
The composer used the words needle and thread to refer to the stitches
(healing) that the character needs. The meanings of the signs are interpreted not only
by using the denotative meaning but most of all we must look deeper and discover the
connotative meaning of the signs used by the composer. Then, for the second line,
gotta get you out of my head must also be interpreted using the connotative meaning
of the sign. If we will use the denotative meaning, it may seem inappropriate since a
person cannot fit inside the head of the person. This line means that the character must
stop thinking about the girl and he tells himself that he must move on. These lines are
repeated in the bridge to give more emphasis to the healing that the character needs.
This song used different kinds of unique signs to convey the message to
the listener of the song. If these signs were not interpreted well, the listener might not
This song is also under the pop music. It tells more about the girl whos in love
with the guy. It also has a unique rhythm that is loved by the listeners. This is lively
since the girl expresses how in love she is. Now, lets talk about the first stanza of the
song.
The first stanza tells about how happy and inspire the girl is. We can observe
that the composer used the word top to refer to the highest peak of the happiness
she is feeling. If we will just analyze the denotative meaning of the sign, it may seem
concept of the composer. As we can observe, the rest of the lines of the first stanza can
be interpreted using only the denotative meaning. The style of composer reveals in the
first stanza. The composer used literal meaning of the words to express the thought of
the whole stanza and also, for the listener to interpret the song well. The signifier is
clear and the signified can easily be understood. Lets proceed to the chorus of the
song.
This part of the song is its highest peak. It tells us how happy and joyful the girl
is. The composer used different signs or words to express the whole thought of the
stanza. For example, in the first, second, and third stanza, And oh we got time,
yeah.So darling just say you'll stay.Right by my side , these lines can be interpreted
using only the denotative meaning of the signs. It tells us that they have enough time
together, so the guy must just stay beside the girl. On the other hand, it may seem
inappropriate since the word side if defined using its literal meaning of denotative
meaning from Cambridge Dictionary, it means that a surface of something that is not
the top or the bottom or a surface of a flat object, an edge or border of something,
centralline, one of two or more opposing groups or people etc. There are different
literal meanings that are associated with the word side. So, the listener must really
look deeper and analyze what that specific sign means. Here, it is not necessarily that
the guy must stay beside the girl, it just means that they must stay together or lovers
till the end. This is the connotative meaning of the text. For the fourth and fifth line of
the stanza, And oh we got love, yeah..So darling just swear you'll stand right by my
side, we must also interpret this signs using the connotative meaning of the text. For
example, the word stand is used by the composer. This word if defined by the
put someone or something into a vertical position. This is just the denotative
meaning of the sign used by the composer. On the other hand, if we will interpret
these signs using the connotative meaning, it means that the guy must stay beside
the girl, he must not give up on the relationship even if things might go wrong. Next,
For the third stanza of the song, as we can notice it is the same with the first
stanza. The composer also used the word top which is already defined above. The
only difference is the third, fourth, fifth and sixth stanza of the song. Here, the
composer used specific signs to express deeper what she feels about the guy. The rest
of the lines can be interpreted using the denotative meaning of the literal meaning of
the sign.
After the second verse of the song or the third stanza, the chorus was repeated
again to give emphasis to its meaning then the author added these lines:
Be my forever
Be my forever
Be my forever
Be my forever
Be my forever
Be my forever
In this part of the song, the composer used the word forever to refer to her
loved one. If we will use the Cambridge Dictionary meaning of the word forever, it
means for all time, without end. This is just the denotative meaning of the text. This
word is usually used as an adverb but in this song, the word forever was used to
refer to her forever partner. Although there is a lacking word there, we can still
Overall, the song is lively and can be easily understood since the composer
Fight Song is also one of the pop music the influenced and inspired millennial
nowadays. The song can inspire because of the way the composer used unique signs or
words in expressing his thought. Lets talk about the first stanza of the song.
