Metaphorical Analysis and the Meaning of Song “Another One Bite the Dust” By Queen

Abstract

A metaphor is a figure of speech that contrasts two unrelated items and helps in the communication of complex ideas or emotions by drawing on familiar or concrete concepts. Metaphor is often utilized in poetry, novels, films, songs, and so on. This study provides a metaphorical analysis of the lyrics to "Another One Bites The Dust," a hit song by the British rock band Queen published in 1980. Using a semantic approach, the study investigates the numerous layers of meaning provided by the song's lyrics, which have been interpreted variously by fans and critics throughout the years. The paper offers a detailed analysis of the song's metaphors and the function of the metaphors, including analyzing the metaphor "another one bites the dust" as a euphemism for death in one Santa Fe High School shooting in 2018, one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States. The study concludes by reflecting on the song's lasting popularity and cultural relevance, as well as the difficulties and opportunities associated with understanding metaphorical meaning in popular music. Based on the analysis, the writers discovered 15 metaphor data and 4 metaphor functions in the lyrics of "Another One Bites. INTRODUCTION A metaphor is a figure of speech contrasting two unrelated items with some qualities. It compares something to something else to generate a more vivid and fascinating image in the imagination of the reader or listener. In contrast to a simile, which employs the words "like" or "as" to create a comparison, a metaphor compares two things explicitly. For instance, "Life is a journey" is a metaphor since it compares life to a voyage, although the two are different. Metaphors are frequently employed in literature, poetry, and ordinary language to assist readers in better understanding complicated ideas and emotions. Metaphors use physical objects or activities to describe abstract things, such as emotions or ideas. For instance, "he has a heart of stone" refers to someone who is emotionally frigid and unfeeling. While this metaphor is excellent for communicating the sense of emotional separation, its literal meaning can be confusing. If taken literally, the statement may imply that the person's heart is formed of stone, which is not the case. This illustrates the challenge that metaphors provide to semantics. Metaphors are understood through shared cultural and linguistic knowledge, and their meaning can change depending on context and audience.