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.
Vows Sobs Tears & Kisses
54-40 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You have the little key
I won't give you anything.
Your face at a glance at half a word
The smallest unit of space
with vows, sobs, tears and kisses.
Only please get well
Stay in remoteness.
If ever this happens again
Things will be as you like
with vows, sobs, tears & kisses.
The lyrics of 54-40's "Vows Sobs Tears & Kisses" are ambiguous and open to interpretation, but they appear to depict a complex relationship between the singer and an unnamed loved one. The singer is withholding his or her name from the other person, suggesting a certain level of secrecy and distance. The other person, however, seems to hold some sort of power over the singer, as evidenced by the line "You have the little key."
The rest of the lyrics paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship that is marked by intense emotional highs and lows. The singer mentions "vows, sobs, tears, and kisses," suggesting that the relationship is characterized by grand gestures and intense passion. However, the singer also seems to be pleading with the other person to stay away, as evidenced by the line "Stay in remoteness." It is unclear what has happened to cause the singer to push the other person away, but the phrase "If ever this happens again" suggests that there have been problems in the past.
Overall, the lyrics of "Vows Sobs Tears & Kisses" are open to interpretation, and it is possible that there is no clear explanation for their meaning. However, they do convey a sense of emotional complexity and suggest that the relationship between the singer and the other person is fraught with both passion and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't give you my name
I choose to remain anonymous and withhold personal information from you.
You have the little key
You possess the means to access my heart and innermost thoughts.
I won't give you anything.
I am unwilling to provide any further emotional or personal investment in this situation.
Your face at a glance at half a word
Your expression and mannerisms reveal much about your true emotions, even with minimal verbal communication.
The smallest unit of space
The tiniest gestures, glances, or body language can carry immense meaning and impact.
with vows, sobs, tears and kisses.
Despite the gravity of the situation, intense emotions such as promises, crying, sadness, and affection are present.
Things will be as you like
I will comply with your wishes and desires, regardless of my own feelings or opinions.
Only please get well
Above all else, I hope for your health and recovery.
Stay in remoteness.
I wish for you to remain distant and detached from me emotionally or physically.
If ever this happens again
In the event of a similar occurrence or situation in the future.
Things will be as you like
I will once again conform to your wishes and desires above my own.
with vows, sobs, tears & kisses.
Intense emotions such as promises, crying, sadness, and affection will once again be present.
Contributed by Grace O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.