During the 1980s, Armstrong's composition work included commissions from the Arts Council for various classical ensembles in Scotland, and he also served as resident composer at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow. During this time he also received a Composer's Award to study electronic music, and maintained a parallel career in the Scottish Pop music scene, as a member of bands Hipsway, Texas and The Big Dish.
In 1990, his music theatre group Performance performed at the Glasgow Mayfest, and he composed a number of works for film, television, and stage productions by the Traverse Theatre, the BBC, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others. By the late 1990s he had gained critical acclaim for his work on the Baz Luhrman films Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge! (which won him a Golden Globe for Best Original Score in 2001). He has also done orchestrations with artists such as Massive Attack, Madonna, U2, Suede, Pet Shop Boys and The Future Sound of London. During this time he also released his first album of his own orchestral work, The Space Between Us, in 1998.
During the early 2000s Armstrong continued to produce film and orchestral work, including commissions for the Barbican Centre and the Scottish Ensemble. His most recent film scores are for the Academy Award winning Taylor Hackford film, Ray for which Armstrong won a Grammy Award, and Oliver Stone's 2006 film World Trade Center.
Recently Craig has teamed up with Scott Fraser for his latest electronic project, Winona. The project sees them dust off their eye-watering collection of vintage synthesizers and set about making widescreen, minor-key masterpieces to make Winona's debut album 'Rosebud' a down-key classic.
Snow
Craig Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something you won't tell me?
I can see it in your eyes,
There's nothing left for you to hide, my love.
Is there somewhere we can go?
Somewhere that we could speak?
If there is time, could we still find,
But if you stay,
I know I'd throw it all away,
And if you go,
I know I'll find my way back home.
You say I give it all away,
Leave nothing to imagination,
Well it's all I know, although I know,
You don't want everything, my love.
But if you stay,
I know I'd throw it all away,
And if you go,
I know I'd find my way back home.
Stay,
Stay,
If you go,
If you go.
Is there something I should know?
Is there something I should know?
Is there something I should know, my love?
The lyrics of Craig Armstrong's song Snow convey a sense of longing, confusion, and uncertainty in a relationship. The singer is questioning their partner if there is something they should know, something that their partner is not telling them. The singer can sense that there is something amiss from the way their partner looks at them. They want to find a place where they can talk and resolve whatever issues they may have between them. Perhaps, the singer is also questioning if their love is strong enough to weather whatever storm the relationship may face.
The chorus further communicates the singer's inner thoughts and feelings. They are torn between wanting their partner to stay yet acknowledging that if they do, the singer may mess everything up. Conversely, if their partner leaves, the singer is confident they can find their way back home. The partner has accused the singer of giving everything away, leaving nothing to the imagination. The singer, however, defends themselves by saying that's how they know how to love although their partner may not want everything. This line could suggest that the partner wants to discover and explore the singer's personality and secrets.
Line by Line Meaning
Is there something I should know?
Asking if there is something the other person is keeping from me.
Something you won't tell me?
Wondering if there is a secret that the other person is hiding.
I can see it in your eyes,
Observing that the other person is displaying emotions that reveal that something is wrong.
There's nothing left for you to hide, my love.
Assuming that there is nothing else to hide from each other in the relationship as it stands.
Is there somewhere we can go?
Asking if there is a place where they can freely communicate.
Somewhere that we could speak?
Prompting the other person to try and help them find a place to share their feelings and thoughts.
If there is time, could we still find,
Asking for the opportunity to rekindle the love they once shared.
Piece of mind, some kind of love, my love?
Expressing the desire for some tranquility and restoration of their relationship.
But if you stay,
Note that even if the other person stays, there will be challenges ahead.
I know I'd throw it all away,
Admitting that he would ruin their relationship if they don't figure things out.
And if you go,
Alternatively, if the other person leaves, he suggests he'll be able to recover.
I know I'll find my way back home.
Assuming that home is their safe zone where there can be a restoration of their relationship.
You say I give it all away,
Acknowledging that the other person believes he reveals too much emotionally, without holding anything back.
Leave nothing to imagination,
Acknowledging that the other person thinks he is overbearing with emotion.
Well it's all I know, although I know,
Explaining that he is giving his all simply because it's all he knows how to do.
You don't want everything, my love.
Referring to the fact that he's emotional about things that they don't necessarily need to be emotional about.
Stay,
Pleading with the other person to remain together and work on their relationship.
If you go,
Expressing that even if the other person decides to leave, he won't be stuck without direction.
Is there something I should know?
Repeating the opening line as a cap on the urgency for the other person to engage in communicating with him.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CRAIG ARMSTRONG, DAVID MCALMONT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind