Be My Number Two

"Be My Number Two" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1984 as the third and final single from his sixth studio album Body and Soul. It was written by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and David Kershenbaum.[4] "Be My Number Two" reached No. 70 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks.[5]

"Be My Number Two"
Single by Joe Jackson
from the album Body and Soul
B-side"Heart of Ice"
ReleasedJune 1984 (UK)[1]
September 1984 (US)[2]
RecordedJanuary 1984
StudioMasonic Hall (Manhattan)[3]
Length4:18
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Joe Jackson
Producer(s)Joe Jackson, David Kershenbaum
Joe Jackson singles chronology
"Happy Ending"
(1984)		 "Be My Number Two"
(1984)		 "Cha Cha Loco"
(1984)

Background

Speaking to The A.V. Club in 2011, Jackson said of the song, "I would say it's a bit world-weary or, not world-weary, but a bit, how else to express this? Once bitten, twice shy. It's saying, 'Well, let's try again, but it's not going to be like it was the first time.' So it's poignant, I think."[6]

Critical reception

On its release as a single, Jerry Smith of Music Week wrote, "A slow ballad sung with feeling, mainly accompanied by piano until the band come in at the end with a warm fluid sax picking out the melody."[7] Colin Davidson of the Evening Express described it as a "great choice as a single" and "poignant songwriting at its very best".[8] Frank Edmonds of the Bury Free Press gave the song an 8 out of 10 rating and described it as a "quiet, plaintive, thoughtful and extremely attractive love ballad".[9]

Sunie of Number One commented, "This is a pretty enough song, all tinkling piano and sad, cynical words. But it's not aimed at you or me. Divorce-scarred, mid-life Americans should lap it up."[10] Billboard noted, "A quiet tune, except for the rousing finish; just Jackson, piano, and a tone of bewildered pathos."[11]

In a review of Body and Soul, The Absolute Sound stated, "'Be My Number Two' is a song worthy of Jackson, a maybe-cynical, maybe-wise love song with a bit of hard-edged Fifties feel. This is the kind of song Jackson has always done well."[12] The New Rolling Stone Album Guide of 2004 described the song as one which "hark[s] back to the incisive cynicism of Jackson's breakthrough albums".[13]

Track listing
7" single
  1. "Be My Number Two" - 4:18
  2. "Heart of Ice" - 6:53
7" single (UK limited edition)
  1. "Be My Number Two" - 4:18
  2. "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" - 3:34
7" single (US promo)
  1. "Be My Number Two" - 4:15
  2. "Be My Number Two" - 4:15
12" single (UK release)
  1. "Be My Number Two" - 4:18
  2. "Heart of Ice" - 6:53

Personnel
  • Joe Jackson - vocals, piano
  • Vinnie Zummo - guitar
  • Ed Roynesdal - keyboards, violin
  • Tony Aiello - flute, saxophone
  • Mike Morreale - flugelhorn, trumpet
  • Graham Maby - bass
  • Gary Burke - drums

Production

Other

  • Charles Reilly - photography

Charts
Chart (1984) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[5] 70

References
  1. "Joe Jackson - Be My Number Two / Heart Of Ice - A&M - UK - AM 200". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  2. "Joe Jackson - Be My Number Two / Heart Of Ice - A&M - USA - BR-2673". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  3. David Kershenbaum (February 1984). Body and Soul (Liner notes). A&M Records. A&M CD5000.
  4. Mike DeGagne. "Body and Soul - Joe Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  5. "JOE JACKSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  6. Adams, Sam (12 July 2011). "Joe Jackson". Music.avclub.com. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  7. Smith, Jerry (9 June 1984). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 22. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via World Radio History.
  8. Davidson, Colin (16 June 1984). "Leisure Express Pop - Get It! - Singles". Evening Express. p. 8.
  9. Edmonds, Frank (22 June 1984). "Soundscene". Bury Free Press. p. 8.
  10. Number One magazine - Singles (reviewed by Sunie) - 9 June 1984 - page 37
  11. Billboard Magazine - Billboard Singles Reviews - September 22, 1984 - page 70
  12. "The Absolute Sound - Google Books". 1984. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  13. Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide - Google Books. ISBN 9780743201698. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
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