Toots and the Maytals: 54-46 Was My Number - A Reggae Classic
If you love reggae music, you probably know the song 54-46 Was My Number by Toots and the Maytals. It is one of the most iconic and influential songs in the history of the genre, and it has been covered by many artists over the years. But do you know the story behind the song? And do you know how to download it for free? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this reggae classic, and we will show you some of the best free music download sites where you can get it legally.
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
Introduction
Who are Toots and the Maytals?
Toots and the Maytals are a Jamaican musical group that was formed in the early 1960s by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, Henry "Raleigh" Gordon, and Nathaniel "Jerry" Mathias. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of ska, rocksteady, and reggae music, and they have recorded many hits, such as Pressure Drop, Monkey Man, Funky Kingston, and Sweet and Dandy. They have also collaborated with artists like Bob Marley, The Clash, Eric Clapton, and Willie Nelson. Toots Hibbert is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, and he has been called "the Otis Redding of reggae". He passed away in 2020 at the age of 77.
What is the meaning of 54-46 Was My Number?
54-46 Was My Number is a song that Toots Hibbert wrote after he was arrested for possession of marijuana in 1966. He spent 18 months in prison, where he was assigned the prisoner number 54-46. The song is a protest against the harsh treatment he received from the police and the justice system, and it also expresses his hope for freedom and redemption. The song features a catchy chorus that repeats the phrase "54-46 was my number, right now someone else has that number", as well as a horn section that mimics the sound of a police siren. The song also references another famous reggae song, Train to Skaville by The Ethiopians.
How did the song become popular?
The song was first released in 1968 as a ska tune under the title 54-46 That's My Number. It was a hit in Jamaica, but it did not get much attention outside the island. A year later, Toots and the Maytals re-recorded the song as a rocksteady version with a slower tempo and more soulful vocals. This version was titled 54-46 Was My Number, and it was released on the Beverley's label in Jamaica and the Pyramid label in the UK. This version became one of the first reggae songs to receive widespread popularity outside Jamaica, and it helped to introduce reggae music to a global audience. The song has been anthologized repeatedly, and it is seen as one of the defining songs of reggae music. It has also been covered by many artists, such as Aswad, Sublime, Yellowman, Buju Banton, Vanilla Ice, Major Lazer, and Bad Royale.
How to download 54-46 Was My Number for free?
The best free music download sites
If you want to download 54-46 Was My Number for free, you can use some of the best free music download sites that are available on the internet. These sites offer a variety of music genres, artists, and formats, and they are legal and safe to use. Here are some of the sites that we recommend: Bandcamp
Bandcamp is a platform that allows independent musicians to upload their music and sell it directly to their fans. You can find a lot of music genres on Bandcamp, from rock to jazz to electronic. You can also stream the music online or download it as MP3, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, or AIFF files. Some artists offer their music for free or for a name-your-price option, which means you can pay as much or as little as you want. To find free music on Bandcamp, you can search for tags like Free and Free Download, or browse the Discover section and filter by price.
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number youtube
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number lyrics
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number meaning
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number album
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number live
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number chords
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number bass tab
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number cover
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number remix
toots and the maytals 54 46 was my number instrumental
toots and the maytals in the dark free mp3 download
toots and the maytals reggae greats free mp3 download
toots and the maytals pressure drop free mp3 download
toots and the maytals funky kingston free mp3 download
toots and the maytals monkey man free mp3 download
toots and the maytals sweet and dandy free mp3 download
toots and the maytals take me home country roads free mp3 download
toots and the maytals reggae got soul free mp3 download
toots and the maytals spiritual healing free mp3 download
toots and the maytals louie louie free mp3 download
toots and the maytals bam bam free mp3 download
toots and the maytals peace perfect peace free mp3 download
toots and the maytals dub hall of fame free mp3 download
toots and the maytals roots reggae music mix free mp3 download
toots and the maytals i am bolt soundtrack free mp3 download
toots and the maytals sly & robbie ultimate collection free mp3 download
toots and the maytals live at my father's place free mp3 download
toots and the maytals got to be tough free mp3 download
toots and the maytals i see you free mp3 download
toots and the maytals take a look in the mirror free mp3 download
toots hibbert 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
frederick hibbert 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
leslie kong 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
neville hinds 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
warwick lynn 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
carlton lee 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
island records 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
universal music group 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
umg recordings inc. 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
youtube music premium 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
wynk music app 54 46 was my number free mp3 download
spotify playlist reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
apple music subscription reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
amazon music unlimited reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
deezer premium reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
tidal hifi reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
pandora plus reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
soundcloud go+ reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
napster premier reggae greats - toots & the maytals free mp3 download
DatPiff
If you are a fan of hip-hop and rap music, DatPiff is the site for you. DatPiff specializes in mixtapes, which are collections of songs that are not officially released by the artists or labels. Mixtapes often feature remixes, unreleased tracks, freestyles, and collaborations. DatPiff hosts thousands of mixtapes from both well-known and emerging artists, such as Drake, Future, Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, The Weeknd, Wiz Khalifa, and more. You can stream the mixtapes online or download them as MP3 files for free.
Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive is a project that was created by several community radio stations to provide free music that can be downloaded and used in other creative works under Creative Commons licenses. You can find a wide range of music genres on Free Music Archive, from classical to folk to experimental. You can also discover new music by browsing through curated collections, specific genres, and trending music. You can listen to the music online or download it as MP3 files for free.
The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a non-profit organization that archives digital content from the internet, such as websites, books, videos, and audio. The Internet Archive's Audio Archive offers free access to music recordings, audiobooks, podcasts, and radio programs. You can search through the archive's Live Music Archive to find live performances from thousands of artists, such as Grateful Dead, Phish, The Smashing Pumpkins, and more. You can also browse the LibriVox Free Audiobook Collection for public domain audiobooks read by volunteers. You can listen to the audio online or download it as MP3 or OGG files for free.. The pros and cons of free music downloads
Downloading music for free can have its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons that you should consider before you download any music for free:
Pros
You can save money by not paying for music subscriptions or purchases.
You can discover new music and artists that you might not find on mainstream platforms.
You can support independent musicians who offer their music for free or for a voluntary donation.
You can have more control over your music library and playlists.
Cons
You might violate the copyright laws and face legal consequences if you download music without the permission of the owners.
You might expose your device to viruses, malware, or spyware if you download music from untrusted sources.
You might compromise the quality and integrity of the music files if you download them in low-resolution or compressed formats.
You might miss out on the benefits of streaming services, such as personalized recommendations, curated playlists, and offline access.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, 54-46 Was My Number by Toots and the Maytals is a reggae classic that tells the story of Toots Hibbert's imprisonment for marijuana possession in 1966. The song is a powerful protest against the injustice and oppression he faced, and it also showcases his amazing vocal and lyrical skills. The song became one of the first reggae songs to gain international recognition, and it has influenced many artists and genres over the years. If you want to download the song for free, you can use some of the best free music download sites that we have listed above, but you should also be aware of the pros and cons of free music downloads.
Call to action
If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and family who love reggae music. You can also leave a comment below and tell us what you think about 54-46 Was My Number by Toots and the Maytals. And if you want to learn more about reggae music and culture, check out our other articles on our website. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about 54-46 Was My Number by Toots and the Maytals:
What is the difference between ska, rocksteady, and reggae?
Ska, rocksteady, and reggae are three related genres of Jamaican music that emerged in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s respectively. Ska is characterized by a fast tempo, a strong offbeat accent, and a blend of Caribbean rhythms and American jazz and rhythm and blues. Rocksteady is a slower and smoother version of ska, with more emphasis on vocals, harmonies, and bass lines. Reggae is a further evolution of rocksteady, with a more syncopated rhythm, a prominent drum pattern, and lyrics that often deal with social and political issues.
Who are some of the other famous reggae artists?
Some of the other famous reggae artists include Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Desmond Dekker, The Wailers, The Skatalites, The Heptones, The Abyssinians, Black Uhuru, Steel Pulse, UB40, Ziggy Marley, Damian Marley, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Chronixx, Koffee, and many more.
Where can I watch live performances of Toots and the Maytals?
You can watch live performances of Toots and the Maytals on YouTube or other video platforms. You can also find DVDs or Blu-rays of their concerts online or in stores. Some of their most famous live performances include Live at Reggae Sunsplash (1982), Live at Red Rocks (1997), Live at Glastonbury (2010), Live at Coachella (2011), Live at Byron Bay Bluesfest (2017), and Live at One Love Festival (2018).
How can I support Toots and the Maytals?
You can support Toots and the Maytals by buying their albums or merchandise online or in stores. You can also follow them on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. You can also donate to their official website or their charity foundation, which supports children and communities in need in Jamaica and Africa. You can also stream their music on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music, or watch their documentaries or interviews on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video.
What are some of the other songs by Toots and the Maytals that I should listen to?
Some of the other songs by Toots and the Maytals that you should listen to include Pressure Drop, Monkey Man, Funky Kingston, Sweet and Dandy, Bam Bam, Do the Reggay, Reggae Got Soul, Take Me Home Country Roads, Louie Louie, Pomp and Pride, Time Tough, True Love, Got to Be Tough, and many more.
44f88ac181