A Semantic Analysis of Denotative and Connotative Meaning in the Song “Risk It All” by Bruno Mars
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55123/didik.v2i2.572Keywords:
Dong Lyric, Denotative Meaning, Connotative MeaningAbstract
This study explores the semantic facets of denotative and connotative meanings in Bruno Mars's “Risk It All for You,” centering on the pivotal phrase “risk it all” (repeated in the chorus: “I'd risk it all for you”). Using a qualitative descriptive method, it breaks down selected lyrics to show layered interpretations.“I'd risk it all for you” (Chorus): Denotative meaning: Literally, it declares a readiness to hazard everything—finances, safety, future—for the loved one, forming a narrative of bold commitment and sacrifice. Connotative meaning: Implies profound vulnerability and emotional gamble, evoking devotion's terror and thrill; the gambling metaphor symbolizes life's high-stakes bets on love, resonating with listeners' fears of loss. Hyperbole intensifies this, suggesting total surrender. Contextual enhancers: The upbeat yet urgent tone and repetitive structure amplify connotations of unwavering loyalty amid uncertainty. Other lines reinforce this: “Even if it breaks me in two” adds hyperbolic imagery of self-destruction, while “No regrets, no looking back” underscores irreversible risk. Findings confirm denotative layers provide a clear love story, but connotative ones—via metaphor, symbolism, and word choice—infuse emotional depth. Ultimately, “risk it all” exemplifies how such interplay boosts the song's relatability, highlighting semantic analysis for appreciating contemporary lyric,because if the contents of this template are deleted, the numbers will be sorted automatically. If you want to try deleting the contents of this template, please backup it first.
Downloads
References
[1] Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.J. Jamaludin and R. Romindo, “Implementation of Combination Vigenere Cipher and RSA in Hybrid Cryptosystem for Text Security,” Int. J. Inf. Syst. Technol., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 471–481, 2020.
[2] Leech, G. (1981). Semantics: The Study of Meaning. Penguin Books.
[3] Cutting, J. (2020). Pragmatics and discourse: A resource book for students (3rd ed.). Routledge,
[4] Paltridge, B. (2021). Discourse analysis: An introduction (3rd ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing.
[5] McCarthy, M. (2021). Discourse analysis for language teachers. Cambridge University Press.
[6] Simpson, P. (2020). Stylistics: A resource book for students (2nd ed.). Routledge.
[7] O’Keeffe, A., McCarthy, M., & Carter, R. (2020). From corpus to classroom: Language use and language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
[8] Pratiwi, Desy Riana, Lia Maulia Indrayani, and Ypsi Soeria Soemantri. "The analysis of denotative and connotative meaning in Ariana Grande’s song lyrics: A semantic study." ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities 3.2 (2020): 231-235.
[9] Lubis, S. S., & Harahap, D. I. (2024). Semantic analysis of connotative and denotative meanings in songs by the 1975. In Prosiding Seminar Nasional Multi Disiplin Ilmu (Senadimu) (Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 126-142).
[10] Sari, A., & Kusumawardhani, P. (2016). Denotative and connotative meaning in One direction’s songs lyric: A semantic perspective. ELT-Lectura, 3(2).
[11] Sunnatovna, S. M. (2025). The relationship between the denotative and connotative meanings of a word, and the means of expressing connotative meaning. Journal of Modern Educational Achievements, 11, 81-92.
[12] Fauzi, Ahmad, and Iis Susiawati. "Denotative and Connotative Meaning in Arabic Texts: Implications for Enhancing Semantic Competence in Arabic Language Education." INCARE, International Journal of Educational Resources 6.5 (2026): 606-622.
[13] Arianti, Dea, Irman Nurhapitudin, and R. Myrna Nur Sakinah. "Denotative and Connotative Meaning in Divergent Movie (2014): Roland Barthes Semiotic Analysis." Journal of English Development 5.2 (2025): 360-377.
[14] Makhado, A. J., & Raphalalani, M. R. (2026). An analysis of Denotative, Connotative and Collocative Meaning of Tshivenda Proverbs: A Leech's semantic Theory Perspective. Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies, 16-pages.
[15] Syafikha, A. N., & Anggraeni, N. N. (2025). ANALYSIS MEANING OF CONNOTATIVE AND DENOTATIVE IN TAGLINE DETERGEN BRAND. Argopuro: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa, 11(1), 61-70.
[16] Sianturi, J. S., & Damanik, B. A. R. (2025). Deconstructing Duality: A Semiotic Analysis of Denotative and Connotative Meanings in Common English Proverbs. Young Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(2), 195-207.
[17] Biber, D., & Conrad, S. (2021). Register, genre, and style (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
[18] Dwi Andriani, Z. Z. (2025). Unlocking Meaning: A Semantic Analysis of Denotation and Connotation in Langton Hughes' Poetry. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching & Learning, Linguistics & Literature, 13(1).
[19] Hattalaibessy, E. A. I. (2022). The Analysis of Connotative Meaning and The Translation of Denotative Meaning in Raumanen (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Kristen Indonesia).
[20] Handayani, L. T., & Indah, R. N. (2022). Denotation and Connotation in Beauty Advertisement: Implication for the teaching of Semantics. Wanastra: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra, 14(1), 50-56.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nessa Tri Fanny Lumban Tobing, Bernieke Anggita Ristia Damanik

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Hak cipta pada setiap artikel adalah milik penulis.
Penulis mengakui bahwa Jurnal Bersama Ilmu Pendidikan (DIDIK) sebagai publisher yang mempublikasikan pertama kali dengan lisensi Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Penulis dapat memasukan tulisan secara terpisah, mengatur distribusi non-ekskulif dari naskah yang telah terbit di jurnal ini kedalam versi yang lain, seperti: dikirim ke respository institusi penulis, publikasi kedalam buku, dan lain-lain. Dengan mengakui bahwa naskah telah terbit pertama kali pada Jurnal Bersama Ilmu Pendidikan (DIDIK).




















