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.
Casual Viewin'
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One for converting plastic to dreams
If you ride upon the tiger you can never get off
They get hungry
One thing is certain, all the rest are lies
Beautiful and damned ones never realize
That the dark is light enough to see the ignorance of greed
Come on come on get up I want to take you
Away from all of this and what has got you Lost and feeling down
You just get it off your back, let it fly away
Poetry of motion counting out the beats
To hear a voice in every mind sounding out retreat
And as they run they look behind to see what tempts the wandering eye
Still she cries
Trouble with the life of the Emperor's new mind
Casual viewin' in spite of what gets left behind
Gentlemen you may include me out, ladies please accept my bow
Still she cries
The lyrics of 54-40's song Casual Viewin' describe a desire for something new and liberating, a way to escape from a life that has become stale and oppressive. The theme of escape is expressed right from the beginning when the singer wishes for "a brand new machine, one for converting plastic to dreams". This statement likely refers to a desire for a way to turn the mundane and materialistic aspects of life into something more meaningful and fulfilling. The mention of riding upon the tiger is a reference to the dangers of such a desire, since one can become trapped in a cycle of empty ambition and materialism. The lyrics suggest that this state of being is as inevitable as the hunger of the tiger and that it is easy to become lost in a maze of one's own desires.
The lyrics also hint at the idea that material wealth and success are not the answer to the singer's problems. The line "One thing is certain, all the rest are lies" suggests that there is some deeper truth or purpose that goes beyond the superficiality of the world around them. The use of the image of a beautiful and damned person who cannot realize this truth suggests that there is a way out, but that it requires some level of self-awareness and introspection.
The theme of escape is revisited in the final stanza of the song as the singer invites others to join them in the quest for liberation. The lines "Come on come on get up I want to take you away from all of this and what has got you lost and feeling down" suggest that the singer is not alone in their desire for change. The final lines, "Trouble with the life of the Emperor's new mind, Casual viewin' in spite of what gets left behind, Gentlemen you may include me out, ladies please accept my bow, Still she cries" suggest a level of ambivalence on the part of the singer. They acknowledge that the pursuit of truth and liberation can be difficult and that there is loss involved in letting go of the past, but that it is a worthwhile endeavor nonetheless.
Line by Line Meaning
What I'm really wanting, a brand new machine
The singer desires a machine that can transform plastic into dreams.
One for converting plastic to dreams
The machine would convert plastic material into something meaningful, like dreams.
If you ride upon the tiger you can never get off
Once you commit to something dangerous or risky, it can be difficult to back out of it without consequences.
They get hungry
The tiger's nature is to seek and consume prey, illustrating the danger and risk associated with committing to it.
One thing is certain, all the rest are lies
The artist believes that there is only one true thing in life, and everything else is false.
Beautiful and damned ones never realize
People who are both attractive and unfortunate never fully recognize their situation.
That the dark is light enough to see the ignorance of greed
Even in darkness or ignorance, people can still recognize and understand the negative effects of greed.
Still she cries
Despite all of this, the woman is still upset and emotional.
Come on come on get up I want to take you
The artist is urging someone to stand up and leave their current situation for something better.
Away from all of this and what has got you Lost and feeling down
The person is currently lost and sad, and the artist wants to help them leave that behind and move on to something better.
You just get it off your back, let it fly away
The singer wants the person to let go of their emotional baggage and move on from their current situation.
Poetry of motion counting out the beats
The beauty of movement and rhythmic beats used in poetry are being described as a metaphor for life.
To hear a voice in every mind sounding out retreat
People are being tested and tempted, and are hearing a voice in their mind urging them to back out or retreat from the situation.
And as they run they look behind to see what tempts the wandering eye
As people try to escape their problems, they may be tempted by other distractions that pull them back in.
Still she cries
Despite all of this, the woman is still upset and emotional.
Trouble with the life of the Emperor's new mind
The artist is referencing the old fable, 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' and saying that having a mind like the emperor's can be problematic.
Casual viewin' in spite of what gets left behind
People may have a casual, indifferent perspective on the world, even if it causes them to leave things behind or ignore important details.
Gentlemen you may include me out, ladies please accept my bow
The singer is saying that he wants nothing to do with the current situation or problem, and would rather leave or bow out.
Still she cries
Despite all of this, the woman is still upset and emotional.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRAD MERRITT, MATT JOHNSON, NEIL OSBORNE, PHIL COMPARELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katherinehancocks283
"If you ride upon the tiger you can never get off
They get hungry
One thing is certain, all the rest are lies
Beautiful and damned ones never realize
That the dark is light enough to see the ignorance of greed
Still she cries"
The tiger gets addicted to the heroine.
My favourite 5440 song.
AWESOME SONG
@2ZZGE100
One of the most underrated songs of all times.
@BruceOp
Absolutely!
@mattpreston4047
along with the most underrated comments of all time 😉
@timoucestlannee
Probably their best album ever. Great sound. Great songs. Best vibe.
@adrienneseabrook8338
This song has helped me so much when serious depression took hold
@Rocknroll4evr
Get it off your back and let it fly y y away
I have a long list of songs that get me thu the rough patches. Peace
@rustyshackelford5047
Summer of 2000 is way better than summer 2021 for so many reasons. Better time, better music and no pandemic to worry about. Damn I miss those days.
@kevinfidler6287
It's one of those songs from your youth that comes gets overheard in a bar and the memories flood back in. Love this song.
@Geolaw1
The goodest feeling feel-good song of all time!
@littlechickadee1
Best recipe for happiness & fulfillment I've ever heard in a song! "Consumerism" is holding back soul-growth in this lifeltime. If yoiu're gonna spend beyond your means....do it on travel. Real travel, know the real life where you go, it doesn't cost much to get the best & truestexperience ever. And don't grab onto the plastic tiger of debt. Beauty IS truth in this song and these lyrics & I wish I'd gotten this message years ago. LOVE and thanks, 54-40. Blessings to you all.