"Hands Open" by Snow Patrol

This first entry is going to be Snow Patrol's "Hands Open" because it's what is stuck in my mind. Snow Patrol has always been a favorite listen for me but "Hand's Open" has very great lyrics, instrumentals, and allusions. The allusion is to indie folk singer Sufjan Stevens - which I'm sure Sean can explain better than I can. Especially since Sean is the reason why I get the mention of Sufjan Stevens while most people I know probably will watch that reference escape. So, with Sean's knowledge of music, he clearly is the best person to team up with for this project. And hence why I am dedicating the first post to him. 

"It's hard to argue when 

you won't stop making sense

But my tongue still misbehaves and it 

keeps digging my own grave with my

Hands open, and my eyes open

I just keep hoping

That your heart opens

Why would I sabotage

the best thing that I have

Well, it makes it easier to know

exactly what I want with my...

Hands open and my eyes open

I just keep hoping

that your heart opens

It's not as easy as willing it all to be right

Gotta be more than hoping it's right

I wanna hear you laugh like you really mean it

Collapse into me, tired with joy

[x2]

Put Sufjan Stevens on

and we'll play your favorite song

"Chicago" bursts to life and your

sweet smile remembers you, my

Hands open, and my eyes open

I just keep hoping

That your heart opens

It's not as easy as willing it all to be right

Gotta be more than hoping it's right

I wanna hear you laugh like you really mean it

Collapse into me, tired with joy

[x3]"

The lyrics are perfectly catchy and don't bother to mask the meaning of the song at all. It's about a relationship that looks more to be one-sided where the vocalist (narrator) is hoping that that her heart opens and allows him into it. He clearly knows his love's interest by knowing her favorite song is "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens; and that it makes her smile. It's also clear that she has some level of baggage that is not allowing her heart to open. Now, couple these great lyrics with the emotional vocals, it's definitely one great track to listen to. But combine in their instrumentals and this song is probably Snow Patrol's best song. The instrumentals are composed to perfectly keep in time with lyrics. And also the repeating theme really helps make this song viral to my ears.