54-46 That's My Number

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“54-46 That's My Number”

Single by Toots & the Maytals
Released	1968, 1969
Genre	Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae
Label	Beverly's in Jamaica, Pyramid and Trojan in UK
Writer(s)	Toots Hibbert
Producer	Leslie Kong

"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.