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.
Open Fire
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Want me dead don't know why
Don't know why
Don't know why
I should die
I'm gonna get you while you're walking around in my mind
Go ahead and shoot me down
Shoot me down
Shoot me down
To the ground
I'm gonna get you while you're walking around in my mind
Come on sweetie open fire
Come on sweetie open fire
Open fire
Open fire
You'd be too kind
I'm gonna get you while you're walking around in my mind
The repetitive lyrics of "Want me dead don't know why, I should die" and "Go ahead and shoot me down, to the ground" in 54-40's song "Open Fire" can be interpreted as the frustration and desperation of someone who is dealing with feelings of persecution and victimization at the hands of others. The repeated "Don't know why" could be seen as the singer questioning why they are the target of someone's hatred or violence. However, instead of succumbing to their captors, the singer seeks to take control of the situation by threatening to "get" the person who is tormenting them while they are walking around in their mind. This can be interpreted as the singer's determination to resist their oppressors and fight back against their own fears and anxieties.
Meanwhile, the chorus of the song ("Come on sweetie open fire, open fire, you'd be too kind") could be seen as the singer challenging their oppressor to take their best shot, while warning them that they will not be able to defeat the singer so easily. The use of the word "kind" in this line can be interpreted in multiple ways- as a sarcastic remark to their enemy, as a way to show the singer's confidence in their own abilities, and as a way to highlight the fact that the singer knows their enemy would not really be doing them a favor by killing them. Overall, "Open Fire" is a song that can empower those who are dealing with prejudice, hostility or oppression by encouraging them to resist their fears and take a stand against those who wish to harm them.
Line by Line Meaning
Want me dead don't know why
I am being targeted for death, but I am unsure of the reason behind it.
Don't know why
I am unaware of what I have done to warrant this attack on my life.
I should die
The person threatening my life is convinced that I deserve to die.
I'm gonna get you while you're walking around in my mind
Despite the danger I am in, I am determined to retaliate against my attacker.
Go ahead and shoot me down
My attacker is daring me to defend myself, even if it means risking death.
Shoot me down
My attacker is urging me to become violent and make a move.
To the ground
My attacker wants to see me suffer and be defeated.
Come on sweetie open fire
The person threatening me is pushing me to attack them first.
Open fire
My attacker wants me to put up a fight and retaliate with all my might.
You'd be too kind
My attacker is convinced that I won't be able to harm them, so they are provoking me to try.
I'm gonna get you while you're walking around in my mind
Despite my hesitation, I am slowly becoming more and more determined to fight back and defend myself.
Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.