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Toots & The Maytals — 54-46 Was My Number
Album: single
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 555









Released: 1968
Length: 3:07
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I said yeah, listen what I say
I said hear me now, listen what I say
They said "stick it up mister
Hear what I say sir
Put your hands in the air sir
And you will get no hurt mister
You do what I say sir
Just what I mean sir
Get your hands in the air sir
Then you will get no hurt no"
I said yeah, listen what I say
I said hear me now, listen what I say
Second thing they say I must join the officer
Third thing they say
"Son, give me your number now"
He said "what's your number?"
I don't answer
He said "what's your number, man?"
I don't answer
He said "what's your number now?"
He said "what's your number now?"
I said "hey 54-46, that's my number"
"54-46, that's my number"
I said yeah, listen what I say
I said hear me now, listen what I say
"Stick it up mister, hear what I say sir"
"Get your hands in the air sir, and you will get no hurt sir"
He said "Turn out your left pocket"
"Give me a clean shirt sir"
"Take off your shirt sir"
"I ain't got no ratchet now"
"Stick it up mister, hear what I say sir"
"Get your hands in the air sir, and you will get no hurt now"
Comments (45)add comment
It's soooo nice to always discover new old music on RP!
Yay!!  
I recommended this about 7 years ago and it was rejected!   I'm glad to see RP has come to its senses!  
More Toots!
 RoelantSiekman wrote:


I was wondering what the song was about. Indeed a cop bust, but what is 'the number' all about? It sounds joyfully, but there's behind it.
Who knows?



Prison number?
 fredriley wrote:

A fine song which I've never heard before, and a cri de coeur over cop busts from the sounds of it. At the risk of being sacrilegious, one of the singers in the chorus sounds just like Barney out of the Simpsons :o). 7 from the Nottingham jury.



I was wondering what the song was about. Indeed a cop bust, but what is 'the number' all about? It sounds joyfully, but there's behind it.
Who knows?
Love this original AND Sublime’s cover too. 

High fiber reggae!

Really brightening up my Monday morning.

Work feels more acceptable now. Finding it hard to believe I only gave this a 6 last time.


 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Heh - me too. But besides missing the reggae gene, I have to deal with the personal association of a former housemate who played reggae ALL THE TIME, usually to the accompaniment of a gurgling bong.
 
Sometimes a housemate or room-mate can jade some things forever: I'll never look at a Chia Pet® the same way again.
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Heh - me too. But besides missing the reggae gene, I have to deal with the personal association of a former housemate who played reggae ALL THE TIME, usually to the accompaniment of a gurgling bong.
 
I like my share of reggae artists, and thought it had limits among music aficionados, but apparently I'm wrong.  One of my most open & knowledgeable music pals states "One Way. Reggae."  Toots & tM make me believe he may be onto something.
This song makes me happy...and thoroughly entertains anyone who catches me grooving to it behind my tall, cube walls 😄
Toots is the best!
Just what I needed to hear right now!  thanks
{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}
{#Notworthy}  {#Notworthy}  {#Notworthy}
{#Dance}
Just noise, doesn't qualify as music.
love it.
Wow, now the 10 mos. old grandson squealing in delight, hallelujah, praise Radio Paradise, that's super soulful, much thanks.
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Heh - me too. But besides missing the reggae gene, I have to deal with the personal association of a former housemate who played reggae ALL THE TIME, usually to the accompaniment of a gurgling bong.
 

.....mmmmmm gurgling bong......
Finally a DIFFERENT Toots song....but I still have to PSD.....
Clearly one of the best reggae songs EVER, and a really cool rendition by Mr.Hibbert. 8—>9
Toots gets a lot of RP time, which is fine enough. I'd so like to hear some Alpha Blondy or Israel Vibration de temps en temps to crank up my mood in a different way though.
Tell me how I'm supposed to get my work done?

Bill & Rebecca rock... I know it's been said before but I sayin it again....  
Unmistakable. Toots. {#Dancingbanana}
 rulebritannia wrote:
I'm missing the reggae gene, but my sweetheart is a fan so I'm working hard to find songs in the genre I can enjoy.  "Quite Likable" is one of the highest ratings I have ever given for reggae!  Right on!
 
Heh - me too. But besides missing the reggae gene, I have to deal with the personal association of a former housemate who played reggae ALL THE TIME, usually to the accompaniment of a gurgling bong.
...makes my ass bouncing every time.......coooooool......
Ah thank you, Bill.  Toots' studio version of "Pressure Drop" is also very RP worthy...
CoolCoolCool
Lovely mid morning snack
I can't help but smile every time I hear these guys! Thanks Bill!
I'm missing the reggae gene, but my sweetheart is a fan so I'm working hard to find songs in the genre I can enjoy.  "Quite Likable" is one of the highest ratings I have ever given for reggae!  Right on!
 fredriley wrote:
A fine song which I've never heard before, and a cri de coeur over cop busts from the sounds of it. At the risk of being sacrilegious, one of the singers in the chorus sounds just like Barney out of the Simpsons :o). 7 from the Nottingham jury.
 
Fredster - I can't believe you've never heard this before!!!!!!! Perhaps you're younger than I imagine....Hope all ok in Notts
Fab! Up to max vol!!
If I wasn't a Christian I'd call Toots a God! Saw them live in the UK a few weeks ago....one of the best gigs I have been to (and I've seen 'em all!)

bradly nowell made this famous for my generation.....the original is always king though.....


Paolo Nutini
YEEEEEAAAH
Horrible stuff, this.
Where was I when this came out? Then again, I don't remember a lot about 1968...
A fine song which I've never heard before, and a cri de coeur over cop busts from the sounds of it. At the risk of being sacrilegious, one of the singers in the chorus sounds just like Barney out of the Simpsons :o). 7 from the Nottingham jury.
Never head this song until now.  Good job RP.  Sounds like proto-reggae classic.
Real soulful reggae. Let's give it a spin shall we?