Gary Lightbody

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Gary Lightbody's songwriting has earned him two Ivor Novello Awards, among the highest honors in British music. "Chasing Cars" remains one of the most-streamed songs of all time, a testament to its enduring emotional resonance. His ability to craft anthemic, heartfelt songs has made Snow Patrol one of the defining rock bands of the 2000s. Lightbody's openness about his personal struggles has deepened his connection with fans, and his side projects showcase his collaborative spirit across genres.

AwardsLightbody has won two Ivor Novello Awards for "Chasing Cars", Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 2007 and PRS for Music Most Performed Work in 2008. He also received BMI London and BMI Pop Awards for the same song. These awards recognize his songwriting craft on one of the most performed songs of the 21st century.

Honours & Distinctions

Honorary Doctorate

University of Ulster·2015

For services to music and charity.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Dundee·2016

For outstanding contribution to music and the arts.

Freedom of the City of Bangor

Ards and North Down Borough Council·2022

Highest civic honor from his hometown.

Rankings & Lists

#50

Greatest Anthems of All Time

NME·2009

#Included

500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Rolling Stone·2021

#Top 10

Greatest Songs of the 21st Century

BBC·2020

Magazine Covers

Q Magazine

2006

Snow Patrol: The Band That Conquered the World

NME

2006

Snow Patrol: The Biggest Band in Britain

Irish Times Magazine

2018

Gary Lightbody: The Return of Snow Patrol's Frontman

Records & Feats

Longest-charting song by a Northern Irish artist on the UK Singles Chart

Chart Record·2006

"Chasing Cars" spent 129 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, a record for a Northern Irish act.