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Abstract
This study discussed the use of metaphors in the lyrics of Bruno Mars’ songs. A metaphor is a form of figurative language that applies a phrase or expression to something beyond its literal meaning. The purpose of this research is to identify the types of metaphors used in Bruno Mars’ songs and to interpret the possible meanings of these metaphors. This study employs a qualitative method with content analysis techniques. The data were obtained from transcripts of Bruno Mars’ song lyrics, which were analyzed using a checklist instrument table as a data collection tool. The theory used to analyze the data is the classification of metaphors according to Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The results show that there are three types of metaphors in Bruno Mars’ song lyrics: 13 structural metaphor data, 33 ontological metaphor data, and 11 orientational metaphor data. It can be concluded that ontological metaphors are the most dominant type. This is because Bruno Mars tends to express his emotions by attributing human characteristics to inanimate objects, thereby creating a more vivid visualization of experience for the listener. The implication of this study is to increase awareness and appreciation of metaphor usage in everyday language as well as in educational contexts.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Shafira Bevan Ramadhani Bevan, Kasmaini, Indah Damayanti
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Ciptaan disebarluaskan di bawah Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi-BerbagiSerupa 4.0 Internasional.
References
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References
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches Fourth Edition. London: Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Goatly, A. (1997). The Language of Metaphors. London: Routledge.
Grocke, D. E., & Wigram. (2007). Receptive methods in music therapy: Techniques and clinical applications for music therapy clinicians, educators and students. Jessica Kingsley Publisher.
Keraf, D. (2009). Diksi dan Gaya Bahasa. Jakarta: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Knickerbocker, K. L., & Reninger, W. (1963). Interpreting Literature. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Knowles & Moon. (2005). Introducing Metaphor. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
Lakoff, G., & Jhonson, M. (1980). Metaphors We live. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Meyer, L. B. (1956). Emotion and Meaning in Music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Patton, M. Q. (2003). Qualitative evaluation checklist. Evaluation checklists project, 21, 1-13.
Perry, J. M. (2011). Understanding Metaphors in Music. Oxford University.
Pertiwi, M., & Wibowo, H. (2025). An Analysis of Metaphors “Dizzy Up the Girl” Song Album By The Goo Goo Dolls. JOURNAL OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS.
Punter, D. (2007). Metaphor. London: Routledge.
Ramadhika, V. (2022). The Metaphor Analysis of Selected Adele’s Song Lyrics .
Vanderstoep, S. W., & Johnston, D. D. (2009). Research Methods for Everyday Life, Blending Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. San Fransisco; Jossey Bass.
Yule, G. (2010). The Study of Language. Cambridge University Press.
Zbikowski, L. M. (2002). Conceptualizing Music: Cognitive Structure, Theory, and Analysis. Oxford University Press.