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
The Sundays - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Album Lyrics
The Sundays - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Lyrics
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Heres Where The Story Ends
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
People I see, weary of me
Showing my good side
I can see how people look down
I'm on the outside
Here's where the story ends
Ooh here's where the story ends
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
It's that little souvenir of a terrible year
Which makes me wonder why
It's the memories of the shed that make me turn red
Surprise surprise surprise
Crazy I know, places I go
Make me feel so tired
I can see how people look down
I'm on the outside
Oh here's where the story ends
Ooh here's where the story ends
It's that little souvenir of a terrible year
Which makes my eyes feel sore
& who ever would've thought the books that you brought
Were all I loved
Oh the devil in me said go down to the shed
I know where I belong
But the only thing I ever really wanted to say
Was wrong, was wrong, was wrong
It's that little souvenir of a colorful year
Which makes me smile inside
So I cynically, cynically say the world is that way
Surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise
Here's where the story ends
Ooh here's where the story ends
Make me feel tongue tied
I can see how people look down
They're on the inside
Here's where the story ends
People I see, weary of me
Showing my good side
I can see how people look down
I'm on the outside
Here's where the story ends
Ooh here's where the story ends
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
It's that little souvenir of a terrible year
Which makes me wonder why
It's the memories of the shed that make me turn red
Surprise surprise surprise
Crazy I know, places I go
Make me feel so tired
I can see how people look down
I'm on the outside
Oh here's where the story ends
Ooh here's where the story ends
It's that little souvenir of a terrible year
Which makes my eyes feel sore
& who ever would've thought the books that you brought
Were all I loved
Oh the devil in me said go down to the shed
I know where I belong
But the only thing I ever really wanted to say
Was wrong, was wrong, was wrong
It's that little souvenir of a colorful year
Which makes me smile inside
So I cynically, cynically say the world is that way
Surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise, surprise
Here's where the story ends
Ooh here's where the story ends
Writer: DAVID RICHARD GAVURIN, HARRIET ELLA WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
cant be sure
when people say it's sad
you know it can't be bad
& on any other day I'd be soul destroyed
but now I can't afford to
listen to a word they say
& of all the times we had
o the ultimate late night
didn't taste right
true words that I should know
blood on my hands
when you looked around I couldn't be found
a crime's a crime
I'll have to pay
now I find that I'm thigh deep
too young for the worst of my mind
you whispered behind me
"if I may make so bold"
call it young & wild
but I ran a mile in a minute
& there's no going back
true words that I should know
blood on my hands
when you looked around I couldn't be found
a crime's a crime
I'll have to pay
true words I said to myself
as the wind chilled my bones
"home alone
you call that a late night?"
when people say you're dead
you know you caught their eye
& on any other day I'd be soul destroyed
but that's just not the way now
I don't mind telling you
nothing is quite what it seems
true words that I should know
must have been blood on my hands
when you look around I couldn't be found
a crime's a crime but I don't mind
true words that I should know well
but surely by now
I could say to myself
"the days are getting longer so
I better get stronger fast"
surely by now?
you know it can't be bad
& on any other day I'd be soul destroyed
but now I can't afford to
listen to a word they say
& of all the times we had
o the ultimate late night
didn't taste right
true words that I should know
blood on my hands
when you looked around I couldn't be found
a crime's a crime
I'll have to pay
now I find that I'm thigh deep
too young for the worst of my mind
you whispered behind me
"if I may make so bold"
call it young & wild
but I ran a mile in a minute
& there's no going back
true words that I should know
blood on my hands
when you looked around I couldn't be found
a crime's a crime
I'll have to pay
true words I said to myself
as the wind chilled my bones
"home alone
you call that a late night?"
when people say you're dead
you know you caught their eye
& on any other day I'd be soul destroyed
but that's just not the way now
I don't mind telling you
nothing is quite what it seems
true words that I should know
must have been blood on my hands
when you look around I couldn't be found
a crime's a crime but I don't mind
true words that I should know well
but surely by now
I could say to myself
"the days are getting longer so
I better get stronger fast"
surely by now?
