A connotative meaning analysis on the word child in five lyrics of songs

The aim of the research is to reveal the connotative semiotic meanings of the word child in five lyrics of songs from five - different group music. Those five lyrics of songs released in the year between 1980�s to early 1990�s, which was the time when the cold war was still happening. The writer analyzed the lyrics of songs namely �When the children cry� by white lion group band, �Sleeping child� by Michael learn to rock group band, �War child� by cranberries group band, �Leningrad� by Billy Joe, �Russian� by Bob Dylan. In this research, the writer used qualitative method. He analyzed the lyrics by reading them intensively and giving hard attention to each line. After that, the writer tried to explicate the lyrics by examining the intrinsic element of every lyric. This process called explication. To analyze connotative meaning of word child, the writer used the connotative semiotic theory of Roland Barthes. The connotative meaning of word child is analyzed by revealing the denotative meaning first and correlating the lyrics to the historical background, social condition and also the phrases in the lyrics themselves. From these lyrics, the writer has found the different connotative meanings of word child from each lyric. The word child in the lyric when the children cry is used by white lion to connote �the new way to govern�. Michael learn to rock group band used the word child in the lyric sleeping child to connote �Innocent and pureness�. Cranberries group band used the word child in his lyric war child to connote �tool and slave of the government�. While Billy Joe used the word child in his lyric Leningrad to connote �the sacrifice and victim�, bob Dylan used the word child in his lyric Russian to connote �weakness