Signal Fire (song)

The band visited Grouse Lodge with producer Jacknife Lee in early 2007 to record the song.{{cite web|url=http://www.grouselodge.com/newscontent.php?id=79 |title=2007 at a glance |publisher=Grouse Lodge |access-date=21 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524145519/https://www.webcitation.org/5knfcQxJK?url=http://www.grouselodge.com/newscontent.php%3Fid=79 |archive-date=24 May 2024 }}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1077516|pure_url=yes}}|title=Signal Fire EP - Snow Patrol|website=Allmusic|access-date=20 July 2009}} Drummer Jonny Quinn, injured at the time because of his snowboarding accident in January, drummed with one hand during the recording sessions.{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/article/the-future-looks-hot-for-snow-patrol/ |title=The future looks hot for Snow Patrol |last=A. Jasmin |first=Ernest |date=3 March 2007 |work=McClatchy Newspapers |publisher=PopMatters |access-date=4 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207230700/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/article/the-future-looks-hot-for-snow-patrol/ |archive-date=7 December 2009}}

A demo of the song was initially offered by the band for Shrek the Third, but was rejected. Gary Lightbody revealed the band's involvement with Spider-Man 3 on 5 March 2007. Quinn later said: "Shrek didn't like it, but Spider-Man did." Though he wasn't sure where the song would be appearing in the film, he was excited at being associated with the franchise and was quoted as saying: "'Signal Fire' will be featured in the trailers and the movie itself. It may only appear over the end credits, but hey, it's Spidey!"{{cite magazine|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/snow%20patrol%20record%20music%20for%20spider-man%203%20soundtrack_1024380|title=Snow Patrol - Snow Patrol record music for Spider-Man 3 Soundtrack|magazine=Contactmusic|access-date=20 July 2009}} The song was finally used in the credits.{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7674|title=Introducing 'Signal Fire'!|publisher=Snow Patrol|access-date=15 July 2009|archive-date=21 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221123800/http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7674|url-status=dead}}

Snow Patrol's website organized a competition to give away two tickets for T in the Park, which was open to UK and Ireland fans. Fans were required to create a video, which could be about anything, but the song had to be used as the soundtrack.{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7895 |title=Competition time |publisher=Snow Patrol |access-date=20 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324103644/http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7895 |archive-date=24 March 2012 }} Before the song was officially released, it was put up on the band's official website as a live stream. The website also revealed the single's artwork on 5 April.{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7704|title=Signal Fire details and artwork|publisher=Snow Patrol|access-date=19 July 2009|archive-date=24 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324103639/http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7704|url-status=dead}} The single was released in three formats: Vinyl, CD and Digital Download and first appeared on sale on the US iTunes on 24 April,{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7754|title='Signal Fire' online at SP.com|publisher=Snow Patrol|access-date=15 July 2009|archive-date=24 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324103624/http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7754|url-status=dead}} followed by rest of the world on the 30th.

The physical CD single was released in Australia{{cite web|url=http://www.getmusic.com.au/artist/music/detail.aspx?pid=4111&aid=9966|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230101937/http://www.getmusic.com.au/artist/music/detail.aspx?pid=4111&aid=9966|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 December 2012|title=Signal Fire|publisher=Getmusic|access-date=15 July 2009}} and Japan on 2 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000P0I782|title=Signal Fire [Single] - Snow Patrol |publisher=Amazon|access-date=10 August 2009}} The Australian CD single was backed with three b-sides, all songs taken from a live performance. The single was released in the UK and Ireland in two formats: Vinyl and CD. Both formats were released on 14 May, which included a remix of the song "Wow". Remixed by Eddy Temple-Morris, the "Eddy TM Loser Remix" was much requested on the band's website. The remix was later included on Temple-Morris' compilation album Dance Rocks.{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/onair/shows/the-remix-album-dance-rocks |title=The remix album - Dance Rocks |date=28 February 2008 |publisher=Xfm |access-date=29 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924203707/http://www.xfm.co.uk/onair/shows/the-remix-album-dance-rocks |archive-date=24 September 2008}} The vinyl release was on a specially created web-shaped vinyl housed in a PVC sleeve.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Snow-Patrol-Signal-Fire/release/1456411|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire|publisher=Discogs|access-date=20 July 2009}} The single could also be pre-ordered from HMV and Amazon.

