EXPLORING DENOTATIVE AND CONNOTATIVE MEANING THROUGH SEMANTIC ANALYSIS IN JUSTIN BIEBER AND DAVID GUETTA’S “2U”

Abstract

Pop music lyrics often carry meanings beyond literal expression, relying on emotional and symbolic language to connect with listeners. In the song “2U” by Justin Bieber and David Guetta, the use of figurative language suggests a rich layer of semantic depth that can be analyzed through Geoffrey Leech’s (1974) theory of denotative and connotative meaning. The research aims to identify the presence and dominance of these two semantic types in the lyrics. A mixed-methods approach is applied, combining qualitative descriptive analysis to interpret the meanings in context, and descriptive quantitative analysis to measure their frequency. Sixteen representative lyric lines are examined in detail. Results show that 13 lines (81.25%) convey connotative meaning, while only 3 lines (18.75%) reflect denotative meaning. These findings indicate that the song relies heavily on metaphor, hyperbole, and emotionally charged expressions to deliver its romantic message. Connotative meanings such as “fly for ya” and “intertwine our souls” dominate the lyrics, enhancing their affective impact and poetic quality. In contrast, the few literal expressions serve as anchors that clarify intent and support the emotional narrative. The overall pattern confirms that connotation plays a central role in shaping the expressive function of language in pop music, emphasizing emotional resonance over direct communication.