54-40
Encyclopedia
54•40 is a Canadian
alternative rock
group from Tsawwassen
, British Columbia
.
The band takes their name from the slogan
"Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!
", coined to express the expansionist agenda of James K. Polk
's presidency, intent upon controlling a contested U.S.-Canada border area in the Oregon boundary dispute
.
consisting of Brad Merritt (bass
), Ian Franey (drums
), and Neil Osborne (vocals/guitar
). In 1983, Phil Comparelli was added on guitar
, trumpet and vocals
and Franey was replaced by Darryl Neudorf
. Neudorf was replaced by drummer Matt Johnson in 1986. Nineteen years later, the band announced in March 2005 that Comparelli had officially passed on guitar
duties to Dave Genn
, formerly of Matthew Good Band
. Musician Dave Osborne (keyboards, harmonica), toured and recorded with the band from 1987 to 1993.
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 college 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 were 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. It was, however, their best-selling album in Canada up to that time, 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
, and was featured on the first soundtrack to the TV series Friends
. The song also appears on two compilations released by the band: 2000's Scattered, Smothered and Covered
and 2003's The Best of Hootie & the Blowfish (1993 Thru 2003). Royalties from the Hootie and the Blowfish cover enabled the band to build their own recording studio in Vancouver.
In 2010, to celebrate the band's 30 years together and almost 25 years since their first commercial album "The Green Album
", the band went on a promotional concert tour with a two set act. The first set was "The Green Album
" from start to finish. The second set was one song from every album since, with the exception of Dear Dear
where they played two songs. 54-40 also performed a new song from their upcoming record, "Lost In The City" which was released on June 14, 2011. The Green tour was during the first few months of 2010.
On April 6, 2011, 54-40 played a free concert in celebration of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada's 125th Birthday celebration.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group from Tsawwassen
Tsawwassen, British Columbia
Tsawwassen is a suburban, mostly residential community located on a peninsula in the southwestern corner of the Corporation of Delta, British Columbia, Canada. Tsawwassen provides the only road access to the community of Point Roberts, Washington via 56th Street...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
The band takes their name from the slogan
Slogan
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, religious and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose. The word slogan is derived from slogorn which was an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm . Slogans vary from the written and the...
"Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!
Oregon boundary dispute
The Oregon boundary dispute, or the Oregon Question, arose as a result of competing British and American claims to the Pacific Northwest of North America in the first half of the 19th century. Both the United Kingdom and the United States had territorial and commercial aspirations in the region...
", coined to express the expansionist agenda of James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
's presidency, intent upon controlling a contested U.S.-Canada border area in the Oregon boundary dispute
Oregon boundary dispute
The Oregon boundary dispute, or the Oregon Question, arose as a result of competing British and American claims to the Pacific Northwest of North America in the first half of the 19th century. Both the United Kingdom and the United States had territorial and commercial aspirations in the region...
.
History
The group formed in 1981 as a trioTrio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
consisting of Brad Merritt (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), Ian Franey (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
), and Neil Osborne (vocals/guitar
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
). In 1983, Phil Comparelli was added on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, trumpet and vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
and Franey was replaced by Darryl Neudorf
Darryl Neudorf
Darryl Neudorf is a Canadian musician, record producer and audio engineer.He was the drummer for 54-40 from 1982–1986. He is best known during this time for co-writing the hit song "I Go Blind", a Canadian hit which was later covered by U.S...
. Neudorf was replaced by drummer Matt Johnson in 1986. Nineteen years later, the band announced in March 2005 that Comparelli had officially passed on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
duties to Dave Genn
Dave Genn
David Robert Madison Genn is a musician and a member of Canadian rock group 54-40. Genn was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on 2 March 1969.-Matthew Good Band:...
, formerly of Matthew Good Band
Matthew Good Band
Matthew Good Band was a Canadian alternative rock band formed by Matthew Good that existed from 1993 to 2002. The band consisted of Good , Dave Genn , Ian Browne and Geoff Lloyd from 1995 to 1999...
. Musician Dave Osborne (keyboards, harmonica), toured and recorded with the band from 1987 to 1993.
