Their level of commercial success was almost unprecedented by an indie act when their first album 'Reading Writing and Arithmetic' (Rough Trade, 1989) debuted in the British charts at number 4, (even cracking the US Top 40) with little publicity and almost a year after the legendary single and John Peel fave 'Can't Be Sure' peaked at number 45. This now seminal album also featured the single "Here's Where The Story Ends" (more recently covered by 'Tin Tin Out') and other classic indie pop tunes 'Skin & Bones', 'Hideous Towns' and 'I Kicked A Boy'.
A US tour and a (soon to become infamous) "break" preceded follow-up album 'Blind' (1992) for which sky-high critical expectations couldn't be met, though single 'Goodbye' fared well reaching number 27.
It was a long wait before third and most recent album 'Static and Silence' (Parlophone, 1997) was released, followed by a 3-date UK, and 14-date U.S tour. Single "Summertime" (their most successful hit to date on the UK charts) was taken from this album, and garnered airplay in most parts of the world, although the follow-up "Cry" didn't fare quite as well. Gavurin formed a friendship with the comedian David Baddiel when growing up in North London, which would lead to the Sundays providing the song "Another Flavour" (sans vocals) from Static and Silence as the theme tune to the Newman and Baddiel in Pieces TV series.
No new material has been released by The Sundays since Static and Silence (and its attendant singles) in 1997. Harriet Wheeler and David Gavurin have settled down and are raising a family. Patrick Hannan has become a session drummer and occasional record producer. Bassist Paul Brindley, like Harriet and David, is no longer a part of the music industry.
In April 2014, Adam Pitluk, the editor of American Airlines' magazine American Way, tracked down and conducted an interview with Wheeler and Gavurin in which he put forward the idea of a reunion. The response to this was as follows - "First let’s see if the music we’re currently writing ever sees the light of day, and then we can get on to the enjoyable globe-trotting-meets-concert-planning stage."
There is also a Japanese independent rock/punk band named SUNDAYS. They started out in September 2007 and released their first mini-album on a major label in January 2013.
Cry
The Sundays Lyrics
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Now I'm staring from a train
And all the trees roll back beside but I'm so oblivious
To the dark to the light
It's all the same
You gave me so much and now it's of the earth
And it makes me cry
It can make me cry
And you're standing here beside me
In a picture in a frame
And your voice could never fade it's so familiar
Things you said in my head
Every day
You gave me so much
And now it's of the earth
And it makes me cry
(It makes me cry, it makes me cry)
And it can make me cry
You're with me so much
Though you're never with me anymore
And it makes me cry
(It makes me cry, it makes me cry)
It can make me cry
(Oh it makes me cry, it makes me cry)
(Yeah it makes me cry, it can make me cry)
The Sundays’ “Cry” is a poignant song that speaks to the universal experience of loss and longing. The lyrics detail the experience of the singer as they stand on a platform and watch the world blur past them as they ride a train, feeling completely disconnected from their surroundings. They are consumed by memories of someone they have lost, someone who gave them so much and now exists only in memory. The imagery captures a sense of the lonely and deeply introspective mood, with the singer struggling to come to terms with the weight of their grief.
The singer’s memories come alive as they describe the person they’ve lost in vivid detail, recalling their voice and the things they used to say. The repetition of the phrase “It makes me cry” creates a sense of emotional overwhelm, as if the singer is unable to hold back the tears that come flooding in as they think about their loss.
Ultimately, “Cry” is an introspective song that speaks to the deeply human experience of longing for the people we’ve loved and lost. It taps into the raw emotions that can be difficult to express, giving voice to the pain and beauty of such intense emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
And I'm standing on a platform
I am in a state of transition or waiting for something.
Now I'm staring from a train
I am moving forward but not necessarily aware of my surroundings.
And all the trees roll back beside but I'm so oblivious
I am too focused on my own thoughts and emotions to notice the passing scenery.
To the dark to the light
My emotions are fluctuating between negative and positive states.
It's all the same
No matter what emotional state I am in, it all feels the same and overwhelming.
You gave me so much and now it's of the earth
You provided me with great things or memories that are now gone or lost.
And it makes me cry (It makes me cry, it makes me cry)
Thinking about or remembering what was lost makes me feel emotional.
And you're standing here beside me
Although physically absent, your memory or image is still present in my mind.
In a picture in a frame
Your likeness is preserved in a physical object, intensifying the feeling of loss.
And your voice could never fade it's so familiar
Your words and mannerisms left a deep and lasting impression on me.
Things you said in my head
I often recall the things you said to me, even when you are not physically present.
Every day
I am reminded of you and your absence on a regular basis.
You're with me so much
I am constantly thinking about you and your impact on my life.
Though you're never with me anymore
You are physically gone and will not be coming back.
And it makes me cry (It makes me cry, it makes me cry)
The realization of your absence brings about strong emotions.
(Oh it makes me cry, it makes me cry)
The pain of loss is overwhelming.
(Yeah it makes me cry, it can make me cry)
The feeling of loss remains persistent in my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind