Selected Songs: A Study of Figurative Language Found in Bruno Mars'
Selected Songs: A Study of Figurative Language Found in Bruno Mars'
SELECTED SONGS
A PAPER
BY YOLANDA PURBA
REG. NO : 152202023
MEDAN
2018
I am, YOLANDA PURBA, declare that I am the sole author of this paper. Except
where reference is made in the text of this paper, this paper contains no material
No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main
text of this paper. This paper has not submitted for the award of another degree in
Signed :
the Librarion of the Diploma III English Department Faculty of Culture USU on
the understanding that users are made aware of their obligation under law of the
Republic Indonesia.
Signed :
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Bismillahirrahmanirahim
First of all, I would like thanks to Allah SWT and the Prophet
Muhammad SAW, for all the blessing and give me health, strength, and
inspiration to finish this paper as one of regulations to get Diploma degree from
Studies.
Saidayani for supporting, caring, loving, praying and believing in me. I love them
Thank you for the only one my sibling Muhammad Zidane Purba who
Thank you for my best partner Surya Permana Putra who supports me
cousins.
Vina Anglia, and Richa Ompusunggu. I really appreciate every single time we
Thanks for all of D-III English 2015 students, specially for A-Class.
Thank you for the moments in the last three years, I’m going to miss you all.
And finally, I realize that this paper is far from being perfect. I hope that
those who read this paper may give critics and suggestion for making it better.
Medan, 2018
The Writer,
Yolanda Purba
Reg.No. 152202023
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background of Study ............................................................................................. 1
1.2 The Problem Study........................................................................................................ 3
1.3 The Scope of Study ....................................................................................................... 3
1.4 The Purpose of Study .................................................................................................... 4
1.5 The Method of Study .................................................................................................... 4
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INTRODUCTION
emotional release.
words. Words are combined into sentences, this combination answering to that of
almost always takes place within some sort of social context. This is why effective
would like to download the western songs which are popular right now, In order
We know that lyrics in westerns music not only use denotative meaning to
express message from singer but also connotative meaning. Connotative meaning
happens because the singer wish to make agreement, disagree, happy, unhappy,
etc, for the listeners. Many kinds of literature give us so much information in
which they use non literal meaning of words. For example, some lyric on the
one thing and another meaning), It is associated with the lyric of the song uses
figurative language. There are many types of figurative language such as:
language in the song, because there are many expression from the singer that are
imagine about condition or situation inserted in the lyrics that used figurative
language to express the emotion from the singer. The ideas and feelings become
the lyrics. Therefore, this paper will discuss figurative language that found in the
what an author means with an expression or statement, we can say what we want
figurative languages can be found in this songs. Besides, Bruno Mars is a popular
singer in the world. There are many people who know his song lyrics. The writer
expression from singer that are imagine about condition or situation which singer
got. So, the writer found figurative language in lyrics to express the emotion from
a song, which can make a song feels more weighty and attract listener.
1) What are the types of figurative language used in Bruno Mars selected songs?
2) What are the meanings of figurative language in Bruno Mars selected songs?
Hyperbole and Personification and their contextual meaning. This paper will
1) To find out what the types of figurative language used in Bruno Mars selected
songs.
In this paper the writer used library research by collecting some references
such as textbook with Knickerbocker theory, information about the topic, and
internet to collecting part of the lyrics that use figurative language, identifying the
This chapter covers definitions and theories which are related to support the
subject. The writer has done some literature review in many sources such as
thing and another meaning), It is associated with the lyric of the song uses
figurative language. There are many types of figurative language such as:
meaning does not coincide with literal language s meaning and points at
metaphors and idioms as examples of it. (preface) He further discusses the topic
There are kinds of figurative language’s type, in this chapter, writer only
1. Simile
2. Personification
animals, or ideas. This can really affect the way the reader imagines
Meaning : Chocolate cake doesn’t have the ability to call after someone,
but this cliché uses personification to express the feeling of desire and
hunger.
3. Metaphor
Meaning : Your heart isn’t literally broken; you’re just feeling hurt and
sad.
4. Hyperbole
Meaning : The person in this sentence isn’t really eat a horse, but he feel
Lyrics are words that make up a song. The song writer is a lyricist or lyrist.
The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract,
through some ways like poetry, short stories, novels, or even songs. Song is one of
the works that can be found easily in everyday life which contains flowery words.
human thinking and feeling where it has been the soul of the life that cannot be
separated.
devote the feeling, thought, and the willingness. Therefore, lyric can be as the
have to determine the speaker’s intention, which sometimes the composer is using
figurative language on the song, therefore the listeners not only be able to enjoy
the melody of the song but they can get more knowledge from interpreting the
point of view on things in the world revealed through song’s lyrics. it is also
commonly called as an art form language in which many authors, poet, or even
ideas and imagination freely by which readers or listeners can gain understanding
of and appreciation toward their works. In this case, the reader or listener are
In this chapter, the writer would like to describe about four kind of
figurative languages found in Bruno Mars’ selected songs and its meaning.
Figurative languages use figure of speech a way to explore less known through the
known.
