Realization of Romance in Song Lyrics: A Transitivity Analysis

Abstract

This research investigates the realization of romance songs. It employed a qualitative approach. The data sources are two songs by Taylor Swift,  “King of My Heart” (KM), and “London Boy” (LB). Those songs are analyzed in terms of their transitivity, which represents a process of condensation. Each of the clauses is classified by the type of process and the social actors involved to determine who does what (and to whom). The analysis results in five types of transitivity: material, mental, relational, behavioural, and verbal processes contained in the data. The type of process that is not used on the data is an existential process. The findings indicate insights into how Taylor Swift strategically implies transitivity to evoke diverse emotional responses through her music. The material process dominantly constructs the songs to create a romantic atmosphere. The transitivity of love is realized in the form of a declarative process. It also reveals transitivity functions as a tool in shaping the interpersonal meanings in lyrical compositions. This study enhances the understanding of how process choices in song lyrics offer insights into the interplay between language and emotion in popular music.