Mita Herliana (409210016). Semantical Analysis of Contextual Meaning in All Too Well (10 Minutes Version) Song Lyrics

This research paper aims to analyzed the contextual meaning in the song lyrics of "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" by Taylor Swift using a qualitative descriptive method. The study focuses on narrative interpretation of stanza to uncover implied meanings, guided by John Lyons’ theory of six types of context: person, place, time, mood, formality, and subject matter. The problem addressed is that song lyrics often contain implicit meanings that require contextual understanding for deeper interpretation.The data were collected through the song lyrics serving as the primary source. The researcher acted as the main instrument and followed several steps: reducting data by selecting relevant lines, displaying data in a contextual table, and drawing conclusions from recurring themes and emotional nuances. A total of 13 stanzas were analyzed, resulting in 48 contextual findings. These were categorized into mood (13), person (10), subject matter (10), time (11), place (3), and formality (1). Not every line was analyzed individually, as some lyrics particularly in the chorus and outro were repetitive or conveyed similar meanings.The findings show that mood is the most dominant context, appearing 13 times. This indicates that emotional tone and personal feeling are central to the song’s narrative. Such dominance reflects Taylor Swift’s storytelling style, which portrays heartbreak, regret, memory, and longing. The study concludes that semantic analysis of song lyrics is valuable for revealing how popular music communicates complex emotional experiences through contextual meaning.

Keywords: Contextual Meaning, song lyrics, All Too Well (10 Minutes Version) by taylor swift