As we can observe, the composer used unique words to express his thought. If
we will try to interpret the song using the denotative meaning of the signs, this can
probably mislead us to the true meaning of the song. For example, in the fifth and sixth
line of the song, Like how a single wordCan make a heart open. The composer used
the used the signifier word to open the heart. We all know that a single word cannot
open the heart if it is interpreted using its denotative meaning. The denotative meaning
cannot help us in interpreting the song well. We must interpret the signs using the
connotative meaning. For the whole stanza, the connotative meaning tells us that no
matter how small you are, no matter how they look at you, you can still make a
difference, you can surpass challenges no matter how small or incompetent you are,
you can do it. Next, lets talk about the pre-chorus of the song.
In the pre-chorus of the song, the composer used signs to express his feelings.
For example, the composer used wrecking balls as one of his signifiers in this stanza.
It will be inappropriate if we will really think that there are wrecking balls inside the
brain of the composer. In this case, we need to interpret the line using its connotative
meaning, because denotative meaning will not be enough. Wrecking balls refer to as
the words or thoughts that were kept inside and were not expressed by the composer.
Then, in the third and fourth line of the song, I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?, we also need to interpret this line using the
connotative meaning of the text. It means that the words that were left unsaid will now
The composer repeatedly used the word song in the chorus. The word song
can be interpreted by using its literal meaning. If we will try to omit the word song in
the first three lines of the chorus, it will just be This is my fight, Take back my life,
Prove I'm alright. The composer tells us that this is her fight, her life and shes alright
and this feelings were expressed using this using this song, thats why the signifer
song was used by the composer. For the fourth and fifth line of the chorus, My
power's turned on..Starting right now I'll be strong, these lines can be interpreted
using the connotative meaning of the sign. It is not necessarily that the composer has
already magical powers to fight against the obstacles. The signifier power was used to
refers to the confidence that she can surpass the challenges. The composer added the
lines I'll play my fight song.And I don't really care if nobody else believes. These
lines can also be interpreted using the connotative meaning of the signifier. It means
that she will fight even if everybody believes that shes incompetent, she knows that
she can surpass the challenges. Then for the last line in the chorus Cause I've still got
a lot of fight left in me, the word fight used as a signifier that refers to the
challenges she will be encountering in the future. Next, lets talk about the second
to express his feelings. For example, the word deep was used to refer how weak the
girl is. If we will use the definition of the Cambridge Dictionary, the word deep refers
to going or being a long way down from the top or surface, or being at a
particular distance down from the top. This denotative meaning will not be enough
so, we must know the connotative meaning of the sign to interpret the real message
of the song. The connotative meaning of the word deep can be incompetent. The
girl is incompetent to fight against the challenges in life. The composer added the
lines there's a fire burning in my bones Still believeYeah, I still believe. The
signifier used by the composer is not that easy to interpret, and it can mislead the
listener if it is not interpreted well. In this line, we must also use the connotative
meaning of the signifier. It simply tells us that she believes that she can conquer the
challenges in life. The word fire was used to refer to her ability to surpass any kind
The composer used unique words or signs to express the real message of the
song. Unlike Be my Forever, which can be interpreted literally, Fight Song must be
III. CONCLUSION
Music is one of the media texts that can influence and manipulate us. In pop
music, the signs used are not just simple signs but it can be abstract signs that can
mislead the listener. We must consider every sign used by the composer to understand
the real message of the song. Signs can be in the form of words in a sentence, images
and even sounds in a song. These signs work together to make the text more
complex signs (Long and Wall, 2012). In order to understand the real message of the
song, the listener must not only consider the single word used by the composer, he
must also consider other signs associated with that specific word. The denotative
meaning of the signs is also not enough to understand a text. We must also consider
the connotative meaning that it suggests. The greatest test facing those new to
semiology is making the leap from the recognition of the concept of the sign as an
Therefore, we can conclude that pop music is one of the media texts that use
different abstract signs to convey message to the listeners. These different signs used
by the composers can greatly affect the way listeners think, act, and perceive things
around them.
References:
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/BAR
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/LOVE
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/SHAPE
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/TOMORROW
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/ROAD
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/SIDE
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/STAND
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/FOREVER
HTTP://DICTIONARY.CAMBRIDGE.ORG/US/DICTIONARY/ENGLISH/DEEP