Writer: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
I Won
ooh, let me take a candle to a cellar tonight
and I'd like to take some matches there and set it alight
I can, cos I've seen those kind of places before
ooh, 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, cos I've seen those kind of people before
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
ooh, 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
ooh (supercilious smile)
ooh (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
and I'd like to take some matches there and set it alight
I can, cos I've seen those kind of places before
ooh, 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, cos I've seen those kind of people before
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
ooh, 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
ooh (supercilious smile)
ooh (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
Writer: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Hideous Towns
don't ask me why, don't ask me why
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
don't ask me why, don't ask me why
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, cos 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
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
don't ask me why, don't ask me why
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, cos 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
Writer: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
youre not the only one I know
Where's the harm in voicing a doubt
You'll find me in the lavatory
And where's the harm in talking out loud when I'm on my own
What's so wrong with reading my stars
When I'll be in the lavatory
And what is so wrong with counting the cars when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So I say I'm in love with the world
And what is so wrong with voicing a doubt when I'm on my own
It's perfectly fine to sleep in a chair
From Monday 'til Saturday
And what is so wrong with talking out loud when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're, you're not the only one that I know
But I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So they rode out west to the seaside
And they gladly decided to stay
After two hours wandering outside
Ooh the sea air drove them away, yeah
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
You're not the only one
But I'm far too proud you're (son)
You're young
But I know, I know, I know, I know
I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
But if you do, don't you know
That I don't mind, no, no, no
You'll find me in the lavatory
And where's the harm in talking out loud when I'm on my own
What's so wrong with reading my stars
When I'll be in the lavatory
And what is so wrong with counting the cars when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So I say I'm in love with the world
And what is so wrong with voicing a doubt when I'm on my own
It's perfectly fine to sleep in a chair
From Monday 'til Saturday
And what is so wrong with talking out loud when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're, you're not the only one that I know
But I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So they rode out west to the seaside
And they gladly decided to stay
After two hours wandering outside
Ooh the sea air drove them away, yeah
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
You're not the only one
But I'm far too proud you're (son)
You're young
But I know, I know, I know, I know
I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
But if you do, don't you know
That I don't mind, no, no, no
Writer: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
A Certain Someone
live your life, have your say
read your stars, day by day
if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
oh, live your life, go your way
and I said oh no
live your life, stake your claim
wash your clothes, change your name
ooh, and I said oh, no, no
if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
ooh, ah.... you're too twisted by half.... but that's far enough
so live your life, build a home
and fill it full of flowers and a bottle of old cologne
yeah, if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
except perhaps a certain someone
except perhaps a certain someone
except perhaps a certain someone
just to be shown another way out
you're too twisted by half..... but that's far enough
oh, I'd be careful living in a block of flats
and I never take the lift to the top
no I never take the lift to the top
Ah, you're too twisted by half
but that's far enough
take a swim round, take a look down
I'll never believe what we've found
we figured it out, we figured it out
we lived in a house, in a cold room
read your stars, day by day
if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
oh, live your life, go your way
and I said oh no
live your life, stake your claim
wash your clothes, change your name
ooh, and I said oh, no, no
if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
ooh, ah.... you're too twisted by half.... but that's far enough
so live your life, build a home
and fill it full of flowers and a bottle of old cologne
yeah, if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
except perhaps a certain someone
except perhaps a certain someone
except perhaps a certain someone
just to be shown another way out
you're too twisted by half..... but that's far enough
oh, I'd be careful living in a block of flats
and I never take the lift to the top
no I never take the lift to the top
Ah, you're too twisted by half
but that's far enough
take a swim round, take a look down
I'll never believe what we've found
we figured it out, we figured it out
we lived in a house, in a cold room
Writer: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
I Kicked a Boy
don't ask me why, don't ask me why
I'll join the army, the Salvation Army
but it didn't help
don't ask me why, but don't ask me why
I joined the army, but it drove me barmy
and it didn't help
hideous towns made 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
don't ask me why, [yet] don't ask me why
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
you're near enough
[oh-ho], my [hopeless/helpless] youth [it's/just] so [unclean/uncouth]
[as that oh], I'd, I'd like to be in history
I said [I'll get] my, that [hopeless/helpless] youth just so [unclean/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, we 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
you're near enough
yes they do
said oh, my [hopeless/helpless] youth [they're/it's] so [unclean/uncouth]
said oh, and I'd, I'd like to be in history
said [I'll get] my
that [hopeless/helpless] youth [is/was] just so [unclean/uncouth]
so there you go, and now you know
but just please don't
please, please, please, said [I'll get] my
that [hopeless/helpless] youth just so [then/down]
[oh-ho], [you know/yeah my] [hopeless/helpless] youth
it's really very young
[just/she's] really very young
I'll join the army, the Salvation Army
but it didn't help
don't ask me why, but don't ask me why
I joined the army, but it drove me barmy
and it didn't help
hideous towns made 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
don't ask me why, [yet] don't ask me why
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
you're near enough
[oh-ho], my [hopeless/helpless] youth [it's/just] so [unclean/uncouth]
[as that oh], I'd, I'd like to be in history
I said [I'll get] my, that [hopeless/helpless] youth just so [unclean/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, we 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
you're near enough
yes they do
said oh, my [hopeless/helpless] youth [they're/it's] so [unclean/uncouth]
said oh, and I'd, I'd like to be in history
said [I'll get] my
that [hopeless/helpless] youth [is/was] just so [unclean/uncouth]
so there you go, and now you know
but just please don't
please, please, please, said [I'll get] my
that [hopeless/helpless] youth just so [then/down]
[oh-ho], [you know/yeah my] [hopeless/helpless] youth
it's really very young
[just/she's] really very young
Writer: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
My Finest Hour
when the world, it shows me up
my clothes, they show me up
I never knew this before
the finest hour that I've ever known
was finding a pound on the Underground
when my words came stumbling out
then I went tumbling out
I've never been hit before
the finest hour that I've ever known
was finding a pound on the Underground
and I keep hoping you are the same as me
and I'll send you letters and come to your house for tea
we are who we are, what do the others know
but poetry is not for me, so show me the way to go (home)
when the words came stumbling out of my mouth
and I went tumbling out (here, no no, no no)
but I keep hoping you are the same as me
and I'll send you letters and come to your house for tea
we are who we are, what do the others know
but poetry is not for me, so show me the way to go
oh, I'm going home
but I'll keep hoping you are the only one
yes, and I'll send you letters, oh, wouldn't it be such fun
oh, we are who we are, whatever the others say
but poetry is not for me, as much as I'd like to stay
oh, I just want to go home
you're, you're, you're too young
should've been, you, you're, you're too young
it should've been, you too, you're too, you're too young
it should've been, you, you, you're too young
you should've been... safe here
bribed the judge and then sat down
ooh, you're, you're, you're too young
my clothes, they show me up
I never knew this before
the finest hour that I've ever known
was finding a pound on the Underground
when my words came stumbling out
then I went tumbling out
I've never been hit before
the finest hour that I've ever known
was finding a pound on the Underground
and I keep hoping you are the same as me
and I'll send you letters and come to your house for tea
we are who we are, what do the others know
but poetry is not for me, so show me the way to go (home)
when the words came stumbling out of my mouth
and I went tumbling out (here, no no, no no)
but I keep hoping you are the same as me
and I'll send you letters and come to your house for tea
we are who we are, what do the others know
but poetry is not for me, so show me the way to go
oh, I'm going home
but I'll keep hoping you are the only one
yes, and I'll send you letters, oh, wouldn't it be such fun
oh, we are who we are, whatever the others say
but poetry is not for me, as much as I'd like to stay
oh, I just want to go home
you're, you're, you're too young
should've been, you, you're, you're too young
it should've been, you too, you're too, you're too young
it should've been, you, you, you're too young
you should've been... safe here
bribed the judge and then sat down
ooh, you're, you're, you're too young
Writer: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Joy
Ooh, let me take a candle to a cellar tonight
And I'd like to take some matches [there/then] and set it alight
I can't, 'cause I've seen those kind of places before
Ooh, 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
I won the war and I feel proud
But I don't know why it's hard to get to sleep in my house
Ooh, 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 funeral pyre
And it's not difficult to see that you're
Young and selfish, and liberty and money, don't go
Don't go...
