Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati

An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics

AN ANALYSIS OF THEME, TEXTUAL MEANING, AND MESSAGES

IN ALLAN WALKER'S SELECTED SONG LYRICS

Nikholas Haju1, Fatmawati2

English Education Department
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Education
Institute of Teacher Training and Education Budi Utomo Malang
Citandui Street Number 46. Malang Phone : 0341 - 495111, 495222.
Email : nikolaushaju@yahoo.co.id1, fatmaninghartatik@gmail.com2

ABSTRACT

Song Lyrics have fundamental components of meaning in language are functional

components. People hear songs almost every day, even the listeners can memorize the lyrics
very well. It is very interesting to see how the composer plays with words and cords to convey
the theme, meaning and message, and it is very interesting to study or analyze something that
people like very much.
This study employed the qualitative descriptive research, because it is merely discuss
about analysis method than calculating number. It is focus on the theme, meaning and messages
within the song of Allan walker selected song lyrics.
The result of this song analysis paints a picture of adventures in some generations
through time travels imagination. The lyrics address theme of human felling, happy, sad,
independent, convident and many more of young generation story. Alan Walker's different
world song that gives enlightenment about respecting the environment and nature, “Heading
Home” explain the story shown time travel the painting depicts a walker, included a short
concept of this theory On My Way also motivates in one's life. In Alone realizes that nobody is
alone, even if you are the only person left in the Universe, you are still never alone. "Dark Side"
is about just being you are afraid of the dark,and some people are afraid to be themselves then
the light is suppose to be representing a cover some peoople put on to hide who they really are.
The Textual meaning showed lexical and gramatical meaning. The most lexical is on Heading
Home, with 70 % (14 sentences) appears lexical meaning, while the gramatical meaning found
30 % (6 sentences). And the most gramatical meaning is on the song lyrics of Dark Side found
44,4 % (8 sentences).
The analysis of messages bring the feeling to make the lyric more interesting to listen
through the song and bring the deep passion inside the singer as well as the hearer. It categories
into Declarative, Interrogaties and Imperatives. The most dominant messages from the four
selected song by Alan Walker is Declaratives. It indicates that the singer is the provider of the
great and the best feeling ever.
To enlarge about the understanding of meaning and messages analysis, the contribution
of result study used in the lyrics of Alan Walker album hopefully gives advantages in learning
English through song. Enhance the understanding of theme, message and textual meaning in
song lyrics, the result of this study can be used as the related literature in the way of analyzing
theme, meaning and messages of the song. This study still need more clarify and bring the good
steps of interpreting the next singer album. Enlarge more about knowledge of song lyrics.

Key words: Theme, Textual Meaning, Messages, Allan Walker song lyrics

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Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics

ANALISIS TEMA, MAKNA TEKSTUAL, DAN PESAN

DALAM LIRIK LAGU ALLAN WALKER

Nikholas Haju1, Fatmawati2

Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris
Fakultas Pendidikan Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora
Institut Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Budi Utomo Malang
Jl. Citandui No. 46. Malang Telp. 0341 - 495111, 495222.
Email : nikolaushaju@yahoo.co.id1, fatmaninghartatik@gmail.com2

ABSTRAK

Lirik Lagu memiliki komponen makna yang mendasar dalam bahasa adalah komponen
fungsional. Orang mendengar lagu hampir setiap hari, bahkan pendengarnya pun bisa
menghafal liriknya dengan baik. Sangat menarik untuk melihat bagaimana komposer
memainkan kata-kata dan tali untuk menyampaikan tema, makna dan pesan, dan sangat
menarik untuk mempelajari atau menganalisis sesuatu yang sangat disukai orang.
Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian deskriptif kualitatif, karena lebih banyak
membahas tentang metode analisis daripada menghitung bilangan. Berfokus pada tema, makna
dan pesan dalam lagu lirik lagu pilihan Allan walker.
Hasil analisis lagu ini melukiskan gambaran petualangan di beberapa generasi melalui
imajinasi perjalanan waktu. Liriknya bertemakan tentang perasaan manusia, senang, sedih,
mandiri, yakin dan banyak lagi cerita generasi muda. Lagu dunia berbeda Alan Walker yang
memberikan pencerahan tentang menghargai lingkungan dan alam, “Heading Home”
menjelaskan cerita yang ditampilkan perjalanan waktu lukisan menggambarkan seorang
pejalan kaki, termasuk konsep singkat teori On My Way ini juga memotivasi dalam kehidupan
seseorang. In Alone menyadari bahwa tidak ada yang sendirian, bahkan jika Anda adalah satu-
satunya orang yang tersisa di Semesta, Anda tetap tidak pernah sendirian. "Sisi Gelap" adalah
tentang menjadi Anda takut pada kegelapan, dan beberapa orang takut menjadi diri mereka
sendiri, maka cahaya dianggap mewakili penutup yang dikenakan beberapa orang untuk
menyembunyikan siapa mereka sebenarnya. Makna tekstual menunjukkan makna leksikal dan
gramatikal. Yang paling leksikal ada pada Heading Home, dengan 70% (14 kalimat) muncul
makna leksikal, sedangkan makna gramatikal ditemukan 30% (6 kalimat). Dan makna paling
gramatikal terdapat pada lirik lagu Dark Side ditemukan 44,4% (8 kalimat).
Analisis pesan membawa perasaan untuk membuat lirik lebih menarik untuk
didengarkan melalui lagu dan membawa semangat yang dalam di dalam diri penyanyi dan
pendengarnya. Ini dikategorikan menjadi Deklaratif, Interogaties dan Imperatif. Pesan yang
paling dominan dari empat lagu pilihan Alan Walker adalah Deklaratif. Ini menunjukkan bahwa
penyanyi adalah penyedia perasaan terbaik dan terbaik yang pernah ada.
Untuk lebih besar tentang pemahaman makna dan analisis pesan, sumbangan hasil
belajar yang digunakan dalam lirik album Alan Walker diharapkan dapat memberikan manfaat
dalam pembelajaran bahasa Inggris melalui lagu. Untuk meningkatkan pemahaman tema, pesan
dan makna tekstual dalam lirik lagu, hasil penelitian ini dapat digunakan sebagai bahan pustaka
terkait dalam cara menganalisis tema, makna dan pesan dari lagu tersebut. Studi ini masih perlu
lebih memperjelas dan membawa langkah-langkah yang baik dalam menginterpretasikan
album penyanyi selanjutnya. Perbesar lebih banyak tentang pengetahuan tentang lirik lagu.

Kata kunci : Tema, Makna Tekstual, Pesan, Lirik lagu Allan Walker

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Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics
1. INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Song is a tune and sounds which
consists of melody, lyric, music
arrangement, notations. Song became one of
the most favored literary works. That is
because the song has the allure of beauty in
terms of language. The writer is using song
the object of this research, because song is
one of the interesting literature works as
poetry to be analysize, such as analyzing
theme or messages and meaning in the song
or many otherterm as language style. The
writer realizes that is the attribute of sound
to entertain human or even as the
expression for them to explore the feeling
as well the great imagination. Songs are not
only involve the beatiful music but also the
arrangement of words into sentence, the
representation of the composer's emotion
and intention to describe love, struggle,
trouble, jealousy, and peace.
Songs are abundant in themes and
expressions which will echo in the
audiences’ heart. Each song must have
meaning and message either written in the
lyrics of the song or implied and can be
perceived and interpreted by the listener.
Griffee (2012:3) states, “song as pieces of
music that have words”. The terms of song
has various definitions, it depends on the
people’s point of view in giving definition.
Griffee also compares song and poetry.
Griffee (2012) made a point that song and
poetry have some similar elements. Both
song and poetry are vocally produced,
Perpustakaan Pusat IKIP Budi Utomo Malang
linguistically meaningful, and has melody
(retrieved in March, 20 2018, 16.0 p.m). It
also tells something or someone’s feeling
that uses imaginative diction and rhyme.
The interpersonal relationship can be seen
through the meaning and messages realized
on the song’s lyrics.
Song Lyrics have fundamental
components of meaning in language are
functional components. Halliday (2002:
198) introduces three functional modes of
meanings of language from the point of the
semantic system: (1) ideational
(experiential and logical); (2) interpersonal;
and (3) textual. He states that they are
‘different kinds of meaning potential that
relate to the most general functions that
language has evolved to serve’. White
(2000:7) adds that a song lyrics conveys the
same message, they show the difference in
terms of the subtle nuance behind the
message. Moreover, sentence (1) carries a
demanding message by a declarative
sentence, and sentence (2) does it through
an interrogative sentence.
People hear songs almost every day,
even the listeners can memorize the lyrics
very well. It is very interesting to see how
the composer plays with words and cords to
convey the meaning and message, and it is
very interesting to study or analyze
something that people like very much.
3
Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics
2. RESEARCH METHOD
Research Design
Research design can be defined as all
of the researcher’s plan and strategy to
answer research problems of study. Ary et
al (2010:426) stated that research design is
the researcher’s plan of how to proceed to
gain an understanding of some groups or
some phenomenon’s in its natural setting.
Research design used in this study was
library research or contents analysis.
According to Ary et al (2010:452), content
analysis belongs to qualitative approach is
one in which the inquirer often makes
knowledge claims based primarily on
constructivist perspective (Creswell,
2003:18).
Data and Data Source
The data is a collection of facts, such
as values or measurements. It can be
members, words, measurements,
observations or even just description of
things. Data is information, usually the form
of fact or statistic that can analyze. The
source of data is the sources where the data
was obtained. According to Arikunto
(2010:129) ” the source of data in the study
in subjects from which the data can be
obtained ”. Data source or source of data is
source where of data are collected.
Data Collection Method
Method of data collection is very
important part in any form of research.
Burhan (2006:8) also explains that in the
qualitative there are four methods to collect
Perpustakaan Pusat IKIP Budi Utomo Malang
data: questionnaire, interview, observation,
and document method.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Data analysis based on Hamid
Darmadi (2011:257) is “ the part which
consists of the process of data reduction
which the final of this part is going to
conclude the data”. In this research, the
researcher used one way that is descriptive
research. The researcher also used. The
writer chose the selected song lyrics of Alan
Walker and they are ‘World of Walker’
trilogy songs of Heading Home, On My Way,
Alone, and another famous singles as Dark
Side for his sample.
3. RESEARCH FINDING AND DISCUSSION
Research Finding
This chapter conducts to present the
data finding and discussion of the study.
The findings of the study present the
answers of problems stated in the first
chapter. It was done through the content
analysis conducted towards the literature
references in connection the analysis object
of this study.
From the data analysis, it can be
seen as the preview of the research
question that this song has the main
elements, they are the theme, textual
meaning and messages accompanied the
song. The finding of this research presents
the answer of statement of problems
related to the problem formulated in the
first chapter. The first part consists of three
findings of the formulations of this research
4
Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics

