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.
I Won
The Sundays Lyrics
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And I'd like to take some matches there and set it alight
I can, 'cause I've seen those kind of places before
Oh, I'd like to have a party in a cellar tonight
And I'd love to have a party but it wouldn't be right
I shan't, 'cause I've seen those kind of people before
I won the war in the sitting room
I won the war but it cost me
But I don't know why it's hard to get to sleep in my house
Oh, I have to pull the blankets up to cover my head
And I have to pull the blankets right up
But I don't know why it's hard to get to sleep in my house
Well you keep following the feel of the fire
It's not difficult to see that you're
Young and selfish, and liberty and money, don't go
Let me take a candle to a cellar tonight
And you should see the parties we've had before
Give me the time, give me the time
Give me your watchword, give me whatever you like
(Soon we'll be free)
I won the war in the sitting room
I won the war but it cost me
I won the war and I feel proud
But God only knows why it's hard to get to sleep in my house
Oh (supercilious smile)
Oh (you're supercilious so)
Well you keep following the feel of fire
It's not difficult to see that you're
Beautiful and young, and critical of nothing
And you keep following the feel of fire
It's not difficult to see that you're
Beautiful and young, but liberty and money, don't go
The Sundays' song "I Won" speaks about the desire to break free from the limitations of a mundane life and a search for something that gives meaning and purpose. The first stanza talks about burning down a cellar, which could symbolize a need to destroy the old structures that are holding back from a new sense of freedom. The desire to have a party in the cellar with a hint of hesitance indicates the longing for something new, but the fear of something turning south. The chorus "I won the war in the sitting room, I won the war but it cost me, I won the war and I feel proud, but I don't know why it's hard to get to sleep in my house" suggests that there was a battle fought, maybe internal, that has been won, but the aftermath of it still lingers. The feeling of nostalgia and melancholy after the victory is something unfamiliar and unsettling.
The second stanza talks about the struggle to sleep in one's own bed, which could symbolize the restlessness that comes with the desire for something more significant than the life you are currently living. The lines, "young and selfish, and liberty and money, don't go," indicate that the desire for freedom should not come at the cost of hurting others or one's self. The bridge repeats the same yearning for a sense of freedom or liberation, which is balanced with the chorus's final expression of feeling stuck. The last lines, "beautiful and young, but liberty and money, don't go," give a reminder that, while young people have the world in their hands, they should never forget the people around them or the cost of their recklessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, let me take a candle to a cellar tonight
I want to go to a dark and secluded place and light a candle for no reason
And I'd like to take some matches there and set it alight
I want to burn something down for fun
I can, 'cause I've seen those kind of places before
I have experience in going to dark places and lighting them up
Oh, I'd like to have a party in a cellar tonight
I want to have a party in a dark and secluded place
And I'd love to have a party but it wouldn't be right
Having a party in that kind of place is not appropriate
I shan't, 'cause I've seen those kind of people before
I know the kind of people who attend those kinds of parties and I don't want to be associated with them
I won the war in the sitting room
I have accomplished something small in the comfort of my own home
I won the war but it cost me
I am proud of my accomplishment, but I had to work hard for it
I won the war and I feel proud
I am happy and proud of my accomplishment
But I don't know why it's hard to get to sleep in my house
Despite my small victory, I still feel restless and uncomfortable in my own home
Well you keep following the feel of the fire
You are drawn to dangerous and exciting situations
It's not difficult to see that you're
Your behavior is quite obvious
Young and selfish, and liberty and money, don't go
Youthful selfishness does not align with the values of freedom and money
Let me take a candle to a cellar tonight
I want to indulge in my desire to go to a dark and secluded place
And you should see the parties we've had before
I have attended such parties in the past, and they are not as great as they seem
Give me the time, give me the time
I want more time to experience life
Give me your watchword, give me whatever you like
I am willing to do and say anything to get what I want
(Soon we'll be free)
I hope to break free from my current state of restlessness
Oh (supercilious smile)
I make a smug and superior facial expression
Oh (you're supercilious so)
You also make a smug and superior facial expression
Beautiful and young, and critical of nothing
You are youthful and attractive, but lack critical thinking skills
But liberty and money, don't go
Youthful arrogance does not guarantee success in matters of freedom and money
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind