Sex Degrees of Separation

Song Meaning

The narrator is caught in a complex dance of unacknowledged love, desperately trying to mask their feelings in a social setting where their connection is palpable. There's a clear internal conflict between the desire to hide their affection and the overwhelming truth of their emotions. They admit, "it's worth it for me just to love you," suggesting a profound, almost sacrificial, devotion despite the potential complications. The core tension revolves around the idea of "sex degrees of separation," a clever twist on the familiar concept. It implies that physical intimacy, or the pursuit of it, is the very thing that both connects and distances the narrator from their desired outcome, perhaps salvation or a lasting union. The repeated phrase "We're always saying goodbye" underscores a pattern of transient connection, even as "love holds the key" to a shared past. The lyrics present a fascinating paradox: the path to connection seems to involve detachment. The line "the way to his heart was to leave him" suggests that true emotional access or resolution comes not from clinging, but from letting go. This is further reinforced by the idea that "life has a way of reminding each day / Dark and the light of the love," hinting at a cyclical understanding of relationships where separation might be necessary to appreciate the love itself. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their blend of raw vulnerability and intellectual wordplay. The narrator’s struggle feels intensely personal, yet the "sex degrees of separation" concept offers a fresh, almost cynical, framework for understanding recurring patterns of romantic pursuit and loss. The repeated plea to "Let love be" acts as both a surrender and a hope for a future where love can exist without the constant cycle of goodbyes.