In various forms of artistic works, there is always meaning behind the meaning itself. This has become the primary focus of many film and music enthusiasts throughout different eras. A work of art—whether digital or physical, regardless of the time period—is not merely a form of entertainment, but also a medium capable of revealing criticism and social phenomena surrounding human life.

Among the many forms of artistic expression, songs remain one of the most popular creative works of all time. In general, songs express and maintain a strong connection with human emotions and characteristics, while simultaneously containing complex aspirations regarding the dynamics of life—that is the power of music.

Furthermore, unlike visual works that often require time for audiences to interpret, songs tend to present lyrics that are more easily accepted and understood by a broader demographic, or simply put, highly relatable. According to several studies, song lyrics that express emotions textually while incorporating elements of symbolism can also be categorized as a form of poetry.

These explanations encouraged one of the students from the English Literature Study Program to conduct research on the lyrics of “Die With A Smile,” a song written by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

According to research presented by Indonesian literary scholar Rachmat Djoko Pradopo, song lyrics function as structured sequences of meaningful symbolism. In the field of linguistics and cultural analysis, one notable discipline is semiotics. Essentially, semiotics is the study that examines the relationship between signs and the process of meaning-making communication—both in visual and textual forms.

Semiotics itself originated from Greek philosophical studies, which were later strengthened through the theories of Ferdinand de Saussure. Through his further studies, Saussure proposed that to better understand the meaning of particular objects or phenomena, we must pay attention to three evaluative aspects: Sign, Signifier, and Signified.

These three aspects represent how relationships between words are capable of constructing continuous meaning toward objects we can see or hear. For example, a gaming laptop may possess signifiers such as a thick design and customizable lighting accessories, while the signified reflects our mental perception of a gaming laptop as something high-performance and durable.

In this literary study, the student successfully uncovered several interesting findings while also providing additional insight into semiotics through the lyrics of “Die With A Smile.” First, based on Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory, it was revealed that within semiotics every object or subject always contains an “importance” or essential meaning that becomes the key to understanding it.

Second, among the 18 lyrical data findings from “Die With A Smile,” there are various forms of “importance” associated with historical authenticity, philosophy, culture, and social life, both implicitly and explicitly. Furthermore, this “importance” is considered a form of justification and psychological closeness shaped by each individual’s myths and personal beliefs.

At the denotative level, “Die With A Smile” portrays the emotional complexity of humans who wish to leave the world without regrets. At the connotative level, however, the hope presented within the lyrics conceals other emotions such as sadness, fear, anger, and pain, both worldly and spiritual.

Lastly, from a semiotic perspective, the song represents criticism towards the social stigma surrounding modern human morality. Behind the appearance of forced positivism lies emotions that are never truly expressed, creating a constant tension between smiles, hope, and inner suffering. Ultimately, the song illustrates the duality and stressful life caused by the demands of modernity upon human existence.

Through its English Literature Study Program, Universitas Dian Nusantara demonstrates that literature is not merely about studying language or written works, but also serves as a window to understand humanity, culture, and social realities more deeply. UNDIRA’s English Literature Program provides an academic space that encourages students to think critically, interpretatively, and humanistically in understanding the world through the perspectives of language and literature.

Source of Reference:

Wulandari, Y. (2025). Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis in the song lyrics “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars (Skripsi, Universitas Dian Nusantara). Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, English Literature.