Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
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
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
And if you got something to say to me
Don't try to play your funny games on me
I know that it's really not fair of me
But my heart's seen too much action
And every time I look at you
You'll be who I want you to
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
Me and number one are through
There won't be too much to do
Just smile when I feel blue
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
And if you got something to say to me
Don't try to play your funny games on me
I know that it's really not fair of me
But my heart's seen too much action
And every time I look at you
You'll be who I want you to
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
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Be My Number Two Lyrics as written by Joe Jackson
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is about someone that was in a relationship but it has ended. There's a new person in the picture but he wants this person to know up front that they are number 2. "Everytime I look at you, you'll be who I want you to" he's using number 2 to fill a void. Number 2 will never hold the place in his heart that number 1 does but he's gonna try and do what he can do "to make a dream or two, come true."
It sounds like a sweet song that you would want to have dedicated to you, and it is one of my favorite songs, but when you break it down, it really is a sad song. What's sadder is when you can relate to the song; being somebody's number 2, knowing that you will never be number 1 in their heart and accepting it because you'd rather be number 2 than nothing at all. For those of us who have been there, the true meaning of this song is brutally obvious.
This is spot on. Joe Jackson wrote a lot of "sort of love songs".
I have always wanted to know what the real meaning to this song is....if any one knows I would love to hear it. It is Top 3 of all time favorite songs.
I think he's dumped girlfriend (or boyfriend) number one and is ready to take on the second choice, "number two." But he's making sure that Number Two KNOWS that he/she is Number Two, but shouldn't think that he/she is lesser than Number One.
I agree, MamaDay, and I also think that he wants this relationship to be very honest and on the level, no "funny games," because his "heart's seen too much action." That last relationship was difficult, he wants this one to be simple, "Just smile when I feel blue."
i think this is about "love the second time around" with his previous partner. he loves his partner so much that he wanted her (even if they're through) to be his 2nd love... i think that saying to your ex that you wanted her still to be your next girl (number two) is sweet.. in my opinion
The song is about what you want it to be. To me its about someone who, after a previous(number one) relationship, is very disappointed in love and mistrust starting a new relationship. Because of this he got low self-esteem, doesn't expect much, and just doing his best. Before he commits himself into a new (number two)love he makes it clear that he has bin true a lot and she should realise where she begins at. And that in this eventually new relationship she should give him some time, only have to be herself, open and honest, and gentle with his heart(love).
I agree the second-time-around intepretation is probably what he meant.<br /> In my weaker moments though I prefer another take - a bit more optimistic - that 'Number One' is himself - he's 'through' with his self-absorbed life so far - so she might just be his first real love after all...
Why not stick to what Joe Jackson saisd about it himself? "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."
@WalterBuentman I interpret it as a new relationship and he is not over the first, not sure if I would want to go there myself.
Geeeez. Been divorced, Hurt and thought it was going to be a walk in the park, a lot of fun and a second chance, until he found out pretty faces are just that…. Just pretty faces. So now he just wants some company. Hard telling who ended it though.
I think this song is about butt sex.