54-46 That's My Number

54-46 That's My Number

Infobox Single
Name = 54-46 That's My Number


Artist = Toots & the Maytals
Released = 1968, 1969
Format =
Recorded =
Genre = Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae
Length =
Label = Beverly's in Jamaica, Pyramid and Trojan in UK
Writer = Toots Hibbert
Producer = Leslie Kong
Certification =
Chart position =
Last single =
This single =
Next single = "54-46 (That's My Number)" is a song by Fred "Toots" Hibbert, recorded by Toots & the Maytals and originally released on the Beverly's label in Jamaica and the Pyramid label in the UK. A followup version released a year later (as 54-46 Was My Number) was one of the first ska songs to receive widespread popularity outside Jamaica, and is seen as being one of the defining songs of the reggae genre. It has been anthologized repeatedly, and the titles of several reggae anthologies include "54-46" in their title.

The lyrics describe Toots' time in prison for an arrest for possession of marijuana. 54-46 was Toots' prisoner ID number during his servitude, and the original recording was made shortly after his release.

The song features the same riddim as "Train to Skaville" by Toots & the Maytals' contemporaries The Ethiopians.

The song was covered and released as a single in 1983 by British reggae band Aswad. This single also featured on their 1984 album Rebel Souls. It was later covered on Long Beach, CA-based 90s ska-punk band Sublime's 1992 album "40 Oz. to Freedom", entitled "5446 That's My Number/Ball and Chain", as well as Buju Banton on his album "Inna Heights" and Fermín Muguruza in his album Brigadistak Sound System.

The bass line to the song forms the basis of the 1990 hit Street Tuff by Rebel MC & Double Trouble.

Part of the song was used on the soundtrack to the 2006 film "This Is England".

The punk rock band The Clash paid tribute to the Maytals with their song Jail Guitar Doors recorded in 1978 which ends with Joe Strummer singing "54-46 was my number."

External links

* [http://maytals.net/lyrics/104.html Complete lyrics]


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