Six Feet Apart

Alec Benjamin's song 'Six Feet Apart' poignantly captures the emotional turmoil and longing experienced during times of enforced separation, particularly resonant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lyrics delve into the pain of being physically close yet emotionally distant from loved ones, a sentiment many can relate to in an era of social distancing. The song opens with a reflection on the relativity of distance, emphasizing how even a short physical separation can feel insurmountable when it involves people we deeply care about. This sets the stage for the recurring theme of isolation and the struggle to cope with it.

The metaphor of the 'elephant in the room' represents the unavoidable and overwhelming presence of the pandemic, which has forced people to maintain physical distance. Benjamin's lyrics express a deep yearning for connection, highlighting the irony of being able to see someone through a window but not being able to be with them. This juxtaposition of proximity and separation is beautifully illustrated through the imagery of stars in the cosmos—visible yet untouchable. The chorus, with its repeated lament of missing someone 'most at six feet apart,' underscores the heartache of being so close yet so far away.

The song also touches on the concept of time, describing it as something that 'sticks like glue,' making the separation feel even more prolonged and painful. The desire to build a time machine to return to a pre-pandemic world reflects a universal wish to escape the current reality and return to a time of normalcy and closeness. Alec Benjamin's 'Six Feet Apart' is a heartfelt expression of the emotional impact of physical distancing, capturing the essence of longing, love, and the human need for connection in a time of unprecedented isolation.