When I first heard this song, it came to me as somewhat scandalous. That’s because I thought it was about having another love apart from the one you already have. In short, it was about unfaithfulness.
However, as I listened to the song further, I realized it wasn’t reallly about being unfaithful. “Be My Number Two” actually talks of the search for a new love just after a break-up; a search for number two to replace number one, so to speak.
Won’t you be my number two
Me and number one are through
There won’t be too much to do
Just smile when I feel blue
Ladies might immediately be insulted when offered to be a second choice. After all, no one would ever wish to be a mere replacement. Yet, as the song further implies, not much is expected since nothing much can be gained from this somewhat weird arrangement. Girls are totally free to say no.
And there’s not much left of me
What you get is what you see
Is it worth the energy
I leave it up to you
Love games are not welcome in this offer but honesty is encouraged. This may seem unfair, especially for those who like playing games. However, as the song stresses, the heart gets the brunt when playing those hurtful love games.
And if you got something to say to me
Don’t try to lay your funny ways on me
I know that it’s really not fair of me
But my heart’s seen too much action
In the end, there’s a promise of happiness; that being number two is not really that bad. Where trust exists, dreams can still turn into reality.
And I’ll do what I can do
To make a dream or two come true
If you’ll be my
If you be my number two
Would you like to be number two for someone? Listen as Joe Jackson explains here:
Lifted from British singer Joe Jackson’s 1984 album Body and Soul, “Be My Number Two” only reached 70th place in the UK charts but stayed there for a month. The song was the third and last track released from the album.
Reception-wise, critics saw “Be My Number Two” as a good enough song. It was filled with both cynical and wise messages, something that many people, especially those scarred by marital separation, would readily appreciate and relate to.
AKA Music 