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 college 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 were popular on college radio in the United States, they never had a commercial breakthrough — 1992's Dear Dear
Dear Dear
Dear Dear is a 1992 album by Canadian rock band 54•40.It was their most successful album in their native Canada, spawning the hit singles "Nice to Luv You", "She La", "Music Man" and "You Don't Get Away "...
was their first album not to have a U.S. release. It was, however, their best-selling album in Canada up to that time, leading to a new U.S. contract for the follow-up, Smilin' Buddha Cabaret
Smilin' Buddha Cabaret
Smilin' Buddha Cabaret is a 1994 album by 54•40. The album is named for a live music club in Vancouver, British Columbia, the band's hometown.The singles from the album were "Blame Your Parents", "Radio Luv Song", "Assoholic" and "Ocean Pearl"....
, which had a significant hit in "Ocean Pearl
Ocean Pearl
"Ocean Pearl" is a song by Canadian rock group 54-40. It was the most popular single from the band's 1994 album, Smilin' Buddha Cabaret. The song was very successful in the band's native Canada, peaking at #22 on the RPM Canadian Singles Chart. It is considered to be one of the band's signature...
".
The band's song "I Go Blind
I Go Blind
"I Go Blind" is a song by Canadian alternative rock group 54-40. The song was released as a single from the band's 1986 self-titled album, 54-40. It has since become one of the band's most popular songs.-Hootie & the Blowfish cover:...
" was covered in the mid-1990s by American band Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish
Hootie & the Blowfish is an American rock band that enjoyed popularity in the second half of the 1990s. They were originally formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina by Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Jim Sonefeld, and Mark Bryan. The band has recorded five studio albums to date, and has...
, and was featured on the first soundtrack to the TV series Friends
Friends
Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
. The song also appears on two compilations released by the band: 2000's Scattered, Smothered and Covered
Scattered, Smothered and Covered
Scattered, Smothered and Covered is the name of a 2000 album by Hootie and the Blowfish, featuring all covers. The album was named in honor of Waffle House, a southern restaurant chain. One of Waffle House's advertising campaigns used the phrase "scattered, smothered and covered," a reference to...
and 2003's The Best of Hootie & the Blowfish (1993 Thru 2003). Royalties from the Hootie and the Blowfish cover enabled the band to build their own recording studio in Vancouver.
In 2010, to celebrate the band's 30 years together and almost 25 years since their first commercial album "The Green Album
54-40 (album)
54•40 is a 1986 eponymous album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40. The album is nicknamed "The Green Album" by fans because the album artwork is green...
", the band went on a promotional concert tour with a two set act. The first set was "The Green Album
54-40 (album)
54•40 is a 1986 eponymous album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40. The album is nicknamed "The Green Album" by fans because the album artwork is green...
" from start to finish. The second set was one song from every album since, with the exception of Dear Dear
Dear Dear
Dear Dear is a 1992 album by Canadian rock band 54•40.It was their most successful album in their native Canada, spawning the hit singles "Nice to Luv You", "She La", "Music Man" and "You Don't Get Away "...
where they played two songs. 54-40 also performed a new song from their upcoming record, "Lost In The City" which was released on June 14, 2011. The Green tour was during the first few months of 2010.
On April 6, 2011, 54-40 played a free concert in celebration of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada's 125th Birthday celebration.
EPs
| Year | Title | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| CAN Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
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| 1982 | Selection Selection (album) Selection is a 1982 EP by Canadian band 54•40. It was the band's first release, appearing on the independent label Mo-Da-Mu.Although now out of print, the album and its 1984 follow up Set the Fire were re-released in 1997 on the compilation album, Sound of Truth: The Independent Collection.-Track... |
- |
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
CAN Cria A cria is the name for a baby camelid such as a llama, alpaca, vicuña, or guanaco. It comes from the Spanish word cría, meaning "baby". Its false cognate in English, crya , was coined by British sailors who explored Chile in the 18th century and were quick to describe the camelids onomatopoeically... |
