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)
Wild Horses
Snow Patrol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wanted it too late now
I can't keep track of all your tears
Been crying rivers way too long
Oh I'm tired of loneliness
But I'm way more tired of wasting time
So still you barely look alive
These shocks will do you so much good
Just keep your wits about you don't let it end you
And summon everything you've held up in reserve
Don't fall for every single stolen glance and wink
And try to keep your heart on higher shelves for once
What are you holding back?
I know you've wild horses enough inside of you
(Stop holding back)
Now's not the time to learn serenity
It's gone to red from blue
(Stop holding back)
But I think you want this love
And I know you don't want time without it
(Stop holding back)
I know I don't know much
But I do know when to rage
(Stop holding back)
Oh, you wanted it to work
You wanted it to work so much
But it's been broken in your hands
The minute that it found your hands
Oh, you're trying not to blink
And what you wanna see what is
Oh, it hasn't finished you
It's only that it feels that way
Just keep your wits about you don't let it end you
And summon everything you've held up in reserve
Don't fall for every single stolen glance and wink
And try to keep your heart on higher shelves for once
What are you holding back?
I know you've wild horses enough inside of you
(Stop holding back)
Now's not the time to learn serenity
It's gone to red from blue
(Stop holding back)
But I think you want this love
And I know you don't want time without it
(Stop holding back)
I know I don't know much
But I do know when to rage
(Stop holding back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back) Gotta live wide awake
(Don't hold back) Gotta live wide awake
(Don't hold back) Gotta live wide awake
(Stop holding back)
(Don't hold back) Gotta live wide awake
(Don't hold back) Gotta live wide awake
(Don't hold back) Gotta live wide awake
(Stop holding back)
The lyrics to Snow Patrol's Wild Horses address a person who is holding back their emotions and desires in fear of getting hurt. The opening lines "Oh, you wanted it too late, you wanted it too late now" hint at someone who realizes they have missed an opportunity to pursue love or a relationship. The singer then acknowledges the person's pain, recognizing that they have been "crying rivers way too long" and are "barely alive." However, the singer also encourages this person to not give up hope and to not waste any more time holding back their emotions.
The chorus is a call to action, urging the person to tap into their internal strength and to not let fear control their actions. The repeated phrase "stop holding back" reinforces this message. The singer acknowledges that the person has "wild horses enough inside of you," indicating that they have the capacity to be strong and resilient. The final line of the chorus, "I know you don't want time without it," emphasizes the importance of pursuing love and not allowing fear to prevent one from experiencing it.
Overall, Wild Horses is a message of encouragement to anyone who has been holding back their emotions or desires. It acknowledges their pain but also urges them to tap into their internal strength and not let fear control their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you wanted it too late
You desired this too late
You wanted it too late now
It's too late now for you to want it
I can't keep track of all your tears
I can't count the number of tears you've shed
Been crying rivers way too long
You have been crying non-stop for a long time
Oh I'm tired of loneliness
I'm exhausted from solitude
But I'm way more tired of wasting time
However, wasting time is more draining
So still you barely look alive
You seem lifeless even though you're still breathing
These shocks will do you so much good
Unexpected events can help you grow
Just keep your wits about you don't let it end you
Stay alert, don't allow it to defeat you
And summon everything you've held up in reserve
Use all the strength and resources you stored up
Don't fall for every single stolen glance and wink
Don't be tempted by every small sign from others
And try to keep your heart on higher shelves for once
Safeguard your heart a bit more this time
What are you holding back?
What are you hiding or restraining?
I know you've wild horses enough inside of you
I'm aware of the untamed passion you have
(Stop holding back)
Don't restrain yourself
Now's not the time to learn serenity
This is not the time to be peaceful
It's gone to red from blue
Things have become more intense
But I think you want this love
I believe you desire this love
And I know you don't want time without it
I'm certain that you don't want to live without it
I know I don't know much
I'm not very knowledgeable
But I do know when to rage
But I know when to express anger
(Don't hold back)
Don't restrain yourself
Gotta live wide awake
You need to live life fully conscious
(Stop holding back)
Don't restrain yourself
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Garret Noel Lee, Gary Lightbody, John McDaid, Jonathan Graham Quinn, Nathan Connolly, Paul Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mary Meade
These are the lyrics I hear!
