54
The Maytals Lyrics


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I said, yeah (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)
I said hear me now (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)

I said, "Stick it up, mister"
Hear what I say, sir
Get your hands in the air, sir
Then you will get no hurt mister, ah
Do what I say, sir, ah
Just what I mean sir
Get your hands in the air, sir
Then you will get no hurt, no

I said, yeah (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)
I said hear me now (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)

Second thing they say, I must join the office
Third thing they say, "Son, give me your number now"
He say, "What's your number?", I don't answer
He say, "What's your number, man?", I don't answer
He say, "What's your number now?"
He say "What's your number now?"
I said, "Fifty-four, forty-six, that's my number", whoa
Fifty-four, forty-six, that's my number, one more time
Fifty-four, forty-six, that's my number, whoa
Fifty-four, forty-six, that's my number

I said, yeah (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)
I said hear me now (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)

Ba-da-da, dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee, dee, da-da-dee-da
Ba-da, dai-dai, day-day, day-da-da-dee-da
Dee-da-dai-da, day-da-day-da, day-da-day-da, day-da-day-da
Da-da-da, dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee, de-dee-dee
Dee-da-da-da-da, dai-da-da-da-da
Dee-da-da-da-da-da

I said, yeah (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)
I said, yeah (I said, yeah)
Listen what I say (listen what I say)

Stick it up, mister
Hear what I say, sir
Get your hands in the air, sir
You will get no hurt, sir, me say

Turn out your left pocket
Ah, give me a clean shirt, sir
Take off your shirt, sir
I not want no racket now

Stick it up, mister (I said, yeah)
Hear what I say, sir (I said, yeah)
Get your hands in the air, sir (I said, yeah)
Then you will get no hurt, mister, oh oh (I said, yeah)
Yeah (I said, yeah)
Whoa, yeah, yeah, yeah (I said, yeah)




Stick it up, mister now (I said, yeah)
Hear what I say, sir

Overall Meaning

The Maytals' song, "54-46 Was My Number," is a reggae classic that reflects on the singer's experience of imprisonment. The song begins with an introduction that emphasizes the singer's command and authority as he urges the audience to listen to his words. The first verse encourages a person to surrender to the authorities to avoid harm. The message is to put your hands up and follow their instructions to stay safe. The second verse refers to the singer's experience of being incarcerated, where he is asked to give his number. The singer responds by giving his prison number, "54-46" asserting his freedom as well as his identity.


The song's repetitive lyrics and infectious rhythm make it a quintessential piece of reggae music. "54-46 Was My Number" has an inspiring story that reflects the experiences of many black Jamaicans who suffered police brutality at the time. The song is a political statement on human rights and freedom, which is very relevant today. Despite the serious underlying theme of the song, the cheerful tone and upbeat rhythm make it a favorite among music lovers. The song has become an anthem of hope for those who suffered police brutality.


Line by Line Meaning

I said, yeah
The singer affirms the importance of his message and expects the listener's attention


Listen what I say
The singer urges the listener to pay close attention to his words


I said hear me now
The singer repeats his call for attention while emphasizing the importance of his message


Stick it up, mister
The artist demands compliance from the person addressed, implying a threat of violence if not followed


Hear what I say, sir
The artist stresses the importance of his demand and expects compliance


Get your hands in the air, sir
The singer orders the person addressed to raise their hands as a sign of surrender


Then you will get no hurt mister, ah
The singer implies that if the person addressed complies, they will not be harmed


Do what I say, sir, ah
The artist reiterates his demand and warns of the consequences of noncompliance


Just what I mean sir
The artist clarifies that there are no alternatives to his demand, and compliance is the only option


Second thing they say, I must join the office
The artist refers to the societal expectations imposed on him


Third thing they say, "Son, give me your number now"
The singer describes an encounter with a stranger who harasses him to disclose his private information


He say, "What's your number?", I don't answer
The artist implies that he exercises his right to privacy and denies the stranger's request


He say, "What's your number, man?", I don't answer
The singer repeats his refusal to disclose his personal information, asserting himself against another's unwanted intrusion of his privacy


He say, "What's your number now?"
The stranger persists in his demand despite the singer's repeated refusal


I said, "Fifty-four, forty-six, that's my number", whoa
The singer reveals his personal information while implying that it is irrelevant to the stranger's request


Ba-da-da, dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee, dee, da-da-dee-da...
The lyrics feature a brief instrumental section


Turn out your left pocket
The artist commands the person addressed to reveal the contents of their pocket, implying a search for valuables or drugs


Ah, give me a clean shirt, sir
The singer demands a change of clothes from the person addressed


Take off your shirt, sir
The singer orders the person addressed to remove his shirt, indicating an intention to search or humiliate


I not want no racket now
The artist denies any interest in trouble or conflict, ending the song on a hopeful, nonviolent note




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frederick Hibbert

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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