Zombie is considered a protest song against the Northern Ireland conflict. Dolores O'Riordan ( leadsinger) wrote the lyrics to the song during the band's 1993 tour of England in memory of two children (Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry) who were killed in an IRA bombing in Warrington on March 20, 1993. ✌️🤘✌️
@@Necr0e1 1916 refers to the Easter Rebellion in Dublin. It is an anti-war song, but inspired specifically by the indiscriminate killing of two English children by the IRA.
Rip Deloris yes she is Irish that sound she sings is Keening is a traditional form of vocal lament for the dead in the Gaelic Celtic tradition, known to have taken place in Ireland and Scotland. Keening, which can be seen as a form of sean-nós singing, was performed in the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. Peace out.
I knew she was irish (I think) but I didn’t know the way she was singing was something so specific. Thanks for the information. The song already made me tear up but knowing keening style of singing now makes tears roll down my cheeks.❤️💕💋😭 To add an afterthought the remake she was supposed to feature on would have been amazing, but Bad Wolves didn’t do the song nearly as good original. It did good as a tribute though.
Musically, this live version sounds similar to the studio version played in the music video. Visually, the video is worth seeing. It's very powerful. By the way, the lyric "since 1916" is a reference to the 1916 Easter Rising/Rebellion in Dublin. It was one of the key events preceding the Partition of Ireland and the Irish Civil War several years later.
I was actually shocked how closely this resembles the studio version. It always makes me feel better when the band can actually perform their songs live.
When you're over 60, it's fun to see that younger people continue to discover what you've been listening to for years... It's also reassuring because beautiful things as good songs are eternal... .
Everyone else have already mentioned where the song was inspired from. So all I can do is strongly recommend the original music video. It , much as the lyrics, is very powerful.
"The song was written in response to the death of Johnathan Ball, 3, and Tim Parry, 12, who had been killed in the IRA bombing in Warrington, northwest England, when two devices hidden in litter bins were detonated."
You’re exactly right, the composition is absolutely flawless, but more importantly the message is about oppression and wanting of peace. You can tell through the chorus how much it resonates just by her voice. It almost sounds Gaelic in the way her voice cracks and wavers. What a masterpiece.
When you said that this song was a masterpiece, you were spot on. This song - essentially- reverberated around the world and all of Gen X had their views on the Occupation of Ireland deeply affected. The 1994-1995 ceasefire happened a couple of months after the song was released. Whatever else, Gen X around the world considered the ‘Irish Troubles’ to be utter bullshit and not acceptable. This song IS a masterpiece.
Deloris was supposed to re-record her vocals for the Bad Wolves cover of Zombie, but died from pneumonia the day she was scheduled to go into the studio. Bad Wolves went ahead a proceeded with recording the cover (and did an outstanding job of it) and are giving all proceeds to her children.
@@Tommysimonsen and there's only been a select few imo that did covers justice to the original and maybe better obviously disturbed doing sound of silence, Chris cornell patience GNR cover, Heart did an amazing stairway to heaven live even, those are some that just stand out to me heck Joan Jett did a bunch of covers that were good, I thought bad wolves did a good job it would've been cool to here Delores part the only thing I thought that could be been better was the music of the song if it wasn't for the lyrics you'd never know it was the same song I get they probably wanted to make it their own way but they kind of took away what made that song so iconic in the first place the 45 sec just chaotic outro the drums you didn't really get that with their version.
@@kellymccann9540 Joe Cocker With a little help from my friends. Denzel Curry adding a verse to RATM Bulls On Parade. It`s happens, but often covers are just not as good as the original or not adding anything new, waster of time.
@@Drax514 Totally wrong, it was written after the two bombs in Warrington killed two boys aged 3 and 12, as you say Wikipedia exists, try using it and you'll see the truth.
@@Drax514 Unfortunately for you this song was inspired by the indiscriminate killing of two English boys by an IRA bomb in Warrington. Wikipedia exists and all this information is right there. Check it out. Let's not make shit up.
@UCNUyualjtFT2JliZN1KeA8w mate you are the one that’s wrong. The song was written as a reaction to a bombing in Warrington, UK where 2 young boys were killed. Dolores confirmed this several times. Also, why be so rude?
@@BamaXander he is completely wrong anyway. Dolores confirmed several times that the song was written as a direct response to 2 young boys being killed by an IRA bomb in Northern England.
As I've gotten older, I can't help but just weep any time I hear this song now... I have to change the radio at work if it comes on because I'll be out of commission for half an hour. I absolutely love this song.
You are not alone in this, except it has always been a weeper for me. When it first released I'd be belting along with tears streaming as I drove along. These days, I don't always belt, but I always weep.
Her vocal style in this song is that of “Keening”, in Irish tradition, mourning for the dead. The “troubles”, she says, we didn’t want this. “It’s not me, it’s not my family.” We didn’t participate, and yet, we grieve with you.
"Guys, this is a Masterpiece." ... We welcome you to the music history museum Mr. Lboyd. We hope you enjoy your visit. If you have any questions I am certain one of our many tour guides can answer those for you. Our greatest pleasure is watching the face of somebody who hears a Masterpiece for the very first time. Thank you for that.
This song is iconic. To irish people, especially those that remember "The Troubles," this song really hits. It was written after an attack, I think a bombing carried out by the IRA, killed two young boys who were just caught in the blast.
@@Avrysatos There wasn't much fighting going on, this was a terrorist bombing in an English town that killed a 3 year old boy and 12 year old boy, loads more people were injured in the two blasts that took place on a Saturday with families out shopping on the streets of Warrington.
