A MUSICAL REVIEW OF “SIX” BY SLEEPING AT LAST

"Atlas: Enneagram" is an album by Sleeping at Last, an American alternative/indie act led by

singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ryan O’Neal. The album features nine tracks, each
representing a number from the Enneagram, a complex and multi-layered typology system that
categorizes human personalities into nine types. The songs aim to explore and provide insight
into each of the nine personality types. This music review talks about how the song “Six”
explores and expresses its corresponding personality type.

Skeptics is the best way to describe type sixes, the desire for safety and security is what describes
them the best, coupled with an impulsive yet witty brain, intelligent but a overcautious nature, a
caring and loving but an temperamental mindset. Type sixes or skeptics are on the lookout for
the danger signals all the time, looking for the best and the most convenient way to escape, that
is one more of their characteristics, running away from problems. More or less, what they need is
support and reassurance from their loved ones and to know that they will feel okay.
The song starts with a calm and beautiful thought in the lyrics. “I had the most vivid dream. My
feet had left the ground. I was floating to heaven.” But for some reason, the character is only
aware of the dangers of how high up they are and their hand cannot stop running through the
worst possible outcomes. For the Skeptic, the problems in their life are so big or they make them
to be so huge that they forget that they have an amazing life and loads of opportunities in front of
them.
The lyrics in the first few lines are set in contrast to the background music. The character’s mind
is heavy and ragged with worst-case scenarios and they are looking for emergency exist. This
points towards the alarming language that is paired with a gentle orchestra playing subtle and
calm music in the backdrop which is reminiscent of the vocal jazz music of the 40s, 50s and
early 60s from artists such as Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone etc. Towards teg end
of the first few paragraphs, the character reaches a breaking point and says that they are tired of
being afraid; the anxiety in them has a lot of pull and sway over their lives.
To look out for; the time signature of the song is 3/4 meaning that it’s a waltz. The waltz is
usually performed by a pair who dance rhythmically following and supporting each other as they
progress around the dance floor also reminds us of the trust, the security and the commitment a
skeptic desires from their partner.
Song is a relief and it Sounds like relief, like an exhale, a 4-minute break away from anxiety and
fear, a place to come and lay down your burdens under the warmth of the music that is the most
calming and soothing. The traditional small orchestra and the jazz band give it an ethereal
feeling. Further, Ryan has written the song using many mind constructs. It has ideas like
dreaming, imagination and worry in order to nod to the intelligence center that is because
skeptics are analytical and logical by nature and think a lot normally too.
The lyrics of the song are reminiscent of the nature the skeptics are, some of the examples are;
“I wanna take shelter but I'm ready, ready to fight
And somewhere in the middle I feel a little paralyzed.” These two stances are in response to an
Original Fear of having no support or guidance, and so in order to deal with their anxiety, Sixes
either take a phobic stance (becoming vigilant and fearful, submitting to authority figures in their
life) or a counterphobic stance (reacting against fear, openly skeptical and mistrusting of
authority
These lines also refer to the fight-flight-freeze response to conflict, with “take shelter” referring
to flight, “ready to fight” referring to fight, and “a little paralyzed” referring to freeze.
Some more of the examples are;
“No, I choose to believe
That I was made to become
A sanctuary”. Six types tend to try their hardest to accommodate the people around them, even at
their own expense. This line is relevant to Six types, as they believe that they are sanctuaries for
other people.
“Fear won't go away
But I can keep it at bay
And these invisible walls
Just might keep us safe.” Sixes tend to hold back emotions and feelings for the sake of others.
Despite feeling terrible or needing help, sixes don’t like to bother others with their issues and
tend to comfort others more during this time
The song ends with a big hug and says it's going to be okay, offering the sixes the reassurance
they really need.
The production value on the song is top-notch, with intricate arrangements and lush
instrumentation that perfectly complement Ryan’s emotional and introspective lyrics. The song
is hauntingly beautiful, and tells a story that is both personal and relatable to type sixes. Overall,
“Six” by Sleeping at Last is a must-listen for fans of introspective and emotionally charged
music. Sleeping at Last has created a truly unique and memorable album that will leave a lasting
impact on listeners.
REFERENCES

Owens, M. and Hardin, C. (2023) Enneagram type 6: The skeptic, Truity. Available at:
https://www.truity.com/enneagram/personality-type-6-skeptic (Accessed: February 5,
2023).

Mackay, S. (2022) Introducing the Enneagram Centers of Intelligence, Truity. Available at:
https://www.truity.com/blog/introducing-enneagram-centers-intelligence (Accessed:
February 5, 2023).

Sleeping At Last (2019) ‘Six’, Atlas: Enneagram. US: Asteroid B-612.