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.
Lost And Lazy
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the Buddha accepting the term
This is destruction, theory creation
And the people watch what they want
I thank you but I'm well enough by now
And though I'd like to change into someone better
Someone, mother, would never know
And the purge of love, it costs too much
Thank you but I'm well enough I know
I say I'm lost 'cause I'm lazy
Say I'm caught but I'm not
It's an excuse, not even my own
I picked it up to be left alone
And now I'm in the presence, the greatest indifference
Being wise, being old
They can find you out when you get to loud
And you start to weep for love and peace
I thank you but I'm well enough I know
I say I'm lost and I maybe
I say I'm caught but I'm not
It's an excuse, not even my own
Picked it up to be left alone
I say I'm lost and I maybe
Say I'm caught but I'm not
It's an excuse, not even the truth
I picked it up to get away from you
The lyrics of "Lost and Lazy" by 54-40 delve into the concept of personal growth and the difficulties that come with it. The opening lines contain a sense of wonder about the nature of life and the role that we play in it. The singer wonders if their gift is a natural part of existence, or if it's something more profound like the acceptance of Buddhist teachings. They don't reject the idea of destruction and creation, but instead see it as a necessary part of life. However, they understand that these concepts come at a cost, and the people around them aren't necessarily willing to pay that price.
The next verse continues along the theme of personal transformation, discussing the desire to change into someone better than they are now. However, they also understand that their mother would never know this new version of themselves. This transformation involves constant mutation and self-mutilation, but the hardest part is the purge of love, which is too costly. The singer is thankful for their experiences, but they also recognize that they've done enough and are content with themselves.
The chorus of the song provides a refrain, where the singer claims to be lost but lazy. They say that they're caught, but they're really not - this is an excuse that they've picked up to be left alone. This line reinforces the idea of transformation and growth, but it also acknowledges that change can be uncomfortable and that it can lead to isolation.
Overall, "Lost and Lazy" by 54-40 is a song about internal struggles and how they shape our lives. It acknowledges the difficulties that arise when trying to become a better person and the costs of that transformation. The song encourages the listener to accept and appreciate themselves for who they are and to recognize that there's no need to change unless they want to.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother, is this my gift flowing in nature?
Questioning whether his existence is part of a larger natural order or a gift from a higher power.
Like the Buddha accepting the term
Acknowledging the cyclical nature of life and his own place in it.
This is destruction, theory creation
Acknowledging that creation requires destruction and innovation often comes from tearing down what came before.
And the people watch what they want
Noting the consumerist tendencies of society and the way people consume what appeals to them.
I thank you but I'm well enough by now
Expressing gratitude to those who have helped him but also asserting his own independence and self-sufficiency.
And though I'd like to change into someone better
Admitting that he has flaws and desires to improve himself.
Someone, mother, would never know
Recognizing that his mother may never truly understand his inner struggles and desires for self-improvement.
And this is mutation, self mutilation
Viewing self-improvement and change as a painful, transformative process.
And the purge of love, it costs too much
Acknowledging that personal growth often requires forsaking comfort and sacrificing certain relationships.
I say I'm lost 'cause I'm lazy
Admitting to lacking direction and purpose but also using laziness as an excuse for his lack of progress.
Say I'm caught but I'm not
Claiming to be trapped or stuck in his current state but knowing deep down that he has agency to change.
It's an excuse, not even my own
Recognizing that his laziness is not a valid excuse and may not even be something he truly believes himself.
I picked it up to be left alone
Using his laziness as a way to isolate himself from others and avoid the effort of building relationships.
And now I'm in the presence, the greatest indifference
Noting the way that older people can often seem indifferent to the struggles of younger generations.
Being wise, being old
Recognizing that wisdom comes with age and experience.
They can find you out when you get too loud
Noting that standing out too much or drawing attention to oneself can lead to criticism or ostracization.
And you start to weep for love and peace
Acknowledging that true fulfillment often comes from deep emotional connections and inner peace.
I say I'm lost and I maybe
Reaffirming his lack of direction while acknowledging that there may be other factors at play.
It's an excuse, not even my own
Reiterating that his excuses for his lack of progress are invalid and may not even be something he truly believes himself.
Picked it up to be left alone
Using his lack of direction and purpose as a way to avoid building relationships and seeking emotional fulfillment.
Say I'm caught but I'm not
Again claiming to be stuck or trapped but also acknowledging that he has the power to break free.
It's an excuse, not even the truth
Admitting that his excuses are not based in truth or reality.
I picked it up to get away from you
Using his lack of direction and purpose as a way to distance himself from others, including possibly his mother.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevron Kawasaki
Thank you but I'm well enough I know 😌
McRocket
Am I lost because I am lazy?
Or am I lazy because I am lost?
I hope it's the latter.
But I honestly do not know.
☮
James Meikle
Hey we both found a fantastic song...unlost & always lazy