Critical reception of the single was generally mixed. MusicOMH{{'}}s Jenni Cole reviewed the song positively, calling it "a decent song, whether it's tied to a blockbuster movie or not." She noted the crescendo at the song's end saying that it's an "unusual tempo that gives a definite impression of needing some accompanying visuals before it will make complete sense. Then it quietens down again, a bit like the fast, slow, fast, fast, slow that's supposedly the magic formula for plotting movie acts." She found the song gets "catchier the more times you hear it and it works remarkably well." She also felt the band "manage(d) to keep their own identity throughout the song - not always easy on a franchise soundtrack - and that deserves some praise on its own."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.musicomh.com/singles/snow-patrol-7_0407.htm |title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire (Polydor) |last=Cole |first=Jenni |magazine=musicOMH |access-date=24 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905015555/http://www.musicomh.com/singles/snow-patrol-7_0407.htm |archive-date=5 September 2009 }} The Daily Record{{'}}s Rick Fulton reviewed the single positively as well, writing it has Snow Patrol's "trade-mark epic quiet-slow, then loud-fast blueprint". He awarded it 4 stars out of 5 and named it the single of the week.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/music/2007/05/04/singles-86908-19042901/|title=Singles - 4 May 2007|last=Fulton|first=Rick|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=24 July 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Billboard{{'}}s review was positive as well. If felt the song was "a powerful love song written in the first person". It praised Lightbody's vocals, saying that though it would be easy for a singer to overdo the chorus, Lightbody did it as if he was "unimpressed".{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN0627033720070414?sp=true|title=Billboard single reviews: Timberlake, Snow Patrol|work=Reuters|access-date=21 July 2009 | date=14 April 2007}}

However, Stereogum{{'}}s review of the single was extremely negative. It called the song "drab" and mocked the band for "doing the piano sap rock so effectively", saying only "moms and first dates" will like it.{{cite web|url=http://stereogum.com/archives/new-snow-patrol-signal-fire_004999.html|title=New Snow Patrol - "Signal Fire"|website=Stereogum|access-date=20 July 2009|archive-date=9 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309090007/http://stereogum.com/archives/new-snow-patrol-signal-fire_004999.html|url-status=dead}} NME made comparisons between Gary Lightbody and "Spider-man" Peter Parker, saying both live double lives, with Lightbody's duality being a "mainstream/indie bastard hybrid". It said that both had to choose between their "good and dark sides". It then reviewed the single negatively, writing that the single "cops out, squatting uncomfortably between the two and leaving us in a web of indifference".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/snow-patrol/8489|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire|magazine=NME|access-date=20 July 2009}} Manchester Evening News{{'}} Glenn Meads reviewed the single negatively. He called it "samey" and "unoriginal", with "all of the usual Snow Patrol trademarks; slow burning chorus, big production values, and heart felt lyrics - it all builds to a big crescendo". He further criticized the song as "empty" as a "summer blockbuster; like Spidey".{{cite web|url=http://www.citylife.co.uk/music/release/reviews/1261_snow_patrol___signal_fire__polydor_|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire (Polydor)|last=Meads|first=Glenn|date=30 April 2007|publisher=CityLife|access-date=24 July 2009}} The song made its live debut on 5 June 2007 at an exclusive show at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut for Xfm to good reception by the 350-strong crowd.{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2007/snow-patrol-play-exclusive-xfm-session |title=Snow Patrol play exclusive Xfm session |last=Botha |first=Sean |date=6 June 2007 |publisher=Xfm |access-date=10 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120143431/http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2007/snow-patrol-play-exclusive-xfm-session |archive-date=20 November 2008}}

Hot Press had praise for the Eddy Temple-Morris remix of "Wow". The magazine also ordered ten copies of the vinyl, calling it "nifty".{{cite magazine|url=http://hot-press.com/Snow%20Patrol/news/Snow%20Patrol%20new%20artwork%20revealed/2919224.html |title=Snow Patrol new artwork revealed |date=11 April 2007 |magazine=Hot Press |access-date=1 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101105554/http://hot-press.com/Snow%20Patrol/news/Snow%20Patrol%20new%20artwork%20revealed/2919224.html |archive-date=1 January 2015 }} Note: Archived page, can be found [https://hot-press.com/Snow%20Patrol/news/Snow%20Patrol%20new%20artwork%20revealed/2919224.html?rel_idx=90+http://www.hotpress.com/news/2919224.html here]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.