||
| 1984 | Set the Fire Set the Fire Set the Fire is an album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40, released in 1984 on Mo-Da-Mu.Although no longer in print, Set the Fire and its predecessor Selection were re-released in 1997 on the album Sound of Truth: The Independent Collection.-Track listing:# "Set the Fire"# "A Big Idea"#... |
- | - |
| 1986 | 54-40 54-40 (album) 54•40 is a 1986 eponymous album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40. The album is nicknamed "The Green Album" by fans because the album artwork is green... |
91 | - |
| 1987 | Show Me Show Me (album) Show Me is a 1987 album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40.The album contains the band's first two notable chart hits in Canada, "One Day in Your Life" and "One Gun".-Track listing:# "One Day in Your Life" – 4:14# "Get Back Down" – 4:12... |
66 | - |
| 1989 | Fight for Love | 36 | - |
| 1992 | Dear Dear Dear Dear Dear Dear is a 1992 album by Canadian rock band 54•40.It was their most successful album in their native Canada, spawning the hit singles "Nice to Luv You", "She La", "Music Man" and "You Don't Get Away "... |
22 | Platinum |
| 1994 | Smilin' Buddha Cabaret Smilin' Buddha Cabaret Smilin' Buddha Cabaret is a 1994 album by 54•40. The album is named for a live music club in Vancouver, British Columbia, the band's hometown.The singles from the album were "Blame Your Parents", "Radio Luv Song", "Assoholic" and "Ocean Pearl".... |
47 | Platinum |
| 1996 | Trusted by Millions Trusted by Millions Trusted by Millions is a 1996 album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40.-Track listing:All tracks written by: Neil Osborne & 54-40# "Cheer Up Peru" - 3:51# "Stick to Milly" - 4:05# "Love You All" - 4:28# "Crossing a Canyon" - 3:58... |
28 | Platinum |
| 1998 | Since When Since When Since When is a 1998 album by Canadian rock band 54•40. It marks the band's return to the more acoustic folk rock sound of their 1980s albums. The album was the highest charting album in the band's history, peaking at #19 on the RPM Canadian Albums Chart... |
19 | Gold |
| 2000 | Casual Viewin' Casual Viewin' Casual Viewin' is a 2000 album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40. The title refers to a lyric from the Genesis song "Broadway Melody of 1974", which reads: "Marshall McLuhan, casual viewin', head buried in the sand." 54•40 commented in interviews at the time of the album's release that they... |
24 | - |
| 2003 | Goodbye Flatland Goodbye Flatland Goodbye Flatland is a 2003 album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40.-Track listing:# "Ride" - 3:53# "Animal in Pain" - 2:50# "Take Me Out" - 4:01# "Hope the Hell I Haven't Died" - 3:11# "Not Enough to Make You Happy" - 3:33... |
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| 2005 | Yes to Everything Yes to Everything Yes to Everything is a 2005 album by Canadian alternative rock band 54•40. This was the first 54-40 album recorded with the band's new guitarist, Dave Genn .-Track listing:# "Easy to Love" - 3:48... |
- | - |
| 2008 | Northern Soul | - | - |
| 2011 | Lost in the City | - | - |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
CAN Alt. RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
CAN Content (Cancon) RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
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| 1984 | "Set the Fire" | - | - | - | Set the Fire |
| "What To Do Now" | - | - | - | ||
| "Broken Pieces" | - | - | - | ||
| 1986 | "Baby Ran" | - | - | - | 54-40 |
| "I Go Blind I Go Blind "I Go Blind" is a song by Canadian alternative rock group 54-40. The song was released as a single from the band's 1986 self-titled album, 54-40. It has since become one of the band's most popular songs.-Hootie & the Blowfish cover:... " |
- | - | - | ||
| 1987 | "One Day in Your Life One Day in Your Life (54-40 song) "One Day in Your Life" is a song by Canadian rock group 54-40. It was the first single released from the band's 1987 album, Show Me. It was the band's first song to chart on Canada's singles Chart, peaking at #90 on the RPM chart in May, 1988. It is considered to be one of the band's signature songs.... " |
90 | - | - | Show Me |
| "One Gun" | - | - | - | ||
| 1989 | "Fight for Love" | - | - | - | Fight for Love |
| "Miss You" | - | - | - | ||
| "Baby, Have Some Faith" | - | - | 1 | ||
| 1992 | "Nice to Luv You Nice to Luv You "Nice to Luv You" is the first single by Canadian rock group 54-40 from the band's 1992 album, Dear Dear.-Charts:... " |
30 | - | 4 | Dear Dear |
| "She La She La "She La" is the second single by Canadian rock group 54-40 from the band's 1992 album, Dear Dear. The song peaked at #38 on the RPM Canadian Singles Chart.-Music video:... " |
