Forty Six & 2
| "Forty Six & 2" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotional single by Tool | ||||
| from the album Ænima | ||||
| Released | 1997 | |||
| Genre | Alternative metal | |||
| Length | 6:03 | |||
| Label | Freeworld | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| Tool singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio sample | ||||
Sample of "Forty Six & 2".
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"Forty Six & 2" is a song by American rock band Tool. It was released as a promotional single from their second studio album, Ænima (1996).
Title and theme
A popular belief is that the song title refers to an idea first conceived by Drunvalo Melchizedek concerning the possibility of reaching a state of evolution at which the body would have two more than the normal 46 total chromosomes and leave a disharmonious state.[1][2] The premise is humans would deviate from the current state of human DNA which contains 44 autosomes and two sex chromosomes. The next step of evolution would likely result in human DNA being reorganized into 46 autosomes and two sex chromosomes, according to Melchizedek.
Additionally, it may refer to the desire to experience change through the "shadow", an idea that represents the parts of one's psyche and identity that one hates, fears and represses; this exists as a recurring theme in the work of Carl Jung.[3]
Composition
Considered an "alt-metal anthem",[4] the song is mostly in 4
4 time with some sections of 7
8 in between. In the intro, Danny Carey plays four measures of 7
8 on his ride cymbal over the rest of the band playing in 4
4, and they all meet up on the downbeat of the 5th measure in 4
4. During the bridge there are three measures of 7
8 followed by one measure of 4
4. During a particular quad fill, the drums are in 3
8, the guitar plays one measure of 9
8 followed by one in 5
8 all while the bass keeps time in 7
8.[5] Most of the song is written in D Phrygian dominant scale,[6] also known as the fifth mode of the G harmonic minor scale.
Legacy
In March 2023, Rolling Stone ranked "Forty Six & 2" at No. 53 on their "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time" list.[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Forty Six & 2" | 6:03 |
Charts
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | 152 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[9] | 22 |
References
- ^ Cross, Alan. "Tool" Archived October 21, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. The Ongoing History of New Music. Corus Radio. September 30, 2001. "At our current level, according to this dude, our chromosomal composition can be expressed as “44 & 2" That’s a disharmonic state of consciousness, we need to add those two new chromosomes, hence '46&2.'"
- ^ Lewis Goldberg (June 1, 2006). "Finnegans Shake". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ The Tool FAQ, G36.
- ^ Adams, Gregory (June 4, 2024). "TOOL in London: See epic photos of O2 show". Revolver. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ "Danny's drumming methods? [Archive] - the Tool Page: Opinion".
- ^ "Is 'Forty Six & 2' the Best Tool Song of All Time?".
- ^ "The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. March 13, 2023. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- ^ "Tool ARIA chart history (to August 2025)". ARIA. Retrieved August 27, 2025 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
- ^ "Tool Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2017.