Stylistic Analysis of Song Lyrics as Learning Material in Language Education: A Study of Bernadya’s Song ‘Untungnya, Hidup Terus Berjalan’

Abstract

Contemporary song lyrics can function as authentic texts for developing students’ language awareness and literary interpretation. However, the pedagogical potential of Indonesian popular songs has received limited attention in stylistic research. This study aimed to identify the stylistic devices used in Bernadya’s song Untungnya, Hidup Terus Berjalan and examine their potential relevance to language and literature learning. A qualitative descriptive design with a stylistic approach was employed. The data consisted of words, phrases, clauses, and lines containing stylistic features. Data were collected through repeated listening, close reading, verification of the lyric text, and note-taking. The analysis involved identifying, classifying, and interpreting stylistic devices based on their linguistic forms, contextual meanings, and possible pedagogical functions. The findings revealed six stylistic devices: metaphor, repetition, parallelism, antithesis, litotes, and irony. These devices contribute to the representation of disappointment, self-reflection, resilience, gratitude, and optimism. Repetition and parallelism reinforce the song’s central message, while metaphor and antithesis strengthen its emotional and interpretative dimensions. From a pedagogical perspective, the identified features provide contextual examples for teaching figurative language, textual interpretation, vocabulary, and critical reading. The study concludes that the song has potential as supplementary material in language and literature instruction. Nevertheless, its effectiveness as a learning resource requires further validation through classroom implementation, expert evaluation, and assessment of student learning outcomes.