UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

School Of Humanities
Semester I 2018/2019

HET 319/3 SEMANTICS

Conceptual Metaphor of Love in Ed Sheeran’s Song

Lyrics from the Album “Divide”

Name: Nur Hafizah binti Mohamad Husaini

Matric No: 130677
TESOL

Date: 20 December 2018

Prepared for: Professor Hajar Abdul Rahim
1. INTRODUCTION

Quoting Donald Davidson (1978), “Metaphor is the dreamwork of language”. We are

acquainted of its ornamental role; metaphor complements prose, leavens imagery, and donates

depth and quality to a narrative. Nonetheless, metaphor is not entirely ornamental. Metaphor

has been set in the root of our thought that it carves our views of realities and pervades our

daily interactions. It countenances us to go beyond the extent experience and to perpetuate the

language illimitably. Metaphorical concepts somehow reign over our lives without realising

their profound and pervasive ascendancy. Indeed, in order to examine metaphor is by

examining the mind.

1.1 CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR THEORY

Lakoff and Johnson (1980) introduced that metaphor is emphasised on the conceptual

system in compliance with to which we think, anticipate and respond. In short, the essence of

human thinking is actually metaphorical. Metaphor can be depicted as lens to be worn to view

the world around us. Before Lakoff and Johnson introduced the pioneering concept in

Metaphors We Live By, 1980, the orthodox conception of metaphor is typically a linguistic

aspect, a matter of words rather than concepts. The conceptual nature of metaphor theory has

been espoused by vigorous factual evidence and is now widely accepted in the cognitive

sciences. Many have thought that the principles of metaphorical interpretation cannot be

formally specified (Davidson, 1984).

Lakoff and Johnson (1980) describe that we do not only use metaphors to describe the

resemblance between two notions, but we also use metaphors in the whole conceptual domain

beyond the idea in conceptualising another conceptual domain is transmitted onto a new

domain. The connection between the two domains is plausible where to think of one without
the other may be quite confusing. According to Lakoff and Johnson (1980), they argue that, for

instance, ARGUMENT and WAR are closely connected and the thought of ARGUMENT in

terms of WAR may result difficulties in recognising the action performed as “arguing” (p.4-5).

According to Ungerer and Schmid (2006), WAR, MONEY and JOURNEY, are source

concepts; the conceptual domains generally easier to understand, and it is described by using

different expressions that are relevant to the conceptual domains of another nature. Eventually,

it constructed profuse examples and listed multiple ordinary phrases which illustrate the very

extensive, and sometimes subconscious, use of conceptual metaphors.

1.2 CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR OF LOVE IN ED SHEERAN’S SONG LYRICS

In this essay, I chose Ed Sheeran (Edward Christopher Sheeran), an English singer, due

to his popularity in writing songs which are associated with the notion of LOVE. The data used

in this research is song lyrics by Sheeran from his album, Divide which was released on 3rd of

March 2017. I chose 2 of the most listened songs from his album Divide, according to Billboard

which are Perfect and How Would You Feel, and both songs are written by Sheeran himself.

The lyrics were taken from http://www.genius.com/, a data bank of numerous song

lyrics. The lyrics in these songs were analysed and the occurrences which describe LOVE or

other features relevant to the notion of LOVE. For an instance, relationships, was distinguished

and categorised according to the most significant metaphor categories. The reference of which

category the phrases refers to was mostly distinguished mostly from the description of

conceptual metaphors made by other linguists. For an example, Lakoff and Johnson (1980)

mentioned “Look how far we've come” (p.44), for LOVE IS A JOURNEY, and “The magic is

gone” (p.49), for LOVE IS MAGIC, LOVE IS A UNITY (Kövecses, 1986) and LOVE IS AN

OBJECT (Tissari, 2001). Both of these examples were used as references to analysed the data.
The phrases with similar structure and meaning as the references were subsequently put in a

pertinent category. However, since the analysis of the lyrics is based on the mental

interpretations of the situations, the selection of phrases is rather arbitrary.

2. ANALYSIS

The tables below are the findings of the analysis that has been done according to each

song. The target domain is LOVE and the source domain as the same terms as real-life objects

which can be utilised.is listed in Table 2.1 and 2.2.

2.1 “Perfect”

LINE LEXEME SOURCE DOMAIN

1 I found a love for me AN OBJECT

2 Darling just dive right in A PHYSICAL FORCE

3 And follow my lead A JOURNEY

4 Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet AN OBJECT

8 I will not give you up this time AN OBJECT

10 And in your eyes you're holding mine AN OBJECT

11 Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my A PHYSICAL FORCE

arms

15 Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know AN OBJECT

16 She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share A HOME

her home

17 I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets AN OBJECT

18 To carry love, to carry children of our own AN OBJECT

20 Fighting against all odds A WAR

24 I see my future in your eyes AN OBJECT

Table 2.1
 In this song, according to its source domain which is LOVE, the most conventional

conceptual metaphor is LOVE can be seen as AN OBJECT. This is because, according to

Sheeran, the object can be found (Line 1, 4, 16 and 17), can be given (Line 8), can be hold

(Line 10), can be carried (Line 17 and 18) and can be seen (Line 24) just like an object. LOVE

can also be described as A JOURNEY by the usage of words like “follow” (Line 3). Moreover,

LOVE can also be referred to A PHYSICAL FORCE, HOME and WAR by referring to the

action of “diving” and “dancing in the dark”, physical “home”, and “fighting”.

2.2 “How Would You Feel”

LINE LEXEME SOURCE DOMAIN

3 I'm feeling younger MAGIC

Every time that I'm alone with you

6 Stealing kisses in the front yard A CRIME

9 It's just something that I want to do AN OBJECT

10 I'll be taking my time, spending my life MONEY

11 Falling deeper in love with you A PHYSICAL FORCE

14 Love flows deeper than the river A PHYSICAL FORCE

15 Every moment that I spend with you MONEY

17 I had both of my arms round you UNITY

Table 2.2

The findings in Table 2.2 exhibits different source domains. The domain LOVE is also

can be referred as MAGIC, (Line 3) as Sheeran refers to his feelings that is unusual when he is

in love. Moreover, LOVE IS MONEY is mentioned in Line 10 and 15 as it can be spent. LOVE
IS CRIME as it is “stolen” (Line 6) and LOVE IS UNITY as Line 17 describes the action of

being together.

TARGET DOMAINS SONG LYRICS IN PERFECT AND HOW

WOULD YOU FEEL

10

0
AN OBJECT A PHYSICAL A JOURNEY HOME WAR MONEY MAGIC CRIME UNITY
FORCE TARGET DOMAINS IN ED SHEERAN'S SONG LYRICS

Chart 2.3
3. DISCUSSION

The outcomes of the analysis deduce that song lyrics definitely mirrors various forms

of conceptual metaphor of LOVE. This is because, song lyric is more structured in an outright

approach to indicate meanings as well as emotions. Occasionally, song lyrics are poetically

structured. Therefore, it took me quite some time to distinguish the phrases which are not just

merely applicable to transform daily language more peculiar The use of conceptual metaphors

in everyday language may not always be evident since they are used almost automatically

(Lakoff & Johnson, 1980, p.3). For an example, in Table 2.2, Line 9, “It's just something that

I want to do” is not solely used in either song lyrics or poetry, but it is also a common phrase

in our language. Its development is not merely a psychological matter, it is also a semantic

process where the standard definition is converted (Moravcsik, 1990).

The compactness of song lyrics aids in imposing limits on the findings. Thus, by

choosing one particular singer enable me to assure that there is reliability in the application of

conceptual metaphors. The result would be quite vague if different singers were chosen because

their idea of LOVE may differ specifically the style of the songs. The singers have their specific

view, therefore, it is administered by analysing the songs of a particular singer. Sheeran is a

singer that is known to write songs relevant to the notion of LOVE and his songs which has

been analysed reflect various conceptual metaphors.

The conceptual domain LOVE was described and referred to abundant conceptual

domains. For instances, the source concepts of OBJECT, JOURNEY, HOME and WAR, were

among of the domains that were displayed in Sheeran’s song lyrics. These source concepts

were not only used to describe LOVE, for an instance, in Table 2.2, Line 15, “Every moment

that I spend with you”, LOVE is described as MONEY. The “moment” Sheeran mentioned is

typically assumed as TIME, but in the notion of LOVE, LOVE can also be “spend” as how we
spend money. LOVE can also be pictured as A JOURNEY which can be seen from Table 2.1,

Line 3, “And follow my lead”. This depicted as a journey of LOVE, as a partner should follow

each other, together, in obtaining the LOVE they deserved. LOVE too can be referred as

HOME. Home is where we feel secure and safe. Based on Table 2.1, Line 16, Sheeran wanted

to “share” the home, in which can be referred to the feeling of belonging and secure with the

one we love. All of this reference shoes that LOVE is depicted in an absolute positive way.

Nonetheless, LOVE can also be depicted in a negative way, for instance, “Stealing kisses in

the front yard” in Table 2.2, Line 6”. To steal is to take something without permission. The

notion of LOVE can be referred from the word “kisses” because, usually, two people who love

each other would kiss. However, the word, “stealing” shows that LOVE is taken without

permission.

The most common conceptual metaphor that can be found in the songs is LOVE IS AN

OBJECT as shown in Chart 2.3. This indicates that LOVE is presumably more like a concrete

object which can be contrived than an abstract feeling. For an example, Sheeran represents the

idea of love can actually be found by anyone who is searching for it as if it is an object. It

occurs 4 times in the song “Perfect”, (Line 1, 4, 16 and 17), where Sheeran sang that he had

“found” the love he is looking for. Besides, the notion of LOVE is expressed as an object that

can be “hold” in Table 2.1, Line 10. Hold can be defined as carry and keep. In this line, he is

referring to his love of life, “….your heart is all I own” in the previous line. Her eyes “hold”

his heart as if it is an object such as a ring or necklace which is usually be given as give to one’s

significant other, which represents the love she is holding. Nonetheless, though the notion

LOVE can be referred as AN OBJECT appeared to be more dominant due to its result for being

the highest amount in the analysis indicated by Sheeran, this does not connote that conceptual

metaphors such as LOVE IS MAGIC, LOVE IS WAR, LOVE IS HOME, LOVE IS CRIME

and LOVE IS UNITY, which only occur once in either both songs, are not significant as the
domains that were reflected several times. This is because, the theme of the songs is influenced

by the source of the concept used. The conceptual metaphor LOVE IS WAR may not have the

same influence as LOVE IS UNITY in referring to a joyous relationship. LOVE IS WAR can

probably be reflected often when one is describing it to a wretched relationship which might

not last, for example, partners who fight a lot can usually lose in retaining their relationship.
4. CONCLUSION

Metaphor is not merely a linguistic phenomenon which concerns on the application of

figurative language, it can also show the concept of how humans think. One’s word choice is

not arbitrary because it has a significant structure according to their life experiences,

prerequisite knowledge and culture.

Conceptual domain is regularly described to a different conceptual domain in

comprehending them effectively. Despite the fact that it is often wholly integrated into human’s

mind that the usage of it is subliminal, they are approaches to determine the metaphors in

language. Studies of conceptual metaphors in regard to LOVE and how it is depicted can be

done by analysing song lyrics of a particular singer.

In “Perfect” and “How Would You Feel” by Ed Sheeran presented that conceptual

metaphors of LOVE IS AN OBJECT is oftentimes used. The results also signify that there are

various possible source concepts for a target concept. Sheeran’s song lyrics exhibits the used

of more than one source targets in his songs and multiple phrases can be concatenated to

multiple source concepts.

5. REFERENCES

Anderson, T. (1998). Ed Sheeran Is First Solo Act With Three Year-Long Hot 100 Hits, As
'Perfect' Celebrates 52 Weeks on the Chart.
Retrieved: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8472847/ed-sheeran-
perfect-one-year-hot-100-thinking-out-loud-shape-you

Davidson, D. (1984). What Metaphors Mean. In D. Davidson, Inquireies into Truth and
Interpretation. Clarendon Press, Oxford, UK, 245-264

Fu, Xiaowei. (2010). The LOVE IS A UNITY Metaphor in Love Song Lyrics, Kristianstad
University College, 28

Lakoff, G. & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors we live by. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Moravscik, J.M. (1990). Thought and Language. London: Routledge

Sacks, S. (1978). On Metaphor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Tissari, H. (2001). Metaphors We Love By: On the cognitive metaphors of love from the
15th century to the present, Studia Anglica Posnaniensia, 218-239

Ungerer, F. & Schmid, H. J. (2006). An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics. New York:

Longman.
6. APPENDICES

Lyrics are taken from https://genius.com/albums/Ed-sheeran/Divide

Perfect

Ed Sheeran

I found a love for me

Darling just dive right in

And follow my lead

Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet

I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love

Not knowing what it was

I will not give you up this time

But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own

And in your eyes you're holding mine

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath

But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know

She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets

To carry love, to carry children of our own

We are still kids, but we're so in love

Fighting against all odds

I know we'll be alright this time

Darling, just hold my hand

Be my girl, I'll be your man

I see my future in your eyes

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful

I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

I have faith in what I see

Now I know I have met an angel in person

And she looks perfect

I don't deserve this

You look perfect tonight

Songwriter: Edward Christopher Sheeran

How Would You Feel

Ed Sheeran

You are the one girl

And you know that it's true

I'm feeling younger

Every time that I'm alone with you

We were sitting in a parked car

Stealing kisses in the front yard

We got questions we should not ask but

How would you feel, if I told you I loved you?

It's just something that I want to do

I'll be taking my time, spending my life

Falling deeper in love with you

So tell me that you love me too

In the summer, as the lilacs bloom

Love flows deeper than the river

Every moment that I spend with you

We were sat upon our best friend's roof

I had both of my arms round you

Watching the sunrise replace the moon

How would you feel, if I told you I loved you?

It's just something that I want to do

I'll be taking my time, spending my life

Falling deeper in love with you

So tell me that you love me too

We were sitting in a parked car

Stealing kisses in the front yard

We got questions we shouldn’t not ask

How would you feel, if I told you I loved you?

It's just something that I want to do

I'll be taking my time, spending my life

Falling deeper in love with you

So tell me that you love me too

Tell me that you love me too

Tell me that you love me too

Songwriters: Edward Christopher Sheeran