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.
Someone's Mind
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So long as they fear I wonder who's kissing her now
Time stays we go we go
A life we lose by living raising no dust
It's on someone's mind, yeah on someone's eyes
It's on someone's ride, I know what it's like
Desperate disease require remedy
Never contradict, never explain, never apologize
That's the way to go
It's on someone's mind, yeah on someone's eyes
It's on someone's life, on to the bridge it's alright
Someone's life is on my mind
(Everybody wants a holiday)
Someone's eyes have mine
Remember ladies chaos breeds life
Rivalry of aim, words are like a knife
Casting the spells on the future of love
Give me a rise to the men up above
It's on someone's eyes, yeah someone's life
And it cuts your life from that eternal night
Amidst the falling world I stand secure
I turn my ravished eyes to the tech of the future
Nothing is more dangerous than an idea
If you only have one
It's on someone's eyes because someone dies
It's on the Marshall's mind because someone dies
Like I care, two desires toss about
Waiting for the spark from heaven to fall
With its sick hurry and divided aims
Oh yeah baby
It's on someone's mind, yeah on someone's life on someone's mind in someone's life
The song "Someone's Mind" by 54-40 is a complex and layered contemplation on life, relationships, and the human condition. The lyrics speak to the struggle to navigate the complexities and challenges of existence, without getting lost in the chaos and confusion of everyday life.
The opening lines, "Take care my foolish heart let them hate, so long as they fear I wonder who's kissing her now," suggest a sense of vulnerability and insecurity, combined with a sense of bravado and defiance. The line, "It's on someone's mind, yeah on someone's eyes, it's on someone's ride, I know what it's like," speaks to the idea that everyone is dealing with their own struggles and challenges, and that we all have to find our own path in life. The line, "Desperate disease require remedy, sweetness of confession can I see," suggests a need for honesty and transparency in relationships, and the importance of being able to express oneself freely.
The overall message of the song seems to be that life is difficult and complicated, but that we can find strength and comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. The repeated refrain, "It's on someone's mind, yeah on someone's eyes, it's on someone's life," reinforces this idea, and suggests that we are all connected in some way, even if we don't always realize it.
Line by Line Meaning
Take care my foolish heart let them hate
Be cautious with your emotions and don't let the hatred of others affect you
So long as they fear I wonder who's kissing her now
It doesn't matter who is spreading the rumors about me, as long as they're afraid of me
Time stays we go we go
Time continues moving forward while we come and go from this world
A life we lose by living raising no dust
Living life without making an impact means we might as well not have lived at all
It's on someone's mind, yeah on someone's eyes
There is something on someone's mind that is visible in their eyes
It's on someone's ride, I know what it's like
I know what it's like to have a burden weighing on someone's life
Desperate disease require remedy
When things are bad, we must find a way to make them better
Sweetness of confession can I see
Confessing to our wrongdoings can be a relief and bring a feeling of sweetness
Never contradict, never explain, never apologize
Sometimes the best course of action is to stay silent and not defend or apologize for ourselves
That's the way to go
This is the best way to handle the situation
Someone's life is on my mind
I am thinking about someone else's life and how it might be impacted
(Everybody wants a holiday)
A break from the everyday stresses of life is something everyone desires
Someone's eyes have mine
I am paying close attention to someone's eyes, trying to read their emotions
Remember ladies chaos breeds life
Out of chaos and disorder, new things and opportunities can arise
Rivalry of aim, words are like a knife
When people have competing goals and objectives, words can be used as a weapon
Casting the spells on the future of love
Our actions and words can have an impact on the future of love and relationships
Give me a rise to the men up above
I am seeking recognition and validation from those in positions of power or authority
And it cuts your life from that eternal night
The impact of our actions and words can have a lasting effect on our lives
Amidst the falling world I stand secure
Even in troubling times, I am confident and secure
I turn my ravished eyes to the tech of the future
I look to advancements in technology as a source of hope for the future
Nothing is more dangerous than an idea
Ideas have the power to change the world, for better or worse
If you only have one
When we are limited to one idea, it becomes even more powerful and potentially dangerous
It's on someone's eyes because someone dies
Someone's grief or sadness is visible in their eyes due to the loss of someone else
It's on the Marshall's mind because someone dies
The loss of someone else weighs on the mind of the Marshall (possibly a reference to a military commander)
Like I care, two desires toss about
I am indifferent to the competing desires or opinions of others
Waiting for the spark from heaven to fall
We are waiting for a miracle or something out of our control to change our circumstances
With its sick hurry and divided aims
This desire or hope is filled with anxiety and conflict
Oh yeah baby
A phrase that emphasizes a feeling of excitement or anticipation
It's on someone's mind, yeah on someone's life on someone's mind in someone's life
Something is weighing on someone's mind and life, and it is a recurring issue
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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