38 | - | - | ||
| "Music Man" | 40 | - | 5 | ||
| 1993 | "You Don't Get Away (That Easy)" | 52 | - | 7 | |
| 1994 | "Blame Your Parents" | 45 | - | - | Smilin' Buddha Cabaret |
| "Radio Luv Song" | - | - | - | ||
| "Assoholic" | 56 | - | - | ||
| "Ocean Pearl Ocean Pearl "Ocean Pearl" is a song by Canadian rock group 54-40. It was the most popular single from the band's 1994 album, Smilin' Buddha Cabaret. The song was very successful in the band's native Canada, peaking at #22 on the RPM Canadian Singles Chart. It is considered to be one of the band's signature... " |
22 | - | - | ||
| 1996 | "Love You All Love You All "Love You All" is the first single by Canadian rock group 54-40 from the band's seventh studio album, Trusted by Millions.-Charts:... " |
20 | 7 | - | Trusted by Millions |
| "Lies to Me Lies to Me "Lies to Me" is the second single by Canadian rock group 54-40 from the band's seventh studio album, Trusted by Millions.-Charts:... " |
19 | 5 | - | ||
| "Crossing a Canyon" | 30 | - | - | ||
| 1997 | "I Love Candy" | 61 | - | - | |
| 1998 | "Since When Since When (song) "Since When" is a song by Canadian rock band 54-40. The song is the first single and title track of the band's eighth studio album, Since When. The song is the highest charting single in the band's history, peaking at No. 11 on the RPM singles chart in Canada. It has since become one of the band's... " |
11 | 2 | - | Since When |
| "Lost and Lazy" | 87 | 8 | - | ||
| 2000 | "Casual Viewin'" | 48 | 3 | - | Casual Viewin |
| "Unbend" | - | - | - | ||
| 2001 | "Blue Sky" | - | - | - | |
| 2002 | "Love Rush" | - | - | - | Radio Love Songs: The Singles Collection |
| "Plenty Emotion" | - | - | - | ||
| 2003 | "Take Me Out" | - | - | - | Goodbye Flatland |
| "Animal in Pain" | - | - | - | ||
| "Ride" | - | - | - | ||
| "Wish I Knew" | - | - | - | ||
| 2005 | "Easy to Love" | - | - | - | Yes to Everything |
| "Golden Sun" | - | - | - | ||
| 2008 | "Snap" | - | - | - | Northern Soul |
| "Lucky" | - | - | - | ||
| 2010 | "Lost In The City" | - | - | - | Lost In The City |
Live Albums
| Year | Title | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| CAN Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
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| 1999 | Heavy Mellow Heavy Mellow Heavy Mellow is a 1999 live album by Canadian rock group, 54•40.It is a two-disc set; as its name implies, one disc contains "heavy" rock performances and the other contains "mellow" acoustic renditions. Many acoustic album versions vary greatly from their studio counterparts, due to the addition... |
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Compilations
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
CAN Cria A cria is the name for a baby camelid such as a llama, alpaca, vicuña, or guanaco. It comes from the Spanish word cría, meaning "baby". Its false cognate in English, crya , was coined by British sailors who explored Chile in the 18th century and were quick to describe the camelids onomatopoeically... |
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| 1981 | Things Are Still Coming Ashore | - | - |
| 1991 | Sweeter Things: A Compilation Sweeter Things: A Compilation Sweeter Things: A Compilation is a 1991 compilation album by 54•40. It was their final release for Warner-Reprise, and compiled tracks from their albums 54•40, Show Me and Fight for Love... |
39 | Platinum |
| 1997 | Sound of Truth: The Independent Collection Sound of Truth: The Independent Collection Sound of Truth: The Independent Collection is a 1997 album by 54•40. It compiles the band's first two independent releases, 1982's Selection and 1984's Set the Fire.-Track listing:# "Set the Fire" – 4:51# "A Big Idea" – 3:39... |
- | - |
| 2001 | Casual Viewin' USA Casual Viewin' USA Casual Viewin' USA is a 2001 album by Canadian rock group, 54•40.The album was compiled by the band's American distributor, Nettwerk, as a compilation of tracks from several of the band's previous albums, including its 2000 titlemate, Casual Viewin.... |
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| 2002 | Radio Love Songs: The Singles Collection Radio Love Songs: The Singles Collection Radio Love Songs: The Singles Collection is a 2002 greatest hits collection by Canadian rock group, 54•40. It also contains two new songs, "Love Rush" and "Plenty Emotion".... |
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| 2005 | The Essentials The Essentials The Essentials may refer to:* The Essentials , a Canadian a cappella music group* The Essentials , a TCM film-series program* A series of greatest hits albums released by WEA International:** The Essentials... |
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