Exploring Metafunction in Imagine Dragons’ Song “Bad Liar”: A Systematic Functional Linguistic Approach

Abstract

This study explored the three metafunctions (ideational, interpersonal, and textual) found in Imagine Dragons’ song “Bad Liar” by applying the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) proposed by M.A.K. Halliday. The purpose of this study was to identify how language choices in the lyrics construct meaning related to emotion, honesty, and self-conflict. A qualitative descriptive method was used to analyze each clause based on its process type, mood, modality, and thematic structure. The findings reveal that the ideational metafunction represented the singer’s emotional struggles through mental and relational processes, expressing pain, regret, and self-awareness. The interpersonal metafunction showed the singer’s attempt to build intimacy with the listener using personal pronouns, low modality, and a confessional tone. Meanwhile, the textual metafunction organizes the song cohesively through repetition, consistent themes, and parallel structures that emphasize the contrast between truth and deception.