It is a song most of us will have heard time and time again.
A radio favourite which can be heard at weddings up and down the country, Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars has been a staple of the British music scene for 13 years.
And now the ballad has been named as the most-played song of the 21st century.
Described by band frontman Gary Lightbody as “the purest love song” he has ever written, the anthem failed to reach number one when the Scottish indie-rockers released it in 2006.
READ MORE: Music: Snow Patrol - Gary Lightbody on battling depression and alcoholism
However, it went on to feature in TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, and a number of movies.
Mr Lightbody was presented with a special gong by music licensing company PPL.
More upbeat numbers Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling and Pharrell’s Happy were second and third on the list.
PPL chief executive officer 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.
“These platforms can dramatically extend the life of a record beyond its initial release, and PPL is here to collect the royalties owed to the performers and recording rightsholders of that song, whenever and wherever it is used.
READ MORE: Snow Patrol out of TRNSMT due to illness but Lewis Capaldi in
“We congratulate Snow Patrol for writing and performing a track of such long-lasting appeal.”
Snow Patrol were founded at Dundee University and rose to prominence in the early-mid 2000s.
Since the release of their major-label debut album Final Straw in 2003, the band have sold over 13 million records worldwide.
The group comprise of lead singer Gary Lightbody, drummer Jonny Quinn, guitarist Nathan Connolly, bassist Paul Wilson and guitarist Johnny McDaid.
Chasing Cars was the last song performed live on Top Of The Pops and featured on the band’s 2006 album Eyes Open.
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