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.
Seventeen On
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think that you know everything
But you'll fall sometimes
Your life's about a ton of choices
And all emotions that turn and go
I believe there's something that is coming
That we do not know
Seventeen on
Go you where feeling is strong
Work your heart easy
Set your love free
And if you get lost
You can always come back to me
You'll worry about the future
Sometimes deny your past
Waiting for an answer too afraid to ask
You won't sleep some nights
You won't breathe some nights
You won't ever find any peace
Some nights and you'll say why me
Why me? Oh, why me? To me
You'll jump in the fire jump in the sea
Sometimes you'll think how bad can it be
Don't let it fool you, don't let it move you
Don't let it change who you are
You are young, you are loved, you are all on
And if you get lost you can always come back
Can always come back to me
The song Seventeen On by 54-40 is a poignant reminder of the insecurities and fears that we all face as we navigate through our teenage years. The song is a message of hope, urging the listener to persevere through the tough times and take risks even in the face of uncertainty.
The opening lines of the song address the arrogance and overconfidence that often comes with being a 17-year-old, with the singer cautioning that despite one's youthful exuberance, they will inevitably stumble and fall. The singer then goes on to acknowledge the myriad choices and emotions that define adolescence, expressing a belief that there is something greater out there beyond our understanding.
The chorus of the song is a rallying cry for young people to embrace their feelings and take bold action, even if it means making mistakes along the way. The singer reassures the listener that they can always come back to them if they get lost, acknowledging the sense of confusion and despair that often accompanies the transition into adulthood.
The song's closing verses are a reminder that life is full of challenges and struggles, and that one must remain true to oneself and not let the world around them change who they are. The song's uplifting message is one of optimism and resilience, guiding the listener through the tumultuous and often confusing terrain of adolescence with hope and kindness.
Line by Line Meaning
And as for seventeen on
Referring to being a 17-year-old
You think that you know everything
You may feel confident in your knowledge, but there are still things to learn
But you'll fall sometimes
It's inevitable that you will make mistakes and experience failure at some point
Your life's about a ton of choices
Life presents many options and decisions to make
And all emotions that turn and go
Feelings can be fleeting and change over time
I believe there's something that is coming
The future holds unknown possibilities
That we do not know
It's impossible to predict with certainty what the future holds
Seventeen on
Still referring to being 17 years old
Go you where feeling is strong
Follow your heart and do what you feel strongly about
Work your heart easy
Don't push yourself too hard, take things at a comfortable pace
Set your love free
Allow yourself to love freely and without reservation
And if you get lost
If you ever feel lost or uncertain
You can always come back to me
I will be here for you and support you
You'll worry about the future
It's natural to feel anxious about what's to come
Sometimes deny your past
You may try to forget or ignore certain parts of your past
Waiting for an answer too afraid to ask
Sometimes you may be too scared to ask for help or guidance
You won't sleep some nights
There will be times when you have trouble sleeping
You won't breathe some nights
You may feel suffocated or overwhelmed when facing difficult situations
You won't ever find any peace
It might seem like inner peace is impossible to obtain
Some nights and you'll say why me
You may question why certain things are happening to you
Why me? Oh, why me? To me
Asking why these things are happening specifically to you
You'll jump in the fire jump in the sea
You may take risks and make bold choices, even if they're dangerous
Sometimes you'll think how bad can it be
You may underestimate the risks or consequences of your choices
Don't let it fool you, don't let it move you
Don't be swayed by misleading appearances or negative influences
Don't let it change who you are
Don't compromise your identity or beliefs to fit in or accommodate others
You are young, you are loved, you are all on
You are unique, valuable, and have a lot of potential
And if you get lost you can always come back
Reiterating that there is always a support system to rely on
Can always come back to me
Referring back to the previous line about being there to support and help
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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