The Use of Figurative Language in Survivor’s Album Eye of the Tiger: A Semiotic Analysis of Metaphor, Simile, and Hyperbole

Authors

  • Ni Nyoman Ayu Purnamawati Faculty of Foreign Languages, Universitas Mahasarawati Denpasar, Indonesia
  • I Made Perdana Skolastika Faculty of Foreign Languages, Universitas Mahasarawati Denpasar , Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v13i2.7900

Keywords:

figurative language, semiotics, emotional depth, popular music, Survivor

Abstract

This study investigates the use of figurative language-specifically metaphor, simile, and hyperbole-in the lyrics of Survivor’s 1982 album Eye of the Tiger. Employing a qualitative semiotic approach, the research analyzes 25 instances of figurative language across nine songs. The findings reveal metaphors as the dominant figure of speech (48%), followed by similes (32%) and hyperboles (20%). These rhetorical devices collectively enhance the expression of resilience, empowerment, and adversity, deepening the emotional resonance with listeners. This study addresses a research gap by exploring how these devices interact within the album’s narrative rather than in isolation. The results demonstrate the essential role of figurative language in conveying complex cultural narratives in popular music.

 

 

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Published

2026-01-19

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature

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