Ooooh, you wanted it too late
You wanted it too late now.
I can't keep track of all your tears
been crying rivers way too long
And ooooh im tired of loneliness
but i'm way more tired of wasted time
So still, you barely look alive
These SHOCKS will do you so much good
Just keep your wits about you don't let it end you
and summon everything you've held up in reserve
don't fall for every single stolen glance and wink
try to keep your heart on higher shelves for once
What are you holding back?
I know you've wild horses enough inside of you
stop holding back
now's not the time to learn
serenity its gone to Red From Blue
stop holding back
I pick you up! Its left!
and I know you don't want time without it
stop holding back
I know I don't know much
but I do know when to rage
OOoh you wanted it to work
you wanted it to work so much
but its been broken in your hands
the minute that it found your hands
and oooh youre trying not to blink
for once you wanna SEE WHAT IS
oooh it hasn't finished you
its only that it feels that way
don't hold back
gotta live wide awake
Yogesh Banyal
Ooh you wanted it too late
You wanted it too late now
I can't keep track of all your tears
You're crying rivers way too long
Ooh I'm tired of loneliness
And way more tired of waste time
As I'm still, you barely look alive
These sharks will do so much good
Just keep your wits about you, don't let it end you
And summon everything you've held up in reserve
Don't fall for every single stolen glance and wink
Try to keep your heart on higher shelves once
What are you holding back
I know your wild horses enough inside of you
(Stop holding back)
Now slip the tattoo on
Serenity, it scorns your every move
(Stop holding back)
I pick you up [?]
And no you don't have time without it
(Stop holding back)
I know I don't know much
But I do know when to preach
(Stop holding back)
Ooh, you wanted it to work
You wanted it to work so much
But it's been broken in your hands
The minute that it found your hands
Ooh, you're trying not to blink
And what you wanna see what is
Ooh, it hasn't finished you
It's only that it feels that way
Just keep your wits about you, don't let it end you
And summon everything you've held up in reserve
Don't fall for every single stolen glance and wink
Try to keep your heart on higher shelves once
What are you holding back
I know your wild horses enough inside of you
(Stop holding back)
Now slip the tattoo on
Serenity, it scorns your every move
(Stop holding back)
I pick you up [?]
And no you don't have time without it
(Stop holding back)
I know I don't know much
But I do know when to preach
(Stop holding back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back)
(Don't hold back) [?]
(Don't hold back) [?]
(Don't hold back) [?]
(Stop holding back)
(Don't hold back) [?]
(Don't hold back) [?]
(Don't hold back) [?]
(Stop holding back)
Damian Ziem
One of the most underrated Snow Patrol songs for sure!
Present Future
This manages to have both an 80s-electronic and a completely of-the-moment sound to it. These guys are such terrific songcrafters. Rhythm, song structure, melody, lyrics...they've got the whole package, consistently.
fokmertek
a bit like St. Vincent at times. same retro-modern mixture
TsukasaElkKite
Brilliant. This song is absolute fire. It makes me want to dance around like a goofus and sing at the top of my lungs.
Laura Friedkin
Loving all the videos. Always enjoy seeing the guys jamming, and Gary feeling the music and dancing. Love this song.
Ben Matt
Guys don't stop singing because what's life without snow patrol ?? I have too much respect for you guys and good luck for your future✌
Whiteyy18 lives
I listen to this track several times a day...the whole Wildness album is phenomenal tbh....unskippable. Gary has nailed yet another masterpiece and he’s rather easy on the eye too. Snow Patrol seriously rock. Gary is a total legend & a musical genius ♥️
Bill Seamans
So awesome that Gary and company are back after such a long hiatus. It's hard to pick s favorite off this album.
ikki green
Snow patrol, You were, you are and you will always awesome! Thanks for your songs so beautifuls!❤️
Cindy
I can only hope that this song as well as A Dark Switch and Life and Death will be added to future set lists. Love, love, LOVE them and it'd be great to hear them live.