54-46 Was My Number
Toots & The Maytals & Jeff Beck 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's song 54-46 Was My Number are full of bravado and defiance towards authority. The song describes an encounter with the police where the singer is being accused of a crime he did not commit. The chorus "I said yeah, listen what I say" and "I said hear me now, listen what I say" illustrate his unwavering confidence as he tries to reason with the cops. He demands them to "Get your hands in the air" to show his innocence, and assures them that if they comply with his demands, no harm will be done.
The second part of the song reveals a phone call from someone who is presumably the police, who is urging the singer to give his phone number. Despite their repeated requests, he refuses to give his number, and instead states that "54-46 was my number". This number is a reference to his time spent in jail for marijuana possession. The song is ultimately a symbol of resistance and a call to stand up to unjust authority.
Line by Line Meaning
I said yeah (I said yeah), listen what I say (listen what I say)
Listen to me carefully
I said hear me now, listen what I say (listen what I say)
Listen to what I have to say right now
I said stick it up mister
I am telling you to put your hands up in the air
Hear what I say, sir
Listen to me, sir
Get your hands in the air, sir
Put your hands up in the air
And you will get no hurt mister
You won't get hurt if you do as I say
Do what I say sir
Follow my instructions, sir
Just what I mean sir
Do as I say, the way I say it
Second thing they say I must join the office
They are saying I have to work for them
Third thing they say, 'Son, give me your number now'
They are asking for my identifying number
He'd say 'What's your number?' I don't answer
I refuse to answer their question
He'd say 'What's your number, man?' I don't answer
I still won't tell them my number
He'd say 'What's your number now?', he'd say 'What's your number now?'
They keep asking, but I won't tell them
I said 'fifty four forty six, that's my number'
I finally give them my prison ID number as my only way of identification
Fifty four forty six, that's my number, one more time
I repeat my number for clarity
Stick it up, mister, hear what I say, sir, yeah
I am giving a command to put their hands up
Get your hands in the air, sir
Put your hands up in the air
And you will get no hurt, you say
You won't get hurt if you do as I say
Turn out your right pocket
Empty out your right pocket
Ah, give me a printed shirt, sir
I am ordering them to give me their printed shirt
Make up your shirt up
Clean up your shirt
I ain't have no luck now
I haven't had any luck until now
Stick it up, mister, hear what I say, sir, yeah
Once again, put your hands up in the air
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beansabina3281
Wonderful music. RIP Jeff Beck :(
@openmodalguitar61
I was thinking of what would be a good Jeff Beck track to listen to in memoriam, first was Heart Full of Soul, this was the next one to come to mind, he really cuts through and lifts an already great song. Jeff Beck the all time king of the guest appearance.
@johnconway9882
RIP Toots and Jeff.
@scottkinney8678
This man was a legend in so many ways not only did he come up with reggae and soul he actually coined the phrase reggae Bob Marley actually said this. Had the blessings in the fortunate I was seeing him live in Seattle September 2003 one of the best gigs I've ever witnessed r i p toots you will be loved and missed
@starfisher87
Awesome, thats all I can say, Jeff Beck is to me the Greatest of all the great Guitarists, including Jimi & Eric, and the with Toots & the Maytals soo funky, one of my all time favorite Reggae bands & Toots coined the term "Reggae" well man it doesnt get much better than this!
@SSSteve1961
Jeff... what a genius. Great choice for guest lead guitarist there on this star-studded release, Toots. He loved ripping over a reggae beat. I'd like to think you two are ripping it up again.
@CosmicXRay
Jeff's typically brilliant playing....
@johnconway6976
Give it to me ONE time!
@lastinghugs
so oooo smoooth... tight! ear candy! good tunes will live forever!
@elgringoirish
Toots is a man of Jesus Christ.