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Number Nine Lyrics
Devil
Sweet talking fly on the wall
Blackberry belle of the ball
Just like you told me
I'm gonna crawl
You trouble me
And I ain't myself anymore
I'm crawlin around like a whore
And you love me there on the floor
Come on, boy, don't be such a baby
And maybe
I'll bail you out
One more time
You got number nine staring at'cha
Get back, boy
Or I'll make you blind
You fucker
This here's where we settle up
One last sweet drink from you cup
Hand it over, slowly
I'm gone
Come on boy, don't be such a baby
And maybe
I'll sell you out
One more time
You at the foot of your master
I'm faster
But I'm gonna take my time
And I'm gonna make you blind
Devil
Sweet talking fly on the wall
Blackberry belle at oblivions ball
Just like you told me
I'm gonna crawl
And I'm gonna make you blind
Sweet talking fly on the wall
Blackberry belle of the ball
Just like you told me
I'm gonna crawl
And I ain't myself anymore
I'm crawlin around like a whore
And you love me there on the floor
And maybe
I'll bail you out
One more time
You got number nine staring at'cha
Get back, boy
Or I'll make you blind
This here's where we settle up
One last sweet drink from you cup
Hand it over, slowly
I'm gone
And maybe
I'll sell you out
One more time
You at the foot of your master
I'm faster
But I'm gonna take my time
Sweet talking fly on the wall
Blackberry belle at oblivions ball
Just like you told me
I'm gonna crawl
And I'm gonna make you blind
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Greg Dulli has stated in interviews that the narrative of Blackberry Belle begins with a suicide, and then flashes back to the events leading up to that suicide. "Number Nine" is the narrative of what unfolds right before the suicide.
My surmise beyond this is that both of the voices in this song belong to the same character. One is his basic personality, another is the devil that lives in his head. Not talking about psychosis here, but a more universal sort of mental battle. Lanegan's voice gives the part of the exhausted man ready to hang it up. Dulli's voice taunts Lanegan but Lanegan's narrator has already given up. Dulli's voice is the Devil, the embodiment of the hard living and despair that ultimately destroy the album's protagonist, as voiced here by Lanegan.
I haven't got a clue what this is about, but it's the best Twilight Singers song. Absolutely brilliant.
It starts off with Lanegan singing seemingly about being crazy over a woman and then Dhulli scolding him for acting like a child. Who knows, the end when Lanegan is repeating the first verse is brilliant.
"One more time You got number nine staring at'cha" "Hand it over, slowly"
These lines (and the title) are probably references to a 9mm handgun. So the character in the song must be in some sort of recurring trouble with dangerous people. Possibly drug dealers, as it's a Twilight Singers song! The line "This here’s where we settle up" could mean there's money involved, or maybe just revenge I suppose.
Great song, one of Twilight Singers very best. And one of Mark Lanegan's greatest vocal performances. I never get tired of hearing it.
this song is New Orleans distilled into a song. the danger, romance, seediness.. very rarely does a song completely transport me to a place as this one does. i live in Taiwan now, but when I hear it I can feel that city like I'm there. its incredible
Concept album. I too have read Dulli's "begins with a suicide and flashes back" comment, so that's a valid place to start.
Concept album. I too have read Dulli's "begins with a suicide and flashes back" comment, so that's a valid place to start.
Here's my take: The narrator is in New Orleans, his friend (Demme) has just died of a cocaine OD and he's watching another friend (maybe Lanegan) taking drugs (again). The narrator is leading a life similar, right to the edge, but wants to live and wants his remaining friend to live.
Here's my take: The narrator is in New Orleans, his friend (Demme) has just died of a cocaine OD and he's watching another friend (maybe Lanegan) taking drugs (again). The narrator is leading a life similar, right to the edge, but wants to live and wants his remaining friend to live.
I think "Number Nine" is not a 9mm handgun (?) but in fact is a reference to the 9th life a cat has. Lanegan has...
I think "Number Nine" is not a 9mm handgun (?) but in fact is a reference to the 9th life a cat has. Lanegan has had a publicly celebrated life with his addiction and perhaps the narrator is trying to phone him and tell him that 'this is it.' Ergot the phone ringing and no one picking it up at the end of "Martin Eden." And the whispered 'good night' at the end of "Fat City."
'"Martin Eden" by Jack London, is about a struggling writer. The novel ends with Martin Eden committing suicide by drowning, a detail which undoubtedly contributed to what researcher Clarice Stasz calls the 'biographical myth' that Jack London's own death was a suicide.'
-wikipedia
My take on this concept album, but just mine...
It's obvious about drugs.