A semantic-pragmatic deconstruction of Blinding Lights by The Weeknd and Bad Guy by Billie Eilish

Abstract

While semantic and pragmatic deconstruction has conventionally been nested in general linguistics, contemporary theoretical developments have proven that it can further be applied in the examination of songs in a bid to uncover and unravel covert meanings. This then proves the central role of language in other disciplines such as musicology and songwriting in so far as semantic-pragmatic deconstruction is concerned. The primary aim, therefore, of this article is to examine and deconstruct Blinding Lights by The Weeknd and Bad Guy by Billie Eilish. The objective is to underline that artists and songwriters employ exclusive semantic and pragmatic features to communicate purposive meaning to their audiences. A qualitative research methodology, alongside a semantic-pragmatic theoretical framework, is utilised to advance the aim of this article. Among other discussions, it becomes evident that profound meanings are entrenched in the two songs, and such meanings can be revealed through the application of semantic and pragmatic theoretical frameworks. The closing remarks underline the necessity to scrutinise and attempt to develop semantic-pragmatic perspectives beyond the realm of general linguistics to achieve more scholarly insights.