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)
The Only Noise
Snow Patrol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the one that I did with you here
It seems careless that I shouldn't care less
But it's the only noise I have of yours
I'm so tired because you've been so fired up
And there was no keeping up with you.
It's no triumph I knew I was for the high jump
I only thought of me.
I only thought of me.
Now you're all I see.
Now you're all I see.
Reading backwards I see where the attack was
Which in real time came out of the blue.
It's the weakness that I love this bleakness
Over any constant happiness.
Shake me out of this.
Take me out of this.
Carry me with love.
Bury me in love.
The song "The Only Noise" by Snow Patrol reflects on the fragility and preciousness of life, and the way in which one moment or gesture can stay with us forever. The opening lines, "It's not perfect but it's from the first take, it's the one that I did with you here" suggests a recording, or a captured moment, that might not be technically perfect, but is special because of the person involved. The lyrics go on to describe the fatigue and frustration of trying to keep up with someone, someone who is fired up and passionate, and the way in which a mistake or a moment of weakness can actually be something to cherish. The artist then reflects back, realises where the "attack" came from and talks about the way in which even moments of sadness and bleakness can be meaningful.
The repeated lines "I only thought of me, now you're all I see" show a sense of regret or nostalgia, a feeling that something important has been lost or gained. On one level, the song seems to be about a lost love or a missed opportunity, but it can also be read as a meditation on loss and acceptance more generally. The final lines, "Shake me out of this, take me out of this, carry me with love, bury me in love" suggest a desire to escape, to be lifted up and carried somewhere else, somewhere safer, somewhere more loving.
Overall, "The Only Noise" is a powerful, introspective song that explores themes of longing, regret, and loss in a poetic and evocative way. Through its haunting melody and thoughtful lyrics, it reminds us of the way in which moments, experiences, and memories can shape and define our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not perfect but it's from the first take
This recording may have flaws, but it was made during our first session together.
It's the one that I did with you here
This specific recording was made with you present.
It seems careless that I shouldn't care less
I should be more concerned with the quality of this recording, but it's the only thing I have of yours.
But it's the only noise I have of yours
This is the sole remaining sound I possess from you.
I'm so tired because you've been so fired up
You have been so energetic lately that it has exhausted me.
And there was no keeping up with you.
I was unable to keep up with your pace.
It's no triumph I knew I was for the high jump
I knew that I wasn't going to succeed.
But I delighted in my best mistake.
Despite the inevitable failure, I enjoyed the process of trying.
I only thought of me.
I was only thinking about myself.
I only thought of me.
I was only thinking about myself.
Now you're all I see.
You are now the only thing I can focus on.
Now you're all I see.
You are now the only thing I can focus on.
Reading backwards I see where the attack was
Upon reflection, I can see where the criticism was intended.
Which in real time came out of the blue.
At the time, the criticism seemed unexpected.
It's the weakness that I love this bleakness
I appreciate and am drawn to the sadness in this situation.
Over any constant happiness.
I prefer this melancholy feeling to any kind of consistent happiness.
Shake me out of this.
Help me snap out of this.
Take me out of this.
Remove me from this situation.
Carry me with love.
Support me with your love.
Bury me in love.
Surround me with your love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY LIGHTBODY, JONATHAN GRAHAM QUINN, NATHAN CONNOLLY, PAUL WILSON, TOM SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ross Kilbride
Everyone seems to think chasing cars is the best song, but that's because they don't know about other great songs like this-which is even better, in my opinion.
Cheryl
This is such a beautiful song!! I love the version you chose as the softness of it brings the lyrics and story come to life and tell a story. Absolutely brilliant. ☘️
Luis Dominguez
Snow patrol and coldplay songs have true meaning😢I would know from recent problems and reasons
Debora Lune
i think this might be one of the best, simplest songs ever written
Memory_Perfection
absolutely beautiful
Trumpets Harps
Wow, how sweetly mellow this is.
mskernow
love it too :)
Yoshimi Miyazaki
it's a weakness that I love this bleakness over any constant happiness ... end of
Hardcore.Casual
loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Yoshimi Miyazaki
Gary as a bad boyfriend once again ... love you