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.
Baby Have Some Faith
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone turns at every one sound
And there's no calm
Everyone knows survival will count
If your soul can be found when days are down
You won't be lost
Baby have some faith
Good is as real as the evil
Homeless bodies in my back yard
Battered women and children scarred
The apathy here is amoral fear
Influence of power in the wrong hands
Resorting to torture, the prophet demands
Teaches us nothing and sensors the news
Baby have some faith
Baby have some faith
Daylight will follow the darkness
Baby have some faith
Baby have some faith
No one can steal your day baby
I know what's aching you,
You've got the love in you, and you'll get by
I know you'll make it through
You've got the love in you, and you'll get by
The knack for souls is great and I can
See that every time
54-40's song Baby Have Some Faith is a commentary on the state of society and the world we live in. The lyrics describe a soulless town where everyone is downtrodden and fearful, where even the sound of someone turning is enough to cause alarm. In this environment, survival is all that matters, but the question is whether one's true self, their soul, can be found in the midst of all the chaos. The message of the song is that despite all the evil and negativity in the world, there is still good to be found and hope to be had.
The song further explores the issues of homelessness, domestic violence, apathy, and abuse of power. The reference to "homeless bodies in my backyard" speaks to the widespread problem of homelessness in our societies, while "battered women and children scarred" highlights the issue of domestic abuse. The line "the apathy here is amoral fear" criticizes the lack of empathy and action towards addressing these issues.
In the face of all this negativity, the singer urges the listener to have faith - to believe that good exists and will prevail. The lines "good is as real as the evil" and "daylight will follow the darkness" reinforce this message. Ultimately, the song is a call to hold on to hope and to carry on even when times are tough.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a soulless town and everyone's down
The town lacks a sense of purpose and the people feel negative and unmotivated.
Everyone turns at every one sound
The people are hypersensitive and reactive to any noise or disturbance.
And there's no calm
The environment is chaotic and unsettling.
Everyone knows survival will count
The people are aware that it's important to survive in such a challenging environment.
If your soul can be found when days are down
If you can maintain your positive spirit during hard times, you will not be defeated.
You won't be lost
You will not feel directionless or without purpose.
Good is as real as the evil
There is a balance of good and bad in the world.
Homeless bodies in my back yard
There are homeless people in the artist's immediate community.
Battered women and children scarred
There are victims of abuse who have suffered physical and emotional trauma.
The apathy here is amoral fear
The people's lack of interest and concern is driven by a lack of moral courage.
Influence of power in the wrong hands
Those who hold power are not using it responsibly.
Resorting to torture, the prophet demands
The religious leader has instructed his followers to use brutal means to maintain obedience.
Teaches us nothing and sensors the news
The ruling regime censors and controls the media, preventing citizens from learning the truth.
Daylight will follow the darkness
After experiencing difficult times, better days will come.
No one can steal your day baby
Others cannot take away your ability to enjoy your own life.
I know what's aching you,
The artist understands that the listener is struggling.
You've got the love in you, and you'll get by
The listener has the strength and resilience to overcome their hardships.
The knack for souls is great and I can
The singer possesses a keen intuition for understanding people's innermost selves.
See that every time
This intuition is successful and accurate on a consistent basis.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COMPARELLI, OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@asmith5515
I saw 54-40 play in Seattle in 1989 as the opening act for the Bodeans. 54-40 blew me away. They had power, harmony, rhythm, and looked like they were having a ton of fun playing. Song after song had driving melodies. I only wish I had the opportunity to see them again. These guys are so under rated and are barely known outside of Canada. However, they have a ton of records. Hootie covered them. 54-40 belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!! Cleveland, wake up! Crank up the music.
@cheriedebreuil
you lucky dog! I had concert tickets once but I had to work so I gave them away!
@davidg4026
Hootie completely ruined that song for me!
@davidg4026
@Da Squirrel --> All of that may be true, but it's not going to bring that song back from the dead for me. My only consolation is that it was Hootie's only big hit.
@davidg4026
@Da Squirrel --> Ok, Ok, point taken! I had honesty forgotten about the other Hootie songs... Likely 'cause I'm not a fan. However, I have seen 54-40 live probably a dozen times. The first time being in '88 or '89. They're one of my all-time favorite Canadian bands, but I think I grew out of them after Dear Dear... I was on the Grunge train.
@davidg4026
@Da Squirrel Age of Electric's "Remote Control" was a killer song! I never saw them live though. My other fave Canadian bands included Northern Pikes, National Velvet, Grapes of Wrath, Econoline Crush, Matthew Good... even went through a phase listening to The Waltons -- remember them?
@jaypearson7441
This has got to be one of my all time favourite songs ever. I could listen to this a thousand times and it still would get me every time. I sort of miss the 54-40 from this time.
@centralscrutinizer9591
Best song of all time.
@jeffreybarkin3177
Sure is a re-assuring Tune that encourages that things can Work Out.
Neil Osborne is such a Gifted Songwriter!
Yes, it does allow us to put Life in perspective...
@dontwannaknow17
2020,right in the middle of the lockdown still listening, one of my favorite songs of all time,baby have some faith,daylight will follow the darkness, fits right into what we are going through, hope you are eating well and staying safe out there