CHAPTER III ANALYSIS
3.2. Discussion
In this sub-chapter, the writer will discuss every meaning types that are present in the song You Are the Reason by Calum Scott, and why a certain line falls into the meaning type as shown in the Table III.1 in the previous sub-chapter.
The meaning types that will be discussed here are: conceptual, connotative, collocation, affected, reflected, and thematic.
1. Conceptual Meaning
As proposed by Leech in (Pardianti et al., 2022), conceptual meaning is known as the denotative and cognitive meaning, where a word or sentence means exactly what they are. There are 9 data in this category that the writer sourced from the song You Are the Reason by Calum Scott that falls into this category of meaning.
Data 1
Calum Scott: There goes my heart beating
This data is taken from the very first line of the song, right after the piano intro of the song. In this line, Scott opens up the song by declaring “There goes my heart beating”, to indicate that his heart is beating and that he is still alive.
There is nothing complicated about this line, and thus, this line falls into the conceptual category because the lyrics here means as it is shown. It is natural for a
heart to beat, and the heart in this term sticks to the dictionary definition, where the heart refers to a human’s internal organ that pumps blood throughout the whole body to keep the human alive.
Data 2
Calum Scott: ’Cause you are the reason
This data is taken right after the first line. In this line, Scott elaborates the previous line, whereas he mentioned that his heart beating, and that the reason here is you. You refers to an unknown person not defined by the further lines, and thus will be referred as the significant other of Calum Scott, and the recipient of this melancholic ballad. This line is also the same like the previous line. Every part of the sentence sticks to the dictionary’s definition, with an alternation of because which is shortened into ‘cause. Therefore, this data is deemed to fall into conceptual category, because there is nothing out of context regarding this line.
Data 3
Calum Scott: And you are the reason
This data is taken from the sixth line of the song and again, states that
“you” is the reason for what is happening in Scott’s body. In this line, the context is that Calum Scott felt like his mind is racing and that the reason for this phenomenon is “you”, again referring to the mysterious significant other that is
undescribed by further lyrics. The reason for this line to fall into this category is similar to the second data, right above this data, because that there is nothing out of context in this line, and this line simply states that “you” are the reason that he experience things.
Data 4
Calum Scott: That I’m still breathing.
The fourth data that falls within the conceptual category is from the seventh line of the song, “that I’m still breathing” here is contextually talking about the previously mentioned “you” being the cause of Scott still “breathing”
which indicates that Calum is still alive today because of “you”. The word breathing here is the key on why the data falls into conceptual category, because breathing in dictionary means respiration, the process of inhaling and exhaling air out of our nose. This is a sign of a living human being in normal circumstances, that is why this line falls into the conceptual category, because the word breathing here is presented as it is.
Data 5
Calum Scott: Oh, ‘cause I need you to see
This data is unique in the conceptual category, because not only this data is conceptual as it is, it also falls into the affected category which will be
elaborated later in this chapter. As for the reason behind the line’s dual placement, the writer believe that this line is straightforward and conceptual, in which Calum Scott wants “you” to see, to understand, and to acknowledge that “you” are the reason Calum is still alive, and determined to prove himself in front of this unknown lover. However, while being conceptual, this data also involves emotion, and affection, which then makes this data falls into the category for affected.
Data 6
Calum Scott: There goes my hands shaking
This sixth data is taken from the fifteenth line from You Are the Reason song. The reason why the writer categorized this line into the sixth data of conceptual meaning is because the context for the “There goes my hands shaking”
relates with the following line “And you are the reason”. In English language, hands could be shaking due to tremor, sadness, or many other things. There is nothing out of context from this line, thus, making this line falls into the category of conceptual meaning.
Data 7
Calum Scott: I don’t wanna fight no more
This data is taken from the twentieth line from the lyrics of You Are the Reason. The reason why this data is categorized as conceptual meaning is because every part of this sentence is in line with what is stated in the dictionary. Fight is a verb that means to battle or to attack both physically and/or verbally with one another. In this line, Scott expresses the desire not to fight anymore. He humbly surrender and refrain from fighting the assumed endless battle with the significant other, or “you” regarding the past mistakes that Scott did in their relationship.
This line is conceptual and is in line with the dictionary, thus, this data belongs to the conceptual category.
Data 8
Calum Scott: I don’t wanna hide no more
This data is similar with the previous and the following data, in this case, the sentence obeys the meaning from the dictionary and does not fluctuate beyond the context. In this case, Scott does not want to hide anymore from the problem and the reality where Scott has to apologize for what he did in the past to hurt and to broke the relationship between him and his significant other. The meaning is pretty much straightforward and conceptual, thus, making this data falls into conceptual category.