Let me take a candle to a cellar tonight
Yeah, you should see the parties we've had before
Gimme the time, gimme the time
Gimme the watchword, gimme 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
Ooh [your scheme is in your smile]
Ooh [you sleep and sin in your Soho hole]
Well you keep following the funeral pyre
It's not difficult to see that you're
Beautiful and young, and [critical of] nothing
And you keep following the funeral pyre
It's not difficult to see that you're
Beautiful and young, and liberty and money, don't go
And I'd like to take some matches [there/then] and set it alight
I can't, 'cause I've seen those kind of places before
Ooh, 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
I won the war and I feel proud
But I don't know why it's hard to get to sleep in my house
Ooh, 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 funeral pyre
And it's not difficult to see that you're
Young and selfish, and liberty and money, don't go
Don't go...
Let me take a candle to a cellar tonight
Yeah, you should see the parties we've had before
Gimme the time, gimme the time
Gimme the watchword, gimme 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
Ooh [your scheme is in your smile]
Ooh [you sleep and sin in your Soho hole]
Well you keep following the funeral pyre
It's not difficult to see that you're
Beautiful and young, and [critical of] nothing
And you keep following the funeral pyre
It's not difficult to see that you're
Beautiful and young, and liberty and money, don't go
Writer: BERESFORD ROMEO, WILL MOWATT
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic is the debut studio album by English alternative rock band the Sundays. It was released in 1990 on Rough Trade Records in the United Kingdom, and on DGC Records in the United States. The album's title is a reference to the band's hometown, Reading, Berkshire.
Pitchfork ranked Reading, Writing and Arithmetic at number 15 on its list of "The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums". The website also listed the record as one of "The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the '90s", commenting, "Even if the Sundays hadn't named their debut Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, its bookish nature would've been apparent. Harriet Wheeler sings like she's trying to get the librarian's attention without disturbing others, and guitarist David Gavurin strums with a studied focus."
Ira Robbins of Rolling Stone called it "a collection of uncommonly good songs graced by Harriet Wheeler's wondrous singing", finding that "Wheeler brings an exceptionally expressive voice to bear on the rich melodies and homely lyrics that offer offbeat thoughts about life, love and the English climate." In 2024, Uncut ranked Reading, Writing and Arithmetic at No. 134 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s".
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The SundaysPitchfork ranked Reading, Writing and Arithmetic at number 15 on its list of "The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums". The website also listed the record as one of "The 25 Best Indie Pop Albums of the '90s", commenting, "Even if the Sundays hadn't named their debut Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, its bookish nature would've been apparent. Harriet Wheeler sings like she's trying to get the librarian's attention without disturbing others, and guitarist David Gavurin strums with a studied focus."
Ira Robbins of Rolling Stone called it "a collection of uncommonly good songs graced by Harriet Wheeler's wondrous singing", finding that "Wheeler brings an exceptionally expressive voice to bear on the rich melodies and homely lyrics that offer offbeat thoughts about life, love and the English climate." In 2024, Uncut ranked Reading, Writing and Arithmetic at No. 134 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1990s".
Genre(s): Dream pop, indie pop
Producer(s): The Sundays, Ray Shulman
Length: 38:34