Enneagram

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“Shotgun” – Song 11 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 11th song, “Shotgun”, was the first released during The Covid Lockdown; on March 20th, 2020. Perhaps I started becoming more inspired to write about my relationship with my wife during this time. In fact, I pitched this song to her, as a duet. But she decided she wanted me to do this one alone.

“Shotgun” is a song I wrote to point out the near absurdity in betting the rest of your life on spending it with another person… for better and for worse.

I chose the term “shotgun” in connection of the phrase “shotgun wedding”. Even though my wife and I didn’t have a rushed wedding, in the grand scheme of things, it can still seem that way to some degree:

Know a person for a year or so, and then you take one “shot” on them by choosing to commit your life to them; hoping the other person is as committed as you are, no matter what lies ahead.

As an Enneagram 6, I am wired to crave and to provide stability and security. These lyrics show a glimpse into the way I arguably “overthink” every situation:

“I’ve got my finger on the trigger, but just one bullet in the chamber – For better or for worse, forever – Until death do we part – Staring down the barrel of a shotgun against my shoulder – Praying that I’m solid in my aim – I can’t afford to miss it, either it is or isn’t – Neither of us will ever be the same – Best case scenario, we both grow old until one of us dies and leaves the other all alone – Happily ever after, celebrations and disasters – Sweet and sour, I ain’t going nowhere – Anti-climatic, existential crisis, comic, tragic – Why are we still here? I don’t have all the answers but I’ve made my peace with God – I’m taking you with me into the great beyond – Hallelujah”

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see how I am a loyalist and a skeptic? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence; which shows my true Enneagram is actually a 6?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

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“I Still Believe” – Song 10 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 10th song happened to be the last one I published before The Covid Shutdown began. I released this song on March 11, 2020; whereas the shutdown began on March 15th.

Looking back, this song would serve as the first official of several entries in the category of “Christian Questioning His Faith”. Granted, “The Meaning of Life“, my 5th song, hinted at this theme too.

Much of the doubts I was sorting through (and still am), involve me accepting the idea that a loving God allows people to suffer in this world; as well as for eternity for those who don’t believe in Him.

That is difficult me to process. It was challenging 2 and a half years ago- and it still is now, in 2022.

As the lyrics relate to me being Enneagram 6 (and not knowing that I was when I wrote this in 2020), the Enneagram 6 personality is known as ironically being both the loyal and the skeptic.

Knowing that, these lyrics are a perfect representation of that concept:

I’ve never had more faith, I’ve never had more doubt – With so many questions I’ll never figure out – My faith is so strong, I admit I could be wrong – Or does that make me weak? Still I believe I believe, I believe – Oh, I’m less of a saint, more of a sinner – Saved by grace, I know my place – I never wanted free will, nor do I still – I’m an imperfect person, I can not be trusted – But I believe, I believe I still believe, I still believe – I don’t need to understand what I can’t – And if I could it wouldn’t do any good – Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve – As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord – God bless this house, God bless this home – God bless our children as we watch them grow – I believe, I believe -Your kingdom come, your will be done – This is what I pray, I hope I don’t get in the way – I’m not of this world, only in this world -Every good thing I have comes from the Lord – I believe, I believe

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see how I am a loyalist and a skeptic? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence; which shows my true Enneagram is actually a 6?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

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“These are the Good Ole Days” – Song 9 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 9th song is one of several that could easily pass as a song written by an Enneagram 4, at first glance.

It feels sad. It is yearning for the past. It is a very entimental song, written from a realist perspective; where I am clearly plugged in to the full scope of my emotions.

But I would say it is a glimpse at the healthy part of my Enneagram 7 wing; where I am able to accept the randomness of life for what it is. I would say that there is a certain balance I showcase in the lyrics:

My life is half way over – My life has never been more in focus – No time machine to take us all back – What’s happened is stuck in the past – These are the good ole days – We’re still living in them – I won’t always be here – You won’t always be here – So shake a hand, shake a leg, soon we’ll all be dead – Don’t want to die, so I’ll try to live while I’m alive – This is it – These are the good ole days – You learn to take the good with the bad things – Life is both a comedy and a tragedy – No way to fast-forward or rewind -Just try to catch up if you get behind

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see my Enneagram 7 wing? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence; which shows my true Enneagram is actually a 6?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

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“I Feel Like You Want Me to Care” – Song 8 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 8th song is a clear example of what Counterphobic 6 looks like. Keep in mind, I published this song on January 26, 2020; still a couple of years before I even started studying Enneagram to have a clue why I would be inspired to write a song like this, which was ultimately a reflection of what I was specifically going through at the time.

This was still at the start of my own Great Awakening, where I had begun to realize I had been giving too much control over my emotions to other people; that it is always my choice to be offended or insulted by what another person says.

“I Feel Like You Want Me to Care” is my official declaration about this realization; a concept which I have continued to build on in the past few years since writing this song.

I should also point out the Enneagram 6s often struggle with believing in themselves. By me overcoming this habit of letting other people offend me or insult me, it was a major step in my learning to depend on my inner self; even if it was by being “counterphobic”:

I feel like you want me to care – I would, but there ain’t nothin’ there – I’m not offended or disrespected – I don’t expect to be treated better – Not triggered, go figure – I’m not a victim but I might be a villain – You determine where I fall on the spectrum – I don’t have a dog in the fight – I’m an accidental catcher in the rye – Your information doesn’t affect my life – I don’t have any skin in the game – My emotions and time are my own domain – I refuse to give my peace of mind away

So looking back on this song I wrote over 2 years ago, can you see the Enneagram 6? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish:

 

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“You Won’t Remember My Name” – Song 7 – Enneagram 6 Songwriter – Analyzing Lyrics – Themes of Belonging and Security

My 7th song is the final original one that my wife sang with me… we were on a roll that month! Recorded on November 19th, 2019, I wrote this song as my own updated version of Johnny Cash’s “Man in Black”.

The goal was to present a list of people that American society is permitted to ignore- or at least treat as 2nd rate citizens.

From the Enneagram 6 perspective, I wanted to challenge myself with an “outside looking in” perspective of all the people who don’t belong.

Here are the lyrics:

Let’s start a war overseas with perceived enemies – We’re the world’s police fighting to be free from the rebels whom we gave the keys – Ignore civilian casualties, they don’t believe in Christianity – While Jesus weeps, the army Jeeps proceed to spread our disease – You won’t remember my name, hey – I’m a forgettable face, hey – All I’ll ever be is the least of these – You won’t remember my name – Life in prison without parole – Climbing that wall from Mexico – A woman’s choice when birth control is an afterthought – I’ve got no soul – So hide behind a political side as lobbyists buy your version of right – Just deny that some live life in the dark as you live in the light

So looking back on this song I wrote nearly 4 years ago, can you see the Enneagram 6? Can you see my longing for security and confirmation of my own existence?

Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And now you can listen to the song, below, if you wish: