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.
On The Road Home
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With Beauty I've never seen
I have sung to a night full of hurt
And had no idea what it means
I'm on the road home, I'm on the road home
I'm on the road home, I'm going home
I have lived for a moment
I have asked for a friend and a lover
These I have received
I have landed in no where
Remember when we were cool
I have died many times in this life
And started up again, what a fool
I'm on the road home, I'm on the road home
I'm on the road home, I'm going home
Sometimes love is a prison
You just fake getting by
Bye-bye my good friend
You gotta go now
I'm on the road home, I'm on the road home
I'm on the road home, I'm going home
The lyrics of 54-40's song "On The Road Home" talk about the journey of life, the struggles and experiences one goes through, and finally the desire to go back home. The lyrics indicate that the singer has gone through many things in life, yet, is still unsure about some of the experiences he/she has had. The line "I have sung to a night full of hurt, and had no idea what it means" suggests that the singer may have expressed himself/herself in difficult times, but did not necessarily understand the depth of the situation or the emotions related to it.
The lines "Sometimes love is a prison, you just fake getting by" could be interpreted in different ways, but it is likely that the singer had been in a relationship that was not fulfilling, and he/she pretended to be okay with it. The character may have faced struggles that taught him/her valuable lessons, like the line "I have died many times in this life, and started up again, what a fool" suggests. The song expresses the desire to journey back home, maybe referring to the feeling of returning to a place of comfort after facing a lot of challenges.
It is interesting to note that the song gained popularity when it was used in a movie called "Powwow Highway" and has since been considered one of the band's most popular songs. Also, the song was included in 54-40's album "Dear Dear" in 1987.
Line by Line Meaning
I had travelled a long way
I have gone through many trials and hardships
With Beauty I've never seen
Experiencing the wonder of new surroundings and unfamiliar people
I have sung to a night full of hurt
I've shared my feelings of sadness and pain with others who are also struggling
And had no idea what it means
In spite of my expression, I feel like I'm not being heard or understood
I'm on the road home, I'm on the road home
I'm now heading towards the familiarity and comfort of home
I have lived for a moment
I've experienced a temporary moment of happiness
A moment suddenly seen
Although brief, this experience was still very significant
I have asked for a friend and a lover
I've sought companionship and love in my life
These I have received
Fortunately, I've been able to find these things in the people around me
I have landed in no where
I feel lost and directionless
Remember when we were cool
Reflecting on moments of happiness
I have died many times in this life
Going through many difficult experiences that have changed me
And started up again, what a fool
Even though I've been hurt before, I keep putting myself out there
Sometimes love is a prison
Love can be confining and limiting
You just fake getting by
Pretending to be okay when you really aren't
Bye-bye my good friend
Saying goodbye to someone who has been important in your life
You gotta go now
It's time to move on
I'm on the road home, I'm on the road home
Heading back to the place where I belong
I'm on the road home, I'm going home
Finally returning home to where I feel most comfortable
Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.