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)
An Olive Grove Facing The Sea
Snow Patrol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was an angel, I saw her swimming there
I am in such a mess I can't cope with this
She just teases me, pretends she can't see me here
So let me go up there I can be fresh air
Stay with you all night, just let me love you
Just for a while or two
'Til I fall asleep, 'til I fall asleep
'Til I fall asleep, 'til I fall asleep
Just let me be here, I won't tell anyone
Don't wanna wake up, don't wanna wake up
The blind lead the blind, so I can't help find my way
This could be heaven I don't know where I am
I am too scared to come out from behind here
My body is aching it feels like it's wearing me
So let me go up there, I can be fresh air
Stay with you all night, just let me love you
Just for a while or two
Be with you all night, be with you all night
'Til I fall asleep, 'til I fall asleep
'Til I fall asleep, 'til I fall asleep
Just let me be here, I won't tell anyone
Don't wanna wake up, don't wanna wake up
The lyrics of Snow Patrol's song An Olive Grove Facing the Sea talk about a young man who is in love with a girl but cannot express his feelings to her. He is sworn to secrecy and cannot go after school, however, he sees the girl swimming and is consumed with emotions. He is in a mess and cannot cope with the situation. The girl teases him and pretends not to see him, which causes him to desire her even more. He wants to be with her all night, just loving her, and be allowed to stay with her until he falls asleep. He does not want to wake up because he is afraid of reality.
The song also talks about the fear of failure and not being able to find one's way. The blind lead the blind and he is too scared to come out from behind because he does not know where he is. His body is aching which symbolizes the pain he feels over the situation. He begs the girl to let him be with her and promises not to tell anyone.
Overall, the song highlights the fear, self-doubt, and overwhelming feeling that can accompany the emotion of love. It showcases the emotions of a young person dealing with their first true love, marriage proposals, and the overwhelming fear that they will never find someone like their partner again.
Line by Line Meaning
Sworn to secrecy, I might go after school
I promised not to tell anyone, but I may go after school to see her.
She was an angel, I saw her swimming there
She looked like an angel when I saw her swimming.
I am in such a mess I can't cope with this
I am overwhelmed and cannot handle this situation.
She just teases me, pretends she can't see me here
She plays with my emotions by pretending not to notice me when I'm around.
So let me go up there I can be fresh air
Allow me to be a breath of fresh air for you by being close to you.
Stay with you all night, just let me love you
I want to stay with you all night and show you my love and affection.
Just for a while or two
Even if it's just for a short time.
Be with you all night be with you all night
I want to spend the entire night with you.
'Til I fall asleep, 'til I fall asleep
I want to be with you until I fall asleep.
Just let me be here, I won't tell anyone
Allow me to stay here with you, I won't tell anyone.
Don't wanna wake up, don't wanna wake up
I don't want this moment to end, I don't want to wake up from this dream.
The blind lead the blind, so I can't help find my way
I'm lost and confused, and the people around me are no help.
This could be heaven I don't know where I am
This moment feels like heaven, even though I'm not sure where I am.
I am too scared to come out from behind here
I'm too afraid to show my true self and come out from behind my mask.
My body is aching it feels like it's wearing me
I feel like my body is exhausted and it's taking a toll on me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY LIGHTBODY, JONATHAN QUINN, MARK MCCLELLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Francis
This is easily the most underrated the best track Snow Patrol has done. Raw perfection.
Tracie Cox
Totally agree Sir 😊
Hubert Cross
I really think this is one of the most gorgeous songs ever written. The extrapolation of verse and chorus is perfect. the first verse immediately lulls you in - from word ONE you already know you're gonna dig the song. The melody and chord structure's just really good. It's rare enough; songs that have that ability - to get to you right from the get-go. But then, out of nowhere: BAM the chorus hits, seemingly coming far, FAR away from somewhere completely else. It lifts the whole song into a new melodic plane entirely. it's really some hell of a bit of songwriting - awesomely enough, it reminds me of something The Beatles would have done. They were often capable of doing that bit of magic - starting really strong, then taking the whole piece to entirely new, unexpected levels. Of awesome. (For just one totally memorable example, see Hey Jude's famous shift at the three minute mark from the verse/chorus structure into the iconic "Na na na na" coda that plays out for a full four minutes, and plays out the song.) This isn't the only time Snow Patrol have done this, either - anyone remember That's my two (hundred) cents, anyway.
Ross Kilbride
@Bijinius Cross Nice analysis.
Megan
This song is one of the most beautiful songs I will ever hear. It is simply impossible to tire from hearing it.
Rob B
What a fantastic voice this guy has , hands down one of the greatest accoustics I've heard
Morris Colenbrander
Extremely beautiful
Javier Natiello
This song is a work of art, which should not envy the best Radiohead
Michael Graham
Hard to beat Snow Patrol when your life is going tits up.
Honey Buckin
What a gem ❤