Songfacts®:

• The Sundays were a an alternative rock group formed in London in 1987 by guitarist David Gavurin, vocalist Harriet Wheeler, bassist Paul Brindley and drummer Patrick Hannan. This contemplative tune, written by Gavurin and Wheeler, was their biggest hit internationally, topping the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. However, the song was never released as a single in the group's native UK due to the collapse of the Rough Trade Records label.
• The lyrics are difficult to comprehend in part because of Harriet Wheeler's broad English accent and high-pitched voice. The words are open to interpretation, especially the "little souvenir of a terrible year" Wheeler sings about.
• The song was updated by Electronic duo Tin Tin Out in 1998. Their version peaked at #7 on the UK chart, as well as winning the 1999 Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song.
• American singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox covered the song on her 2013 album, All That For This. She credited the selection to her producer, Steve Berlin. "That was a suggestion by Steve," she told Billboard magazine. "I was six years old when that song was on the charts. I honestly didn't remember the song. I think it was before I really took an interest in music, but when he played it for me, I connected with the lyric. I liked the poppy happiness of the tune. The lyrics are dark and melancholy, but the song is happy, and I like the mix of the two."