Soundtrack to Your Type: Enneagram 5

For those unfamiliar with the enneagram, I will be quickly breaking down each type before going into the playlist and why each song was chosen. If you are unsure of which type are, I would recommend visiting the Enneagram Institute to read up on each type to hear what motivates them, what their core fear/desires are, how they behave under stress, and more. When you read through each type, it will become clear which type you most likely are. 

The enneagram is made up of nine types with three subtypes based on the instincts of each person for each type. They are social, self-preserving, and one-to-one. This, along with the wing, is why so many people who share the same enneagram type might seem entirely different from each other.

Over the last several months, I have been working to find a playlist for each type. Before we jump into this project though, I want to acknowledge that I do not speak for all people or any specific group/type. I am just a passionate fan of the enneagram, understanding human nature, and finding music to fit a situation. 

Today, I am inviting you to listen along as I break down the Enneagram 5 playlist.

This week we will be looking at Type 5: the Investigator. 5s are the first type of the mind center, and are often over-expressive of their thoughts. They wing in Type 4 (5w4: the Philosopher) and Type 6 (5w6: the Problem-Solver.) 5s are called the Investigators because they constantly pursue understanding why things are the way that they are. They’re full of insight, curiosity, and independence. They are innovative, complex, and imaginative.   They want to understand how everything around them works as a way to defend themselves from their environment. They tend to isolate themselves from others. In moments of stress they gravitate towards type 7 and their thoughts can become scattered and overwhelming. In growth, they go towards type 8 and are confident and decisive. 5s basic fear is being incapable, useless, or helpless. Their basic desire is to be competent and capable. They value wisdom and truth. 

5 THE INVESTIGATOR

The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated

“Five” by Sleeping At Last 

“I want to watch the universe expand

I want to break it into pieces small enough to understand

And put it all back together again

In the quiet of my private collection”

This song opens with over 2 minutes of instrumental music. I feel like this is important for a 5 as more often than not, they will appear quiet and introverted, but they have deep and complex thoughts burning in their minds at all times. They value understanding, they’re constantly working things out more than they’d ever put importance on speaking up before they have a grasp on any given situation. They’re deeply imaginative and analytical of themselves and the world around them. They don’t need a lot to find happiness, though they struggle with finding true contentment as they desire more knowledge through curiosity and exploration. 

“Why Am I Like This?” by Orla Gartland

“Maybe you don't really want me there at your birthday party,

I'll be there in the corner thinking right over,

Every single word of the conversation we just had.”

The 5 is analytical and introverted. This song captures the social anxiety and isolation of a 5 beautifully. It speaks to the 5 who overthinks and the almost cursed feeling of being helpless in situations where their insight works against them. 

“Oh, it's like I'm looking down from the ceiling above, 

Never in the moment, never giving enough, 

Let's go out and shout the words we never said, 

I've got my mistakes on loop inside my head, inside my head”

“Out of My Head” by The Wombats

When a 5 is in an unhealthy place, the questions in their minds go to a scattered, hyperactive, and sometimes self-deprecating place. This song captures that so well. 

“Am I here or here for nothing? 

I don't mind 

And I'm losing my mind 

... 

I'm losing my grip here 

I'm off the deep end 

I wanna come back to me 

I wanna come back 

I wanna get out of my head”

“This Beautiful Life” by Colony House

This song is all about the heart desire of a type 5. It asks the questions that a 5 feels deep in their minds. 

“Well maybe I'm a part of something that's bigger than me 

Like I'm a page in a book in a library 

And inside my heart there's a dying part that's always searching 

‘Cause I know that there's a place where I belong”

“Darkness” by Pinegrove 

My sister Sadie, who is a 5, has become by resident type 4/5/6 expert. I have sent her countless songs to gather her perspective when I am unable to put myself fully in the shoes of these types and differentiate their fears and desires, specifically the 5 & 6 as they are the hardest types for me, a 3w4, to relate to. With her help, and my research, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a 5w4 song and that it’s quite beautiful. 

“Suddenly I find 

I've got darkness on my mind 

It's a question mark that keeps me looking 

And it's never satisfied”

While it’s easy to hear a lot of the songs on this list and only hear the sadness or anxieties, this song points to the explorations of a 5 very nicely. 

“Space & Time” by AJJ

“I could space out all the time

I don't sleep, I just daydream the night away

But I'm close enough to happy to say

...

That I won't throw my memories away”

This song gets into the self critical side of the 5 while also holding onto the memories of contentment a 5 night cling to when they start to feel incapable to put the pieces of their current reality together. As I mentioned, 5s struggle to feel content as they are always searching and wanting to learn more and be better than they previously were. 

“Hello My Old Heart” by The Oh Hellos

I hear this song as a 5 speaking to themselves. Since they tend to be introspective and a part of the mind-triad, it would make sense for them to do a “check in” of sorts with their heart and body while continuing the search for understanding. 

“I wanna find a home

And I wanna share it with you

...

And every day, I add another stone

To the walls I built around you

To keep you safe”

It also speaks to the security that they find in isolation, safe from their environment. 

“Nothing lasts forever

Some things aren't meant to be

But you'll never find the answers

Until you set your old heart free”

“I Spend Too Much Time In My Room” by The Band CAMINO 

“I keep too many secrets from you

I like to be alone but it's bad for me

Because I spend too much time in my room”

5s are often regarded as being secretive or reclusive. When spending time with others, they get too “in their head” and overthink every interaction, and are simply most comfortable when alone with their own thoughts. However, this can lead to them ignoring their personal needs and relationships. By perfecting their knowledge of an area or craft, they tend to neglect their own social and emotional needs. 

“Creature” by half•alive

“Look inside of me and see that I am not afraid

To walk inside the void like a kid inside a cave

Discovering the patterns of my soul and where it's placed

I've been mapping many caverns but it still feels like a maze”

Once again, half•alive has written a beautiful anthem for this type. This song takes you on a journey through a 5s self-discovery. They come to find their identity and “trust the artist molding” them. They list the facts that they know to be true. They invite people to see them and understand with them on this journey. 

“Slowly I'm recovering

The beauty of discovering”

“Bigger Sky” by The Altogether 

This is one of those songs where, when you understand the enneagram, you can just tell it’s a 5 song in its entirety. And while I can’t relate to the 5-ness of it, I can appreciate it for what it is. It tells a story of discovery and dreams and searching for security. 

“And I don't need someone to talk to

I don't need a friend

I just need a road I can walk to

And wherever it ends

I hope I can lay my hat there

And call it my home

I hope it leads me out of the city

To a pretty little place of my own

And I've never had the room to dream to fly

So I've gone out searching for a bigger sky”

“East” by Sleeping At Last 

“My kingdom towers above it all

While I sleep safe and sound in my cardboard walls”

When I first heard this song, I didn’t hear a 5 right away, so once again, I turned to Sadie. She broke it down beautifully, 

“5s tend to retreat into their imagination, especially as kids they love to play pretend while exploring the word and learning all they can. When the get older they tend to get more analytical and lose a lot of the childlike wonder they approached everything with and spend a lot of time wanting to get back to that but aren’t sure they can because of how they view the world now. “

As a 5, she simply understands the heartstrings of a 5 better than I ever will. Thank you, Sadie, for lending me your beautifully creative mind for a little bit and helping me better understand YOU. 

“The years wore on and changed my heart

The leading role for a smaller part

...

Maybe paper is paper, maybe kids will be kids

But Lord, I want to remember how to feel like I did”

As you listen through this playlist, I hope I have captured the mind and heart of the 5. It’s been so fascinating to look through this perspective that’s so different than my own. I have learned a lot and am super proud to present this to you. To my 5s, I hope you find comfort in seeing yourself represented here. And to others who struggle to understand the 5s in your lives, I truly hope you’re able to see the beauty and complexities and vastness of the mind palace of a 5. 

Next week we will be looking at the next of the mind triad, type 6! I‘ll see you there. 

Peace. Lil.