SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN LORDE’S SELECTED SONGS

This study aims to analyze the types and meanings of figurative language used in Lorde’s selected song lyrics. The focus of this research is on identifying various kinds of figurative language and interpreting their meanings based on semantic theory. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method, as the data are analyzed in the form of words, phrases, and sentences rather than numerical data. The data are taken from selected songs written by Lorde and are obtained from official lyric sources. The analysis is conducted by applying the theory of figurative language proposed by Knickerbocker and Reninger (1974) to classify the types of figurative language, while the theory of meaning proposed by Leech (1981) is used to interpret the meanings conveyed in the lyrics. The findings show that several types of figurative language are identified in the lyrics, including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and personification, with hyperbole emerging as the most dominant type. Hyperbole is primarily used to intensify emotional expression and emphasize exaggerated feelings related to personal experiences and inner states. Meanwhile, metaphor conveys abstract emotions through indirect comparison; simile clarifies emotions and situations by highlighting similarities; and personification attributes human characteristics to non-human elements to strengthen emotional impact. The use of these figurative expressions enables Lorde to communicate meanings implicitly and enrich the semantic interpretation of her song lyrics.