In Elijah Blake's song "6," the lyrics tell the story of a person reflecting on their childhood experiences and how those experiences have shaped their present life. The song explores themes of childhood trauma, the need for protection, and the struggle to overcome past hardships. The first verse describes a memory of the narrator as a child, unable to reach the pedals of a piano. Their father kneels down to help them play the instrument, symbolizing a supportive and nurturing figure in their life. However, the second part of the verse reveals a dark side of their father's parenting, as he physically abuses them for lying about their school grades. The imagery of the father using a leather belt to beat them is particularly distressing, causing physical harm and emotional scars. As the narrator grows up, they find it hard to move on from their traumatic experiences. They admit to behaving like a six-year-old, perhaps referring to their tendency to regress emotionally or engage in childish behaviors as a defense mechanism. The line "And I’m protective of all my toys" suggests that the narrator holds onto material possessions as a source of comfort and stability, as these objects do not judge or hurt them. The chorus emphasizes the narrator's desire to hold onto their childlike imagination and wonder, despite the hardships they have faced. However, they also express a fear of falling under, possibly referring to a fear of succumbing to the negative effects of their trauma or losing themselves in their pain. In the second verse, the narrator recalls another childhood memory of watching a scary movie, which has left them with recurring nightmares and insomnia. They attribute these difficulties to their father's actions, blaming him for causing their current struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bridge of the song delves into the impact of the narrator's traumatic past on their present relationships and overall functioning in life. They suggest that their father's teachings and philosophies have given them warped ideas about acceptable behavior and self-worth. They admit to sometimes acting selfishly or needy, in an attempt to find normalcy and fill the parental void left by their absent mother or father. The lyrics also convey a sense of feeling misunderstood, believing that people see them as a burden or someone they wish they hadn't become friends with. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the narrator's continued attachment to their childhood toys as a source of comfort and non-judgment. They express an ongoing fear of being judged or rejected, demonstrating that the emotional scars from their traumatic past still affect their present life. Overall, "6" by Elijah Blake tells a poignant and introspective story about the lasting impact of childhood trauma, the struggle to heal and move forward, and the need for comfort and protection in the face of ongoing emotional challenges.
