54-40

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Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada (1981 – present)

54•40 is an alternative rock band which formed in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada in 1981. For most of their career, the band consisted of Neil Osborne (vocals), Phil Comparelli (guitar, trumpet, vocals), Brad Merritt (bass) and Matt Johnson (drums). Comparelli left the band in 2005 and was replaced by former Matthew Good Band guitarist Dave Genn. The band’s best known songs include “Baby Ran”, “Ocean Pearl” and “I Go Blind”, the latter of which was covered by Hootie & The Blowfish. 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 controling a contested U.S.-Canada border area.

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.

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Popular tags: canadian, rock, alternative, alternative rock, oh canada  See more

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• Smilin' Buddha Cabaret
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• Sweeter Things: A Compilation
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• Yes To Everything
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• Casual Viewin'
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1		I Go Blind			51
2		One Day In Your Life			44
3		Ocean Pearl			35
4		One Gun			24
5		Baby Ran			23
6		Casual Viewin'			21
7		Easy To Love			18
8		Since When			17
9		Miss You			14
10		Radio Luv Song			13
11		Nice to Luv You			11
11		Baby Have Some Faith			11
11		Blame Your Parents			11
11		Love You All			11
15		Lies To Me			10

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