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.
Frankl's Revenge
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Echoing the news
Half said, half sung, never any reason
Nothing else to lose
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
He said, she said, together, they perceive that
Inbred, tube-fed, diet of the undead
No revolution inside
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Somehow, I lost my meaning
I can't remember what happened to me
Somehow, I lost my meaning
What am I if I'm not who I am
Ego floods you, washing the virtue
You never gonna grow
Knock knock, who's there
Anybody care for the soul, care for the soul
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Charismatic technocrat, got you doing this and that
Don't listen to the crook
By the scale of the lie, you could wither and die
While you're hanging on the hook
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Somehow, I lost my meaning
I can't remember what happened to me
Somehow, I lost my meaning
What am I if I'm not who I am, gotta be
Somehow, I lost my meaning
I can't remember what happened to me
Somehow, I lost my meaning
Somehow, I lost my meaning
And I want it back
"Frankl's Revenge" by 54-40 is a song that can be interpreted as a commentary on the superficiality and lack of substance in modern society. The lyrics suggest that people are too easily swayed by the opinions of others and the media, rather than thinking for themselves. The opening lines, "Boy talk, girl talk, everybody gets off / Echoing the news," could be seen as a criticism of the way in which people get caught up in gossip and news stories that ultimately have little bearing on their lives. The repeated refrain of "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah" emphasizes the pointlessness of these conversations.
The following lines, "He said, she said, together, they perceive that / The mood make the choice alright," suggest that people are more likely to follow the crowd than to make independent decisions based on their own thoughts and feelings. The line "Inbred, tube-fed, diet of the undead" could be interpreted as a commentary on the way in which people consume media without questioning its accuracy or relevance.
The chorus, "Somehow, I lost my meaning / I can't remember what happened to me / Somehow, I lost my meaning / What am I if I'm not who I am," suggests that the singer has lost their sense of self in this superficial world. They are questioning what it means to be themselves when the world around them seems so insubstantial. The final repeated refrain of "And I want it back" underscores the longing for a return to a more authentic and meaningful existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy talk, girl talk, everybody gets off
Both males and females engage in conversations that provide pleasure or satisfaction.
Echoing the news
Repeating or reporting previously said information or events.
Half said, half sung, never any reason
Communicating with a mix of speech and melody, without any logic or rationale.
Nothing else to lose
Having no other things to risk or endanger.
He said, she said, together, they perceive that
When spoken by both genders, the mood determines the affirmation or denial of something.
The mood make the choice alright
Decisions are often influenced by an individual's emotional state.
Inbred, tube-fed, diet of the undead
A limited or repetitive diet resembling the food supplied to deceased or non-existent beings.
No revolution inside
Lacking internal transformation, growth or progress.
Somehow, I lost my meaning
Experiencing a loss of purpose, significance or identity.
I can't remember what happened to me
Unable to recollect the events that led to the loss of oneself.
What am I if I'm not who I am
Questioning self-identity and existence if one's true self is lost or unclear.
Ego floods you, washing the virtue
The self-importance and narcissism can overwhelm and destroy moral goodness or righteousness.
You never gonna grow
Stunted personal development or expansion.
Knock knock, who's there
A traditional question used to prompt the listener's attention or curiosity.
Anybody care for the soul, care for the soul
Is there anyone interested or concerned about the deep emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a human being?
Charismatic technocrat, got you doing this and that
A magnetic leader or expert using various means to manipulate or control people and their actions.
Don't listen to the crook
Ignoring the dishonest or immoral person.
By the scale of the lie, you could wither and die
The severity of deceit or falsehoods can cause one to weaken or perish.
While you're hanging on the hook
Being caught, trapped or tricked.
And I want it back
Desiring to regain what was lost or taken away.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Vhaldemar90
their heaviest song?? I think yes...