Figurative Language In John Legend’s Song

Abstract

Knowing a song's lyrics is crucial because they reveal the song's content and the composer's intentions. Every song voiced by John Legend has a deep meaning. This study uses qualitative research in analyzing lyrics. In the song's lyrics, John Legend, You and I, the thesis writer found 4 (four) various language styles, such as paradox, personification, hyperbole, and symbolism. For the lyrics of the song All of Me the thesis writer found 4 (four) types of language style, such as personification, hyperbole, antithesis, and paradox, for the lyrics of the song  Ordinary People thesis writer found 2 (two) types of figurative language, namely hyperbole, and paradox, and fourth for the lyrics In the song Glory, the writer of this thesis found 3 (three) various language styles, namely simile, antithesis, and metaphor. The writer of this thesis only identifies 7 (seven) categories of figurative language in the use of four songs by John Legend, namely paradox, personification, hyperbole, antithesis, simile, symbolism, and metaphor. Based on the research results the most dominant figurative language used in John Legend's song lyrics is hyperbole. The thesis writer has a mind and can dive deep to understand the figurative expressions he uses in his work. Therefore, the writer hopes that there will be further research on figurative language.