According to Merge, at their initial studio session the two “were immediately struck by one another’s talents and found an instant rapport". During a conversation about their shared love of old records, Zooey let slip that she wrote her own songs, which she recorded alone at home on her computer. Somewhat shy about sharing these musical morsels, she was eventually persuaded to send them to M. Ward. He was instantly impressed, and they soon reconvened at his studio in Portland to begin work. Recorded over a period of several months, between acting work (She) and touring commitments (Him), the pair found time to bring Zooey’s fledgling songs to gorgeous fruition
I’ve Got Your Number Son
She & Him Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, he’s just a man.
Why do you think no one will hear what you’ve got to say.
Who am I without all your affection?
I’m a nobody, too.
I’m not at all, thing I love, but that’s what I’ve got to pay.
I’ve got your number, son.
'Cause I can try my love, I can try my love onto.
'Cause I can shine my love, I can shine my love on you.
I don’t wanna spend night after night with you,
Well, you figured it out.
You’re getting restless, I’m getting restless looking at you.
I don’t wanna be rocking hard times
'Cause I figured you out.
You’re not a man who can understand anyone but you.
And you can tell everyone, everyone
I’ve got your number, son.
'Cause I can try my love, I can try my love onto.
'Cause I can shine my love, I can shine my love on you.
I sacrifice myself at the altar of someone else s love for me
No, that doesn’t comfort me.
You think you can keep in the shadow
Well, you figure it out.
I’ve listened to enough of all your stuff to fill a book or two.
And you can tell everyone, everyone
I’ve got your number, son.
'Cause I can try my love, I can try my love onto.
'Cause I can shine my love, I can shine my love on you.
'Cause I can shine my love, I can shine my love on you.
The lyrics of She & Him's "I’ve Got Your Number Son" speak to the insecurity and reliance on validation that comes with being in a relationship with someone who holds all the power. The singer acknowledges that without the attention and affection of her partner, she feels like a nobody, sacrificing herself to keep the other person's love. The use of "son" adds a condescending tone, as if the singer sees the partner as a child in need of discipline or guidance. The lines "I’m not at all, thing I love, but that’s what I’ve got to pay" suggest that the singer feels that she has to compromise her own desires in order to keep the relationship going. The chorus, with the repeated line "I’ve got your number, son," is almost threatening in its insistence that the singer knows exactly what her partner is up to.
The second verse picks up on the idea of restlessness, as both the singer and her partner seem to be growing bored with each other. The singer is getting tired of spending night after night with her partner, while the partner seems unable to understand anyone but themselves. The line "I sacrifice myself at the altar of someone else s love for me / No, that doesn’t comfort me" indicates that the singer is painfully aware of the power dynamic at play and is not finding any solace in it. The final verse makes it clear that the singer has been listening to her partner's excuses and complaints for a long time and is no longer willing to stay in the shadows.
Overall, the lyrics of "I’ve Got Your Number Son" paint a picture of a relationship that is imbalanced and toxic, with one partner holding all the power and the other feeling lost and unheard. The repeated chorus of "I’ve got your number, son" serves as a warning that the singer is not going to be taken advantage of for much longer.
Line by Line Meaning
What’s a man without all the attention?
A man with no attention is just a regular man
Well, he’s just a man.
There's nothing special or significant about a man without attention
Why do you think no one will hear what you’ve got to say.
You feel unheard and unimportant because no one is listening to you
Who am I without all your affection?
I am nobody without your love and attention
I’m a nobody, too.
Without your love, I feel as insignificant as a regular person
I’m not at all, thing I love, but that’s what I’ve got to pay.
Although it's a difficult price to pay, I must sacrifice my own desires to keep your love and attention
And you can tell everyone, everyone
You can let everyone know
I’ve got your number, son.
I understand your true intentions and motives
'Cause I can try my love, I can try my love onto.
I can use my love to try and change your behavior or feelings
'Cause I can shine my love, I can shine my love on you.
I can shower you with my love and affection
I don’t wanna spend night after night with you,
I don't want to keep spending time with you
Well, you figured it out.
You have deduced my true feelings
You’re getting restless, I’m getting restless looking at you.
We are both growing impatient with each other
I don’t wanna be rocking hard times
I don't want to go through tough times in our relationship
'Cause I figured you out.
I understand your true intentions
You’re not a man who can understand anyone but you.
You lack empathy and cannot understand others' perspectives
I sacrifice myself at the altar of someone else's love for me
I give up my own desires and happiness for the sake of someone else's love towards me
No, that doesn’t comfort me.
But this sacrifice does not bring me peace or comfort
You think you can keep in the shadow
You believe you can hide in the background
Well, you figure it out.
You will eventually realize the consequences of your actions
I’ve listened to enough of all your stuff to fill a book or two.
I have heard enough of your lies and excuses to write a whole book about them
And you can tell everyone, everyone
You can let everyone know
I’ve got your number, son.
I understand your true intentions and motives
'Cause I can try my love, I can try my love onto.
I can use my love to try and change your behavior or feelings
'Cause I can shine my love, I can shine my love on you.
I can shower you with my love and affection
'Cause I can shine my love, I can shine my love on you.
I can shower you with my love and affection
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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