DENOTATIVE AND CONNOTATIVE MEANING IN ALL OF ME SONGS LYRIC

Muhammad Ivan Fauzi

Linguistic Department, Diponegoro University

Ivanfauzi@students.undip.ac.id

ABSTRACT

This research focuses on denotative and connotative meaning in John Legend song which the title
is All of Me. This research is examined the denotative and connotative meaning in All of Me
song lyrics. Descriptive qualitative method was implied in the research. The data in this
research are all English words, phrases, and sentences that support the occurrence of
denotative and connotative meaning. The source of data of this research is lyrics in All of
Me song. The steps of collecting data in this research are reading the lyrics in All of Me,
underlying sentences which is belongs to denotative meaning and connotative meaning,
classifying the data that had been underlying into denotative and connotative meaning. The
result shows that the use of denotative meaning and connotative meaning in the lyrics is equal.
There is no dominant to one another.

Keywords: Denotative and Connotative, Semantic, Song’s Lyrics

Meaning can be studied

INTRODUCTION
Music is an interactive and
participatory medium (Small, 1998)
that appears to constitute a literal
communicative system (Miell et al.,
2005), but one that is often
understood as communicating only
emotion (Juslin & Sloboda, 2001).
Therefore, music is kind of media to
convey message through a song. A song
is considered as effective and common
media that can drop concept, message,
and expression of its creator to its
listener through lyrics, music
composition, and the way its creator
sings the song. A song contains lyrics
which can be written as a completion or
addition after the music itself. Lyrics
can be explicit and implicit and
sometimes lyrics have abstract meaning
or even cannot be understood.
through scientific study of language
called Linguistics. The branch of
Linguistics which deals with meaning
is called Semantics. In Semantics,
meaning is divided into two parts,
meaning and non-literal
meaning. Literal means based on the
actual words. Non-literal meaning is the
other way around. The speaker means
something different from his literal
meaning of the words, he has another
intention’s which different from the
meaning of words he said. The hearer
may find it difficult to understand what
the speaker wants to convey if the
speaker speaks non-literally. There are a
number of ways in expressing ideas
which deviate from the semantic
conventions, some of which are through
the use of denotative and connotative
meaning.
Semantics is central to the study
of communication and as
communication becomes more and more
a crucial factor in social organization,
the need to understand it becomes more
and more pressing. Semantics is also at
the central of the study of the human
mind - thought processes, cognition,
conceptualization - all these are
intricately bound up with the way in
which we classify and convey our
experience of the world through
language.
There are 7 types of meaning in
semantics; (1) Denotative meaning
(meaning by dictionary), (2)
Connotative meaning (meaning by
suggest of mind),(3) Social meaning
(social context), (4) Affective or
Emotive meaning (convey about
personal feeling),(5) Reflected meaning
(multiple conceptual meaning), (6)
Collocative meaning (association of
words), and (7) Thematic meaning
(message of meaning) (Leech, 1974).
Denotation is the meaning of a
word which is primarily refers to the
real word, Meanwhile, Connotative
meaning is when a word suggests a set
of associations or it is an imaginative or
emotional suggestion connected with the
words, while readers can relate to such
associations.
The function of semantic is the
purpose exact meanings of the words
and phrases and remove confusion,
which might lead the readers to believe a
word has many possible meanings. It
makes a relationship between a word
and the sentence through their meanings.
Besides, semantic enables the readers to
explore a sense of the meaning, because
if the people remove or change the place
ofa single word from the sentence, it
will change the entire meanings, or else
the sentence will become anomalous.
Hence, the sense relation inside a
sentence is very important, as a single
word does not carry any sense or
meaning. Semantics is appropriated to
be used on investigating the meaning of
lyrics of songs because it deals with the
meaning of language used by people in
order to convey their intended meaning
of speaking or message of a language
used. This research will investigate
about the denotation and connotation
meanings are found in All of Me song
lyrics.
Semantics as a part of linguistics
study, where the meaning of the
semantics is the study of meaning and
sentence and also in language.
According to Cole (1981), “Semantics is
involved in the determination of
conventional (or literal) meaning”.
Similarly, Recanati (2004) stated that
semantics deals with the literal meaning
of words and sentences as determined by
the rules of the language. According to
Fromkin (2001), “The study of linguistic
meaning of morphemes, words, phrases,
