Crack the Shutters

Album: A Hundred Million Suns (2008)
Charted: 43
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Frontman Gary Lightbody told the Irish public broadcaster RTE: "This is the purest love song I've ever written. Even more so than 'Chasing Cars.' It's luxuriating in the beauty and wonder of someone you love with all your heart."
  • A Hundred Million Suns represented a lyrical shift for Lightbody, who previously had been best known for his break-up songs. However this tune is one of several positive love songs that the Snow Patrol frontman penned for the set. He explained to The Sunday Times October 5, 2008: "The problem I've always had with writing about love is that you don't really stop and think about it when it's occurring. This time, I made myself think about it - how to fit it into words. The new lyrics took a lot longer than usual, but I'm proud of them."
    Lightbody added that the band's producer, Garret "Jacknife" Lee has helped him with his lyric writing. He explained: "Sometimes I come up with a good line, but it sounds clumsy. Lyrics are as much about how the words sound as they are about the meaning. Garret drilled that into me."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."