"Hands Open" is the first American single from Snow Patrol's fourth album, Eyes Open.
It received substantial radio play on modern rock radio, peaking at #21 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. However, it did not cross over to any other radio formats, unlike the follow-up single, "Chasing Cars".
In the song, the lyrics make a reference to American singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens with the lyrics "Put Sufjan Stevens on and we'll play your favorite song/"Chicago" bursts to life and your sweet smile remembers you."
The song was featured in the PC game LMA Manager 2007.
The band recently shot a new video for "Hands Open", for the Australian single release. It is unknown for whether it will be released in the UK.
In Australasia, the cover art is identical to that of "Set the Fire to the Third Bar", due to the latter not being released as a single there.
