Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE OF APPROVAL
STATEMENT ... ii
PREFACE ... iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ... iv
LIST OF TABLES ... vi
LIST OF FIGURES ... vii
LIST OF APPENDICES ... viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... ix
ABSTRACT ... xii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1Background of Study ... 1
1.2Statement of Problems ... ... 2
1.3Aims of Study ... 3
1.4Research Method ... 3
1.5 Organization of Paper ... 4
CHAPTER II THEORITICAL FOUNDATION 2.1 Discourse and Discourse Analysis ... 6
2.2 Critical Discourse Analysis ... 7
2.3 Fairclough’s Theoretical Framework ... 8
2.4 Song Lyric as Discourse ... 10
2.6 Modality ... 13
2.7 Evaluation ... 15
2.8 Personal Pronoun ... 17
2.9 The Previous Studies on Critical Discourse Analysis ... 17
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD 3.1 Research Problems ... 20
3.2 Research Design ... 20
3.3 Data Collection ... 21
3.4 Data Analysis ... 22
CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Construction of Identity ... 25
4.1.1 Analysis of Modality ... 26
4.1.1.1 Epistemic Modality ... 26
4.1.1.1.1 High Level Epistemic Modality ... 27
4.1.1.1.2 Medium Level Epistemic Modality ... 28
4.1.1.1.3 Low Level Epistemic Modality ... 32
4.1.1.1.4 Occurrences of Epistemic Modality ... 34
4.1.1.2 Deontic Modality ... 35
4.1.1.2.1 High Level Deontic Modality ... 36
4.1.1.2.2 Medium Level Deontic Modality ... 37
Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
4.1.1.3 Occurences and Tendencies of Modality ... 40
4.1.2 Analysis of Evaluation ... 42
4.1.2.1. Evaluation through Evaluative Statement ... 42
4.1.2.2. Evaluation through Deontic Modality ... 43
4.1.2.3. Evaluation through Affective Mental Process ... 44
4.1.2.4. Evaluation through Value Assumption ... 44
4.1.2.5. Occurrence of Evaluation ... 45
4.1.3. Analysis of Personal Pronoun ... 49
4.1.3.1 We – Statement ... 49
4.1.3.2 I – Statement ... 50
4.1.3.3 Occurrence of Personal Pronoun ... 51
4.2 Discussion ... 52
4.2.1 The Identity Construction of the Band ... 53
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION 5.1 Conclusion ... 58
5.2 Suggestion ... 59
REFERENCES ... 60
APPENDIX I ... xiii
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
Nowadays, song lyrics have been widely analyzed. There are two main
focuses of analysis. They are the representation of issue within lyrics (Setiawan,
2007; Prasetyo, 2009; Prayitno, 2009; Wigati, 2009) and the representation of the
song’s writer (Laela, 2008; Somantri, 2006). Most of those studies analyzed
identity, representation and ideology underlying the lyrics by using Critical
Discourse Analysis as its analytical framework.
Some of the research (Prasetyo, 2009; Prayitno, 2009) investigated the
intention of the writer in writing her/his song by using seven criteria of textually
theory formulated by Robert de Beaugrande (1980). Another research (Wigati,
2009) analyzed ideational meaning in lyrics by using transitivity system of CDA.
Another one investigated the representation of social issue and ideology within
lyrics by using systemic functional grammar (Setiawan, 2007). Moreover, the
others research (Laela, 2008; Somantri, 2006) analyzed identity construction and
a representation of self-identity on lyrics by using Hallidayan’s Functional Grammar and Van Dijk’s Macro-microstructure of CDA.
By examining the representation of social issue in song lyrics, it could be
Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
The representation of song’s writer is closely related with the identity. It is
dealing with the way how the song’s writer represents themselves in the lyrics. By
writing the lyrics, the song’s writer is not only entertaining people but also
expressing their feeling, conveying a message, and building a character.
Dealing with consideration above, the present study employed different
approach in analyzing identity. Fairclough’s three-dimensional stage analysis is
used as analytical framework in analyzing identity in song lyrics. The study
examined modality, evaluation and personal pronoun aspects in lyrics to identify
the song writer’s identity and commitment through what he or she had written. In the present study, the writer chose to analyze song lyrics written by
Rocket Rockers. Rocket Rockers is a band who has big influence and contribution
in the development of indie movement in the country. Furthermore, this is
interesting to take a close reading on Rocket Rockers’ song lyrics to find how they build their identity. Identity is important aspect of them as they stated that:
We always write songs that come from our heart and try our best to describe us (as a band) in our original way. And we think it’s important to keep it simple so that more and more people can understand on what we stand for. (Rocket Rockers on www.myspace.com/rocketrockers).
1.2 Statement of Problems
In the present study, the research problems are formulated in the following
questions:
1.3Aims of Study
In view of the background and problems above, the writer would like:
- To construct the identity as evidenced in the lyrics.
