Emotional Construction of Toxic Relationships Discourse through Billie Eilish’s Selected Songs (Yule’s Perspective)
Keywords:
Denotative meaning, connotative meaning, song lyrics, semantics, Billie EilishAbstract
This study analyzes the denotative and connotative meanings in selected songs by Billie Eilish, namely Hostage, When The Party’s Over, and Happier Than Ever. The objective of this research is to identify how meanings are constructed in song lyrics and to explore the deeper emotional and psychological messages conveyed through language. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method and applies the theory of meaning proposed by George Yule (1985) to distinguish between denotative and connotative meanings. The data were collected from the song lyrics and analyzed by identifying key expressions that contain both literal and implied meanings. The findings reveal that while denotative meanings provide the basic, literal interpretation of words, the connotative meanings dominate the lyrics and carry deeper emotional significance. In Hostage, the connotations reflect obsession, control, and emotional dominance. In When The Party’s Over, the lyrics express emotional vulnerability, sacrifice, and loneliness. Meanwhile, Happier Than Ever presents themes of realization, emotional detachment, and liberation from toxic relationships. Overall, the study shows that Billie Eilish uses connotative language extensively to portray complex emotional experiences, particularly those related to toxic relationships and personal struggles. This research highlights the importance of understanding connotative meaning in interpreting song lyrics as literary texts.
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