Six String

Song Meaning

Adrian Belew's "Six String" isn't just a love song; it's an ode to the almost mystical connection between a musician and their instrument. The initial verses read like a classic infatuation narrative: love at first sight, the spark of attraction, the electric jolt of connection. Phrases like "built so pretty" and "looked just right" paint a picture of aesthetic admiration, but quickly, Belew elevates the relationship beyond mere physical appreciation. The lyrics subtly shift from describing a person to personifying the guitar itself. The "arm" he touches, the way "you respond to everything I do" – these all hint at a deeper, more intimate bond with the instrument. The chorus reveals the transformative power of this connection. "Something happens / When I hold you in my hands / I'm a different man." This isn't simple affection; it's a metamorphosis. The guitar isn't just an object; it's a conduit for creativity, a source of inspiration that unlocks a different version of himself. The repeated line, "I can almost fly," suggests a transcendence, a liberation from earthly constraints achieved through music. It speaks to the altered state of consciousness that musicians often experience when deeply immersed in their craft. The final lines, "I love your back, I love your head / But I love it best / When I run / My fingers down your neck," leave no room for doubt. This is pure, unadulterated devotion to the guitar. The neck, where the musician's fingers dance and create sound, is the focal point of this love. In essence, "Six String" explores how an instrument can become an extension of the self, a partner in creation, and a source of profound emotional and artistic fulfillment. The Adrian Belew song captures the almost spiritual relationship that musicians cultivate with their instruments, transforming a simple object into an object of deep affection and inspiration, revealing the deeply personal and transformative power of music.