The Denotative and Connotative Meanings in the Song Lyric of “If Ain’t Got You” By Alicia Keys
Abstract
Song lyrics contain meanings that go beyond literal interpretations, making semantic analysis essential for understanding how messages are conveyed. However, research specifically focused on denotative and connotative meanings in English-language popular songs remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the denotative and connotative meanings found in Alicia Keys’ song “If I Ain’t Got You” and explain how these meanings contribute to the song’s overall message. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method with document analysis. The findings identified 20 lyrical expressions, comprising 7 denotative meanings and 13 connotative meanings. The results indicate that connotative meanings are more dominant and serve as the primary means of conveying the song’s message. This song emphasizes that true love and emotional fulfillment are more valuable than wealth, fame, power, and material possessions. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of semantic analysis in uncovering deeper meanings in song lyrics.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i3.2812
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