54-46 That's My Number

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"54-46 That's My Number" is a song by Fred "Toots" Hibbert, recorded by Toots & the Maytals and originally released on the album In the Dark in 1967. In the following year it was re-released as a single. It 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 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 was later covered on Sublime's 1992 album 40 Oz. to Freedom, as well as Buju Banton on his album Inna Heights.

Toots revealed during an interview to have made the number up for the sake of the song, denying that 54-46 was his actual prison number. Furthermore, he maintains his innocence in being held for drug charges and claims the prison ordeal was actually a malicious set up.^{[citation needed]}