54•40 is an alternative rock band which formed in Tsawwassen, British Colum… Read Full Bio ↴54•40 is an alternative rock band which formed in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada in 1981. For most of their career, the band consisted of Neil Osborne (vocals), Phil Comparelli (guitar, trumpet, vocals), Brad Merritt (bass) and Matt Johnson (drums). Comparelli left the band in 2005 and was replaced by former Matthew Good Band guitarist Dave Genn. The band's best known songs include "Baby Ran", "Ocean Pearl" and "I Go Blind", the latter of which was covered by Hootie & the Blowfish. The band takes their name from the slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight," coined to express the expansionist agenda of James K. Polk's presidency, intent upon controling a contested U.S.-Canada border area.

The group formed in 1981 as a trio consisting of Brad Merritt (bass), Ian Franey(drums), and Neil Osborne (vocals). In 1983, Phil Comparelli was added on guitar and vocals, and Franey was replaced by Darryl Neudorf. Matt Johnson replaced Neudorf on drums by 1986. The band announced in March of 2005 that Comparelli had officially passed on guitar duties to Dave Genn, formerly of Matthew Good Band.

The band's self-titled second album, released in 1986, began to attract attention from radio and record buyers across Canada, with the single "Baby Ran" gaining significant radio airplay. The band's third album, Show Me, became their commercial breakthrough in Canada, with the hits "One Gun" and "One Day in Your Life".

Although the band was popular on college radio in the United States, they never had a commercial breakthrough -- 1992's Dear Dear was their first album not to have a U.S. release. Ironically, though, it was their best-selling album in Canada, leading to a new U.S. contract for the follow up, Smilin' Buddha Cabaret, which had a significant hit in "Ocean Pearl".

The band's song I Go Blind was covered in the mid-1990s by American band Hootie & the Blowfish.

The band's most recent album is 2008's Northern Soul released September 30th,2008 and they wrapped up their tour of Canada at the end of November 2008.

Apollo & Me
54-40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lost in the cages the time honored cell
Window for viewing a hanging on the hill
I wish I could see the crack in my chain
Then I would know what to do with you

Apollo and me we go drink to the past
When chariots did ride from the sun

I wish I could see the crack in my chain
Then I would know what to do with you

I've just seen the face that keeps me wakened
every night
Crucify sanctify I'm gonna bring it back to life
Na na na
Na na na

The chain will remain
The chain will not break
Connected by love
Connected by hate

You know you know it will not will not
Will not will not break

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 54-40's song Apollo & Me are open to interpretation, but it seems to be about feeling trapped and confined, albeit in different ways. The first verse talks about being in a cell, looking out a window at a hanging on a hill, and wishing for a crack in the chain that binds the singer. It's not clear who "you" refers to in this verse, but it could be a lover, friend, or someone who has the power to help or hinder the singer's situation.

The second verse introduces the titular characters, Apollo and the singer. They reminisce about a time when chariots rode from the sun, which could be a metaphorical way of saying life was simpler and more magical before the constraints of modern society. Once again, the singer longs for a crack in their chain to provide clarity on what to do with "you."

In the chorus, the singer sings about being haunted by a face every night and wanting to "bring it back to life" despite the idea of crucifying or sanctifying it. The last two lines of the chorus suggest that the chain binding the singer and whoever "you" is will remain unbroken, regardless of whether they connect through love or hate.

Overall, the lyrics of Apollo & Me are mysterious and poetic, leaving room for listeners to interpret them in their own way.

Line by Line Meaning

Lost in the cages the time honored cell
Trapped in a traditional and familiar confinement

Window for viewing a hanging on the hill
The only sight to see is a public execution

I wish I could see the crack in my chain
Yearning for a sign of weakness in one's restraints

Then I would know what to do with you
The potential of breaking free would dictate action

Apollo and me we go drink to the past
Looking back to ancient times with an iconic figure

When chariots did ride from the sun
Remembering the mythical transportation of gods

I've just seen the face that keeps me wakened every night
Haunted by a persistent image in one's mind

Crucify sanctify I'm gonna bring it back to life
Taking control of one's own spirit and emotions

Na na na
Vocalization to emphasize feeling and emotion

The chain will remain
Unable to escape from the constraints of life