54-46 Was My Number
Toots& The Maytals Lyrics
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I said hear me now, 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
And you will get no hurt mister
Do what I say sir
Get your hands in the air, sir
And 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, 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'd say "What's your number?" I don't answer
He'd say "What's your number, man?" I don't answer
He'd say "What's your number now?", he'd say "What's your number now?"
I said "fifty four forty six, that's my number"
Fifty four forty six, that's my number, one more time
Fifty four forty six, that's my number
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, listen what I say (listen what I say)
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, yeah
Get your hands in the air, sir
And you will get no hurt, you say
Turn out your right pocket
Ah, give me a printed shirt, sir
Make up your shirt up
I ain't have no luck now
Stick it up, mister, hear what I say, sir, yeah
Get your hands in the air, sir
And you will get no hurt, mister, oh oh
Stick it up, mister, hear what I say, sir, yeah
The lyrics to Toots & The Maytals' "54-46 That's My Number" deal with the singer recounting his experiences being arrested and interrogated by the police. The first verse consists of the singer giving orders to the police officer in charge, telling him to put his hands up in the air and assuring him that he will not get hurt if he follows his instructions. The chorus then repeats the message to listen to what the singer has to say.
The second verse seems to pick up after the first verse's action, with the police now inquiring about the singer's identity. The singer refuses to give his name, only divulging the title's 54-46 That's My Number when asked for his number. The chorus is again repeated, emphasizing the singer's command for the listener to pay attention to his message.
Overall, the lyrics read as a warning to authorities, asserting the singer's own agency and authority in the face of figures of power. By refusing to give his name and only giving his number, the singer is able to subvert power dynamics and maintain some control in a tense situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I said yeah (I said yeah), listen what I say (listen what I say)
I am emphasizing the importance of my message and asking the listener to pay attention.
I said hear me now, listen what I say (listen what I say)
I am once again stressing the significance of my words and urging the listener to comply.
I said stick it up mister
I am demanding the attention of a person whom I am addressing as 'mister.'
Hear what I say, sir
I am insisting on the listener's comprehension and calling them 'sir.'
Get your hands in the air, sir
I am ordering the listener to raise their hands in the air.
And you will get no hurt mister
I am guaranteeing the safety of the listener if they comply.
Do what I say sir
I am reasserting my authority and commanding the listener to obey.
Just what I mean sir
I am clarifying that I mean exactly what I am saying.
Second thing they say I must join the office
I am referring to a scenario where someone tells me to go to the office.
Third thing they say, "Son, give me your number now"
I am recounting someone asking me for my number.
He'd say "What's your number?" I don't answer
I am telling the listener that I didn't initially respond to the person's question.
He'd say "What's your number, man?" I don't answer
I am reiterating that I didn't give the person my number when they asked again.
He'd say "What's your number now?", he'd say "What's your number now?"
I am explaining that the person kept asking me for my number multiple times.
I said "fifty four forty six, that's my number"
I am finally revealing my number to the person asking for it.
Fifty four forty six, that's my number, one more time
I am repeating my number for further clarification.
Turn out your right pocket
I am giving an instruction to an unknown person.
Ah, give me a printed shirt, sir
I am asking the person for a printed shirt.
Make up your shirt up
I am commanding the person to fix their attire.
I ain't have no luck now
I am expressing my current misfortune.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind