After attending Campbell College, he moved to Dundee, Scotland in 1994 to attend Dundee University. It is here that he formed Snow Patrol with fellow students Jonny Quinn and Mark McClelland.
He also performed in the Scottish supergroup The Reindeer Section.
In 2005, he went on to join The Cake Sale, where he collaborated with Lisa Hannigan to perform a song written by Bell X1's Paul Noonan.
Lightbody now lives in Glasgow and is a friend of the BBC Radio 1 DJ Colin Murray.
Chasing Cars
Gary Lightbody Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything
On our own
We don't need
Anything
Or anyone
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel
Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads
I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes; they're all I can see
I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
The song "Chasing Cars" by Gary Lightbody is a love song that emphasizes that everything in the world is insignificant when they are with their loved one. The lyrics suggest that the couple can do anything and everything on their own without the need for anyone else or anything else. The singer expresses that he doesn't know how to fully express his love and that the three words "I love you" are not enough for the depth of the emotions he feels. The chorus repeats the central theme of the song, the idea that the couple should lay together and forget the rest of the world. The singer highlights the importance of finding a partner who can remind him of his own grace, and how their love is the only constant in his life.
The line "forget what we're told before we get too old" highlights the idea that society sets expectations and standards upon people that are unnecessary and perhaps even harmful, and it is important to break free from them. The line "Show me a garden that's bursting into life" symbolizes the love and growth in the relationship.
Overall, the song emphasizes the idea of finding true love and how it can transcend everything else in life.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll do it all
We will do everything that life has to offer
Everything
All the experiences that life brings
On our own
Without the need for external support
We don't need
No requirement
Anything
Any material possessions
Or anyone
Any external forces
If I lay here
If I just rest and enjoy the moment
If I just lay here
If I remain still and silent
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
Would you share this moment with me and leave behind all worldly distractions?
I don't quite know
Can't express accurately
How to say
How to articulate
How I feel
My true emotions
Those three words
The words 'I love you'
Are said too much
Have been spoken many times before
They're not enough
Fail to do justice to the depth of my emotions
Forget what we're told
Ignore societal expectations and norms
Before we get too old
Before life passes us by
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
Show me nature in its full glory and vitality
Let's waste time
Let's spend time on things that do not necessarily have an impact on our future
Chasing cars
Pursuing things that are unattainable or not worth the effort
Around our heads
In our minds
I need your grace
I need your kindness and compassion
To remind me
To help me remember
To find my own
To discover my own way in life
All that I am
My entire being
All that I ever was
Who I have been up until now
Is here in your perfect eyes; they're all I can see
Your eyes help me see the best version of myself
I don't know where
I am unsure of my path
Confused about how as well
Uncertain about what to do next
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
I know that you and I will always have each other in our lives
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Commander
My wife and I use to sing this when she had cancer. She died from that disease but I have this of many memories. Thanks
Elizabeth-Miller-Angel
I'm so sorry for your loss. Take care.
Sean Wilkie
God bless you and your wife x
Clive Thomas
The beauty of music with so much emotion in it particularly when this guy sings just brings me too tears, I used to listen to this when I was being treated for cancer in 2007, I was obviously very lucky......Im very sorry for your loss
Ernesto Moran
This song is so full of strength. My Mom had breast cancer. I know how this song can make you feel. Nothing but love bro.
ziblot123
It is a special song. My wife turned me onto it. I met her in 65, lost track, met again online in 2006. Got married after all that , and this song would be part of our soundtrack.
Rando'thol
The innocence of this song, in terms of simplicity and lyrics makes this one of the best songs of the last 20 years.
Logan Mohler
Agreed. I love so many songs, but this song somehow makes the cut on songs I love, no matter how simple it is.
Stella Bella
Yea I love this song. I remember first hearing it on Grey’s Anatomy during Cali’s crash scene I think 🤔 powerful.
Tim Adams
Saw Snow Patrol open for U2 some years ago. He did the song this way and it blew me away! The entire stadium was quiet. It was one of the most amazing concert experiences of my life!