Chocolate (Snow Patrol song)
Encyclopedia
"Chocolate" is a song by UK alternative rock
band Snow Patrol
. It was released as the third single from their third studio album
, Final Straw
. The music for the track was written by all four members of the band, while the lyrics are by lead vocalist Gary Lightbody
.
The single version is slightly different from the album version. The most noticeable alteration is the use of a chime solo between the 1st chorus and 2nd verse on the single instead of the continued guitar riff which appears on the album.
An edited version of "Chocolate" is featured on the trailer for The Last Kiss
starring Zach Braff
. It also features in the Torchwood
episode "Cyberwoman
". Finally, it was used for the highlights on the last-ever 'Wales On Saturday'.
. It shows scenes of panic and despair at what is apparently the "end of the world". The centerpiece or focal point of the action is an hourglass that is quickly running out. The implication here, of course, is that darkness and death will descend when the last grains of sand have fallen through the bottleneck to the bottom. The song's last line "I promise I'll do anything you ask... this time" therefore seems both futile and ironic in that there apparently isn't going to be an opportunity to make amends ever again.
After the lyrics finish, however, lead singer Gary Lightbody
walks up and inverts the hourglass. Although this gesture seems to miraculously forestall the impending apocalypse it nevertheless fails to keep everyone from flying into a second panic and scurrying willy-nilly without purpose or direction. The video fades out to the song's signature guitar riff repeating.
reviewer Paul Nolan reviewed the single negatively. He wrote the song was true to its title, as it was "warm" and "anthemic", making comparisons to bands like Coldplay
and Starsailor
. He did not feel it was strong enough to match up to "Starfighter Pilot", which he called "a prime-time Snow Patrol number". He criticized the record company's approach, writing that the release was an attempt to capitalize on the success on the previous single "Run
", Snow Patrol's breakthrough single.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
. It was released as the third single from their third studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Final Straw
Final Straw
UK re-release bonus tracks*The AOL sessions feature frontman Gary Lightbody & lead guitarist Nathan Connolly being interviewed, and performing an acoustic rendition of "Run".*The dualdisc version does not include the UK bonus tracks....
. The music for the track was written by all four members of the band, while the lyrics are by lead vocalist Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody is an Northern Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol.- Early life :...
.
The single version is slightly different from the album version. The most noticeable alteration is the use of a chime solo between the 1st chorus and 2nd verse on the single instead of the continued guitar riff which appears on the album.
An edited version of "Chocolate" is featured on the trailer for The Last Kiss
The Last Kiss
The Last Kiss is a 2006 American romantic comedy-drama film which is based on the 2001 Italian film L'ultimo bacio, directed by Gabriele Muccino. The plot revolves around a young couple and their friends struggling with adulthood and issues of relationships and commitment.The film stars Zach Braff,...
starring Zach Braff
Zach Braff
Zachary Israel "Zach" Braff is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and director. Braff first became known in 2001 for his role as Dr. John Dorian on the television series Scrubs, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and three Golden Globe Awards.In 2004, Braff made his...
. It also features in the Torchwood
Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
episode "Cyberwoman
Cyberwoman
"Cyberwoman" is the fourth episode of the first series of the British science fiction television series Torchwood. Written by Chris Chibnall and directed by James Strong, the episode was first broadcast on the digital channel BBC Three on 5 November 2006, and later repeated on terrestrial channel...
". Finally, it was used for the highlights on the last-ever 'Wales On Saturday'.
Music video
The video was filmed in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It shows scenes of panic and despair at what is apparently the "end of the world". The centerpiece or focal point of the action is an hourglass that is quickly running out. The implication here, of course, is that darkness and death will descend when the last grains of sand have fallen through the bottleneck to the bottom. The song's last line "I promise I'll do anything you ask... this time" therefore seems both futile and ironic in that there apparently isn't going to be an opportunity to make amends ever again.
After the lyrics finish, however, lead singer Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody is an Northern Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol.- Early life :...
walks up and inverts the hourglass. Although this gesture seems to miraculously forestall the impending apocalypse it nevertheless fails to keep everyone from flying into a second panic and scurrying willy-nilly without purpose or direction. The video fades out to the song's signature guitar riff repeating.
Track listings
- "Chocolate" (video)
- "Run" (Jackknife Lee Remix Edit) – 4:30
- "One Night Is Not Enough" (Live at the Liquid Rooms) – 4:19
- "Chocolate" – 3:09
- "Run" (Jackknife Lee Remix Edit) – 4:30
Reception
Hot PressHot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
reviewer Paul Nolan reviewed the single negatively. He wrote the song was true to its title, as it was "warm" and "anthemic", making comparisons to bands like Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
and Starsailor
Starsailor (band)
Starsailor is an English post-britpop band, formed in Leigh, Warrington and Greater Manchester. By 2009, they had four charting albums and ten Top 40 singles in the UK since 2001.-Early history:...
. He did not feel it was strong enough to match up to "Starfighter Pilot", which he called "a prime-time Snow Patrol number". He criticized the record company's approach, writing that the release was an attempt to capitalize on the success on the previous single "Run
Run (Snow Patrol song)
"Run" is a cover of the Snow Patrol song by Leona Lewis on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on 31 October 2007. She later released the song as a single from Spirit: The Deluxe Edition in November 2008. At the time, "Run" was the UK's fastest-selling digital only release ever, selling 69,244 copies in just...
", Snow Patrol's breakthrough single.
Charts
| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
24 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 34 |
| Ireland Singles Top 50 | 40 |
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
| US Modern Rock Tracks | 40 |
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
| UK Singles Chart | 196 |
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
| UK Singles Chart | 151 |