The single was quite successful in the charts, charting in the Top 20 in the Netherlands. Though it also entered the Top 30 in Sweden and Germany, it topped the Billboard Triple A chart. "Crack the Shutters" is also the name of a photography exhibition held by Bradley Quinn which primarily featured his photos taken at Snow Patrol concerts.
Crack the Shutters
Snow Patrol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the broken radiator
And when you lay them freezing on me
I mumble, "Can you wake me later?"
But I don't really want you to stop
And you know it so it doesn't stop you
And run your hands from my neck to my chest
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
It's been minutes, it's been days
It's been all I will remember
Happy lost in your hair
And the cold side of the pillow
Your hills and valleys
Are mapped by my intrepid fingers
And in a naked slumber
I dream all this again
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
The song "Crack the Shutters" by Snow Patrol is a love song that highlights the singer's admiration and fascination with their partner. In the first verse, the singer talks about how their partner's hands are cold, but they don't want them to stop touching them. The singer enjoys the sensation of their partner's touch so much that they implore their partner to stay longer.
In the second verse, the singer vividly describes the way they feel about their partner by using imagery to illustrate their admiration. They are so deeply enamored with their partner that the daylight seems to want them just as much as the singer does. The singer is happy to lose themselves in their partner's hair and is so entranced by their partner that they could sit for hours and be awed by them every minute.
The chorus emphasizes the desire of the singer to have their partner bathe in the light of day and be watched by them as the sun tangles up around their face and body. The singer wants to admire and appreciate every inch of their partner's being.
Line by Line Meaning
You cool your bed-warm hands down
On the broken radiator
And when you lay them freezing on me
I mumble, "Can you wake me later?"
You try to warm your icy hands on the malfunctioning radiator, but when you place them on me, I ask you to wait a bit before waking me up.
But I don't really want you to stop
And you know it so it doesn't stop you
And run your hands from my neck to my chest
Even though I ask you to wait, I secretly don't want you to stop, and you can tell because you continue to touch me and move your hands down my body.
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
I want to open the shutters and let in the daylight so I can see you more clearly, watch how the light plays on your face and body.
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
I could spend hours just marveling at you, because it seems that the daylight is just as enamored with you as I am.
It's been minutes, it's been days
It's been all I will remember
Happy lost in your hair
And the cold side of the pillow
Whether it's been a few minutes or a few days, all I remember is feeling content when I'm with you, losing myself in your hair and the cold side of the pillow.
Your hills and valleys
Are mapped by my intrepid fingers
And in a naked slumber
I dream all this again
I know the curves and contours of your body well, I trace them with my adventurous fingers. And even in sleep, I dream of being with you again.
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
Once again, I want to open the shutters and bask in the sunlight with you, watching as it dances around you.
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
I am continually amazed by you, and it seems that the daylight is too - we both want you equally.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY LIGHTBODY, JONATHAN GRAHAM QUINN, NATHAN CONNOLLY, PAUL WILSON, TOM SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jelena Giljanovic
You cool your bed-warm hands down
On the broken radiator
And when you lay them freezing on me
I mumble, "Can you wake me later?"
But I don't really want you to stop
And you know it so it doesn't stop you
And run your hands from my neck to my chest
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
It's been minutes, it's been days
It's been all I will remember
Happy lost in your hair
And the cold side of the pillow
Your hills and valleys
Are mapped by my intrepid fingers
And in a naked slumber
I dream all this again
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
Crack the shutters open wide
I wanna bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body
I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you
didoma73
"This is the purest love song I've ever written. Even more so than "Chasing Cars". It's luxuriating in the beauty and wonder of someone you love with all your heart."
—Gary Lightbody
DeeDee
How was this not a massive hit?!! Definitely my fav 💖
Terry Brown
It's the reason I bought the album it came out on
Paul Brown
One of thee greatest lyrics ever written. Gary Lightbody was born with a god given talent. He’s by far the best lyricist of his generation. No stupid rhymes no meaningless words. Just pure brilliance.
theditti1010
Yes, you are right, I think so.
Gary, you are BRILLIANT.😍🤩❤
Darin Ferreira
agree 100%. doesnt need to make things rhyme, just tells it like it is
TheBattykins
This song is so lyrically beautiful, it's about making love to someones soul. Exploring their body, and watching the way the light moves over them like they are completely enshrined. I think this might just be my favourite song ever.
sharonweiler96
Mine too!!! This song makes me feel so many things, it’s insane. Absolutely beautiful.
Friedrich Stendhal
Brillante simplemente precioso
J Brash
I came here just to make sure I wasn't crazy thinking that these lyrics were in a class of it's own. Just found a new appreciation for this song seeing the direction they went with the music video. Not exactly how I pictured in my head, but it makes me like this song even more.