“54-46 (That’s My Number)” by the legendary Toots and the Maytals penned by Fred “Toots” Hibbert is now certified Gold in the U.K. for selling 400,000 units. The award was given on Friday December 8, 2023 by the British Phonographic Industry as measured by the Official Charts company with a combination of streams and sales data.
The song originally released in 1968 on the Beverley’s label in Jamaica and the Pyramid label in the UK, the song narrates Toots Hibbert’s personal experience of imprisonment following a marijuana-related arrest in the 1960s.
A year after its initial release, a follow-up version titled “54-46 Was My Number” achieved unprecedented popularity beyond Jamaica, marking a pivotal moment in the global appreciation of reggae music. Considered one of the genre’s defining songs, “54-46” has been anthologized numerous times, with several reggae compilations bearing its name.
Several artists have paid homage through covers and reinterpretations such as British reggae band Aswad released a cover in 1984, and dancehall star Yellowman incorporated it into “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” the same year.
Other notable covers include renditions by Sublime, Buju Banton on his album Inner Heights, and Fermín Muguruza, each adding their unique flair to the timeless composition.
The instrumental produced by Leslie Kong for “54-46 (That’s My Number)” is on Ernest Ranglin’s album “Below the Bassline,” and its introduction was sampled in Foxy Brown’s hip hop song “Oh Yeah,” featuring Spragga Benz.
The song forms the basis of Rebel MC & Double Trouble’s “Street Tuff” and KRS-One’s “The Bridge is Over.”
Film and Television:
It made an appearance in the 2006 film “This Is England” and was re-recorded by Kiko Bun for a television series. Additionally, it found a place in the sci-fi film “Repo Men” and the series “Narcos: Mexico,” showcasing its versatility across different mediums.
More recently Major Lazer and Bad Royale paid homage to the classic with their 2016 release, “My Number,” a track that samples “54-46 That’s My Number.”
This reimagined version features newly recorded vocals from Toots Hibbert, seamlessly blending the old with the new while preserving the song’s original melody.
