It was after relocating to New York City in the early '90s (to study at N.Y.U.'s film school) that Osborne began to take a singing career seriously after singing Billie Holiday's classic "God Bless the Child" at a local bar's "open mic night." In addition to Holiday, Osborne looked to such legendary vocalists as Etta James and Ray Charles as role models, as the up-and-coming singer decided not to cater to major record companies and formed her own label, Womanly Hips, which resulted in such releases as 1992's in-concert Soul Show, among others. But eventually, Osborne decided to sign on with a major label, Mercury, which in turn issued the singer's next release, 'Relish,' in March 1995. The album eventually racked up sales of three million copies and proved to have a long life, as almost a year after its initial release the track "One of Us" became a massive MTV and radio smash, camping out at the number-one spot on the U.S. singles chart for 2 weeks. Other tracks ("Right Hand Man" and "St. Teresa") failed to match the success of Osborne's first hit, but the singer still managed to connect with a large and appreciative audience, especially while touring as part of the 1997 edition of Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair tour. Osborne received numerous Grammy nominations in both 1996 and 1997.
Producing a worthy followup to Relish proved to be a time-consuming challenge for Osborne. Mercury tried to buy her some time by issuing a compilation release, 'Early Recordings' (which collected the early releases 'Live at Delta '88' and 'Blue Million Miles'). In the meantime, Osborne focused on supporting a few groups/causes she felt strongly about, such as Rock the Vote and Planned Parenthood (eventually being named an honorary member of Planned Parenthood's Board of Advocates), besides covering "I'm Just a Bill" as a duet with Isaac Hayes on the 1998 'Schoolhouse Rocks the Vote' benefit album. Osborne also studied briefly with the late Qawwali master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and performed alongside such notables as Stevie Wonder, Melissa Etheridge, Taj Mahal, Luciano Pavarotti, Spearhead, Bob Dylan, and the Chieftains.
September 2000 finally saw the release of Osborne's second all-new studio album, titled 'Righteous Love'; but it failed to match its predecessor's commercial success and sank from sight shortly after its release. In 2002, Osborne bounced back with 'How Sweet It Is,' a collection of covers that leaned heavily on classic soul and R&B tunes from the 1960s and '70s. A career retrospective, 'One of Us,' came out in 2005.
Osborne played a prominent role in the 2002 film "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," performing with the legendary Motown house band the Funk Brothers in a concert performance segment, and appearing with several members of the group in an interview segment. She and her band accompanied the Dixie Chicks for a national tour in the summer of 2003, during which time she also joined veteran San Francisco jam-rockers the Dead as a vocalist, and released her fourth album, titled 'How Sweet It Is,' a collection of classic rock and soul covers.
During 2005 and 2006, she performed on numerous occasions with Phil Lesh and Friends. In February 2007, she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry.
In November 2006, Osborne released 'Pretty Little Stranger,' her self-described "Nashville album."
In May 2007, Osborne issued 'Breakfast in Bed,' a return to the soul music that she had covered on 'How Sweet It Is'. 'Breakfast in Bed' also featured the two songs ("Heatwave" and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted") that she had covered for the film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
She sings lead vocals on the cover of "Spoonful" on Vivian Campbell's solo album 'Two Sides Of If'.' Osborne also provided some vocals for "Wayfaring Stranger" on Spearhead's 1997 album 'Chocolate Supa Highway.' Joan is featured on The Holmes Brothers 2007 collection 'State of Grace' performing "Those Memories of You," an old Allan O'Bryant and Bill Monroe bluegrass tune.
Her album Bring It On Home was released on March 27, 2012. It is a collection of vintage blues and soul covers, and it received a 2013 Grammy Awards nomination for Best Blues Album.
Osborne was a member of Trigger Hippy from 2012 to 2018.
Osborne released the original album Love and Hate in 2014, and in 2017 the album Songs of Bob Dylan. A new album of original songs, Trouble and Strife, is due in September 2020.
Safety In Numbers
Joan Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And people and things and in big wads
Of money and
Great big platinum rings
And no one will ever get near me again
There is safety in numbers,
In numbers my friend
Windows at night
And they follow your movements in the
Cold fluorescent light
They wait for their moment,
They'll get you in the end
There is safety in numbers
In numbers my friend
I want just like you before
You want somebody to love
Since that day I learned the score
I know how to rise above
There is shelter in power
And promises of pain and in
Lovers and lawyers
And dogs pulling at the chain
And no one will ever get near me again
There is safety in numbers
In numbers my friend
You will find me well protected
When you come around today
So remember what
I told you and continue on your way
Cause no one will ever
Get near me again
There is safety in numbers, in numbers
My friend
Joan Osborne's "Safety In Numbers" portrays the idea that there's a sense of security when we're in the company of people or things, and it becomes more powerful and protective. The song implies that the things we own and the people we surround ourselves with can offer us a sense of security that is often illusory. The first verse sets the tone for the song, as Osborne describes the sense of security that can be found in material possessions, especially those linked to status and wealth.
The second verse tells a story of someone who is being watched and followed by others, who might be threatening in nature. Here, the image of the person who is being watched suggests the presence of danger lurking around every corner. The verse expresses the fear of the unknown and emphasizes how the sensation of surveillance takes a toll on someone's psyche.
The song ends with another repetition of the chorus, signifying the importance of numbers, seeking shelter in promises of power and pain, and the desire for someone to never get near again. The theme is meant to evoke a sense of anxiety, a feeling of foresight, and intentionality tied to the people and things that provide security.
Line by Line Meaning
There is safety in numbers
Being in large groups of people or possessing large amounts of money or valuable objects provides a sense of safety and protection.
And people and things and in big wads
This safety can come from being surrounded by people, possessions or valued objects in large quantities.
Of money and great big platinum rings
Having large amounts of wealth in the form of cash or expensive jewelry can also offer a sense of protection.
And no one will ever get near me again
The artist has likely experienced harm or vulnerability in the past and now feels the need to protect themselves from potential harm by creating distance from others.
There is safety in numbers, in numbers my friend
The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the importance of being surrounded by others for protection against harm.
There are people who watch you in your windows at night
The singer acknowledges the potential danger of being watched by others, and the feeling of being exposed or vulnerable in private spaces.
And they follow your movements in the cold fluorescent light
The use of fluorescent light imagery adds to a feeling of sterility, harshness, and lack of empathy -- emphasizing a sense of detachment here.
They wait for their moment, they'll get you in the end
The artist expresses a distrustful, fearful outlook on the intentions of others, suggesting that they are waiting for an opportunity to harm her.
I want just like you before you want somebody to love
The desire to feel loved, cared for, and validated is a universal human need.
Since that day I learned the score, I know how to rise above
Having learned from past experiences and mistakes, the artist has developed a sense of resilience, self-sufficiency, and self-reliance.
There is shelter in power and promises of pain and in lovers and lawyers and dogs pulling at the chain
The singer is suggesting that having access to resources such as power, legal representation, and companionship (represented by lovers and dogs) can offer protection from harm or danger.
You will find me well protected when you come around today
The artist is warning someone that she has taken measures to protect herself from potential harm or vulnerability.
So remember what I told you and continue on your way
The singer is telling someone to leave her alone and not to try to come close to her because she feels threatened.
Cause no one will ever get near me again
The repetition of the phrase from the beginning of the song shows that the singer has fully embraced her need for distance and protection.
There is safety in numbers, in numbers my friend
The song ends with a final reminder that being surrounded by others is a source of safety and protection.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIK DELLA PENNA, JOAN OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind