Positive and Negative Language in Queen’s Lyrics: A Sentiment and Thematic Analysis of Personal Struggle and Self-Identity

Music is a powerful medium for emotional expression, yet the lyrics of classic rock bands have received far less systematic linguistic attention than contemporary pop. This study examines how the British rock band Queen conveys personal struggle and self-identity through positive and negative language across twenty selected songs. Using a qualitative thematic and sentiment analysis guided by Aristotle’s concept of pathos, 463 significant phrases were coded in NVivo, quantified in Excel, and cross-checked for ambiguous tone under full researcher control. The songs showed a balanced emotional profile: 45% leaned positive, 45% negative, and 10% were evenly split. Personal struggle dominated 50% of the songs and self-identity 30%, with the remainder blending both themes. Struggle was expressed largely through negative language, whereas identity was expressed through positive language, revealing a deliberate pairing of vulnerability and resilience. The findings position popular music as a valuable site for studying language, emotion, and identity formation.

sentiment analysis, song lyrics, Queen, pathos, self-identity

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