Interpreting the Meaning of Lyrics and Music Video of "Sorai" by Nadin Amizah Based on Ferdinand de Saussure’s Theory

Authors

  • Ristama Fitri Widia Hutabalian Universitas Negeri Medan, Indonesia
  • Lyra Hani Chintya Manullang Universitas Negeri Medan, Indonesia
  • Elizabeth Hutapea Universitas Negeri Medan, Indonesia
  • Jesica Geraldine Sibagariang Universitas Negeri Medan, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57235/smash.v2i1.5998

Keywords:

Ferdinand De Saussure, Semiotics, Sorai, Nadin Amizah, Emotional Burden, Impermanence, Multimodal Analysis, Cultural Symbolism

Abstract

This study examines the interplay of lyrical and visual symbolism in Nadin Amizah’s Sorai through the lens of Ferdinand de Saussure’s semiotic theory. By analyzing the song’s lyrics and music video as multimodal texts, the research explores how linguistic and visual signifiers construct themes of interdependence, emotional burden, and acceptance of impermanence. Utilizing Saussure’s dyadic model of signifier-signified relationships, the analysis reveals that natural metaphors (e.g., sky, sea) and cultural lexicon (e.g., sorai, derived from Minangkabau) function as arbitrated codes to convey existential narratives. The lyrics emphasize emotional restraint and transience, while the music video amplifies these themes through chromatic symbolism, spatial binaries, and gestures of unattainable connection. Despite alignment in thematic exploration, the video diverges by universalizing impermanence through abstract visuals like tombstones and desaturated landscapes. The findings highlight the necessity of contextualizing Saussurean semiotics within cultural frameworks, particularly in non-Western artistic expressions, and demonstrate the dynamic role of multimodal analysis in deciphering layered meanings. This study contributes to broader discussions on the applicability of classical semiotics in contemporary media and underscores the interplay between regional idioms and universal human experiences.

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References

Amizah, N. (2023). Sorai [Song]. On Sorai [Music video]. Surga Records.

Chandler, D. (2007). Semiotics: The basics (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Jones, R., Lee, K., & Martinez, P. (2019). Chromatic symbolism and existential hope in Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams. Journal of Popular Music Studies, 31(4), 85–102.

Pratiwi, D. (2021). Visual melancholy in Indonesian music videos: A semiotic study of Isyana Sarasvati’s Lagu Cinta. ASEAN Journal of Cultural Studies, 14(2), 29–47.

Rahman, A. (2021). Existentialism and nature imagery in Nadin Amizah’s lyrical narratives. Indonesian Journal of Musicology, 10(1), 40–58.

Saussure, F. de. (2011). Course in general linguistics (W. Baskin, Trans.). Columbia University Press. (Original work published 1916)

Wibowo, H. (2022). Nature as cultural identity: Symbolism in Indonesian music videos. Journal of Southeast Asian Media, 8(3), 85–100.

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Published

2025-09-04

How to Cite

Hutabalian, R. F. W., Manullang, L. H. C., Hutapea, E., & Sibagariang, J. G. (2025). Interpreting the Meaning of Lyrics and Music Video of "Sorai" by Nadin Amizah Based on Ferdinand de Saussure’s Theory. SMASH: Journal of Social Management Sains and Health, 2(1), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.57235/smash.v2i1.5998

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): April 2025

Section

Articles

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