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.
Skin
The Sundays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know, all the way home
Whether the world will see
I'm a better man than others by far
You know, I've had it so good
How loathsome, and not quite my style
Work and vanity wasted my time inside
Oh, you see me in a cardigan
Oh how are you
Can't say I really care at the end of it all
Actually, oh, well there's something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And well, now, just one thing I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And you know, and I've been wondering
You know, all the way home
Whether the world will see
I'm a better man than others by far
Ooh how are you
I shan't say I really care at the end of it all
Actually oh, there is something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
Well, now, there's one thing I've found
It's that we're just skin and bones
Actually oh, there's something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And you're nothing much more
There's something, just something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And we're nothing much more
Oh no, what did I do wrong
Individual doubts
Just one thing I've found
We're just flesh and blood
Nothing much more
Something, just something I've found
That we're skin and bones
Yeah
The lyrics to The Sundays' song Skin explore themes of self-doubt, existential questioning, and the nature of humanity. The first verse expresses a sense of insecurity and a desire for validation from the world, as the singer questions whether they are a "better man than others by far." The second verse takes a more philosophical turn, as the singer reflects on the fact that at the end of the day, we are all just "flesh and blood" and are ultimately no more important or valuable than anyone else. The final verse continues this theme, emphasizing the fragility of the human body by referring to it as "skin and bones."
Overall, the lyrics suggest a struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world where we are all ultimately the same, and where our achievements and possessions may ultimately be meaningless. The repeated refrain of "we're just flesh and blood" serves as a reminder that we are all vulnerable and mortal, and that perhaps the most important thing is simply to accept and make the most of our time in this world.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, and I've been wondering
Expressing a contemplative attitude and introducing a topic of interest
You know, all the way home
Continuing the contemplative attitude and referring to a past event
Whether the world will see
Pondering on the perception of oneself in the world
I'm a better man than others by far
Wondering if one has lived a superior life compared to others
You know, I've had it so good
Acknowledging that one has had a prosperous life
How loathsome, and not quite my style
Reflecting on how distasteful it is to have wasted time on trivial things
Work and vanity wasted my time inside
Regretting having spent time on meaningless endeavors
Oh, you see me in a cardigan
Noting that one's outward appearance doesn't reflect their inner self
And a dress, dress, dress that I've been sick on
Highlighting the absurdity of societal pressure to conform to certain standards of fashion
Oh how are you
Making conversation in a rhetorical manner
Can't say I really care at the end of it all
Indicating a lack of investment in the conversation
Actually, oh, well there's something I've found
Redirecting the conversation to something of substance
It's that we're just flesh and blood
Realizing that fundamentally, humans are no different from animals
And well, now, just one thing I've found
Continuing to elaborate on the previously mentioned insight
It's that we're just flesh and blood
Reiterating that humans are merely biological organisms
Ooh how are you
Repeating the rhetorical conversation starter
I shan't say I really care at the end of it all
Emphasizing a lack of interest in small talk
Actually oh, there is something I've found
Revisiting the previous topic of discussion
It's that we're just flesh and blood
Reiterating that at the core, humans are not exceptional beings
Well, now, there's one thing I've found
Introducing a new insight
It's that we're just skin and bones
Reducing the essence of humanity to its material components
Actually oh, there's something I've found
Repeating oneself for emphasis
It's that we're just flesh and blood
Restating the primary insight
And you're nothing much more
Implying that others are also subject to the same biological limitations
There's something, just something I've found
Bringing attention to another insight
It's that we're just flesh and blood
Reiterating the prevailing belief
And we're nothing much more
Echoing the earlier sentiment
Oh no, what did I do wrong
Expressing doubt and regret
Individual doubts
Acknowledging that everyone faces personal doubts
Just one thing I've found
Returning to the theme of insights
We're just flesh and blood
Reiterating the main point of the song
Nothing much more
Stressing the insignificance of humans in the grand scheme of things
Something, just something I've found
Concluding the song with a final insight
That we're skin and bones
Reaffirming that humans are purely physical entities
Yeah
A concluding remark
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel Lopez
I'm taken back in time listening to this. Thanks for the upload! Such an underrated album, it's almost like a work of magic. Good stuff. Those were the days, no? Lol.
Here are the lyrics if anyone's interested!
You know, and I've been wondering
You know, all the way home
Whether the world will see
I'm a better man than others by far
You know, I've had it so good
How loathsome, and not quite my style
Work and vanity wasted my time inside
Oh, you see me in a cardigan
And a dress, dress, dress that I've been sick on
Oh how are you
Can't say I really care at the end of it all
Actually, oh, well there's something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And well, now, just one thing I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And you know, and I've been wondering
You know, all the way home
Whether the world will see
I'm a better man than others by far
Ooh how are you
I shan't say I really care at the end of it all
Actually oh, there is something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
Well, now, there's one thing I've found
It's that we're just skin and bones
Actually oh, there's something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And you're nothing much more
There's something, just something I've found
It's that we're just flesh and blood
And we're nothing much more
Oh no, what did I do wrong
Individual doubts
Just one thing I've found
We're just flesh and blood
Nothing much more
Something, just something I've found
That we're skin and bones
Yeah
Songwriters: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Benedetto Bruno
17 October 2020.
I have woken up with this song going on in my mind and I hadn't listened to it for quite a while.
And my gosh she can sing! One of the most underrated female singers of all time. Her voice moves like water and goes wherever there is space to go to.
1thess523
There's hasn't been another one like her in this music genre 👍.
SOUL BROTHER 68'
Such an inimitable , beautiful voice has Harriet Wheeler . wonderful vocal modulations . And she has a high range to begin with, and she slips in and out of the even higher falsetto notes seamlessly. remarkable .
laila
the first sundays song i ever heard- i love harriet wheeler's voice and just the whole vibe of the sundays, they'll always be my favourite band
cathy struska
This music is hypnotic and sublime. Harriet Wheeler sounds as I would imagine angels do
Fraser the Backseat Gamer
This whole album hits different in 2020, timeless music.
HenryWaltonJones
Timeless is exactly how I'd describe The Sundays.Still sounds relevant,still sounds amazing.Nice quote,wishing you all the best.
Fraser the Backseat Gamer
@HenryWaltonJones thanks, you too.
Justin Case
They can't make music this good in 2023
Tomsk Corkhill
I have just found this song on a cassette tape and played it on my retro technics system. It blew my mind how good it was. Many happy memories of this listening to this album in the 90's. Criminally underrated!..