Blue Plate Special: Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol is a Scottish rock band formed in 1994 in Dundee by Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, and Johnny McDaid, with Lightbody as the only original member remaining. Initially known as Shrug and briefly as Polarbear, the band settled on the name Snow Patrol in 1997. Their early work, including the albums Songs for Polarbears (1998) and When It’s All Over We Still Have to Clear Up (2001), didn’t achieve commercial success until they signed with Polydor Records in 2002. The band’s major-label debut, Final Straw, propelled them to fame in 2003 with hits like “Run”, establishing their presence in the post-Britpop scene. That’s when I started listening. Their subsequent albums, especially Eyes Open with the iconic single “Chasing Cars”, elevated them to international stardom, showcasing their evolving sound and securing their place in the 21st-century music landscape.
Over the years, Snow Patrol has experienced lineup changes and released seven studio albums, with Wildness in 2018 being their latest. Their music, characterized by emotive lyrics and memorable melodies, has won them seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards and nominations for six Brit Awards and a Grammy. Despite the departure of Jonny Quinn and Paul Wilson in 2023, the band, led by Lightbody, Connolly, and McDaid, continues to evolve, hinting at new music and the next chapter in their career in 2024. Their journey from university gigs to global fame reflects their resilience and creativity, marking them as a significant force in contemporary rock music.
Some of my favorites from their catalog:
Spitting Games – from the album Final Straw (2004)
Chasing Cars – from the album Eyes Open (2006)
Take Back the City – from the album A Hundred Million Suns (2008)
Ask Me How I Am – from the album When It’s All Over We Still Have to Clear Up (2001)
Called Out in the Dark – from the album Fallen Empires (2011)
Starfighter Pilot – from the album Songs for Polarbears (1998)
