The band were founded at the University of Dundee in 1994 by Lightbody, Mark McClelland, and Michael Morrison of Shrug. After briefly using the name Polarbear, releasing the EP Starfighter Pilot (1997) and losing Morrison as a member, the band became Snow Patrol in 1997 and added Quinn to its lineup. Their first two studio albums, Songs for Polarbears (1998) and When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up (2001), released by the independent record label Jeepster Records, were commercially unsuccessful. The band then signed to the major record label Polydor Records in 2002.
Connolly joined Snow Patrol in 2002, and after their major-label debut album, Final Straw, the following year, with "Run", the album's biggest hit, the band rose to national fame. The album was certified 5x platinum in the UK. Their next studio album, Eyes Open (2006), and its hit single, "Chasing Cars"—reported in 2019 to be the most-played song of the 21st century on UK radio—propelled the band to greater international fame. The album topped the UK Albums Chart and was the best-selling British album of the year. In 2008, Snow Patrol released their fifth studio album, A Hundred Million Suns; then, in 2009, they released their first compilation album, Up to Now; and, in 2011, their sixth studio album, Fallen Empires, was published. The band released their seventh album, Wildness, on 25 May 2018.
During the course of their career, Snow Patrol have won seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards and been nominated for six Brit Awards and one Grammy. Final Straw, Eyes Open, and A Hundred Million Suns have sold ten million copies worldwide, combined.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Patrol
Studio albums
Songs for Polarbears (1998)
When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up (2001)
Final Straw (2003)
Eyes Open (2006)
A Hundred Million Suns (2008)
Fallen Empires (2011)
Wildness (2018)
1. How To Be Dead
Snow Patrol Lyrics
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No you don't know what happened, and you never, will
If you don't listen to me while I talk to the wall
This blanket is freezing, its been out in the hall
Where you fight me for hours, 'til I'm sure what I want
But darling I want the same thing, that I wanted before
So sweetheart tell me what's up, I won't stop, no way
Its hardly what I'd be doing, if you gave me a choice
Its a simple suggestion, can you give me some time
So just say yes or no, why can't you shoulder the blame?
'Cause both my shoulders are heavy, from the weight of us both
You're a big boy now, so lets not talk about growth
You've not heard a single word I have said, oh my God
Please take it easy, It can't all be my fault
I haven't made half the mistakes, that you've listed so far
Baby let me explain something, its all down to drugs
At least I remember taking them, and not a lot else
It seems I've stepped over lines, you've drawn again and again
But if the ecstasy's in, the wit is definitely out
Dr.Jekyll is wrestling Hyde, for my pride
The lyrics of "How To Be Dead" by Snow Patrol are about a failing relationship, with the singer attempting to communicate with their partner but facing resistance and defensiveness. The opening lines express a fear of telling the truth because the partner likely won't believe them or react well. The second stanza has the singer asking for time to sort out their feelings and to stop being blamed for everything. They note that taking drugs may have contributed to the issues in the relationship, but also that their partner is drawing lines and not listening to them. The final line about Dr. Jekyll and Hyde battling over pride suggests that the singer is struggling to maintain their sense of self against the pressures of the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a relationship that is fraught with tension and miscommunication, with both parties struggling to understand each other. The use of drug references suggests that there may be deeper issues at play, such as addiction or mental health problems, that are driving the conflict. The song's title, "How To Be Dead," could be interpreted as a reference to the emotional distance between the singer and their partner, or as a reflection on the ways in which the relationship is destructive.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't go crazy, if I tell you the truth,
I need you to stay calm while I tell you what really happened.
No you don't know what happened, and you never, will,
You'll never fully understand the situation.
If you don't listen to me while I talk to the wall,
I need you to listen to me, even if it seems like I'm talking to no one.
This blanket is freezing, its been out in the hall,
I'm feeling cold and alone.
Where you fight me for hours, 'til I'm sure what I want
We argue until I know what I really want.
But darling I want the same thing, that I wanted before,
Despite the arguments, I still want the same thing as before.
So sweetheart tell me what's up, I won't stop, no way.
Please tell me what's going on - I won't give up until I understand.
Please keep your hands down, and stop raising your voice,
Please remain calm and don't raise your voice.
Its hardly what I'd be doing, if you gave me a choice,
I wouldn't be acting this way if I had a choice in the matter.
Its a simple suggestion, can you give me some time,
I just need a little bit of time and space.
So just say yes or no, why can't you shoulder the blame?
Can you just give a clear answer? Why can't you take some responsibility?
'cause both my shoulders are heavy, from the weight of us both,
I'm carrying the weight of both of us on my shoulders.
You're a big boy now, so lets not talk about growth,
You're an adult, so we don't need to talk about growing up.
You've not heard a single word I have said, Oh My God
You're not really listening to me, and it's frustrating.
Please take it easy, It can't all be my fault,
Please don't blame me for everything - it's not all my fault.
I haven't made half the mistakes, that you've listed so far,
I haven't made as many mistakes as you think I have.
Baby let me explain something, its all down to drugs,
Let me explain - the situation has to do with drugs.
At least I remember taking them, and not a lot else,
At least I can remember taking the drugs, even if I can't remember much else.
It seems I've stepped over lines, you've drawn again and again,
I keep crossing the boundaries you set.
but if the ecstasy's in, the wit is definitely out,
My judgment might be clouded due to the ecstasy.
Dr Jekyll is wrestling Hyde, for my pride.
I'm struggling with conflicting sides of myself for the sake of my pride.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Nathan Connolly, Gary Lightbody, Mark Mccelland, Jonathan Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind