54-46 That's My Number
"54-46 That's My Number" | |
---|---|
Single by Toots and the Maytals | |
Released | 1968, 1969 |
Genre | Ska, 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, originally released on the Beverley's label in Jamaica and the Pyramid label in the UK.[1] A follow-up version released a year later, "54-46 Was My Number",[2] 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"[3] by Toots and the Maytals' contemporaries, The Ethiopians.[4]
In popular culture
The song was covered and released as a single in 1984 by
The introduction of the song was sampled on
The bass line to the song forms the basis of the 1989 hit "Street Tuff" by Rebel MC & Double Trouble, and "The Bridge is Over" by KRS-One.
Part of the song was used on the soundtrack to the 2006 film This Is England and since, re-recorded by Kiko Bun for the television series.
The song was re-recorded for their album True Love, and is played along with Jeff Beck.
The song was covered and recorded by
The punk rock band The Clash paid tribute to the Maytals with their song "Jail Guitar Doors" recorded in 1978. On the Live at the Lyceum version it ends with Joe Strummer singing "54-46 was my number, Right now someone else has that number".
It was also covered by Vanilla Ice on his 2011 album, W.T.F. (Wisdom, Tenacity and Focus).[10]
The song appears in the sci-fi film Repo Men and in the series Narcos: Mexico.[11][12]
On November 29, 2016, Major Lazer and Bad Royale released "My Number", a track that samples "54-46 That's My Number" which Pitchfork describes as, "a genre-defining classic from legendary ska/reggae group Toots and the Maytals."[13] 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.[14][15]
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] "54-46 (Was My Number)" |
Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ "54-46 That's My Number/Dreamland (Roland Alphonso)". Maytals.net. Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
- ^ ""5446" Was My Number/Version". Maytals.net. Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
- ^ "Train to Skaville". Archived from the original on 2009-10-21.
- ^ "The Ethiopians". Archived from the original on 2009-10-20.
- ^ "Byron Lee - Songs From Shanty Town CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2002-07-23. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
- ^ "Santamarta ska-j". YouTube. 2006-08-06. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
- ^ "Foxy Brown feat. Spragga Benz's 'Oh Yeah' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2016-06-24.
- ASIN B001B83IX6
- ^ ♫ Ghost - Earl Stevenson. Listen @cdbaby, retrieved 2016-06-24
- ^ Vanilla Ice, WTF, retrieved 2016-06-24
- ^ Repo Men, Relativity, 2010-03-22, retrieved 2016-06-24
- ^ "Narcos: Mexico Soundtrack", WhatSong, retrieved 2018-12-15
- ^ 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.
- ^ Majorlazer. "Major Lazer & Bad Royale - My Number." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Dec. 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX5i81l2LTE>
- ^ 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>
- ^ "British single certifications – Toots & The Maytals – 54-46 (Was My Number)". British Phonographic Industry.