and sentences is called semantics”.
Subfields of semantics are lexical
semantics, which is concerned with the
meanings of words, and the meaning
relationships among words; and phrasal
or sentential semantics, which is
concerned with the meaning of syntactic
units larger than the word. Therefore it
came onto a conclusion that semantics is
the study of the meaning of words
(lexical semantics) and fixed word
combinations (phraseology), and how
these combine to form the meanings of
sentences.
According to Leech (1974),
there are seven types: denotative
meaning (meaning by dictionary),
connotative meaning (meaning by
suggest of mind), social meaning (social
context), affective or emotive meaning
(convey about personal feeling), and
reflected meaning (multiple conceptual
meaning), collocative meaning
(association of words), and thematic
meaning (message of meaning). The two
types of meaning according to Leech are
as follows; denotative is the literal.
“dictionary” meaning of a word – what
 is “supposed” to mean and connotative
your personal meaning implication, or
interpretation of a word. The differences
between denotative and connotative
meaning are; denotative meaning is a
real meaning based on dictionary. It
means, it interprets directly a word,
phrase, or sentence according dictionary.
Meanwhile, connotation is about getting
a meaning from a word, phrase, or
sentence according suggests, or what we
associate the word with, that goes
beyond its formal definitions.
There are plenty of studies that
have been conducted internationally to
investigate denotative and connotative
analyzed in various media or object.
There is a study has been carried out by
Apriyani (2018). This research focuses
on connotative meaning of expression
in maroon 5 V album. This research
has two major objectives proposed by
the writer, they are (1) to explain the
connotative meaning of key words as
used by the composer of the Maroon 5 V
album, (2) to describe the
components of the main words as
expressed by the composer in the lyrics
of the Maroon 5 V album. The type of
this research is descriptive qualitative
research. The result of the research
indicates that (1) the connotative
meaning found in Maroon 5 V
album’s lyrics are: anger 6,7%,
curiosity 6,7%, 2 happiness 13,3%,
melancholy 13,3%, needing 6,7%,
sadness 53,3%. The dominant
connotative meaning of the main words
in the Maroon 5 V album is sadness.
Sari and Kusumawardhani (2016) conducted a
research about The purpose of the analysis is to
find out some words that contains with
connotative and denotative meaning on specific
object in the three one direction’s songs lyric
based on Withers and Keami (2003) as the
activity in semantic class. Descriptive qualitative
employed as the method in the research. After
analyzing the data found from the lyrics, this
study found that (1) Some lyrics contained with
connotative and denotative meaning on
referrring a specific object, (2) Connotative
meaning found more dominant compare than
dennotative meaning. Another related study was
undertaken by Prayitna (2015). his research is
aimed to show the interpretation of the
connotations found in the song lyrics, the
messages of the songs, and the contribution
of the connotations to the messages. The result
of the research shows that there are 46
utterances containing connotative meanings in
the song lyrics. The connotative meaning found
is carried within words, phrases, and also
sentences. The messages conveyed in the songs
are mostly motivating and persuasive. The
connotations used in the song lyrics are to
portray images and build certain atmospheres.
The connotations found in the song lyrics play
an important role in creating particular senses
and delivering the messages.
In conclusion, the following may be said about
the past studies discussed in this part. All the
above – mentioned studies reconfirmed the
importance find out denotative and connotative
meaning in a song. This research is expected
to enrich the development of Semantics
study especially in denotative and connotative
meaning. Based on the case above, the writer
intends to study further about denotative an
connotative meaning found All of Me song
lyrics.
METHODOLOGY
In this present study, descriptive-qualitative
method was considered as the most
appropriate research design to be adopted.
Ary (2010) noted that descriptive qualitative
inquiry dealt with data that were in the form
of words or pictures rather than numbers and
statistics, in this case the data itself were the
text of speech. The data source for this study
was the lyrics of All of Me song.
Christensen, Johnson, and Turner (2011: 52)
state that “qualitative data consist of words,
pictures, clothing, documents, or other non-
numerical information”. Then, according to
Arikunto (2002: 107), “data source is the
subject from which the data are obtained”.
The data in this research are all English The conclusion of the phrase
main words that support the occurrence of “smart mouth” related on the song lyric
denotative and connotative found in All of “What would I do without your smart
Me song. The source of data in this research mouth” has connotative meaning,
because the phrase “smart mouth” in
is All of Me song lyrics.
here, if the writer connects to all lyric in
“All of Me” song ,it describes of a
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION woman who expresses what she feels
inside. The way she talks, the gestures
Based on the data analysis below, the researcher she makes are addictive.
presents research findings as follows. The
researcher also encloses two tables as the 2. Drawing me in /phrase/
additional explanation of the research finding. second line
The connotative meaning of keywords as used
The conclusion of the phrase
by the composer of the All of Me song lyrics
“drawing me in” related on the song
is delivered on the table below:
lyric “Drawing me in, and you kicking
Table 3.1 me out” has connotative meaning,
because the phrase “drawing me in” in
Word/ Phrase Meaning here, if the writer connects to all lyric in
Smart mouth Connotative Meaning “All of Me” song , it describes of a
Drawing me in Connotative Meaning woman who invites him to come to her
Head spinning Connotative Meaning life.
Beautiful mind Connotative Meaning
Magical mystery Connotative Meaning 3. Head spinning / phrase/ third
ride line
My head's under Connotative Meaning
The conclusion of the phrase
water but I'm
“head spinning ” related on the song
breathing fine
lyric “Got my head spinning, no
Crazy Connotative Meaning
kidding, I can’t pin you down” has
Out of my mind Connotative Meaning
connotative meaning, because the phrase
All Connotative Meaning
“head spinning” in here, if the writer
Curves Connotative Meaning
connects to all lyric in “All of Me” song,
Edges Connotative Meaning
it describes that he can't understand her,
My end and my Connotative Meaning
but loves her nonetheless. He is
beginning
confused with all that is going on in her.
World Connotative Meaning
Every move Connotative Meaning 4. Beautiful mind / phrase /
Beating down Connotative Meaning fourth line
My rhythm and Connotative Meaning
blues The conclusion of the phrase
Heart Connotative Meaning “beautiful mind” related on the song
lyric “What’s going on in that beautiful
mind” has connotative meaning, because
There are six words, 10 phrases and 1 sentence the phrase “beautiful mind” in here, if
that contain connotative meaning. The meaning the writer connects to all lyric in “All of
is explained below: Me” song, it describes of rational in a
grown-up way, using its logical and
1. Smart mouth /phrase/first other rational skills to seek the truth, as
line far as possible, instead of using those to
win arguments.
 5. Magical mystery
ride/phrase/fifth line
The conclusion of the phrase
“magical mystery ride” related on the
song lyric “I’m on your magical mystery
ride” has connotative meaning, because
the phrase “magical mystery ride” in
here, if the writer connects to all lyric in
“All of Me” song, it describes that he
does not know what is going on him.
6. My head's under water but
I'm breathing fine/ sentence/ seventh
line
The conclusion of the sentence
“my head's under water but I'm
breathing fine” has connotative
meaning, because the phrase “my head's
under water but I'm breathing fine, if the
writer connects to all lyric in “All of
Me” song, it describes that every time he
got trouble or encountered difficult
situation in which he doesn't know what
he will do, she is there to comfort. And
with her everything is fine even there are
ups and down.
7. Crazy/ word/ eighth line
The conclusion of the word
“crazy” related on the song lyric
“You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind”
has connotative meaning, because the
phrase “crazy” in here, if the writer
connects to all lyric in “All of Me” song,
it describes that she attracts him deeply.
8. Out of my mind/
phrase/eighth line
The conclusion of the phrase
“out of my mind” related on the song
lyric “You’re crazy and I’m out of my
mind” has connotative meaning, because
the phrase “out of my mind” in here, if
the writer connects to all lyric in “All of
Me” song, it describes that he cannot
think normally.
9. All / word / ninth line
The conclusion of the word “all”
related on the song lyric “'Cause all of
me loves all of you” has connotative
meaning, because the word “all” in here,
if the writer connects to all lyric in “All
of Me” song, it describes of his soul, his
heart, his effort and he will do anything
for her.
10. Curves/word/eleventh line
The conclusion of the word “curves”
related on the song lyric “Love your
curves and all your edges” has
connotative meaning, because the word
“curves” in here, if the writer connects
to all lyric in “All of Me” song, it
describes of her imperfection.
11. Edges/ word/eleventh line
The conclusion of the word
“edges” related on the song lyric “Love
your curves and all your edges” has
connotative meaning, because the word
“edges” in here, if the writer connects to
all lyric in “All of Me” song, it describes
of her limitedness.
12. My end and my
beginning/phrase/twelfth line
The conclusion of the phrase
“my end and my beginning” related on
the song lyric “You’re my end and my
beginning” has connotative meaning,
because the phrase “my end and my
