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)
Gleaming Auction
Snow Patrol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time it rains
Put myself on the waiting list
And get it all cleared up
You're the one with the attitude
Don't try and make me out
To be the root of the evil and
Lay back and suffer now
We both earned our award
Lay back and suffer now
We've both our award
Buried deep in your tower ground I'm sure I never got
Past any clue of the whereabouts of all the things I lost
Just because you were right before doesn't mean you're right
To make up now would just vindicate every doubt I had
It's not as simple as how much you think you care
You would've never known when to take the hands
Broken glass aside my feelings stay the same
Covered head to toe with blood and feel inspired
The lyrics of Snow Patrol's song Gleaming Auction depict a relationship that is filled with misunderstandings and hurt. The opening lines talk about the singer being tired of heartbreak every time it rains, indicating a lack of resilience in the relationship. The singer is also resigned to waiting for an opportunity to clear things up before it's too late. The second stanza talks about the attitudes of the two parties. The first person accuses the other of having a bad attitude and not recognizing their role in the situation. There's a sense of resignation in the lyrics, with the first person telling the other to "lay back and suffer now" because they've both earned it. The chorus is a reminder that the pain is reminiscent of an award and that they should accept it.
The third stanza talks about a lost opportunity, with the first person believing that they'll never be able to find what they've lost. There's a sense of bitterness in the tonality of this stanza, with the first person blaming the other for their loss. The final stanza indicates a sense of hope, with the singer gaining inspiration from their situation. The use of the metaphor of "covered head to toe with blood" suggests that the singer has been through a lot, but they feel inspired to keep going.
Overall, Snow Patrol's Gleaming Auction is a song that highlights the complexities of a tumultuous relationship. Despite the pain and hurt, there's a sense of hope and resilience that the singer exhibits.
Line by Line Meaning
I get tired of the heart attacks
I am exhausted of constantly feeling anxious and panicked
Every time it rains
Whenever there is a change in weather or situation, my anxiety flares up
Put myself on the waiting list
I am willing to wait for as long as it takes
And get it all cleared up
Until I can finally find a resolution to the cause of my anxiety
You're the one with the attitude
You have a specific mindset or perspective on things
Don't try and make me out
Please do not exaggerate or frame me as someone I am not
To be the root of the evil and
Do not try to portray me as the sole cause of all the problems
A whole lot other stuff
There are many other factors at play that contribute to the situation
Lay back and suffer now
We must endure the consequences of our actions or choices
We both earned our award
We are receiving the outcome that we deserve
Buried deep in your tower ground I'm sure I never got
I am certain that I never received any secrets or information that you keep hidden away
Past any clue of the whereabouts of all the things I lost
I have no knowledge or indication of the location of all the things I have lost
Just because you were right before doesn't mean you're right
Just because you have made correct decisions or choices in the past, does not make you infallible in the present
To make up now would just vindicate every doubt I had
Attempting to reconcile now would only confirm any reservations or skepticism I had
It's not as simple as how much you think you care
The solution or outcome cannot be solely based on the level or amount of care that one has
You would've never known when to take the hands
Even with good intentions, you would not have known the right moment or action to take
Broken glass aside my feelings stay the same
Despite obstacles or challenges, my emotions or sentiments remain unchanged
Covered head to toe with blood and feel inspired
Despite being battered, beaten, or hurt, I am still motivated and driven to keep going
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY LIGHTBODY, MARK PETE MCCLELLAND, JONATHAN GRAHAM QUINN, NATHAN CONNOLLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind