Representation of Spirit in the Lyrics of SEVENTEEN's Song “Cheers To Youth”

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the meaning of spirit contained in the lyrics of SEVENTEEN's song “Cheers to Youth” using Roland Barthes' semiotic approach. This song was chosen because it conveys a message that is relevant to the dynamics of teenage and young adult life, particularly in terms of courage, self-acceptance, and celebrating the process of growing up amid challenges. The method used is descriptive qualitative with a constructivist paradigm. Data collection techniques were conducted through observation of the song lyrics, interviews with three informants, and relevant literature reviews. The analysis was based on three levels of meaning in Barthes' theory: denotation, connotation, and myth. The results of the study indicate that the lyrics of “Cheers to Youth” represent the strong and meaningful spirit of youth. Denotation reflects the reality of teenage life, connotation reveals emotions and personal experiences, and myth reflects ideological values such as courage and optimism. This song is not merely a musical work but also a form of communication capable of conveying positive and inspirational messages. This study is expected to contribute to the development of communication studies, particularly in understanding symbolic meaning in popular music media.