3.1 Simile
In this lyric, you cant actually number your friends off. But you can rely on your
3.2 Personification
abstract idea.
The whole world stops and stares for a while ( Just the way you are – Line 11)
The earth cannot stops and stare. The world does not actually stop when she
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Your friend will always help you when you need help and light your way for you.
3.3 Metaphor
sense, on the basis of similarity between in literal sense and the new thing or
The man who afraid losing her lover and describe how painful he is if her lover
If you walk away everyday, it’ll rain rain rain (It will rain – Line 20)
This word ”clouds” it means that the person is sad and represented of word “rain
When you get back to where you're from (Grenade – Line 23)
He was comparing the girl to being evil like a devil. He meant that she was man
or tricky.
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This lyrics I guess about someone who passed away and he is trying to talk to
whoever passed and he doesn’t know if their answering him or can hear him
talking to them.
3.4 Hyperbole
Make the stars look like they’re not shinin’ (Just the way you are – Line 1)
The eyes are not actually brighter than the stars but it’s resembles for a human
2. I’ll pick up these broken pieces till I’m bleeding (It will rain – Line 26)
This lyric repetition that he want getting love even though you have to feel the
pain.
3. You’ll always have me shoulder when you cry I’ll never let go never say
Your friend will always be there to help you when you are sad, they will cheer
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He gave her everything but she didn’t. If he had treated her night then he
wouldn’t be heartbroken.
By the lyrics the songwriter tries to show that he is willing to catch a grenade
“Brain” means “the organ of the body in thead that control function,sensasion
and thought”.when a bullet passes the brain, it surely can kill the person.this
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that surely will be done even he gets pain.”beat” and “numb” carry
10. You’ll smile in my face then rip the brakes out my car (Grenade –Line 25)
The songwriters wants to convey that the meaning of the lyrics is that the
women whom he mentions will be kind to him, loves him, or accept him but
11. If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
This lyrics repetition a friend i’ll be there when his friend get something
terrible.
The lyrics “no sunlight” shows that a person will lost spirit in his life when
This lyrics repetition a person who feel mess up when he lose his lover.
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4.1 Conclusion
meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. When a writer uses literal
language, he or she is simply stating the facts as they are. After analyzing the
figurative languages found in Bruno Mars’ selected songs , the writer concludes
that each lyric really presenting the song. We might learn and understanding how
the authors try to tell us about the story of a song. The dominant of figurative type
that is used in the song lyrics is hyperbole and the least figurative meaning used in
4.2 Suggestion
words. Therefore, the writer would like to suggest those who are interest in
Songs are worth considering being the sources to learn English. The songs can be
used as materials in learning English. They help the English students know and
interpret them. Besides, readers can learn about critical thinking through the use
of the songs since some of the meanings are not delivered from the words written.
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writer hopes that this paper can be useful for the readers and can enrich the
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Bandung: Angkasa.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyrics
https://lirik.kapanlagi.com/artis/bruno-mars/
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Peter Gene Hernandez (born October 8, 1985), known professionally as Bruno Mars, is
an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and dancer. He is
known for his stage performances, retro showmanship and for performing in a wide
range of musical styles including R&B, funk, pop, soul, reggae, hip hop and rock.
Mars is accompanied by his band, The Hooligans, who play a variety of instruments such
as electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, drums and horns, and also serve as backup
singers and dancers.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mars moved to Los Angeles in 2003 to pursue a
musical career. After being dropped by Motown Records, Mars signed a recording
contract with Atlantic Records in 2009. In the same year, he co-founded the production
team The Smeezingtons, responsible for various successful singles for Mars himself and
other artists. Mars rose to fame in 2010 with the release of the successful singles " Nothin'
on You" by B.o.B and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy, both of which featured his
vocals on the hooks. His debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010) peaked at
number three on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top in Canada, Germany, Ireland,
Netherlands and in the United Kingdom albums charts. It spawned the international
number-one singles "Just the Way You Are", "Grenade" and "The Lazy Song". The
former won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance . In 2011, Mars
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If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
You'll be there
Whoa, whoa
Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah
If you tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleep
Beside you
Everyday I will
Remind you
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I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
You'll be there
Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
Oh, oh
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Yea for you I'll try I'll try I'll try I'll try
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Oh whoa oh
No no no no
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Yeah you'll smile in my face then rip the breaks out my car
Oh whoa oh
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No no no no no
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Light up my room
I sit by myself
In hopes you're on
Talking to me too
Or am I a fool
Oh
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Light up my room
I sit by myself
In hopes you're on
Talking to me too
Or am I a fool
(Ah) oh oh oh
(Ah) oh oh oh
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In hopes you're on
Talking to me too
Or am I a fool
Light up my room
I sit by myself
In hopes you're on
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Talking to me too
Or am I a fool
Oh
Light up my room
I sit by myself
In hopes you're on
Talking to me too
Or am I a fool
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(Ah) oh oh oh
(Ah) oh oh oh
In hopes you're on
Talking to me too
Or am I a fool
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I know, I know
When I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say,
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Yeah
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