"Be My Number Two" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, 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 David Kershenbaum is an American record producer and entrepreneur, born in Springfield, Missouri. He has worked with many artists including Duran Duran, Tracy Chapman, Joe Jackson, Laura Branigan, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Cat Stevens, Elkie Broo ...

. "Be My Number Two" reached No. 70 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks.

Background

Speaking to ''

The A.V. Club ''The A.V. Club'' is an online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was created in ...

'' 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."

Critical reception

On its release as a single, Jerry Smith of ''

Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as ''Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music We ...

'' wrote, "A slow

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...

sung with feeling, mainly accompanied by piano until the band come in at the end with a warm fluid sax picking out the melody." Colin Davidson of the '' Evening Express'' described it as a "great choice as a single" and "poignant songwriting at its very best". 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". 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." ''

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'' noted, "A quiet tune, except for the rousing finish; just Jackson, piano, and a tone of bewildered pathos." In a review of ''Body and Soul'', ''

The Absolute Sound ''The Absolute Sound'' (TAS) is an American audiophile magazine which reviews high-end audio equipment, along with recordings and comments on various music-related subjects. History ''The Absolute Sound'' was founded in 1973 by Harry Pearson ...

'' 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." ''The New Rolling Stone Album Guide'' of 2004 described the song as one which "hark back to the incisive cynicism of Jackson's breakthrough albums".

Track listing

;7" single #"Be My Number Two" - 4:18 #"Heart of Ice" - 6:53 ;7" single (UK limited edition) #"Be My Number Two" - 4:18 #"

Is She Really Going Out with Him? "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" is a song written and performed by British musician Joe Jackson. It was released in October 1978 as his debut single and was later included on Jackson's debut album, '' Look Sharp!'' The track was one of the ...

" - 3:34 ;7" single (US promo) #"Be My Number Two" - 4:15 #"Be My Number Two" - 4:15 ;12" single (UK release) #"Be My Number Two" - 4:18 #"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 Graham Maby (born 1 September 1952) is an English bass guitar player. He has recorded and toured with Joe Jackson since his first album, appearing on most of Jackson's albums and tours. Maby was born and raised in the central south coast town ...

- bass * Gary Burke - drums Production * Joe Jackson - producer, arranger *

- producer Other * Charles Reilly - photography

Charts

References

{{authority control 1984 songs 1984 singles Joe Jackson (musician) songs Songs written by Joe Jackson (musician) Song recordings produced by David Kershenbaum A&M Records singles Sentimental ballads