Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, 54•40's melodic and thoughtful ro… Read Full Bio ↴Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, 54•40's melodic and thoughtful rock often draws comparisons to greats such as R.E.M.. The band takes their name from 11th president James K. Polk's slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight," signifying his expansionist desire to claim southern Canadian land for America's own. Beginning with their self-entitled in 1982, they have since released 17 albums and received international recognition through hits such as "Baby Ran" and "Ocean Pearl."
See Also: the last.fm alternate spelling page for 54-40.

Ride
54•40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've planted many seeds in my head
Watched them grow down
Only to hope my life would turn out easy
And I've looked inside my heart
I have been afraid that I might settle
For what it is I have become

And no one ever told me that

I would have to follow
If I ever knew back then
I could live life like I belong

Like I'm not wrong and if I've always wanted to be here
Well, then maybe, just maybe, I'd like to know
'Cause I like the way she talks with me
I like the way she sees, I like the way she lost herself
Just by seeming to be letting go, letting go, letting go

No one ever told me that
I would have to follow
If I ever knew back then
I could live life like I belong

No one else cares to hear the sound of Faith coming near
Slowing down to see if maybe I need a ride, talk to me, talk to me
"Where you goin'?" She says, "Where you from?"
She says, "Are you hungry? And are you on the run?"
We'll just ride, we'll just ride all night

No one ever told me that
I would have to follow
If I ever knew back then
I could live life

No one ever told me that
I would have to follow

If I ever knew back then
I could live life like I belong

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 54•40's song "Ride" reflects upon a crucial aspect of life - the uncertainty of it. The singer describes how he has planted many seeds in his head, watched them grow, but still hopes that his life would turn out to be easy. Yet, he looks inside his heart and realizes his fear of settling for what he has become. He ponders why no one ever told him that he has to follow to succeed, and if he had known earlier, he could have lived life with a sense of purpose.

Throughout the track, he emphasizes that he didn't know if he was right and wanted to belong somewhere. The singer aims to find something, and in the quest, he talks about how he likes her way of talking, seeing, and even getting lost. He finds comfort in her ability to let go of herself and just be, leaving behind all fears and anxieties.

In the last few lines of the track, the singer talks about how no one seems to care about the sound of faith coming near him. He desires someone to slow down and talk to him. The woman asks the singer where he is going and where he is coming from, and invites him to ride with her all night, with no specification on where they’re going.

Overall, the song "Ride" reflects the sentiments of someone searching for a sense of purpose and belonging in life, who wanted to escape their past and find solace with a stranger.

Line by Line Meaning

I've planted many seeds in my head
I have envisioned various life paths for myself

Watched them grow down
I have contemplated the possible consequences of my choices

Only to hope my life would turn out easy
I have wished for a comfortable and smooth life

And I've looked inside my heart
I have examined my feelings and desires

I have been afraid that I might settle
I fear that I may compromise my aspirations

For what it is I have become
By conforming to societal norms, I may miss out on my true calling

And no one ever told me that
I was not informed that

I would have to follow
I must follow a predetermined path

If I ever knew back then
If only I had known earlier

I could live life like I belong
I could embrace and thrive in my authentic self

Like I'm not wrong and if I've always wanted to be here
Accepting my true self would mean feeling like I am in the right place

Well, then maybe, just maybe, I'd like to know
I am curious to explore this possibility

'Cause I like the way she talks with me
I enjoy conversing with this person

I like the way she sees, I like the way she lost herself
I appreciate this person's perspectives and the way they can become fully involved in something

Just by seeming to be letting go, letting go, letting go
This person seems to be able to find freedom and happiness by releasing their inhibitions

No one else cares to hear the sound of Faith coming near
Others are indifferent to my spiritual journey

Slowing down to see if maybe I need a ride, talk to me, talk to me
This person is willing to listen to me and offer assistance

"Where you goin'?" She says, "Where you from?"
This person is curious about my life story

She says, "Are you hungry? And are you on the run?"
This person is concerned about my well-being

We'll just ride, we'll just ride all night
We will continue on this journey together for as long as possible

No one ever told me that
I was unaware that

I would have to follow
I was expected to conform

If I ever knew back then
If only I had been informed earlier

I could live life
I could exist outside of societal norms

No one ever told me that
I was not given the information that

I would have to follow
I was not warned that I would have to conform