The single was a moderate success on the charts, charting in six charts around the world, where it spent a collective fifty-seven weeks.{{cite web|url=https://acharts.us/song/25733|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire|publisher=aCharts|access-date=21 July 2009}} Note: Need to click "quick stats" However, it was a success in the UK and Ireland, reaching number four and number two, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://acharts.us/song/25733|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire|publisher=aCharts|access-date=20 July 2009}} It additionally reached the top 30 in Australia and France. Furthermore, the single is the band's biggest chart hit to date.{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/snow-patrol-to-storm-the-charts-13955455.html |title=Snow Patrol to storm the charts |last=Coleman |first=Maureen |date=28 August 2008 |newspaper=Belfast Telegraph |access-date=24 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080831040939/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/snow-patrol-to-storm-the-charts-13955455.html |archive-date=31 August 2008 }} The music video for "Signal Fire" was nominated for the "Best Video from a Film" category at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2008,{{cite web|access-date=20 May 2009|url=http://www.viacomasia.com/pdfs/pressroom/pressreleases/mtv_jp.pdf|title=MTV Japan announce nominees for MTV Music Video Awards Japan 2008|publisher=Viacom Asia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717194803/http://www.viacomasia.com/pdfs/pressroom/pressreleases/mtv_jp.pdf|archive-date=17 July 2011}} which was won by Hikaru Utada for her song "Beautiful World".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvjapan.com/vmaj/2008/news/2008/05/mtv_video_music_awards_2008.html|title=MTV Video Music Awards 2008|publisher=MTV Japan|language=ja|access-date=21 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719161738/http://www.mtvjapan.com/vmaj/2008/news/2008/05/mtv_video_music_awards_2008.html|archive-date=19 July 2011|url-status=dead}}

The band flew to Canada to shoot the video for the song, which premiered on the Q website on 13 April.{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7752|title=Signal Fire video exclusive!|publisher=Snow Patrol|access-date=19 July 2009|archive-date=24 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324103635/http://www.snowpatrol.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7752|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://news.qthemusic.com/2007/04/snow_patrol_video_exclusive.html |title=Snow Patrol video exclusive |work=Q |publisher=Bauer Media Group |access-date=20 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728223751/http://news.qthemusic.com/2007/04/snow_patrol_video_exclusive.html |archive-date=28 July 2009}} On 16 April 2007 a 60-second promotional clip was shown on the band's official website, with members able to see the full video in the members section. The video was directed by Paul McGuigan, who had previously worked with the band for the video to "Set the Fire to the Third Bar".{{cite web|url=http://www.snowpatrol.com/player/default.aspx?mid=66 |title=Set the Fire to the Third Bar |publisher=Snow Patrol |access-date=20 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215104820/http://www.snowpatrol.com/player/default.aspx?mid=66 |archive-date=15 December 2011 }} Lightbody has also expressed his desire to work with McGuigan (among other independent film directors) on a film someday in the future.

File:Green Goblin and Mary-Jane Watson in the Signal Fire music video.jpg tries to kidnap Mary Jane Watson.]]The video features school children enacting scenes from the first two Spider-Man films on stage, with the band playing the song. It opens with a scene showing the children's parents making their way into the hall beside a board reading: "Tonight: Spider-Man". The curtain opens and children dressed as Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson appear on stage, with Parker taking photographs of Watson. A boy dressed as a spider is then shown being pulled up with ropes. He is then lowered down to the stage and proceeds to bite Parker on the neck. The next scenes show Parker's affinity for Watson, with Parker peeking at her through his bedroom window while she combs her hair. He then lies down to sleep as the song reaches its chorus.

During the chorus he is shown to be "writhing" in the bed, which ends with him tearing his shirt open and revealing the Spider-Man costume underneath. He is then shown crawling and climbing buildings in the city in the full costume. As Lightbody sings "In the confusion and the aftermath...", a scene shows robbers who have just come out of a bank. Spider-Man arrives and proceeds to "hit" them; signs such as "POW!" are shown to create the effect. He then "catches" them with his web and the police arrives. Throughout this there are scenes of the boy dressed as the spider looking on. A child then shows a board saying "Spider-Man saves the day!!!", and Watson is shown swooning over the hero.

The next scene shows the Green Goblin trying to kidnap Watson, but Spider-Man disorients him by throwing a web over him and Watson uses the distraction to escape. Doctor Octopus then appears and begins to catch and kill various citizens with his claws. The next scene atop a bus shows Doctor Octopus trying to take Watson away, but she manages to run away after hitting him. Spider-Man then appears, fighting the villain and "killing" him. He is shown being lowered down and Watson comes to him, removing his goggles and revealing his identity. Then, the boy dressed as the spider comes up to her and kisses her on the cheek. The children bow down to thank the applauding audience, and a scene then shows the "spider" and Watson on a web, with the "spider" smiling for the first time. The "black Spider-Man" then makes an appearance, holding a board which reads "Coming soon! Spider-Man 3".

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• UK/Irish CD single:{{cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Snow+Patrol&titel=Signal+Fire&cat=s|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire (Song)|publisher=Swisscharts|access-date=20 July 2009}}

1. "Signal Fire" – 3:57
2. "Wow" (Eddy TM Loser Remix) – 5:39

• UK/Irish Web-shaped Vinyl:

:A: "Signal Fire" – 3:57

:B: "Wow" (Eddy TM Loser Remix) – 5:39

• Digital Download:{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=252380638&s=143444 |title=Signal Fire (As featured in the motion picture "Spider-Man 3") - Single |publisher=iTunes |access-date=21 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104151134/https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=252380638&s=143444 |archive-date=4 November 2012 }} Note: Need iTunes to view link

1. "Signal Fire" – 3:57

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• Australian CD single:

1. "Signal Fire" – 3:57
2. "Chocolate" (Live) – 3:03
3. "Run" (Live) – 5:38
4. "Spitting Games" (Live) – 4:17

Live tracks recorded at Columbiahalle, Berlin{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000QBW8J4|title=Signal Fire EP (EP) - Snow Patrol |publisher=Amazon|access-date=10 August 2009}} on 9 February 2007.{{cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Snow+Patrol&titel=Shut+Your+Eyes&cat=s |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613202546/http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Snow%2BPatrol&titel=Shut%2BYour%2BEyes&cat=s |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2011 |title=Snow Patrol - Shut Your Eyes (Song) |publisher=Swisscharts |access-date=20 July 2009 }}

• UK Promo CD:{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Snow-Patrol-Signal-Fire/release/1484881|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire|publisher=Discogs|access-date=20 July 2009}}

1. "Signal Fire" (Album Version) – 4:29

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;Snow Patrol

• Gary Lightbody – lead vocals, guitar
• Nathan Connolly – guitar, backing vocals
• Paul Wilson – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Jonny Quinn – drums
• Tom Simpson – keyboards, backing vocals

;Other personnel

• Jacknife Lee – producer, programming, engineering
• Cenzo Townshend – mixing
• Neil Comber – mixing (assistant)
• John Davis – mastering
• James Banbury – strings arrangement{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Snow-Patrol-Signal-Fire/release/1484881|title=Snow Patrol - Signal Fire|publisher=Discogs|access-date=21 July 2009}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|id=eMfzgCkMDdM|title=Music video for "Signal Fire"}}

{{Snow Patrol}}

{{Spider-Man films}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Signal Fire (Song)}}

Category:2000s ballads

Category:2007 singles

Category:Snow Patrol songs

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Song recordings produced by Jacknife Lee

Category:2007 songs

Category:Songs written by Gary Lightbody

Category:Spider-Man (2002 film series)

Category:Songs from Spider-Man films