1.4 Research Method
The present study employed Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as the
framework of the study. CDA, as Fairclough (2003:9) defines, is “a framework
for studying connection between language, power and ideology”. CDA might also
observe issues like ethnicity, gender, ideology, identity, and cultural differences,
and the ways these things are reflected in particular texts (Pennycook, 1997 cited
in Paltridge 2003).
The three-dimensional stage and Halliday’s (1994) Functional Grammar
will be applied as the main tool of analysis to analyze the text. It is hoped that by
using the systematic functional grammar in analyzing Rocket Rockers song lyrics,
it can give better point of view in perceiving and understanding how the song
lyrics construct the identity of Rocket Rockers.
In this study, it is important to collect all song lyrics written by Rocket
Rockers from the first album until the third album. All of the song lyrics are
directly quoted from each album cover. Further, the next step is choosing nine
lyrics needed for study. The writer chooses three lyrics from each album. The
Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
personal issue and representation of social issue. All of the lyrics collected from
the three albums are written in English.
To figure out the identity construction in Rocket Rockers song lyrics, the
three-dimensional stages is applied as the basic tool of analysis to analyze the text
and Halliday’s (2004) Functional Grammar will be used as the tools of analysis.
The study examined the aspects of modality, evaluation and personal pronoun. On
the first step the writer took a close reading on the lyrics to find the issue. Then it
began with a description of the text which analyzed aspects of modality,
evaluation and personal pronoun, continued with an interpretation of the text, and
ended with explanation.
1.5 Organization of Paper
The paper will be presented into five chapters. Chapter I (Introduction)
include the background of the research, reason for choosing the topic, scope of the
study, research question, aims of the study, research procedures, data collection
and data analysis. Chapter II (Theoretical Foundation) elaborates theoretical
accounts that base the structure of the present study. There are number of features
to be discussed, namely description and theories related to Discourse, Discourse
Analysis (DA), Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), Fairclough’s Theoretical Framework, Song Lyrics as Discourse, and Identity Construction that consist of
Polarity, Modality, Evaluation and Personal Pronoun. Furthermore, it also
Next is Chapter III (Methodology) which explains the research
methodology, research questions, and subject of the research, research procedure,
technique of data collection and technique of how the data would be analyzed.
Chapter IV (Findings and Discussions) explains the result of the research which
consists of findings (data presentation and the result of the identity construction
and also the ideology beyond it. Chapter V (Suggestions and Conclusions)
presents the conclusions of the research findings and the suggestions for further
Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHOD
This chapter deals with the research method that is used in the present study. It
includes research problems, research design, data collection, and data analysis.
3.1Research Problems
In general, the purpose of the study is to describe how the identity of the band
- Rocket Rockers is constructed in their lyrics. The present study is mainly intended
to investigate the following questions:
- how is the identity constructed as evidenced in the lyrics?
3.2 Research Design
The research uses Norman Fairclough’s critical analysis method -
three-dimensional stage of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The three-three-dimensional
framework is three separated form of analysis which analyzes discourse as a unity of
social practice. The analysis involves analysis of (spoken or written) language text,
sociocultural practices (Fairclough, 1995). The stages aim to analyze the relationship
between texts, processes, and their social condition in order to find out the hidden
meaning related to power, ideology, and social issue in language in use.
Halliday’s (1994) Functional Grammar will be applied as the main tool of
analysis to analyze the text. The study examines the aspect of modality, evaluation
and personal pronoun. By using the systematic functional grammar in analyzing
Rocket Rockers song lyrics, it can give better point of view in perceiving and
understanding how the song lyrics construct the identity of Rocket Rockers.
3.3 Data Collection
The data used in the research are the song lyrics written by Rocket Rockers.
Rocket Rockers is a local band who do their music career in Indie’s way. Indie relates
with social movement which is based on independency of creation. It includes music,
arts, and economic movement. As an Indie band, Rocket Rockers reflects their
Indie’s attitude through their songs which contains social issue such as poverty,
ecology, and intellectual thinking.
Rocket Rockers has written 38 songs both in Bahasa Indonesia and also
English. They have written three albums: Soundtrack for Your Life (2002), Ras
Bebas (2004) and Better Season (2008) since they were established in 1998. From the
Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
From the first until the third album, the writer already split two main issues of
the lyrics i.e. personal issue and social issue. Further, from each album, the writer
collects three song lyrics which represent the two main issues. Titles of song lyrics
that were analyzed are shown as follow:
No. Themes Titles of The Song
1. Personal Issue Today Sell Out Tomorrow Superstar (2002), Better Season (2008), She’s My Cheerleader (2002), December 16th (2004), I Miss You (2008)
2. Social Issue My Sweater Gets Wet (2004), Save The Orphans
(2004), Your Fashion Costumed by Intellect Orthodox (2008), Immorality President (2004),
Table 3.1 List of Song Titles
The present study tries to discover the identity of Rocket Rockers that constructed in
their lyrics related to the issue their concerned with.
