Here Comes the Sign: The Semiotics of Popular Music

This text is an original and unique introduction to musical semiotics through the use of popular music acts and repertoires of global cultural impact. The basic idea of this is that the songs of The Beatles, Queen, ABBA, Madonna, Michael Jackson and others have become a lingua franca in nearly all cultures, thus making for excellent examples to illustrate musical semiotic theories. 'Heroes' can perfectly explain Eero Tarasti's Actantial Model, Bohemian Rhapsody is ideal to describe Tzvetan Todorov's Equilibrium Theory, and so forth. Through case studies, in-depth analysis, original theoretical contributions from the author, but also a comprehensible and enjoyable writing style, this volume will be an engaging reading for students and at the same time an aid for instructors in semiotics, musicology and popular music studies.

Utilizes the influence of the Beatles to help explain major theories and models in semiotics Features a monothematic focus and engaged storytelling providing an enjoyable reading experience for students Presented thru a comprehensive, didactic lens and tone making it ideal as a teaching aid

Autorentext

Prof. Dr. Dario Martinelli (1974), musicologist, semiotician and composer, is Full Professor of History and Theory of Arts at Kaunas University of Technology, and is also affiliated to the University of Helsinki, as Adjunct Professor in Semiotics and Musicology, and to the University of Lapland, as Adjunct Professor in Methodologies of Semiotics and Communication Studies.

As of 2025, he has published sixteen monographs and ca. 200 among edited collections, studies and scientific articles. His most recent books include: The Beatles and the Beatlesque A crossdisciplinary Analysis of Sound, Production and Stylistic Impact (Springer, 2023), The Intertextual Knot An Analysis of Alfred Hitchcock's Rope (Springer, 2021), What You See Is What You Hear Creativity and Communication in Audiovisual Texts (Springer, 2020), Give Peace a Chant Popular Music, Politics and Social Protest (Springer, 2017), plus a number of popular philosophy books and a collection of poems and song lyrics entitled Comporre e ricomporsi (WorteSekundant, 2025). He is also active in popular music as songwriter and recording artist, currently a member of the duo Jays & Ducks.

Martinelli has been recipient of several prizes, including, in 2006, a knighthood from the Italian Republic for his contribution to Italian culture.

Inhalt

I. MUSIC.- II. SEMIOTICS.- III. SEMIOTICS OF POPULAR MUSIC.- IV. RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND ANALYTICAL MODELS.- V. CONCLUSIONS: THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC.