A Comparative Study of Illocutionary Acts in the Song Lyrics of Olivia Rodrigo's Happier and Dua Lipa's Don't Start Now

Abstract

This study examines the illocutionary acts found in the lyrics of the songs “Happier” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa. The study focuses on how illocutionary acts are used to convey the songwriters’ intentions and how their use reflects differences in emotional perspectives and attitudes following a breakup. This study employs a qualitative method based on Creswell’s approach; the data were analyzed using Searle’s (1969) theory of illocutionary act classification, which includes assertive, directive, expressive, commissive, and declarative acts. The results indicate that both songs contain three types of illocutionary acts—namely, assertive, directive, and expressive—while commissive and declarative acts were not found in the data. In the song “Happier,” illocutionary acts are dominated by expressive acts that describe the speaker’s sadness, jealousy, disappointment, hope, and nostalgia toward their former partner. Meanwhile, “Don’t Start Now” uses more directive and assertive acts, which indicate the speaker’s firm attitude, independence, and ability to recover after a breakup. Overall, the use of illocutionary acts in both songs reveals different attitudes following a breakup, with “Happier” expressing emotional attachment to the past, while “Don’t Start Now” describes the process of recovery and the self-confidence needed to move forward with life.