When It’s All Over We Still Have to Clear Up

When It’s All Over We Still Have to Clear Up is the second album by Snow Patrol, released on 24 April 2001 in the UK and 5 March in the US.

The album charted at number 129 in the UK and failed to sell well upon its initial release, but its re-release saw it eventually go gold in the UK.

The album was to be titled Santa Maria, and by June 2000, newer material like “Chased By… I Don’t Know What”, “Black and Blue” and “One Night is Not Enough” was making its way into live performances.

However, the album’s release was held over for six months. Gary Lightbody used this time to write more songs. “Run”, “Chocolate” and “Spitting Games” were written during this period, and later appeared on the next album Final Straw.

On the tour following the release in March 2001, the band introduced “Run” to their audience, who received it very positively. In Lightbody’s words: “I remember people’s jaws dropping, and the applause going on for longer than any of our other songs.”

All lyrics are written by Gary Lightbody; all music is composed by Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Jonny Quinn.

Hot Press’ Fiona Reid’s review of the album was extremely favourable, who found the album had plenty of “magical moments”. She felt that the album “reaches a quiet place within the chaos”, and declared it was a “classic”. She rated the album 11 out of 12. It was ranked #50 in CMJ New Music Top 75 in August 2001. Scott Juba of the website The Trades also praised the album, describing it along with its predecessor Songs For Polarbears as ‘wonderful’, giving special acclaim to the track ‘An Olive Grove Facing The Sea’.