3.4 Data Analysis
The present study used three-dimensional stages framework offered by
Fairclough (1995) with Haliday’s (2004) Functional Grammar theory as the tools of
analysis. It began with a description of the text, continued with an interpretation of
the text, and ended with an explanation.
In the description stage, the analysis was started by investigating the linguistic
features in the text. The data was analyzed by using Haliday’s Functional Grammar.
Modality is important in the construction of identities. The center of attention
in this stage is the choice of modality in terms of epistemic (how much the content
come across as being true) and deontic (how much obligation to do something the
text seems to put on the reader).
Further, the analysis continued with evaluation. It referred to the way in which
speaker commits himself to values and concern his commitment to desirability.
Fairclough (2003:171) stated that evaluation can be distinguished into four groups,
which are: evaluative statements, statements with deontic modality, affective
evaluation, and assumed value.
Another aspect that was analyzed in the study was personal pronoun. Personal
pronoun analysis is important to reveal various aspects of the speaker’s attitude and
social standing (Wilson, 1990). On the other words, the speaker can use various
personal pronouns to his advantages, whether this is to unite the speaker and audience
or to express his own belief and show his/her authority. The study focused on the
personal pronoun ‘we’ applied in the lyrics – whether it is inclusively or exclusively
used in the utterances-.
Further, the analysis went to the interpretation stage. It concerned with the
relationship between text and interaction, moment such as action, interaction, social
Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
involved the linguistics features that have been described in the first stage to be
interpreted.
Finally, the analysis continued to the last level – explanation-. In this stage,
ideology behind the discourse was unveiled. The analysis was related to the
description and interpretation stages that have been discussed. The three levels of
analysis were aimed to unpack the features in the discourse. They did not only
uncover the identity construction of the writer, but they also revealed the ideology
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
This is the final chapter of the study. This chapter consists of two subchapters
which are conclusion and suggestion. In addition present study directly presents
the main point of the study by showing the answer to the research questions.
5.1 Conclusion
The present study is aimed at discovering the identity of Rocket Rockers
and also to reveal the possible ideology which underlies the song lyrics as it is
presented in the research questions. The questions are answered by applying
Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis theoretical foundation in terms of
modality, evaluation and personal pronoun (Fairclough, 2003)
It is found that the identity of the band Rocket Rockers is various
according to the nine song lyrics analyzed as Fairclough (2003:161) stated that
people’s personal identity socially developed by investing their own personality
upon its social roles; it combines the social identity and personal identity. In this
case, the band appears to be committed to social issue and personal issue. It is
found that the band has a strong commitment toward social issue i.e. global
warming, orphans, and political issue. Therefore, the band’s identity is a band that
has a high solidarity in their social life.
Finally it can be concluded that Fairclough’s Framework is usable at
Imman Ramdhani, 2012
Beyond The Lyrics: Identity Construction In Rocket Rockers’ Songs
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia | Repository.Upi.Edu
Halliday’s Functional Grammar, Fairclough’ Framework can clearly reveal the
hidden message that is conveyed in the song lyrics.
5.2 Suggestion
Based on the research that has been conducted, several suggestions are
made. First, the present study is only limited to nine lyrics of Rocket Rockers
band in their three latest album. It will be challenging to examine a complete
album to reveal complete identity of the band. Second, it is interesting to have an
interview with the song’s writer to build a solid understanding in analyzing the
lyrics.
There are a lot of band and musicians who try to differentiate their self to
another with various ways. The researcher believes that their differentiation also
bring unrevealed ideology and exclusive identity to their music.
REFERENCES
Eggins, S. 2004. An Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics. England:
Continumm.
Fairclough, N. 2003. Analysing Discourse. United States of America: Routledge.
Fairclough, N.1989. Language and Power. United States of America: Longman.
Fairclough, N. 1995. Critical Discourse Analysis. United States of America:
Longman.
Gerot, L. and Wignell, P. 2004. Making Sense of Functional Grammar. Australia:
Gerd Stabler.
Halliday, M.A.K. and Mathiessen, 2004. An Introduction To Functional Grammar.
England: Arnold.
Laela, F. 2008. Identity Construction as Depicted in Avril Lavigne’s Song Lyrics: An
Analysis of Characterization using Transitivity System. Unpublished Paper.
Nealon, J. and Searls Giroux, S. 2003. Theory Toolbox; Critical Concepts for The
Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Rowman & Littlefield publisher.INC.
Paltridge, B. 2000. Making Sense of Discourse Analysis. Australia: Gerd Stabler.
Somantri, C. 2006. The Representation of Self-Identity Shearching in Britney Spears’
