Exploring Denotation, Connotation, and Myth in Adele's Album 30: A Semantic and Semiotic Study

Abstract

Song lyrics often convey multiple layers of meaning that extend beyond their literal interpretations, making them valuable objects of semantic and semiotic inquiry. While previous studies have examined denotative and connotative meanings in song lyrics, limited research has integrated Geoffrey Leech's semantic theory with Roland Barthes' concept of myth to analyze Adele's 30 album. This study aims to investigate the denotative meanings, connotative meanings, and myths represented in selected songs from the album. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed using five songs (Easy on Me, My Little Love, I Drink Wine, Hold On, and To Be Loved) as the data source. The data were collected through documentation and analyzed using Leech's theory of meaning and Barthes' semiotic framework. The findings identified 25 lyric excerpts containing denotative and connotative meanings. Among the connotative meanings, neutral connotations were the most dominant (52%), followed by positive (32%) and negative (16%) connotations.
Beyond their literal meanings, the lyrics construct broader myths related to self-acceptance, emotional healing, resilience, family relationships, personal growth, and overcoming life's challenges. These findings demonstrate that Adele's lyrics employ figurative and symbolic language to transform personal experiences into universal narratives that resonate across cultural contexts. This study contributes to semantic and semiotic scholarship by illustrating how the integration of Leech's and Barthes' frameworks provides a more comprehensive understanding of meaning construction in contemporary song lyrics.