question: (1) What are the theme found in Table 1 Table of Textual Meaning
selected song by Alan Walker? (2) What N Songs Textual Meaning
o Total Lexical Gramatica
are the textual meaning found in selected
l
song by Alan Walker? (3) What are the 1 Heading 20 70 % 30 %
Home
message found in selected song by Alan 2 On My Way 23 69,6 % 30,4 %
Walker? The second part is discussion 3 Alone 17 52,9% 47,1 %
about the theme, textual meaning and 4 Dark Side 18 55,5 % 44,4 %

messages in such related theory and

Based on the above table, the textual
summary.
meaning is categorized into two, they are
Aspects of Textual Meaning
lexical and gramatical meaning. On the first
Textual Meaning in Alan walker
song lyrics of Heading Home, based on the
selected song lyrics is aimed to find out the
interpretation found 20 sentences with 70
most frequent topical theme in the song
% (14 sentences) appears lexical meaning,
lyrics. The study used systemic functional
while the gramatical meaning found 30 %
grammar to answer the research questions.
(6 sentences). On the second song lyrics of
This analysis textual meaning are in the
On My Way, based on the interpretation
term of lexical and gramatical. Lexical
found 23 sentences with 69,6 % (16
means breaking up a word into constituent
sentences) appears lexical meaning, while
parts as the a morpheme in explisite way
the gramatical meaning found 30,4 % (7
and sometimes close to repetition, synonim,
sentences). On the third song lyrics of
antonym.
Alone, based on the interpretation found 17
While gramatical meaning loads the
sentences with 52,9 % (9 sentences)
structural of the sentences according to the
appears lexical meaning, while the
rules in the implisite way. every word has a
gramatical meaning found 47,1 % (8
meaning related to taste value and every
sentences). On the fourth or last song lyrics
word has a feeling-related meaning. The
of Dark Side, based on the interpretation
relationship between the speaker and the
found 18 sentences with 55,5 % (10
listener will determine the attitude
sentences) appears lexical meaning, while
reflected in the words used. The intended
the gramatical meaning found 44,4 % (8
person or listener will certainly feel
sentences).
suspended or uncomfortable. For the
Potentially the existence of textual
person who listens to it as something that is
meaning, in the lyrics has intention to make
directed towards it will certainly create a
the listeners enjoy the songs without having
sense of want to fight. The textual meaning
interpret the meaning or relationship
from selected song of Alan Walker are
between clauses their self. The
interpreting in the bellow table:

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Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics

interpersonal potentially, the writers tend information, all words can be coded and
to slightly impersonalize a personal matter transmitted through different media or
in order to make the lyric of Alan Walker messengers. The most declarative messages
selected song more ‘grand’. found in Dark Side song lyrics with 66,7 %,
Messages Found in Alan Walker selected the next is on the lyrics of On My Way with
songs 56,5 %, then in the Heading Home lyrics
The message each reader receives found 55%, and the last less point is on the
from each piece of literature depends on the lyrics of Alone with 47,1 %. Based on the
meanings, symbols, feelings, and above calculation and interpretation that all
understandings that each reader four alan Walker lyrics messages in the
experiences alone. In this analysis of Alan form of declarative or bring a news to the
Walker selected song lyrics of four songs listener straigthly.
entitled, Heading Home, On My Way, Alone b. Interrogatives
and Dark Side describes the types of clauses While interrogatives, it can see that
and being carried in a verbal interaction the opposite movement of information; the
whether it is indicative (declarative, interlocutor expects to receive an answer
interrogative) or imperative. The brief (yes/no, at nine o’clock, or at school) from
explaination is on the bellow table: the listener/reader. The interrogatives
Table 2 Description of Messages statements in this song is not always stands
with questioning but sometimes mostly
about a moment to receive mind idea and
sometime question from the interlocutor
(person who delivered the messages) since
every reader or hearer will understand the
Based on the table, the explanation is in the point of words differently. There only two
following passages: interogative messages in the song Lyrics of
a. Declaratives Heading Home with 10 % (2 sentences).
In the declaratives, the information is Because the song took develops the
provided from the person who sending the information rather than a questioning
messages (interlocutor) each other to the statements.
listener / reader, it makes a declaration. c. Imperatives
This kind of sentence ends with a period. In imperative gives a command or
The Declaratives found because the makes a request. It usually ends with a
song message is supposed to bring period but can, under certain
something new and/or relevant to the circumstances; end with an exclamation
receiver. This is also the case of point.

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Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics
The Imperatives messages provide
explanations and then can draw their own
conclusions. In certain situations
informative messages are more successful
than persuasive messages. That is forcing
by the use of witnesses, the famous form of
coercive message delivery is agitation, that
is, with emphases that give rise to inner
stress and fear among the public. Coercive
can take the form of commands,
instructions and so on. It is an utterance
that gives rise to the receiver's selection
through a release mechanism or
interpretation.
The most imperative messages found
in Alone song lyrics with 52,9 %, the next is
on the lyrics of On My Way with 43,5 %,
then in the Heading Home lyrics found 35%,
and the last less point is on the lyrics of
Dark Side with 33,3 %. Based on the above
calculation and interpretation that all four
alan Walker lyrics messages in the form of
declarative or bring a news to the listener
straigthly.
This song makes me reminiscent of
the lyrics of songs by people who like it.
While it doesn't go into the same depth the
lyrics, the lack of any real metaphors make
the song more accessible to a wider
audience, which was their goal. Message
provides does make it an almost profound
song. It makes people wish more groups
nowadays would try to break out of the
mold as care person did with this, so
wondering how this song might sound if it
kept their usual structure and easy to listen
Perpustakaan Pusat IKIP Budi Utomo Malang
and understand as well by every human
being in this crazy world.
Discussion
Based on the above analysis of theme,
textual meaning and messages, this study
brings something different few to discuss.
In Heading Home, the singer took an
interest and came up with three possible
hypotheses that may explain the story
shown. Time Travel The painting depicts a
walker, standing on a platform-like tubular
structure, possibly a portal that she
travelled through. The portal acts as a
gateway which allows her to go back in time
to show off the drones to the ancient
civilization. Then, passes the modern
technologies to the ancient walkers, causing
them to be advanced, the painting
illustrates finding the ancient civilization
through a passage in Con Doong Cave. The
singer have included a short concept of this
theory and a clip of the footage in a lyrics
story tells the real meaning of home is go
back to the ancient era.
In the lyrics of On My Way is a
series of selfish personal motivations
neatly. People who are in environment
certainly contribute and also required to
socialize well with the environment. After
understand the spirit within them, they
should understand in this world not alone.
The lyrics shares that we really need other
people. Humans naturally have
relationships with each other. Therefore,
let's sharpen our instincts and conscience
so that we are more used to helping others.
7
Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics

True wealth is not just because it is rich in she wants to see her one last time before
material, but rich in mental and spiritual. she is separated forever, and that she wants
"Happy" is not when we receive, "happy" is her friend to take her pain away.
"felt" when we give. Giving is the location of
4. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
the tremendous power spoken by the
Conclusions
singer.
Based on the analysis of the theme,
In Alone song lyrics , I think is about
textual meaning and messages in the lyrics
somebody that is lonely but there
of Heading Home, On My Way, Alone and
somebody out there that has the same
Dark Side by Alan Walker, the conclusions
situation.Then they gather and the story
can be drawn as following explanation:
ends with "Your not alone", the song is
1. The Theme and Textual meaning of
about a couple and a long term. While the
the lyrics categories into :
spend their last date, "if this night is not
a. Understanding of the theme, This
foreverm at leeast we are together",that
song paints a picture of adventures in
explains whether they are together are not
some generations through time
they are going to get through this together.
travels imagination. The lyrics
"Unconsius mind" meaning their
address theme of human felling,
unconsious is constantly thinking about
happy, sad, independent, convident
eachother, but "they know their not alone".
and many more of young generation
This song sounds like a the singer (girl) has
story. Alan Walker's different world
moved away from her best friend she has
song that gives enlightenment about
known for so long. “Lost in your mind”
respecting the environment and
represents how she keeps thinking about
nature, “Heading Home” explain the
her friend, and “am I losing my mind” means
story shown time travel the painting
that she is always thinking and imagining
depicts a walker, included a short
about her she is making embarrassing
concept of this theory On My Way also
hallucinations. The chorus is talking about
motivates in one's life. In Alone
the night her friend moves “ if this night is
realizes that nobody is alone, even if
not forever” explains that she knows she has
you are the only person left in the
to go, but she should make a good use of her
Universe, you are still never alone.
time given before she moves. In the second
"Dark Side" is about just being you are
verse it says she has an “unconscious mind,
afraid of the dark,and some people
I’m wide awake” says that she is thinking
are afraid to be themselves then the
about her so much she seems unconscious,
light is suppose to be representing a
but she is actually wide awake. “Wanna feel
one last time, take my pain away” is where

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Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics

cover some peoople put on to hide Suggestions

who they really are. Based on the conclusions of
b. The Textual meaning showed lexical analysing theme, textual meaning and
and gramatical meaning. The most messages in the lyrics of Heading Home, On
lexical is on Heading Home, with 70 % My Way, Alone and Dark Side by Alan
(14 sentences) appears lexical Walker, , the suggestions are for the
meaning, while the gramatical following person:
meaning found 30 % (6 sentences). 1. The readers
And the most gramatical meaning is To enlarge about the understanding of
on the song lyrics of Dark Side found meaning and messages analysis, the
44,4 % (8 sentences). contribution of result study used in the
2. The analysis of messages bring the lyrics of Alan Walker album hopefully
feeling to make the lyric more gives advantages in learning English
interesting to listen through the song through song. Enhance the
and bring the deep passion inside the understanding of theme, message and
singer as well as the hearer. It textual meaning in song lyrics, the
categories into Declarative, result of this study can be used as the
Interrogaties and Imperatives. The related literature in the way of
most dominant messages from the analyzing theme, meaning and
four selected song by Alan Walker is messages of the song. This study still
Declaratives. It indicates that the need more clarify and bring the good
singer is the provider of the great and steps of interpreting the next singer
the best feeling ever. Concepts about album. Enlarge more about knowledge
humans spelling and concepts about of song lyrics.
things, love and depiction are often 2. The next researchers
brought together in song lyrics to Hopefully that the next researcher can
produce great messages. This song investigate and analysis the similar
refers to make people realise that we study about theme, textual meaning
should be spreading future love and and messages in the different term
care. They are expressing all issues such as a novel, drama, webtone or the
and saying meaningful and emotive same singer of Alan Walker with
way to get listeners to understand different album.
this major problem.

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Nikholas Haju, Fatmawati
An Analysis Of Theme, Textual Meaning, And Messages In Allan Walker's Selected Song Lyrics

5. REFERENCES
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Ary, Donald. 2002. Introduction to Research

in Education:McMillan .ISBN-13: 978-
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Best, J. 1981. Research in Education.
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Burns, Nancy and Grove, S.K .2003.

Research Method and Design.
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Burtis, P. D and Turman, J. O.2010.Media

Literacy, Leadership Communication
as Citizend.. 4th ed. Sage Publishing.

Capurro, Rafael (eds.) 2011.A Messages

Theory. Angeletics Mü nchen: Fink
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http://www.capurro.de/angeletics_zk
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Cowie, Anthony Paul.2009. Phraseology:

Theory, Analysis, and Applications.
Processes of Messages. CLARENDON
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886564/phraseology-theory-
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