There are many things in life which I forget; mostly deadlines or birthdays and occasionally my underwear, but more recently I fail to remember past interests such as films, books and bands.
On venturing to Manchester last month it occurred to me that Snow Patrol – like a pair of once loved jeans or a thread bare jumper – still hold a special place in my heart. The band, who despite vastly approaching their forties, still glow like an old flame or an ex–boyfriend who – although I no longer speak to – don’t hold any feelings of resentment or bitterness to (apart from you, yeah you know who – you will always be an arse).
Although the band formed in 1994, their eighteen years together is not yet long enough to be considered retro nor short enough to be considered new, which has led them to be pushed into the shadows by bands donning skinny jeans and nerd glasses or momentarily lost to pre–pubescent girls with ethereal, scratchy voices. However, if we are to brush away the dust of passing fads, shake off the try–hards and wannabes, it is apparent that Snow Patrol possesses the factor of timelessness. Clean, crisp lyrics which hold the perfect balance between poetically romantic suggestions and unpretentiously honest emotions have been the key to the group’s success – all beautifully executed by Gary Lightbody’s dulcid tones. The arena was generously full, and yes, granted the audience was slightly more mature with the beer belly to six–pack ratio being slightly unbalanced, but it was busy none the less.
It is these fundamental qualities which ensure the band still holds great resonance, even if this is more in people’s memories than in the current music scene. To many ‘Open Your Eyes’ will always be a wedding song, ‘Run,’ the ultimate break–up melody and to me ‘Chasing Cars’ will always be the last lament danced at year 11 prom. And yes, although I no longer speak to the majority of people in my year, as I am seemingly one of the few who is not engaged, has not bore five kids nor ran off with a Greek goat herder, the people, much like the band and the song once meant a great deal to me and that shouldn’t really be forgotten.
