A Linguistic Analysis of Slang Words in Ariana Grande’s Song “THANK U, NEXT”

Song lyrics often reflect the usage of language in everyday communication, especially informal language and slang. Words of slang are common in popular songs because they represent modern expressions and youth culture. This study is conducted to analyze the slang words used in Ariana Grande’s song “thank u, next”. The objectives of this research are to identify the type of slang words used, explain the meaning of the slang words, and describe their functions in the song lyrics. This research applies a qualitative descriptive method. Data were collected from the lyrics of “thank u, next” by identifying and classifying the slang words found in that song. The results revealed that the song contains several slang words and informal expressions which function to express emotions, personal experiences, and the speaker’s attitude toward her past relationships. The slang used in the song makes it sound more relatable and natural for young listeners.