Data 9
Calum Scott: I don’t wanna cry no more
This data is similar with the two previous data, in this case, the sentence still obeys the meaning from the dictionary and does not fluctuate beyond the context. In this case, Scott does not want to cry anymore because of the problem that is presumed begin with Scott’s act in the past. Presumably, his actions has hurted and broke the relationship between him and his significant other, inflicting such great pain to each other to induce tears from both party, especially Scott himself. The meaning is, again, pretty much straightforward and conceptual, thus, making this data falls into conceptual category.
2. Connotative Meaning
Connotative meaning is the expressive value of a phrase or sentence that extends beyond its merely conceptual substance. Additional properties, whether physical, psychological, or social, are mentioned in the connotative sense. Thus, the writer will list all 8 (eight) data included in the connotative meaning according to the writer’s own categorization.
Data 1
Calum Scott: And there goes my mind racing.
This data is taken from the fifth line of the lyrics of You Are the Reason as sung by Calum Scott. This sentence is categorized as having connotative meaning,
whereas the value of this phrase is cosnsidered expressive and beyond the conceptual substance. The reason is because in this lyric, Scott is saying that his mind is racing. Literally speaking, one’s mind is stored inside the head of a human being, and racing means an activity of speed competition between two or more individuals. Therefore, a mind cannot race physically, but the thoughts inside the mind can flash and jump quickly from one thought to another when the person is upset or in emergency, that is the connotative meaning of “mind racing” in this sentence.
Data 2
Calum Scott: I’d climb every mountain
This data is taken from the ninth line, and the first data with triple category, falling into the thematic, connotative, and reflected meaning. This section will review the connotative aspect of this line. The reason why the writer categorized this line into connotative meaning is because Scott said that he would climb every mountain. This falls into connotative, because there are so many mountains in this world, and some of them are highly active volcano, or simply life threatening to be climbed upon. Hence, it is not possible for Scott to climb every single mountain. However, this can be taken into the context that Scott used the phrase that he would “climb every mountain” to express his seriousness, and to say that he will even do the impossible just to get forgiveness from the unknown lover.
Data 3
Calum Scott: And swim every ocean
This data is taken from the tenth line. This data is also the second and the last data to have triple categorization, exactly the same as the previous data. In this case, Scott again emphasize his seriousness by expressing that he will “swim every ocean” just to be with the unknown lover figure that he sang this song to.
As widely known, the Earth is composed of mostly ocean, and to swim every single one of them is physically impossible because the swimmer will either die of starvation, dehydration, or fatigue. The reason why this data falls into connotative category is because, if we take this expression into a further context, it can express the emphasization that Calum Scott is willing to do even the impossible to be forgiven by the unknown lover.
Data 4
Calum Scott: Just to be with you
This data is taken from the eleventh line of the song. While initially the line looks like it belongs to the conceptual category because of its straightforwardness, it is actually not that straightforward. “Just to be with you”
here can be interpreted into two meaning: to physically be with the unknown lover, or to emotionally be back together with the unknown lover. Thus, making this data falls into the connotative due to the “out of context” element hidden in this line.
Data 5
Calum Scott: And fix what I’ve broken
This data is taken from the twelfth line of the song. This line signify more than one meaning. Usually when someone speaks of “fixing” something “broken”, when sticking to the dictionary, or conceptual meaning, it will probably mean fixing a broken physical thing. However, this line can be analyzed deeper by relating to the previous data to get the bigger picture and get the full context.
Calum Scott said “I’d climb every mountain, and swim every ocean; just to be with you, and fix what I’ve broken.” And from that sentence, it can be seen that likely, what he broke was more than just physical matter, but perhaps encroaching into the emotional and psychological matter due to his big effort in apologizing.
Data 6
Calum Scott: My heart keeps bleeding
This data is taken from the seventeenth line from the song and it shows the connotative meaning almost outright. My heart keeps bleeding signify a heart break. It is a term widely known by many people that when your heart bleed, it means you are experiencing a heartbreak. Calum uses that widely known term to signify his own heart break. He is hurt because his unknown lover leave him and presumably refuses his apology beforehand. Thus, the “you” in this song become so many reasons for Calum, be it good reason to stay alive, and at the same time
to be a bad reason, causing his heartbreak due to their adamantness. The reason why the data is connotative, is because of the non conceptual meaning of the lyrics.
Data 7
Calum Scott: And if I could turn back the clock
This data is taken from the nineteenth line from the song. In this part of song, Scott expresses his regret through the saying “And if I could turn back the clock.” The reason why the data does not fall into conceptual category is because, if one is to literally turn back the clock, the clock will either face the wall, or the clock’s needle will only go back to a certain position without any significance to the real world. The meaning that Scott is trying to convey through this sentence is that he wants to turn back the time, to go back in time, and to go back into the past before his relationship is ruined because of some things.
Data 8
Calum Scott: I’d make sure the light defeated the dark
This data is the last data that belongs to the connotative meaning category and incidentally also become the last and the only dual-category data in the connotative category. This data falls into the connotative and thematic category, but will be reviewed in the connotative perspective in this section. The reason
why the writer included this data in the connotative perspective is because, Scott said he would make sure that the light defeated the dark. While it is conceptually true that light will be able to pierce through darkness, and darkness is a state where light is not available, this line serves a different meaning. “Light” and
“dark” has always been widely known as the representative of “good” and “evil”, respectively. That is why, Scott promises that the good aspects of him will conquer the bad and evil aspects within himself. As if saying that, Scott promises that this time, if his unknown lover comes back, he will be better than he was.
3. Collocative Meaning
As stated in the previous paragraph, collocative meaning is a meaning that is obtained by a word and is caused by the meaning of words that tend to emerge in their environment. Collocative meaning is made up of associations formed by a word as a result of the meaning of words that frequently appear in its surroundings. There are 1 datum in this category, and the datum will be presented below.
Data 1
Calum Scott: I’m losing my sleep
The reason why the writer puts this data in the collocative category is because of the keyword sleep. Sleep is known as an activity where one rests their body and mind after a long day, usually done in the night. However, as shown in
this line, Scott says that he lost his sleep. The meaning that is formed, and the associations that emerge due to the surrounding’s opinion regarding sleep is that sleep is associated with ‘luxury’, ‘precious time’ for some people who cannot afford to sleep much, be it due to working, or because of other illnesses. That is why the term “losing” sleep is possible to be comprehended by many because sleep is important and precious, and to not be able to sleep in due time is like
“losing” their treasure.
4. Affected Meaning
Affected meaning, as previously described in the previous chapter, conveys the speaker’s own feelings, such as his attitude toward the listener or something he is discussing. The conceptual or connotative content of the words used is frequently explicitly realized. There are 12 data, the biggest and dominating data in the entire population, in the affected meaning category. Here are the data:
Data 1
Calum Scott: I’m losing my sleep
This data is coincidentally the same with the only data that falls in the collocative meaning, directly above this one. The reason why the writer included this data as dual-category, in affected and collocative, is because the line is pretty
versatile. At one side, it shows the importance and the “value” that were given by the surrounding and the language-user towards the word sleep, but, if seen through Scott’s perspective, it is almost like a plea for affection, begging for his unknown lover to acknowledge his loss in terms of sleep due to his guilt and regret. This line seems personal, full of emotion, and showing Scott’s attitude towards the “you” and the listener of this song.
Data 2
Calum Scott: Please come back now
This data is taken from the fourth line from the song. The reason why the writer included this data as affected meaning is because this line is basically a personal and heartfelt request, borderlining towards begging, for Scott’s unknown lover to come back and save him from his misery. Giving this line the quality of affected, because Scott yet again shows his attitude clearly, again full of regret and sadness.
Data 3
Calum Scott: I’m hopeless now.
This data is taken from the eighth line from the song lyrics. The reason why the writer included this data as affected meaning is because this line shows Scott’s resignation towards his fate, shows his helplessness and hopelessness, be it
towards the listener, or to the “you”, which is how he refers to his romantic interest. This line is very personal and therefore falls into the affected category due to the obvious display of attitude from Scott’s side.
Data 4
Calum Scott: Oh, ‘cause I need you to see
This data is taken from the thirteenth line from the song lyrics.
Contextually speaking, Scott is trying to convince the “you” in his song to see his seriousness by expressing that he will “climb every mountain” and “swim every ocean” just to be with “you”, be it emotionally and physically. The reason why this one is considered as affected is because, despite it all, there is a sense of urgency and desperateness from Scott when he said “Oh, ‘cause I need you to see”
by the use of “need” instead of want. He truly needs “you” to understand that he has changed from what he once were.
Data 5
Calum Scott: That you are the reason, (line 14) and you are the reason (line 16)
The reason why the writer included both data into one paragraph is because of the striking similarity between these two lines, to signify that “you” are the reason behind several phenomena happening to Scott, in this case, he wants
“you” to see that “you” are the reason why he’s got the willpower to do the impossible and yet at the same time the reason why he’s vulnerable and weak due to heartbreak respectively. This is why both lines fall into the category of affected.
Because Scott is showing his emotion and attitude towards you through this heartfelt statements.
Data 6
Calum Scott: I need you now
This data is taken from the eighteenth line from the song lyrics. In this part of song, Scott is basically begging for the presence of “you”, his unknown lover, to help him recover from his heartbreak. Because, before saying “I need you now”, Scott had sung “My heart keeps bleeding” in the previous line. So, this is another heartfelt statement of Scott begging for his unknown lover’s presence to stop the bleeding of his heart. Thus, making this data falls into the category of affected.
Data 7
Calum Scott: I’d spend every hour of every day keeping you safe
This data is taken from the twenty first line of the song lyrics. In this line Scott sang that he would spend every hour of every day entirely to keep the wellbeing of “you”, the unknown lover that Scott mentioned repeatedly in the