Lauryn Taylor

11/6/19
JOMC 303

Abstract

I studied the lyrics from Drake’s “Hotline Bling” using Thematic analysis, which is a

qualitative research technique. By using this technique, I am able to analyze the true meaning of

this song. My hypothesis was Do the lyrics to “Hotline Bling” by Drake actually mean that he is

missing someone from his past, or does the writer only want them for a night?

By analyzing the lyrics and grouping like phrases together, I was able to come up three

themes. The first was Yearning, which was supported by the like codes “booty call”, “late calls”

and “past calls”. The second was Moving On, supported by like codes “karma”, “going out

more”, and “showing out”. The third theme was Craving, which was supported by “be the real

you”, “know what you want”, “be yourself”.

By doing a Thematic Analysis I was able to find the deeper meaning within Hotline

Bling. The song was no longer about missing someone but turned into an artist’s toxic

interpretation of their ex moving on without them.

Introduction

I studied the lyrics from Drake’s “Hotline Bling” using Thematic analysis, which is a

qualitative research technique. By using this technique, I am able to analyze the true meaning of

this song. Aubrey “Drake” Graham is a Canadian rapper, singer, and song writer, that first came

on the seen while acting in a teen drama called Degrassi. He left the series in 2007 and released

his debuted mixtape in 2007. After releasing two more unsigned projects, he was then scouted by

Lil Wayne and signed in 2009. Drake has been breaking barriers since his signing with every

album having billboard charting hits.

Hotline Bling came out in 2016 and was the lead single from Drake’s fourth studio

album Views. My hypothesis, like many other listeners, is that the song is about missing

someone who occasionally calls you when they need something that only you can provide.

Hotline bling went platinum was Drake’s first top 10 in two years.

Results

Hypothesis: Do the lyrics to “Hotline Bling” by Drake actually mean that he is missing someone

from his past, or does the writer only want them for a night?

The like codes I used for Theme number one, which I considered to be “Yearning”. This

is represented by lyrics like “I know when that hotline bling, that can only mean one thing” or

“You used to call me on my cell phone Late night when you need my love” Which shows the

author misses whomever they are singing about and are awaiting the potential opportunity to

contact them. This helped me come up with the coding for Theme number two, “Moving On”.
This is supported by lyrics like “Why you always touching road?

Used to always stay at home, be a good girl”. Here we see the artist is comparing what he sees

her doing now to the person he knew her to be. The artist seems to miss the woman he knew and

maybe the relationship they had as well. This is how I came up with my overall theme and third

theme “Craving”. This theme is supported by “Doing things I taught you, gettin' nasty for

someone else”. The artist wants the woman back and thinks about the intimate things they shared

and wonders if she has moved on and shared them with someone else.

Discussion

I learned that although the beat to the song is fast paced, the meaning of the lyrics has a

more somber tone. The results did support my thematic analysis and overall hypothesis. Drake

believes he knows this woman more than she knows herself. The person she has become after the

breakup is unfamiliar to him and he misses who He believed she use to be. This mindset could be

seen as toxic.