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.
Not Enough to Make You Happy
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even though, even though you're not too sad
I wonder, wonder, wonder what you'll do
You keep faking, faking it through
Don't make me lie to you
All I'm gonna do when you're like this
I'm gonna lie to you, all I'm gonna do, all I'm gonna do
Not enough, not enough to make you happy, happy
Even though, even though it's not too bad
Don't make me lie to you
All I'm gonna do when you're like this
I'm gonna lie to you, all I'm gonna do, all I'm gonna do
Lie to you, I'm gonna lie to you, I'm gonna lie to you
I'm gonna lie to you, I'm gonna lie
My love, my love
My love, my love
My love, my love
The lyrics to 54-40's song "Not Enough to Make You Happy" speak to the complexity of understanding what truly makes someone happy. The singer reflects on how even though the person they are addressing may not be too sad, they still cannot quite pinpoint what will bring them true happiness. The person in question is described as "faking it through," suggesting that they may be putting on a front or mask to hide their true feelings.
The chorus repeats the phrase "not enough to make you happy," indicating that the singer has perhaps tried to provide things or experiences that they thought would bring happiness, but to no avail. The line "don't make me lie to you" adds to the sense of frustration and helplessness the singer feels. They may not want to deceive the person they are addressing, but at the same time, they feel as though they have no other choice but to pretend that everything is okay.
Line by Line Meaning
Never know, never know what makes you happy
I don't understand what brings you joy
Even though, even though you're not too sad
You're not completely unhappy, but something is still missing from your life
I wonder, wonder, wonder what you'll do
I'm curious about how you plan to find happiness
You keep faking, faking it through
You're pretending to be happy, but deep down you're not
Don't make me lie to you
I don't want to deceive you
All I'm gonna do when you're like this
When you're feeling this way, the only thing I can do is lie to spare your feelings
Not enough, not enough to make you happy, happy
Whatever we're doing to try to make you happy is insufficient
Even though, even though it's not too bad
The situation isn't terrible, but it still isn't making you happy
My love, my love
Despite all of this, I still love you
My love, my love
I will continue to love you
My love, my love
My feelings for you won't change
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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