Let's Play a Numbers Game with Music

There are plenty of songs out there that feature a number in the song title. Here are 10 of my favorite ones.

This song list starts out in numerical order, but accelerates into higher numbers as I thought of some songs in particular that I wanted to add to the list.

Saved by Zero — The Fixx (1983)

Most people might have started their list with one. Others would have started with a certain number (10, 15, 20, etc.) and worked their way through the list as a count down.

I decided to start with a number that means nothing yet has the power to give other numbers great significance than they would have alone — zero.

“Saved by Zero” has to be my favorite song by the Fixx. From its opening tune, I am instantly drawn in.

Every time I listen, there is something a little chilling that I find with this song in an absolutely good way! Maybe it’s the tune or maybe its the lyrics. Actually, it is very well likely both.

“Maybe I’ll win, saved by zero.” - written by Cy Curnin

The lyrics are especially moving to me and I never get tired of listening to them. Every time I listen to this song, I’ve always envisioned it as persevering through and coming out victorious when the odds are stacked against you. Maybe they will be the ones to pull through and be the hero this time around. Maybe, some day…

One Thing Leads to Another — The Fixx (1982)

Ah! Another song by the Fixx! This is without a doubt the song that they are most known for. It’s one of those songs that as soon as if plays, you instantly know what it is. It’s also another song by the Fixx that I never really get tired of. An addicting and catchy dance tune, this is one of my favorite songs from the ’80s over all.

Just as with “Saved by Zero”, this song draws me in immediately from start to end.

Two Princes — Spin Doctors (1991)

This is easily one of my favorite songs from the ’90s. I always enjoy listening to it whenever it happens to come up on my playlist. Released in the early part of the decade, this was one of the songs that easily defined the alternative rock music of the ’90s.

I’ve always interpreted this song about one pursuing a love interest. It’s about someone that is trying to persuade his love to marry him rather than another guy that has the money and probably even the looks. In the song, he wants to show her that he’s the one that truly cares for her even with the flaws that he does have.

“Marry him, marry me

I’m the one that loved you baby can’t you see?

Ain’t got no future or family tree

But I know what a prince and lover ought to be

I know what a prince and lover ought be.”

— written by Chris Barron, Aaron Comes, Eric Schenkman, and Mark White.

3 A.M. — Matchbox Twenty (1996)

I like quite a few songs from Matchbox Twenty. A vast majority if not all of their songs contain lyrics that stir up emotions that can be found relatable.

Lead singer, Rob Thomas makes their songs even more memorable as they helped define the 2000’s. This song along with quite a few of their other songs, is especially best listened to when you are paying attention to and are mindful of the lyrics.

4 Minutes — Madonna (feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland) (2008)

I admit, I have nearly forgotten about this song! I haven’t heard it since the timeframe of when it was released. Listening to this song immediately brought me back to my high school days, the time in which I first heard this song. When this song first came out I was humorously surprised at who sung it. Wait. Madonna? She was an iconic singer from the ’80s and ’90s! I know sometimes music artists aren’t the same as they were during the prime of their music career.

This song just goes to show that Madonna still has it as a talented music artist even beyond the ’80s and ’90s.

Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of …) — Lou Bega (1999)

Ah! This is another fun song that has a number in its title and perfect to play during a road trip or even to include on a summer playlist! Released at the very end of the ’90s, Mambo No. 5, is one of the most recognizable and memorable dance songs of that decade.

Eight Days a Week — The Beatles (1964)

The Beatles were one of the first music artists that I was introduced to as a kid. This song was one of my favorites of theirs back then and it still is today. As I like quite a few of their songs, I can declare the Beatles as one of my favorite music artists.

I’ve always found this song to be extremely catchy and overall fun to listen and sing along to. Listening to this song puts me in a good mood and gives me a refreshing break from the other usual genres of songs I also listen to.

Nine in the Afternoon — Panic! At the Disco (2008)

I particularly love this song as it is one such song that I don’t really hear all that often. So, it is always a pleasant surprise when it does come on. An easy listening, feel good, alternative rock song, this song with it’s very amusing song title is especially appropriate to listen to when you are in a more chill and laid back mood.

One of the best things about songs is the unlimited possibilities of how we interpret them or what we envision each time a song plays. From the first time I heard it, I’ve always imagined this song having a fun romantic vibe to it.

50 Ways to Say Goodbye — Train (2012)

This is a very catchy yet all too relatable song for many, I’m sure. This song is a perfect example that sometimes breaking up really can be hard to do and moving on and finding acceptance can be even more difficult. If only it had ended another way.

While this song is indeed a break up song, I really like how Train uses humor throughout the song. It gives it a lighthearted feel, like a breath of fresh air compared to the other typical break up songs that invoke regret and sadness.

This song is about someone that just can’t break the news to those that ask. Hey, what happened to your girl? Instead of speaking the painful truth, they come up with a plethora of ridiculous lies explaining how their love met their demise.

99 Luftballoons — Nena (1983)

There are two versions of this song. The original, sung in German, and the English version, “99 Red Balloons”. I like both the English version and the German version although I honestly like the German version slightly better. Nena, a pop band based in Berlin, Germany made an English version to this song With the German version, “99 Luftballoons”, I have to pay particularly close attention to the lyrics as it is in a foreign language. My German is very very limited so while I don’t understand the lyrics, I still enjoy listening to the linguistics of it. I like how the German language sounds.

“99 Luftballoons” is a very upbeat and uplifting song at first glance. However if you pay attention to the lyrics, it is actually a protest song about the Cold War.