Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars crowned the most-played song of the 21st Century
Written by News on 17/07/2019
It may not have topped the UK singles chart, but Snow Patrol’s ballad Chasing Cars has been named the most-played song of the 21st Century so far.
The Northern Irish band released the track in June 2006 and it reached number six in the Official UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for 94 weeks.
It was 2006’s 14th best-selling single in the UK and featured on the indie-rockers’ album of the same year, Eyes Open.
It went on to feature in TV shows and was the last song performed live on Top Of The Pops.
Frontman Gary Lightbody has previously described the anthem as “the purest love song” he has written.
“I’ve never been able to figure out entirely why it’s been such a success,” he told The Telegraph.
“It is one of the most played songs around the world, don’t quite know why.
“It’s simple, it’s heartfelt, it’s honest – these are all things appealing to people and I don’t know why.”
He said he didn’t think the track would enjoy the same success if it was released today.
“I would say it wouldn’t have done as well now. Assuming you can think of it as in a vacuum and whether music like that would even do well anyways, it’s hard to imagine due to the amount of choice and the ways people consume and hear music.”
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Lightbody was presented with a special award by music licensing company PPL, which carried out the analysis.
Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling and Pharrell’s Happy were second and third on the list.
PPL chief executive Peter Leather said: “Chasing Cars is a song that has become a popular anthem, securing huge success across radio, in public and especially TV, where its huge appeal has led to its use in many programmes and especially Grey’s Anatomy.”
(c) Sky News 2019: Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars crowned the most-played song of the 21st Century
