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)
Finish Line
Snow Patrol Lyrics
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Insects noise is all that I hear
A magic trick makes the world disappear
The skies are dark, they're dark but they're clear
A distant motorcade and suddenly there's joy
The snow and ticker tape blurs all my senses numb
It's like the finish line where everything just ends
Cold water, cleaning my wounds
A side parade, with a single balloon
I'm done with this, I'm counting to ten
Blue as seas, running to them
I feel like I am watching everything from space
And in a minute I hear my name and I wake
I think the finish line's a good place we could start
Take a deep breath, take in all that you could want
The lyrics of Snow Patrol's song, The Finish Line, are full of vivid imagery and metaphorical language that can be interpreted in different ways, depending on one's perspective. The opening lines paint a picture of a peaceful and serene environment, where the singer is lying next to the earth and listening to the sounds of insects. The use of the word "magic trick" suggests a sense of escapism, where the singer is trying to block out the world around them.
As the song progresses, the mood shifts, and the singer begins to feel a surge of joy at the sight of a distant motorcade, which is quickly followed by the sensation of numbness brought on by the snow and ticker tape. The reference to the finish line suggests a sense of finality, where everything comes to an end, and the listener is left with a feeling of uncertainty and anticipation.
The middle section of the song features a sequence of sensory experiences, from the feeling of cold water on one's wounds to the sight of a solitary balloon. The repetition of the phrase "I'm done with this" suggests a desire to move on from a painful experience or emotion, and the use of the color blue and the metaphor of running to the sea suggests a longing for peace and freedom.
The final lines of the song offer a message of hope and renewal, encouraging the listener to take a deep breath and embrace all the possibilities that life has to offer. The use of the phrase "from space" suggests a sense of perspective, where the singer is able to step back and see their life and the world around them from a new angle.
Line by Line Meaning
The earth is warm next to my ear
I'm lying down on the earth, and it's comfortable against my skin.
Insects noise is all that I hear
I can only hear the sounds of small bugs and animals around me.
A magic trick makes the world disappear
Something about this moment feels like an illusion or a momentary escape from reality.
The skies are dark, they're dark but they're clear
Despite the darkness outside, the sky is visible and not muddled with clouds.
A distant motorcade and suddenly there's joy
I can hear the sound of a celebratory procession in the far distance, and it fills me with happiness.
The snow and ticker tape blurs all my senses numb
Between the snow and the confetti, my surroundings are overwhelming and feeling is leaving my body.
It's like the finish line where everything just ends
This moment feels like the end of something big and significant.
The crack of radios seems close enough to touch
Even the sound of distant radios feels like it's right next to me and easy to reach.
Cold water, cleaning my wounds
The sensation of cool liquid on my wounds is cleansing and healing.
A side parade, with a single balloon
There's a smaller and less obvious celebration happening to the side, featuring only one balloon.
I'm done with this, I'm counting to ten
I feel like it's time to move on from this moment, and I'm trying to calm myself down to do so.
Blue as seas, running to them
The blue of the ocean feels calming and soothing, and I wish I could be near it in this moment.
I feel like I am watching everything from space
I am feeling disconnected from my surroundings, almost out of my own body.
And in a minute I hear my name and I wake
Suddenly, someone is calling for me and I am brought back into reality.
I think the finish line's a good place we could start
Even though it seems like the end, the finish line can also be the beginning of something new and exciting.
Take a deep breath, take in all that you could want
In this moment of transition, it's important to reflect and appreciate all of the possibilities ahead.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY LIGHTBODY, JONATHAN GRAHAM QUINN, NATHAN CONNOLLY, PAUL WILSON, TOM SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind