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.
Couldn't Be Sorry
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not gonna save you, I'll spend you tonight
Who'll be master, who'll be the slave
Who'll take the hassle, then go insane
You could've picked anyone, you could've walked away
You could've picked anyone, now I've got to say
Couldn't be sorry to you
I couldn't be sorry, true
I don't know what it means, do you?
I'll never leave you, always, I'm here
To mask your perception, deflecting your fear
Don't be a baby, don't be a chore
Don't drive me crazy, don't you make me bored
You could've picked anyone, could've walked away
Could've picked anyone, now I've got to say
Couldn't be sorry to you
I don't know what it means
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (couldn't be sorry)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (I don't know what it means)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (couldn't be sorry)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (I don't know what it means)
Dreary, dreary day, sun won't shine
If it has to be this way, say you're mine
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (couldn't be sorry)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (I don't know what it means)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (couldn't be sorry)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (I don't know what it means)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (couldn't be sorry)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (I don't know what it means)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry (couldn't be sorry)
Couldn't be sorry, couldn't be sorry
The lyrics of 54-40's song "Couldn't Be Sorry" suggest a complex and intense relationship dynamic between two people. The first verse hints at a physical and possibly sexual attraction between the two, but also suggests a power struggle. The singer will not "save" the other person, but instead intends to "spend" them, implying a possessiveness and perhaps a lack of concern for the other's wellbeing. The question of who will be the "master" and who will be the "slave" adds to this theme of power dynamics, as does the idea of one person taking on the "hassel" and going "insane" for the other. The second verse touches on themes of emotional manipulation, with the singer urging the other person not to be a "baby" or a "chore" and warning against driving them "crazy" or making them "bored." The repeated refrain of "Couldn't be sorry" suggests a lack of remorse or regret on the singer's part, though it is unclear why or what they have done to provoke such a sentiment.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a complicated and possibly unhealthy relationship, involving power struggles, possessiveness, emotional manipulation, and a lack of concern for the other person. The repeated refrain of "Couldn't be sorry" adds an additional layer of ambiguity, leaving the listener to wonder exactly what has happened or what the singer is trying to convey with this sentiment.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to take you, hold you so tight
I desire to possess you, grip you strongly
I'm not gonna save you, I'll spend you tonight
I won't rescue you, I will use you up for my own pleasure tonight
Who'll be master, who'll be the slave
Who will have dominance, who will be submissive
Who'll take the hassle, then go insane
Who will handle the demanding situations and become crazy
You could've picked anyone, you could've walked away
You had the option to choose another, to exit from this situation
You could've picked anyone, now I've got to say
You had the opportunity to select someone else, now I must express regret
Couldn't be sorry to you
I cannot apologize to you
I don't know what it means
I am unaware of the concept of regret
I'll never leave you, always, I'm here
I will never abandon you, I will always be present for you
To mask your perception, deflecting your fear
I will hide your understanding, redirect your anxiety
Don't be a baby, don't be a chore
Don't act like a child, don't be a task to deal with
Don't drive me crazy, don't you make me bored
Don't irritate me, don't make me uninterested
Couldn't be sorry, true
I cannot truly apologize
I don't know what it means, do you?
I am unaware of the significance of expressing regret, are you?
Dreary, dreary day, sun won't shine
A gloomy, bleak day, without any sunshine
If it has to be this way, say you're mine
If this is the only option, declare that you belong to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind