The song was inspired by the bombings in Warrington, England by the IRA. The band were on tour in England at the time and I think that was a final straw of sorts to the ongoing conflicts.
Beautiful reaction!!🥰 You got the intent behind the lyrics and vid immediately even though u had no clue what space it was coming from. That's speaks volumes to who you are. Kudos!!👊❤ Delores O'Riordan wrote this over her disdain with the never-ending "Troubles" in Northern Ireland vs Great Britain (so-called territory b.s.🙄😡). Hence the line "It's the same old theme since 1916". Ultimately, it was really a war between Protestants and Catholics. Hence the crucifix and the children portrayed as angels.😉 I would love for you and anyone else who ever comes across this to know that the deaths of two young boys on March 20, 1993 was the catalyst for her writing this song... Important to Note: On March 20, 1993 12y/o Timothy Parry and 3y/o Jonathan Ball were fatally injured by 2 separate bombs hidden in a trashcans by the IRA (Irish Republican Army). They didn't die instantly. Hours later, after horrific suffering the boys passed within hours of each other. Hence Delores repeats of "and their bombs, and their bombs".... she says "bombs" twice in honor of young Timothy and Jonathan. I'll leave it at that. Rest in sweet peace Delores.🙏❤
Sorry but need to point out it was not Northern Ireland vs Great Britain, as Northern Ireland was and is part of Great Britain. The troubles arose because the Ulster Protestants wanted Northern Ireland to remain within the U.K and the Irish nationalists and Republicans wanted Northern Ireland to leave the UK and form an United Ireland
The troubles actually started way before and it was not religious to start with really. It was a simple case of invading and taking peoples land to start.
Catholic Protestant conflict in Nothern Ireland. Bombings went as far as England. Long, long story short. It was a protest against what was called “The troubles” is Nothern Ireland. It’s a long ongoing problem. I was just 10 when this came to fruition in 1968. However, it’s a centuries old conflict. Very sad and troubled time.
The song was created apparently after an IRA (Protestants vs. Catholics troubles in Ireland/UK) bomb exploded killing a couple of kids. Dolores got to see the end of this civil war and to celebrate it. Unfortunately this amazing artist, the front woman of the Cranberries, died too young. Her voice was stunningly gorgeous. She will be missed. RIP.
I was one of those kids growing up in Belfast during that time. Almost like the situation was grooming the kids to grow up and continue the conflict. This video brings it all back every time
I think that’s a great point, that I’ve never thought of before. That creative people, artists of all types, are in a unique position to affect a situation with their work.
I hope you and anyone else reacting to this song look up and read about the Troubles between the Protestant England and Catholic Ireland that took place from the late 60’s to the late 90’s
This song changed the course of history. Upon it's release, it put the world's spotlight on the IRA and all the collateral damage they caused while trying to fight English oppression. One week after it's release, the IRA declared a ceasefire. The film maker on the video flew to Belfast immediately following the ceasefire to capture images on the streets. Those are real soldiers you see. Sam Bayer has done interviews talking about what it was like getting that footage.
The lyrics mention 1916 which is also painted on the wall. Really look up the history of Northern Ireland. The song is inspired by the Warrington bombing that killed two children.
With their tanks and their bombs and their bombs and their guns. She says bombs twice as the two bombs that went off killing two young kids. It's a song about the uprising between the IRA and England.
She wrote this song on a plane from England back to Ireland, and the recorded it as soon as they arrived. It was supposed to be fully acoustic they felt like it needed to be edgy to convey the emotion of anger. She was a genius gone too soon 😢
this killed me the first time i saw it. i'm an irish-american, so i did not live through it. but WOW... look up the IRA. so much violence from both sides. the irish were DEFINITELY being oppressed -- no doubt about it. just sucks that so many people had to suffer.
Definitely check out their other songs - Linger, Dreams, Ode To My Family, When You're Gone, Animal Instinct, Promises, Just My Imagination, Free To Decide, Hollywood, Salvation, Ridiculous Thoughts, You And Me, Analyse, Never Grow Old, Time Is Ticking Out, Tomorow, Wake Me When It's Over, Icicle Melts, Daffodil Lament, there's so many I could recommend, but they've like 7 or 8 Studio Albums, plus The Lead Singer Of The Cranberries (R.I.P) Dolores O'Riordan, has 2 Solo Studio Albums called Are You Listening And No Baggage with amazing songs like You Set Me On Fire, Angel Fire, Ordinary Day, When We Were Young, Switch Off The Moment, Apple Of My Eye, Black Widow and The Journey
The IRA bombed my home town Warrington and killed 2 small kids, I was only 14 at the time, and thankfully only minor injuries, this song will be in my heart always.
I didn't read the comments before but I guess you are fairly educaded about the Northern Ireland conflict by now. Interestingly, after Brexit, the topic kind of reeawakens ... we'll see what will be!
I always understood the 'Zombie' reference to be two-fold. Both insinuating that soldiers, and everyone who stands by and says nothing are zombies - they don't think for themselves.
Hi Justin from. ... Birmingham City UK.... but I'm Irish decent....so familiar with these they are great. Xxxx. Check out your own. TEDDY SIMS.... I loose control...xxx
React to The Bad Wolves version. They were going to reenact this with Dolores but she died. They did her proud listen to their version with haunting images😢😢
Civil war is horrible. It usually isn't the way it happened in the US. Our civil war was unique and horrible (not considering the outcome). It is usually north vs south, but neighbor vs neighbor. I remember seeing what was happening there from afar, and it wasn't pretty.
I love exploring new to be music. I have crazy playlists. A Biggie track will play, then Enya, then Andrea Bocelli, then Usher, then Rakim, then OutKast, etc... PS, and I hope this isn't a sore topic, but I'd love to see you and Stacy back together. I once had a Stacy, (not her name) but I wish I had done whatever I needed to do to fix us, even if it meant letting her be right even when she was wrong. I truly wish there were still a chance for the two of you.
Tjee..typical america. All arround pfffff. Ia m German and i think i know more with your history. I knew about the the IRA and Na Trioblóidí, thats the thematic here. Go on Irish, its your Island!!!
