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.

Baby Ran
54-40 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I won't come back
And I won't say no
But that means the circle around us
Will cut a little lower like you said
One play near
You seem so surprised
Least inside you get that
Pretty little nightmare it comes alive

[Chorus]
Baby ran she ran away
Why she ran I got to say
I'm lonesome all the time
Baby ran she ran away
Why she ran I got to say
I know one reason why.

Well each time I see you
So far away
A love letter worry that tells me
I'm all right all right
Here am I
Who chose to ride

Pass me wondering whether I got a job
But it's alright until one day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 54-40's song Baby Ran depict a broken relationship, with the singer acknowledging that their partner has left and won't come back. The line "But that means the circle around us will cut a little lower like you said" suggests that the end of the relationship will have a lasting impact on both parties. The singer seems to find some solace in the fact that their partner is at least surprised about the breakup, but regardless, the pain of being alone persists. The chorus repeats the phrase "Baby ran she ran away," highlighting the central theme of the song. The singer laments being "lonesome all the time" and speaks of a "love letter worry," suggesting that perhaps they sensed the impending end of the relationship before it actually happened. The final line "But it's alright until one day" hints at the possibility of future regret or longing.

The song Baby Ran was released by Canadian band 54-40 in 1986.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I won't come back
I have no intention of returning

And I won't say no
I won't outright refuse

But that means the circle around us
Our relationship will change

Will cut a little lower like you said
Will become less close, as previously suggested

One play near
One chance nearby

You seem so surprised
You appear shocked

Least inside you get that
At least internally you understand

Pretty little nightmare it comes alive
A beautiful dream turns into a harsh reality

Baby ran she ran away
The girl in question left him

Why she ran I got to say
The reason for her departure needs to be revealed