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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 658









Released: 1968
Length: 3:06
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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!
Posted 9 months ago by mcvh    [ Reply ]
Yay!!  
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I recommended this about 7 years ago and it was rejected!   I'm glad to see RP has come to its senses!  
Posted 1 year ago by david16    [ Reply ]
More Toots!
Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 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?
Posted 2 years ago by terryd    [ Reply ]
 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?
Posted 2 years ago by RoelantSiekman    [ Reply ]
Love this original AND Sublime’s cover too. 
Posted 3 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]

Posted 8 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
High fiber reggae!
Posted 8 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]

Really brightening up my Monday morning.

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


Posted 8 years ago by jt1    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 10 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
This song makes me happy...and thoroughly entertains anyone who catches me grooving to it behind my tall, cube walls 😄
Posted 10 years ago by Hortense    [ Reply ]
Toots is the best!
Posted 10 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
Just what I needed to hear right now!  thanks
Posted 10 years ago by stackarukk    [ Reply ]
{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy}  {#Notworthy}  {#Notworthy}
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
{#Dance}
Posted 10 years ago by JckTorance    [ Reply ]
Just noise, doesn't qualify as music.
Posted 11 years ago by nightdrive    [ Reply ]
love it.
Posted 11 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Wow, now the 10 mos. old grandson squealing in delight, hallelujah, praise Radio Paradise, that's super soulful, much thanks.
Posted 11 years ago by kdarwish    [ Reply ]
 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......
Posted 11 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
Finally a DIFFERENT Toots song....but I still have to PSD.....
Posted 11 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Clearly one of the best reggae songs EVER, and a really cool rendition by Mr.Hibbert. 8—>9
Posted 11 years ago by ask    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 11 years ago by C57BL6    [ Reply ]
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....  
Posted 11 years ago by greg4067    [ Reply ]
Unmistakable. Toots. {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 12 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 12 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
...makes my ass bouncing every time.......coooooool......
Posted 12 years ago by rockpommel16    [ Reply ]
Ah thank you, Bill.  Toots' studio version of "Pressure Drop" is also very RP worthy...
Posted 12 years ago by wlpendley    [ Reply ]
CoolCoolCool
Posted 12 years ago by ask    [ Reply ]
Lovely mid morning snack
Posted 12 years ago by dirtdiablo    [ Reply ]
I can't help but smile every time I hear these guys! Thanks Bill!
Posted 12 years ago by cementfloor    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 12 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 12 years ago by jools    [ Reply ]
Fab! Up to max vol!!
Posted 12 years ago by jools    [ Reply ]
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!)
Posted 13 years ago by Jona    [ Reply ]

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


Posted 13 years ago by elliotgoettelman    [ Reply ]
Paolo Nutini
Posted 13 years ago by ottojama    [ Reply ]
YEEEEEAAAH
Posted 13 years ago by cirruss    [ Reply ]
Horrible stuff, this.
Posted 13 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Where was I when this came out? Then again, I don't remember a lot about 1968...
Posted 13 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Never head this song until now.  Good job RP.  Sounds like proto-reggae classic.
Posted 13 years ago by Clark_Novato    [ Reply ]
Real soulful reggae. Let's give it a spin shall we?
Posted 19 years ago by RockinBlueVoodoo    [ Reply ]