Favorite Number Songs #9 - "Be My Number Two"

@teamfreak16 (43421)
Denver, Colorado
June 24, 2017 7:51pm CST
I took a day off, but duty calls. We are at #9 in my Favorite Number Songs series, where this time the numbers in the title are spelled out. The ninth spot belongs to "Be My Number Two" by Joe Jackson. From his hit (#20 in the US) 1984 album Body and Soul, "Be My Number Two" is a sad little ballad, just Jackson and his piano. It was released as a single, but failed to reach the popularity of "Steppin' Out" or "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" It only charted in England, and stalled at #70 on the UK Singles chart. And yet, at least when I saw him in 1989, Jackson was still performing it live, and I'm guessing he still does, simply because the tender song is right up Jackson's alley, allowing him to highlight his considerable piano skills. What can I say? If a Joe Jackson song is eligible for one of my music countdowns, unless I totally space it out, that song is making the cut. Every time. (Info verified by Wikipedia)
Concert from 2008 Lugano Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
5 people like this
5 responses
@FourWalls (62132)
• United States
25 Jun 17
No! Boo! Bad selection!!! (April fool!) You know I totally approved.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
Didn't you say you also saw him in 89 as well?
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62132)
• United States
25 Jun 17
@teamfreak16 -- no, saw him in 1982 on the Night and Day tour.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
@FourWalls - Ah.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 Jun 17
I know the other two songs but not this one, I do like it.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
It's pretty, huh? I'm glad you liked it.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
25 Jun 17
This is a favorite song of mine. I'm surprised it didn't rank high and wasn't that popular in the States.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
26 Jun 17
@teamfreak16 I see what you mean.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
People are weird when it comes to music. In this instance, my theory is that it wasn't upbeat and catchy like "Steppin' Out."
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (116001)
• United States
25 Jun 17
couldn't get into it
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
It is definitely not for everyone.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Jun 17
Another 80s hall of famer!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
25 Jun 17
I would put Joe in as a first ballot. No waiting.
1 person likes this