What do TOOTS & THE MAYTALS SKA from Jamaica have in Common with JAIL GUITAR DOORS?
The Clash paid tribute to Toots and Maytals with their song “Jail Guitar Doors” recorded in 1978 which ends with Joe Strummer singing “54-46 was my number.” 54-46 was my number is the 1st Ska song to make it out of Jamaica. It was about TOOTS time in prison for possession of the Ganja!
Read more @ 54-46 That’s My Number
JAIL GUITAR DOORS by The Clash
Let me tell you ’bout Wayne and his deals of cocaine
A little more every day
Holding for a friend till the band do well
Then the D.E.A. locked him away
Clang clang, go the jail guitar doors
Bang bang, go the boots on the floor
Cry cry, for your lonely mother’s son
Clang clang, go the jail guitar doors
An’ I’ll tell you ’bout Pete, didn’t want no fame
Gave all his money away
“Well there’s something wrong, it’ll be good for you, son”
And so they certified him insane
And then there’s Keith, waiting for trial
Twenty-five thousand bail
If he goes down you won’t hear his sound
But his friends carry on anyway
Fuck ’em!
Jail guitar doors
54/46 was my number
Jail guitar doors
Right now someone else has that number
