THE PRESENTATION OF LOVE AND STRUGGLE FORMS IN THE LYRICS OF THE SELECTED SONGS IN JUSTIN BIEBER’S PURPOSE ALBUM

This study examines the presentation of love and struggle in the lyrics of three
selected songs from Justin Bieber‘s Purpose album, namely Company, Mark My
Words, and Sorry. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this study applies
Sternberg‘s (1986) Triangular Theory of Love and Frankl‘s (1959) theory of
human struggle as the analytical frameworks. The data consisted of selected lyric
excerpts from the three songs, which were collected through documentation and
analyzed by identifying, classifying, and interpreting the lyrics based on the
selected theories. The findings revealed 28 instances of love, consisting of 13
instances of intimacy, 13 instances of commitment, and 2 instances of passion. In
addition, 57 instances of struggle were identified, consisting of 37 instances of
struggle for—13 mutual trust, 9 mutual care, and 15 conflict resolution—and 20
instances of struggle against—6 guilt, 9 despair, and 5 self-doubt. Intimacy is
presented through emotional companionship, emotional closeness through
communication, and maintaining emotional attachment. Commitment is presented
through maintaining a lasting relationship, demonstrating commitment through
promises and devotion, and taking responsibility to restore the relationship.
Passion is presented through romantic longing and desire. Meanwhile, struggle for
is presented through mutual care, mutual trust, and conflict resolution, while
struggle against is presented through guilt, despair, and self-doubt. These forms of
struggle are further reflected through aspects such as building mutual care through
communication, showing care through acceptance, building mutual trust through
companionship and shared responsibility, maintaining mutual trust through
honesty and commitment, resolving conflict through open communication,
making efforts to preserve the relationship, making amends through actions,
seeking redemption and forgiveness, overcoming loneliness through
companionship, holding on to hope for the relationship, believing in positive
possibilities, and strengthening self-confidence through determination. The
findings indicate that the selected songs portray love through emotional
connection, commitment, and romantic desire, while struggle is reflected through
efforts to maintain relationships and overcome emotional difficulties.
Keywords: love, struggle, song lyrics, Purpose album, Justin Bieber.