{"id":3155,"date":"2026-06-24T14:59:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T18:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/?p=3155"},"modified":"2026-06-24T14:59:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T18:59:40","slug":"behind-the-lyrics-feel-like-a-number-by-bob-seger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/behind-the-lyrics-feel-like-a-number-by-bob-seger\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind The Lyrics: \u201cFeel Like A Number\u201d by Bob Seger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Not too many artists have contributed as much to the soundtrack of working-class America as Bob Seger<\/a>. Though others tapped into this around the same time, Seger catered perfectly to the average man of the Midwest. This rings true particularly for the working-class anthem “Feel Like A Number.” If you’re having doubts about your job, one quick listen to this rocker could easily seal the deal. Let’s take a look at why Bob Seger declared, “I feel like a number!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Feel Like A Number”<\/a> was originally included on Bob Seger’s 1978 album, Stranger In Town.<\/em> In 1981, a live version was released as a single on the live album Nine Tonight<\/em> by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. This version peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard<\/em> 200 in 1981.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1978, Seger spoke to the Boston Globe<\/em><\/a>, stating, “I got the idea for the song after watching a show about computer banks and how many names were in them. We’re all in computer banks. Lord knows how many data collections there are. Everybody is a number, and in the record industry, you’re also thought of a lot of times as a number \u2014 the amount you sell or whatever. Some of humanity gets lost, and the hype takes over. You have to watch out. That’s the whole idea of\u00a0Stranger in Town<\/em>\u00a0as an album, actually. It’s about identity and trying to survive and keep your identity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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