beginning” in here, if the writer
connects to all lyric in “All of Me” song,
it describes that the woman is his entire
world. He wants to say that he can't live
without her.
13. World/ word/ fifteenth line
The conclusion of the word
“world” related on the song lyric “The
world is beating you down, I’m around
through every move” has connotative
meaning, because the word “world” in
here, if the writer connects to all lyric in
“All of Me” song, it describes of her In other hand, there are
surroundings. seventeen denotative meaning that are
found in the lyrics. There are three
14. Every move/phrase/ phrases and fourteen words. The
fifteenth line researcher searched the meaning using
Cambridge Advanced Learner's
The conclusion of the phrase Dictionary - 3rd Edition.
“every move” related on the song lyric
“The world is beating you down, I’m Table 3.2
around through every move” has
connotative meaning, because the phrase
“every move” in here, if the writer Word/phrase/ Meaning
connects to all lyric in “All of Me” song, sentence
it describes of wherever the woman Kicking out to force someone to
goes, he will be with her. leave a place or
organization
15. Beating you down/phrase/
fifteenth line
Pin down to stop someone from
The conclusion of the phrase escaping by
“beating you down” related on the song surrounding them and
lyric “The world is beating you down, shooting at them if
I’m around through every move” has they try to escape
connotative meaning, because the phrase
“beating you down” in here, if the writer Dizzy feeling as if everything
connects to all lyric in “All of Me” song, is turning round and
it describes that when she in the bad being unable to
situation. balance and about to
fall down
16. My rhythm and
blues/phrase/nineteenth line Hit to touch something
with sudden force
The conclusion of the phrase
“my rhythm and blues” related on the Love to like another adult
song lyric “My worst distraction, my very much and be
rhythm and blues” has connotative romantically and
meaning, because the phrase “my sexually attracted to
rhythm and blues” in here, if the writer them, or to have strong
connects to all lyric in “All of Me” song, feelings of liking a
it describes that she is what he always friend or person
listening to and makes him happy Perfect complete and correct
imperfection in every way; and
17. Heart / word/ twentieth line
weakness
The conclusion of the word
“heart” related on the song lyric “Cards Give to offer something to
on the table, we’re both showing hearts” someone, or to provide
has connotative meaning, because the them with it
word “heart” in here, if the writer
connects to all lyric in “All of Me” song, Tell To say something to
it describes of their feelings. someone, often giving
them information or
instructions
 also sentence that contain connotative meaning,
Cry to produce tears as the which are Smart mouth, Drawing me in, Head
result of a strong spinning, Beautiful mind, Magical mystery ride,
emotion, such as My head's under water but I'm breathing fine,
unhappiness or pain Crazy, Out of my mind, All, Curves , Edges ,
My end and my beginning, World, Every move,
Beautiful very attractive Beating down, My rhythm and blues, Heart.
Downfall to no longer have There are words, phrases that contains the
something because you denotative meaning, which are Kicking out, Pin
do not know where it down, Dizzy, Hit, Love , Perfect imperfection,
is, or because it has Give , Tell , Cry, Beautiful, Downfall, Muse ,
been taken away from Distraction, Lose, Winning.
you
The use of meaning between denotative and
Muse that has won connotative meaning on the song lyrics by John
something Legend is equal to one another. The reader can
see the example of them and understand the
Distraction (something that
differences of denotative and connotative
causes) the usually
meaning, so the reader knows the true meaning
sudden destruction of a
of All of Me song. The Researcher hopes that
person
this research will be useful to know about
Lose an imaginary being or
semantic especially denotative and connotative
force that gives
meaning, because this mini research has some
someone ideas and
denotative and connotative meaning theory
helps them to write,
based on some experts.
paint or make music

Winning something that

prevents someone from
concentrating on what
they are doing
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
Semantic is the study of meaning in language. In
the semantic have several types, there are
denotative and connotative meaning, denotative
meaning is a real meaning based on dictionary.
Its mean interprets directly a word, phrase, or
sentence based on dictionary (Leech, 1974).
Meanwhile, connotative meaning is get a
meaning from a word, phrase, or sentence
according suggests, or what we associate the
word with, that goes beyond its formal
definitions.
In the object John Legend’s song lyric entitled
“All of Me”, there are found seventeen
connotative meanings and seventeen denotative
meanings. Those are words, phrases, and also
sentence. These are some words, phrases, and
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