"Here's Where the Story Ends" is the signature song by English alternative rock band The Sundays. Released in January 1990 as the second single from their acclaimed debut album, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, the track became the band's breakthrough hit, especially in the United States, where it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song is widely celebrated for its jangly guitar pop sound, wistful lyrics, and Harriet Wheeler’s crystalline vocals12.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | The Sundays |
| Album | Reading, Writing and Arithmetic |
| Release Date | January 1990 |
| Genre | Jangle pop, alternative rock |
| Length | 3:54 |
| Writers | Harriet Wheeler, David Gavurin |
| Producer | The Sundays, Ray Shulman |
| Label | Rough Trade, DGC |
Background and Legacy
- Breakthrough Success:
"Here's Where the Story Ends" was The Sundays’ biggest international hit. It reached #1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and became a defining song of early '90s alternative music12. - UK Release Issue:
The song was not released as a single in the UK due to the collapse of Rough Trade Records, though it still placed #36 on John Peel’s Festive Fifty for 199013. - Covers and Awards:
The track has been covered by several artists, notably Tin Tin Out, whose 1998 version became a UK top-10 hit and won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song13.
Musical Style
- Instrumentation:
The song is built around jangly, melodic guitar lines and a breezy, mid-tempo rhythm, evoking comparisons to fellow Rough Trade labelmates The Smiths. The arrangement is bright and airy, yet tinged with melancholy1. - Vocals:
Harriet Wheeler’s vocals are central to the track’s appeal, delivering the bittersweet lyrics with clarity and emotional nuance12.
Lyrical Themes and Meaning
"Here's Where the Story Ends" is often described as a bittersweet reflection on nostalgia, regret, and the end of a chapter in life. The lyrics paint vignettes of feeling like an outsider, recalling painful memories, and the small souvenirs that linger after a difficult period:
"People I know, places I go / Make me feel tongue-tied
I can see how people look down / They're on the inside
Here's where the story ends..."
The song’s refrain and vivid imagery evoke a sense of wistfulness and the struggle to move on from the past, while also hinting at a cynical acceptance of how the world works145.
Notable Lyrics
"It's that little souvenir of a terrible year
Which makes my eyes feel sore
Oh, I never should have said the books that you read
Were all I loved you for..."
"Here's where the story ends
Ooh, here's where the story ends..."
Reception
- Critical Acclaim:
Critics have praised the song for its timeless pop melody and evocative storytelling. Pitchfork highlighted its "bittersweet tale of nostalgic longing," while PopMatters called it "evocative of a breezy, moderately cool yet still lovely autumn afternoon"1. - Enduring Influence:
The song remains a staple of alternative radio and is considered one of the essential tracks of the 1990s indie pop era12.
Personnel
- Harriet Wheeler: Vocals
- David Gavurin: Guitar
- Paul Brindley: Bass
- Patrick Hannan: Drums
In Summary
"Here's Where the Story Ends" stands as The Sundays’ most beloved and enduring song—a shimmering, bittersweet anthem about memory, regret, and moving forward. Its combination of jangly guitars, heartfelt lyrics, and Wheeler’s unforgettable voice has ensured its place as a classic of alternative pop12.
