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Title Blurring the Artistic Boundaries Between Music and Literature: An Explorative Study of Selected English Songs from Pakistan

Author(s) Aiman Rathore

Abstract There should be more scholarly discussion about the literary value and meaning construction present in a well-written and well-composed song. This study aims to start a formal scholarly discussion by exploring the overlapping boundaries of music and literature in songs that create a shared meaning and overall effect through communication. Assuming, that when the textual and musical components of a song communicate with each other, they construct a specific meaning. Music and literature have always overlapped, from the times when oral tradition was the only form of literature. It relied heavily on rhythm, rhyme, and composition for memorization and sharing. So literature and songs have the same origin. This research studies the art of meaning creation in a song, as one of those overlapping art forms. Songs have many components, including instruments, vocal techniques, lyrical content, and composition that convey an overall message to listeners. This study decodes that overall message by analyzing the meaning behind each song component. The songs selected for analysis are taken from the works of Aamir Zaki, Natasha Humera Ejaz, Natasha Noorani, Poor Rich Boy, and Sajid and Zeeshan, who are English language recording artists and singer-songwriters. The researcher uses the interpretive method provided by Richard Middleton to analyze the conveyed meaning of selected songs while using Bakhtin’s concept of contextual harmonies as the underlying principle for the study. Music has a universal language, yet it is composed in a cultural context of instruments, language, class, values, etc. This study also examines these contextual markers in each song to better understand its overall effect. Keywords:

Type Thesis/Dissertation MS

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Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2022-06-15

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