Katrina Leskanich has haughty neighbors in the mocking "Sun Street."
Plucky whistling and a peachy keen guitar open the song, setting a wholesome tone. Leskanich knows a few people in her neighborhood. But she is wary of them. Some days, the people are friendly. Other days, they are rude. It has led her to some arguments. The neighborhood has cheating lovers, lying friends, and materialistic people. Her neighbors bolt when she talks to them about her problems.
"It picks me up, puts me down again/I never know when my troubles will end/This little street with its den of sin/Where I see all my fairweather friends."
She can only deal with her loneliness by drinking. When she's drunk, she forgets that they pretend to like her.
"And it's good when I'm a little high/And it's good, my glass is never dry/And it's good when everything is spinning/Now I feel like I am finally winning."
In the chorus, she lets out a scornful cheer. She would rather be living at home than on Sun Street.
"Na na na na na na na na na na na/We're all living on Sun Street/Na na na na na na na na na na na/We're all living on Sun Street, yay!"
It's her home but it's not the neighborhood she grew up in. Sometimes, people usually wave and smile at her. It gives her hope that she could fit in there one day.
"It makes me blue, but keeps me coming round/Life is cheap, a smile is free/Before the dust on the window pane/It's hard to see Sun Street's not for me."
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung again.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung three times to end the single.
Leskanich is disillusioned to find out that living on her own has some unexpected drawbacks. She misses her home. She knew everyone on her old street and had wonderful memories of hanging out on other people's porches. There was a camaraderie. On Sun Street, people save the pleasantries for whenever they want something. They could care less about her life.
The ironic music arrangement gives the false impression of Sun Street: perky, trusting, and sociable. However, Leskanich's disappointed vocals tell the truth.
"Sun Street" is not without its flaws. It's a bit more over-the-top than it needs to be and another verse could've been added. It's also not as whimisical as their previous efforts. Given that "Walking On Sunshine" is one of the most enduring 80s songs, it's a tough act to follow.
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