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.
Stick To Milly
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If he thought she would refuse it
She consented, too glad to breathe
But of course, it was Milly who screamed
She found out how love causes damage
Left with a package in her body
It's her body
She never meant to tell the father
What they never had was no longer here
Easy, baby, come, easy go, coat hanger
She wants to live in peace and not anger
But he found out that his work was cut
Out of her body (body, body, body)
It's her body (body, body, body)
It's her body and she has to do what she has to do
For her body (body, body)
For her body
Stick to Milly, don't let her fall (fall)
Stick to Milly, don't let her fall
Stick to Milly, don't let her fall
You don't suppose she'd refuse
If she thought they'd abuse her body (body, body, body)
It's her body (body, body, body)
It's her body and she has to do what she has to do
For her body (body, body)
For her body
YEAH!
The lyrics of "Stick To Milly" by 54-40 speak to the subject of abortion, specifically the difficult and personal decision a woman may make to have one. The song is narrated from the perspective of someone who is supportive of Milly, emphasizing that the choice is hers alone to make.
The opening lines suggest that Milly has had a sexual encounter with someone who may not have had entirely good intentions. Despite this, Milly "consented, too glad to breathe," suggesting that she may have felt relieved to have connected with someone. However, the lyrics quickly turn to the fallout of this encounter, with Milly finding herself pregnant and realizing that having the child would cause irreparable damage to her life.
The line "Easy, baby, come, easy go, coat hanger" is a reference to the dangerous and illegal practice of using a coat hanger to perform a self-abortion. The song strongly suggests that Milly has made the difficult decision to terminate her pregnancy, and that this decision is a personal one that she is making for her own well-being.
Overall, "Stick To Milly" is a powerful and emotionally charged song that speaks to the importance of access to safe and legal abortions for women. The lyrics emphasize the significance of this choice and highlight the deeply personal nature of the decision.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't suppose he would seduce her
The singer questions whether the man would try to persuade Milly to have sex.
If he thought she would refuse it
The singer implies that the man might only try to convince Milly if he thought she would say 'no' on her own.
She consented, too glad to breathe
Milly agreed to have sex and was excited about it.
But of course, it was Milly who screamed
Milly screamed during intercourse, suggesting something went wrong.
She found out how love causes damage
Milly realizes that sex can have consequences and that love isn't always positive.
Left with a package in her body
Milly became pregnant as a result of the sexual encounter.
It's her body
The singer emphasizes that Milly has the right to make decisions about her own body.
She never meant to tell the father
Milly didn't intend to inform the man that she was pregnant.
What they never had was no longer here
This line is unclear, but it could suggest that Milly and the man never had a real relationship, which is now even more obvious since they are no longer involved due to the pregnancy.
Easy, baby, come, easy go, coat hanger
The artist references the use of a coat hanger as a crude and dangerous method of self-induced abortion. The phrase 'easy come, easy go' also suggests that the pregnancy was an unwanted consequence.
She wants to live in peace and not anger
Milly desires stability and an absence of conflict.
But he found out that his work was cut
The man discovered that Milly was pregnant and had to deal with the consequences of his actions.
Out of her body (body, body, body)
The singer repeats 'body' to emphasize Milly's ownership and control over her own body.
It's her body (body, body, body)
This line reinforces the idea that Milly has the power to make decisions about her own body.
It's her body and she has to do what she has to do
The singer emphasizes Milly's autonomy and implies that she will make her own decisions about the pregnancy.
Stick to Milly, don't let her fall (fall)
The artist calls on others to support Milly and help her through her difficult situation.
You don't suppose she'd refuse
The artist implies that Milly might not say 'no' to sexual advances because she feels pressured to comply.
If she thought they'd abuse her body (body, body, body)
This line suggests that Milly might feel compelled to have sex if she thought it would prevent violence or harm to her body.
For her body (body, body)
The singer repeats 'body' to emphasize Milly's control over herself.
For her body
The artist again emphasizes Milly's autonomy and her right to make decisions about her own body.
YEAH!
This is an exclamation of affirmation or excitement.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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