Though charmingly reverent of Bono-associated ‘80s pop-rock acts like Men at Work or Big Country, it still sounds like Foals, no mean feat considering how many bands have come along in the past couple of years that sound like them– it’s an athletic funk-rock sprint of interlocking, clean guitars, Yannis Philappakis’ strident melodies and a rhythm section that knows better than to disturb this groove with their typical turn-on-a-dime trickery.
It’s also Foals speaking the language of pure pop: cooing oohs, placing the hook right at the beginning, and cycling back to it as often as possible with an instantly catchy lyrical refrain that maintains the dejected emotional core of "My Number" amidst the joyous release that surrounds it. Unforgettable fire, if you will.
The song reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming their highest charting single to date. It is also the band's most successful single to date worldwide.
My Number
Foals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We don't need each other now
We don't need the city
The creed or the culture now
'Cause I feel, well, I feel alive
I feel, well, I feel alive
I feel the streets are not pulling me down
So people of the city
I don't need your counsel now
And I don't need your good advice
'Cause you don't have my lover's touch
You don't have my number
We don't need each other now
The creed or the culture
We can move beyond it now
Now the wolves is knocking at my door
Bang, bang, it asks for more
Stand here we stand tall
We could move beyond these walls
And I don't need your counsel
And I don't need these city streets
And I don't need that good advice
'Cause we can move beyond it now
You don't have my number
We don't need any trouble now
The creed or the culture
You don't have my lover's touch
'Cause I feel, well, I feel alive
I feel, well, I feel alive
I feel the streets are not far from here
Can you even hear me?
Do you even know my name?
Can we see the ocean there?
(You don't have my lover's touch)
You don't have my number
You don't have my number now
I wonder, can you hear me? (You don't have my number)
And are you even listening now? (You don't have my number)
'Cause you don't have my number
And we don't need each other now
No, you can't steal my thunder
'Cause you don't have my lover's touch
You don't have my number
And I don't need no one now
And I don't need these city streets
The creed or the culture now
Ooh, now
Ooh
Ooh, now
Ooh
Hey
The lyrics to Foals's song My Number express a sense of independence and freedom from societal pressures and norms. The song opens with the lines "You don't have my number / We don't need each other now / We don't need the city / The creed or the culture now," which highlight a desire to break away from the expectations and constraints placed upon individuals by their environment. The verses continue with a rejection of advice and counsel from others, emphasizing a need to chart one's own path.
The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "I feel alive" several times, underscoring a sense of newfound vitality and energy that comes from embracing one's independence. The lyrics also touch on the idea of moving beyond barriers and limitations, with the lines "We can move beyond it now / Stand here we stand tall / We could move beyond these walls." The song ends with a sense of triumph and confidence, with the repeated refrain "You don't have my number / And I don't need no one now / And I don't need these city streets / The creed or the culture now."
Overall, the lyrics to Foals's My Number promote a message of individual empowerment and the pursuit of personal fulfillment despite external pressures and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have my number
The person being addressed does not have a way to contact the singer
We don't need each other now
The singer and the person being addressed are no longer in need of each other
We don't need the city
The singer and the person being addressed do not need the city as a means of happiness or success
The creed or the culture now
The singer and the person being addressed do not follow any specific beliefs or ways of life
'Cause I feel, well, I feel alive
The singer feels alive and free from the constraints of society
I feel, well, I feel alive
The singer feels alive and free from the constraints of society
I feel the streets are not pulling me down
The singer is not weighed down by the problems of the city
So people of the city
The singer is addressing the people of the city
I don't need your counsel now
The singer does not require advice from the people of the city
And I don't need your good advice
The singer does not require advice from the people of the city
'Cause you don't have my lover's touch
The people of the city cannot provide the singer with the affection of their lover
We can move beyond it now
The singer and the person being addressed can move beyond the constraints of society
Now the wolves is knocking at my door
The singer is facing a threat or challenge
Bang, bang, it asks for more
The challenge or threat is persistent and demanding
Stand here we stand tall
The singer and the person being addressed stand strong together
We could move beyond these walls
The singer and the person being addressed can break free from societal constraints and limitations
And I don't need your counsel
The singer does not require advice from the people of the city
And I don't need these city streets
The singer does not require the city as a means of happiness or success
You don't have my lover's touch
The people of the city cannot provide the singer with the affection of their lover
We don't need any trouble now
The singer and the person being addressed do not need any additional problems or conflict
You don't have my number now
The person being addressed no longer has a way to contact the singer
I wonder, can you hear me? (You don't have my number)
The singer questions if the person being addressed is able to receive their message since they do not have a means of contact
And are you even listening now? (You don't have my number)
The singer questions if the person being addressed is paying attention to their message since they do not have a means of contact
No, you can't steal my thunder
The person being addressed cannot take credit for the singer's successes
And I don't need no one now
The singer does not require anyone else's support or assistance
Ooh, now
The singer is expressing excitement or anticipation
Ooh
The singer is conveying emotion, such as joy or excitement
Hey
A general exclamation or greeting
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Smith, Jack Bevan, Walter Gervers, Yannis Philippakis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AllisonGhost
"My Number"
You don’t have my number, we don’t need each other now
We don’t need the city, the creed or the culture now
'Cause I feel, I feel alive, I feel, I feel alive
I feel the streets are all pulling me down
So people of the city I don’t need your counsel now
And I don’t need your good advice, you don’t have my lover’s touch
You don’t have my number, we don’t need each other now
The creed or the culture, we can move beyond it now
Now the wolf is knocking at my door, bang-banging, ask for more
Stand here, we stand tall, we could move beyond these walls
I don’t need your counsel, I don't need these city streets
I don’t need that good advice 'cause we can move beyond it now
You don’t have my number, we don’t need each other now
The creed or the culture, you don’t have my lover’s touch
'Cause I feel, I feel alive, I feel, I feel alive
I feel the streets are all far from there
Do you even hear me? Do you even know my name?
Can you see the ocean now? You don’t have my lover’s touch
You don’t have my number, you don’t have my number
People, can you hear me? Are you even listening now?
'Cause you don’t have my number, we don’t need each other now
You can't steal my thunder 'cause you don’t have my lover’s touch
You don’t have my number and I don’t need no one else
And I don’t need these city streets, the creed or the culture now
(Oooh now)
@damodgc
its one of those days when you discover a band you should have been listening to YEARS AGO......
@schischako
True !
@MrRubinello
Honey Badger Discovering new unknown Talents is a very hard buisness :/ ;)
@goofed86
Honey Badger Foals have been great all the way since 94 :)
@VolimJaje
***** Haven't they formed the band in 2005 tho?
@NotDaveGahan
*****
1. Foals are not new. They turn 10 this year.
2. Foals are not unknown either. They're not the epitome of being mainstream, but they do enjoy moderate success. This video nearing 10 M views should give that away, shouldn't it?
@zachysnack
when people say they don't make music like they used to, they just don't know where to look
@ezthegun6645
I guess back in the day there was less music to go threw
@yesitsconor
Lumpiss wow so indieeeeee
@didact777
perhaps you can point me to the right places