54-46 That's My Number

"54-46 That's My Number"
Single by Toots and the Maytals
Released	January 1, 1968[1]
Genre	Rocksteady, reggae
Label	Beverley's
Songwriter(s)	Toots Hibbert
Producer(s)	Leslie Kong

"54-46 (That's My Number)" is a song by Fred "Toots" Hibbert. Recorded by Toots and the Maytals, the song was originally released on the Beverley's label in Jamaica and the Pyramid label in the UK.[2] A follow-up version released a year later, "54-46 Was My Number",[3] was one of the first reggae songs to receive widespread popularity outside Jamaica, and is seen as being one of the defining songs of the genre. It has been anthologised repeatedly and the titles of several reggae anthologies include "54-46" in their title.

The lyrics describe Toots' time in prison after being arrested for possession of marijuana. The song features a similar riddim to "Train to Skaville"[4] by Toots and the Maytals' contemporaries, the Ethiopians.[5]

In popular culture

The song appears in the sci-fi film Repo Men and in the series Narcos: Mexico.[6][7]

On November 29, 2016, Major Lazer and Bad Royale released "My Number", a track that samples "54-46 That's My Number". Pitchfork describes the song as "a genre-defining classic from legendary ska/reggae group Toots and the Maytals."[8] This release contains newly recorded vocals from frontman Toots Hibbert specifically designed for Major Lazer, changing the original lyrics to incorporate the group into the song while keeping the original melody.[9][10]

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] "54-46 (Was My Number)"	Gold	400,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "54-46 That's My Number by Toots & the Maytals". Retrieved July 6, 2024.
2. "54-46 That's My Number/Dreamland (Roland Alphonso)". Maytals.net. Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
3. ""5446" Was My Number/Version". Maytals.net. Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
4. "Train to Skaville". Archived from the original on 2009-10-21.
5. "The Ethiopians". Archived from the original on 2009-10-20.
6. Repo Men, Relativity, 2010-03-22, retrieved 2016-06-24
7. "Narcos: Mexico Soundtrack", WhatSong, retrieved 2018-12-15
8. Yoo, Noah. "Major Lazer Sample Toots and the Maytals on New Song 'My Number': Listen". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. 06 Dec. 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016. <http://pitchfork.com/news/70266-major-lazer-sample-toots-and-the-maytals-on-new-song-my-number-listen/> Retrieved Dec. 15 2016.
9. Majorlazer. "Major Lazer & Bad Royale - My Number." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Dec. 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX5i81l2LTE>
10. Major Lazer & Bad Royale. "My Number - Single". iTunes. itunes.apple.com. Released: Nov 29, 2016. Web. Retrieved 15 Dec. 2016. <https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-number-feat.-toots-single/id1180814535?app=itunes>
11. "British single certifications – Toots & The Maytals – 54-46 (Was My Number)". British Phonographic Industry.

External links

• Complete lyrics