Composing the song began when Tony Kanal was having a fight with Gwen Stefani, who was then his girlfriend, through the bathroom door of his parents' house in Yorba Linda, California. Stefani later changed the lyrics to discuss dealing with her breakup with Kanal.
Sunday Morning
No Doubt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sappy pathetic little me
That was the girl I used to be
You had me on my knees
I'd trade you places any day
I'd never thought you could be that way
But you looked like me on Sunday
Well you came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you well, so well
You're trying my shoes on for a change
They look so good but fit so strange
Out of fashion, so I can complain
Well you came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you well, so well
I know who I am, but who are you?
You're not looking like you used to
You're on the other side of the mirror
So nothing's looking quite as clear
Thank you for turning on the lights
Thank you, now you're the parasite
I didn't think you had it in you
And now you're looking like I used to!
You came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
And you want me badly
Because you cannot have me
I thought I knew you (whoa)
But I've got a new view (whoa)
I thought I knew you well, oh well
Ooh
On Sunday morning
And I don't want it
Sunday morning
I thought I knew you
Sunday morning
Oh you want me badly
Can I have it
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
The song "Sunday Morning" by No Doubt revolves around the theme of personal transformation and the realization that people can change in unexpected ways. The opening lines introduce the singer, who admits to being "sappy pathetic." She recognizes that she used to be a very different kind of person, but now she is transformed. The next verse is directed towards someone who the singer thought she knew very well. That person has suddenly changed, and the singer can no longer recognize them. The chorus describes the moment when the person comes into view, unexpected and changed. The singer is both surprised and envious of this person's new appearance, but also a little bitter that they seem to be disregarding tradition and fashion.
In the bridge, the singer tries to understand who the person has become. They're difficult to recognize, both literally and figuratively. The lyrics describe the idea that there's a kind of mirror between the singer and the person she's addressing, making it hard to distinguish between them. The chorus repeats, but now with a new perspective. The singer realizes she doesn't want the person who has changed in front of her, and that she has her own transformation she's undergoing. When the song ends, it's clear that the singer has gone on her own journey of personal growth, and has a new sense of self-awareness.
Line by Line Meaning
Sappy pathetic little me
I used to be a weak, sentimental person
That was the girl I used to be
I am not that person anymore
You had me on my knees
You had control over me
I'd trade you places any day
I would like to experience life from your perspective
I'd never thought you could be that way
You surprised me by acting unexpectedly
But you looked like me on Sunday
You were vulnerable and weak, just like I used to be
Well you came in with the breeze
You entered the room casually and without warning
On Sunday morning
It was a peaceful, lazy day
You sure have changed since yesterday
You are different from the person I thought I knew
Without any warning
You surprised me without giving me any indication
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I believed that I understood who you were
You're trying my shoes on for a change
You are trying to understand my perspective
They look so good but fit so strange
You seem to enjoy understanding my perspective but it doesn't quite fit
Out of fashion, so I can complain
You are doing something that used to be popular but is no longer in style, so I criticize you
I know who I am, but who are you?
I am confident in my identity but I am unsure of yours
You're not looking like you used to
You are different from the way you used to be
You're on the other side of the mirror
You are not on the same side as me
So nothing's looking quite as clear
Things are not as clear as they used to be
Thank you for turning on the lights
Thank you for giving me a new perspective
Thank you, now you're the parasite
Now you are dependent on me
I didn't think you had it in you
I did not think you had the ability to surprise me
And now you're looking like I used to!
Now you are vulnerable and weak, just like I used to be
You want me badly
You desire me
Because you cannot have me
You are unable to get close to me
But I've got a new view (whoa)
I have gained a new perspective
Oh you want me badly
You really desire me
Can I have it
Can I accept your desire?
And I don't want it
I do not want your desire
Sunday morning
It is a peaceful, lazy day
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Matthew Stefani, Gwen Renee Stefani, Tony Ashwin Kanal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@superholly
She's FIERCE!
@martincarreon5692
superholly OMG! Oh sorpresa encontrar tu comment aqui holly
@patricioshupan2852
Superhollly. 💘
@kimsl7657
superholly Hi Holly.... Saludos desde Perú 🤗
@sabin97
she was fierce.
as a solo artist she sounds just like the same mass produced pop crap you see everywhere.....
with no doubt she helped shape the 90s with her awesome style and voice.
@anakarenortizramirez
Jaja te encuentro en todos lados 😊 saluditos
@momentsofloveromantic
This STILL sounds new and fresh after all these years!
@UKBIGBLUENATION1
Great music always Does...
@regina_filange2.0
Agreed!
@vigametalesperu1665
Y like .no doubt.❤