Lyric discussion by monster36604 

Cover art for Read It in Books lyrics by Echo and the Bunnymen

Before Ian McCulloch formed Echo & the Bunnymen, he was in a band with Julian Cope. He wrote this song in those days. So this song actually predates the Bunnymen.

The Teardrop Explodes used to perform the song as well.

The band Cope & McCulloch (and Pete Wylie from Wah! Heat) were in was called The Crucial Three. I don't think they ever played any gigs though.