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.
Hideous Towns
The Sundays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll join the army, the Salvation Army but it didn't help
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I joined the army, but it drove me barmy and it didn't help
Hideous towns make me throw up
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went into service with the Civil Service but it didn't help
I went into service but it made me nervous and it didn't help
Ooh, hideous towns made me throw up
And sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will just finish me off, yeah near enough
Oh oh, my hopeless youth it's so uncouth
And oh, I'd like to be in history
I said oh in my hopeless youth just so uncouth
So there you go and now you know
But just please don't
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I went to the circus, Piccadilly Circus, it was very strange
Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know why
Never one to roam, I took the first bus home, and I haven't changed
Ooh, hideous towns made me throw up
And I know sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will just finish me off, yeah near enough
Yes they do
Said oh, my hopeless youth it's so uncouth
Said oh, and I'd like to be in history
Said oh in my, hopeless youth it's just so uncouth
So there you go, and now you know
But just please don't.... please, please, please
Said oh, yeah my hopeless youth just so, damn, oh oh
Yeah my hopeless youth is really very young
Just really very young
The Sundays' song "Hideous Towns" is a commentary on the search for meaning and purpose in life, and the frustration that can come from feeling stuck in mundane and unfulfilling jobs or situations. The repeated refrain "Don't ask me why" suggests a sense of resignation or defeat, as though the singer has given up trying to explain or justify their choices. Similarly, the lines "I'll join the army, the Salvation Army, but it didn't help" and "I went into service with the Civil Service, but it made me nervous and it didn't help" suggest that the singer has tried different paths in search of fulfillment, but none have worked out.
The song also touches on the theme of alienation, with the singer feeling disconnected from the world around them. The line "Hideous towns make me throw up" suggests a visceral disgust with the soullessness of modern urban life, while the mention of Piccadilly Circus and the circus in general imply a sense of strangeness and otherness.
At the same time, there is a sense of hope and longing in the song, as expressed in the lines "Oh, I'd like to be in history" and "So there you go, and now you know." It seems as though the singer is searching for something more, even if they haven't found it yet.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I don't have a clear reason for my choices
I'll join the army, the Salvation Army but it didn't help
I tried joining the Salvation Army to find direction, but it didn't work
I joined the army, but it drove me barmy and it didn't help
I joined the army looking for a sense of purpose, but it just made me more stressed
Hideous towns make me throw up
I can't stand living in unattractive towns
I went into service with the Civil Service but it didn't help
I thought working in the government would give me a fulfilling career, but it didn't
I went into service but it made me nervous and it didn't help
Working in the service sector made me anxious and didn't fulfill me
And sticks and stones may break my bones but words will just finish me off, yeah near enough
Physical harm is one thing, but verbal abuse can be even more damaging
Oh oh, my hopeless youth it's so uncouth
My youth seemed aimless and embarrassing
And oh, I'd like to be in history
I want to leave my mark on the world and be remembered
So there you go and now you know but just please don't
I've shared my experiences, but please don't judge me or ask for more
I went to the circus, Piccadilly Circus, it was very strange
I went to a famous attraction, but it didn't live up to expectations
Never one to roam, I took the first bus home, and I haven't changed
I'm a homebody and always have been, and that hasn't changed
And I know sticks and stones may break my bones but words will just finish me off, yeah near enough, yes they do
Verbal abuse can be extremely damaging, even though it might not leave physical scars
Said oh, yeah my hopeless youth just so, damn, oh oh
My youth was a mess and that's frustrating
Yeah my hopeless youth is really very young, just really very young
My youth was characterized by inexperience and immaturity
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind