2 6 5 8 0

Song written by Ricky and Marty Wilde. Seventh track of the album Kim Wilde. The music has a slight ‘party’ feel and is embellished with a horn section. It’s a track that is very untypical for Kim Wilde’s whole oeuvre.

Live performances

‘2 6 5 8 0’ was performed live during the Debut Tour in 1982 and the Catch Tour in 1983.

Ricky about ‘2 6 5 8 0’

This was also written in Scotland, within about an hour, although the lyrics took a long time to write. But the actual feel of the song, the way it went, came immediately. Marty just made up some figures and came up with the number 26580 and it sounded good. It’s basically meant to be a cheeky song… ‘tongue-in-cheek’. (1)

Kim about ‘2 6 5 8 0’

Like ‘2 6 5 8 0’ off the LP, when my dad gave me the lyric for that I sort of looked at him and l thought my God – what is in his brain! There are parts of him I didn’t even know about! But, you see, he’s got this sense of humour. (2)

Interview sources

(1) Kim Wilde Fanclub Introductory Magazine
(2) WILDE: Sex kitten or reluctant starlet?, New Musical Express (UK), 19 September 1981


Lyrics

I watch a man sitting down in the park
The flashy suit manufactured by the makers
He’s got a pen and he circles an add
It makes him laugh ‘cos he’s reading dirty papers

2 6 5 8 0

She doesn’t know but she’s getting his call
He’s talking straight but he wants it in a strange way
She combs her hair doesn’t worry at all
He could be mad but its just another payday

2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0
Oh, dial it if you want to know me

She likes to live on the poor side of town
She’s shacking down with a guy from West Guyana
The boys around always look at the ground
Oh, what they’d give for a night with that piranha

2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0
Oh, dial it if you want to know me

She doesn’t have to make her money that way
She’s such a pretty young girl
I guess they love it ‘cos you hear when they stay
They’re cryin’ oh, oh, oh

This guy arrives looking scared as a rat
He needs her love but he wants it like a brother
Three hours later he crawls out on his knees
She’s laughing loud ‘cos he’s calling for his mother

2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0
Oh, dial it if you want to know me

2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0, 2 6 5 8 0
Oh, dial it if you want to know me