@@RushfanUK I didn't know at the time there was ANY fighting going on. It didn't get much US news coverage, and even my mother admits she never heard about the bombing this song is about until the song became a hit and was being played everywhere.
This is a song that you can actually react to the official video, unless things have changed. It’s well worth checking out - the visuals combined with this amazing song are astounding. Dolores was a force to be reckoned with.
He’s one fierce (!) drummer- for sure. Loved seeing him live! I was sorta busy w/ 3 small kids as Cranberries hit-but bought this CD-was extremely moved by it. Extremely. May Delores truly be resting in peace. And may her family be ever proud of her amazing talent & commitment to cause.
I'm shocked you've never heard this, it lives among the all time greats because the execution was flawless and literally everyone agrees with the message. The music video for this is even more powerful due to the visuals, if you ever get a chance to let that hit you off camera I would highly suggest giving it your time as well.
"once in a lifetime" is a good way of putting it. I genuinely think this might be the best song ever written. And that's not just personal preference, I don't consider it one of my personal favourites (though I obviously love it). It's so powerful, with the incredibly melodic yet understated chord progression, the little lead guitar licks, the bass, the DRUMS, the message of the lyrics, and of course Dolores's incredible vocals. I've always been amazed at how strong her voice was considering how physically small she was. Plus the fact that she never seems to be "pushing" her voice, it always seems effortless. Great reaction!
The music video to this is a work of art in itself. I know the reasons, but this is one I really wish would have been the studio version. Bad wolf, as said elsewhere was scheduled to remake this along with her, but she died in her bathtub when she drowned from drinking to much. It was a big loss of a phenomenal singer/ song writer. Bad wolf still recorded and made it almost into a tribute.. then donated all proceeds to her family.
The band was indeed Irish. The lead singer’s name was Dolores O’Riordan; she died at the age of forty-six in January of 2018 of an accidental drowning. Zombie is a comment on “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland (It’s the same old thing since 1916….). This song stunned me when I first heard it, if you watch the official video you will likely get chills….
RIP Delores. She often uses an Irish style of singing that's similar to a yodel. This song is specifically about war and conflict in Ireland and people killing each other's children. Other songs from them are Linger and Dreams
Great live version, and I know you listen to the albums after reacting quite often, but the original video is iconic and also worth your time if you get the chance, good sir.
The day she died she was on her way to record parts of this song with Bad Wolves who were doing a cover of it. Bad Wolves finished the cover, released it as a single and gave all the proceeds to her family.
You are feeling what I felt 30 years ago when I first heard Dolores. I've listened to thousands of bands. Been to hundreds and hundreds of concerts of all sizes and generes. Her voice is in my top 5 of all time. Dolores will be missed but her voice will linger for the ages!
Oh, I am so disappointed you did not bring up the video for this amazing tune. As great as this live performance is the imagery in the video is worth a whole reaction. You would be good at pointing out the powerful symbolism and stunning visuals. Definitely go there.
This song is bigger than the original story. "In our heads" speaks about our bias, our stubborn attachment to ideology. Don't be a zombie, don't repeat the errors of the past.
This song actually changed hearts and minds and helped end the fighting in Northern Ireland. A special song. Really check out their official video. Equally amazing.
Your experience with getting lost in the song is how it was for most of us in the 90's with music in general. The level of talent in the music industry per capita at one time is insanely ridiculous across all genre
Whoever recorded this live version did an amazing job. One of the best songs of my generation. Funny thing is, my local rock station didn’t take this song seriously because of the band itself. Their first album wasn’t exactly hard rock like this song, but mainly adult contemporary music. But slowly over time they could not ignore the immense popularity of this song. When Bad Wolves covered this song, this version started popping up again. Great song
This song always makes me break down and cry. It was one of my mom's favorite songs (that I can remember, thanks shoddy memory) and it will always remind me of her. No matter the version either.
Bad Wolves did a cover of this before Tommy Vext left group......she passed the day she was supposed to do her vocals for the video so they put out the video and proceeds went to her family
If you're interested, there was a great cover of this song by the group Bad Wolves on which Delores O'Riordan was set to do the vocals but sadly she died before she was able to record it. The group did release the song and donated the proceeds to her children.
I got to catch a concert Bad Wolves cover this with the daughter of the Cranberries’s Singer. Amazing beyond words. They weren’t even the headliners but they killed it
Man, this song hits So much harder, hearing it in the context of current world events…This song couldn’t ring more True with the war in Ukraine, In Your Head, They are still fighting, in your head they are dying…Zombie 😔💔
Imagine being there, the energy! No iPhone to distract you from being in the moment. A moment shared with thousands that will last forever! An incredible band and an unforgettable voice that will echo through time! Thank you to The Cranberries
Her style of singing is known as keening, which is a sad Irish wail. It is similar to yodeling and she is the best I have ever heard. It should not be surprised that we compare it to yodeling because much of the SE USA came from Ireland.
It was redone by a band called bad wolves. Delores was set to record it with them and she sadly passed I believe a few days before. The band in turn decided to have all proceeds from the song go to her family. Miley Cyrus has covered this song and she does a fine job too but there is only one that truly matters and moves you the best and it’s the cranberries. ❤️
I know some people have annissue with the cover by Bad Wolves. And how they changed lyrics to be more updated. But since she was literally supposed to be there, unfortunately dying the night before, I think she was okay with the changes.
