I’m not Irish and don’t have a tremendous amount of knowledge about what I’ve heard called “The Troubles,” but I have seen some reactors call Doloris’ singing technique called keening and that it was used as a way of expressing grief. If I’m wrong, please forgive my ignorance, I meant it with deep respect
She wrote this after a bombing by the IRA in London killed d 2 young boys. One died fairly quickly, the other was in the hospital for days before dying. One of them was only 3. She was nearby. One thing that struck her was that - although she's Irish, that action didn't speak for her "it's not me." The Troubles went from 1960s to 1998, but we're a continuation of a conflict that dates back to 1916. It's an incredibly powerful song. Thanks for the reaction video.
It was the provisional IRA that bombed Warrington, and Dolores was not nearby. The 'Troubles' weren't a conflict. The date of 1916 refers to the date of the Easter Rising. Please read some books and don't make random stuff up, especially about a situation that is still not resolved and has been made more dangerous by the behaviours of certain sectors recently (e.g. Brexit, refusing to sit in assembly)
Zombie is a protest song inspired by the murder of two young boys, Tim Parry 12 and Jonathan Ball 3, in the 1993 Warrington bombings. They were out shopping with adults, looking for cards for their mothers for Mothering Sunday. The word "zombie" in the song refers to those involved on both the British and Northern Irish side who blindly followed orders without thinking for themselves. The song is one of a number of protest songs against The Troubles that raged from the 1960's until the Belfast Agreement was signed in 1998. I've always lived just across the water in West Wales and grew up only ever associating the North of Ireland with The Troubles. I worked in a government office and we were always on high alert. Delores' voice is beautiful, the music is hard and the lyrics are hard hitting. the video shows actual soldiers on patrol on the streets there and the children are playing on the real streets. Kills me to hear it, my eldest son is only two years older than Jonathan Ball would have been, but it's a song that makes you stop and remember how fragile peace is and how easily it can be lost and everything that goes with it.
Great intro, you don't talk for three minutes! "It's the same old thing since 1916" is a reference to the Easter Rising in Irieland that gave birth to the IRA and it's a long story but two kids died in 1993 in a bombing in London which is what inspired this song.
'it's the same old theme, since 1916, in your head in your head they're fighting..' There's too much history to explain in even this line - i recommend that you research a little. Not trying to condescend at all, its just too much to explain. So many other cultures can surely relate. amazing that Delores and the band could convey such pain and sympathy. Good to see such a heartfelt reaction, thank you.
I have lived in Ireland for 17 y now. I'm proud they are having me. This song is old, but it still describes Irish outlook on wars perfectly. Also- Free Palestine!!!!! ✌️
"And the violence caused such silence Who are we mistaken? But you see, it's not me It's not my family" She's speaking out about the world watching all these atrocities happen on a daily basis, while pretending it has nothing to do with them. Staying silent as children are massacred.
About the conflict between the IRA Irish Republic Army and Great Britain in Northern Ireland. There was a wall in the city of Belfast dividing in two. One side was the Irish Catholics and on the other side was the British Protestants. The IRA used car bombings against the British army.
Why do people like yourself show their ignorance by pointing the finger solely at the IRA, other factions involved were the INLA, UVF, UDA and RUC, also worth pointing out not all Protestants in Northern Ireland identified as British Also the British Army carried out atrocities during the conflict, it is good to have a balanced view
I want to congratulate you for being one of the few "reactors" that didn't simply "Zombie" into the voice, the music, smiling and whatnot; completely oblivious of the visuals, the lyrics, the MESSAGE! After all these years, and so much technological progress, us humans are still the most basic, violent, animals; Zombies. U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday, Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms, and many other songs about war, violence, still relevant generations after generations.
I offer 'Five Finger Death Punch - Wrong Side of Heaven' as yet another iteration of war and such, and visuals from the official music video (with the unshaven soldier as the thumbnail) are haunting, as well (especially as a former Service Member).
Great song then and still today and another great reaction Greg! Keep up the great work. Greg the Bad Wolves was doing a remake of it and she was supposed to sing in it but died before that happened so the Bad Wolves released the video and proceeds went to her family....RIP
This is a powerful war protest song. Dolores wrote this after a bomb killed two children on the streets of Northern Ireland during the latest "Troubles". Northern Ireland has basically been at war with itself for many many many years. RIP Dolores O'Riordan, you are missed.
@@TheMalone40 By "the UK also" there I assume you meant to say "Great Britain also". =;o} For anyone reading who's not clear on the difference: GB is an island, and Ireland is a separate island. Ireland used to wholly ruled by us beastly British, but we did a frankly piss-poor job of it including leaving them to starve when they needed us most, so quite understandably they demanded independence and fought to get it. Unlike America, though, they never *completely* got it: Northern Ireland has remained part of the UK, despite the rest of Ireland regaining its independence long ago, partly because the British government wanted to hang on to it and partly there's a significant chunk of the population there who would rather stay in the UK... which is a big part of what the conflict is about, but by no means all of it. To summarise the summary of the summary: It's complicated. =:o(
Zombie is an historic song reacting to a shocking moment of the time. 1916 is a call out to the rise of Irish independence. When Zombies was released, it was reacting to the IRA bombing killing 2 boys 2 and 12.. Delores being Irish wrote this song in disbelief. The way she sings it (the use of notes and her voice) is called keening..This is a specific way of lamenting in Ireland while in grief.
Alot of people dont pick this up. But you see her in gold. Then you see her as herself. It it "what is in your head" and Zombie is following orders. But it is also as a projection of someone. What you think then the layers are pulled back.
It goes back a very long time. There is not an easy way to understand. It will literally take years of perspective development to begin to truly understand the depth of what this island has been through
Dolores O’Rearden has a beautiful voice. And that little inflection she does is called keening and is beautiful. Dolores was taken from the world too early. This song is about the IRA and their indiscriminate bombing of innocents to fight back against the British.
I think I know what you mean when you say "I like the way she put it". When this song came out, I was a teenager, and besides the terror in Northern Ireland, there was also a longlasting civil/ethno-war in Yugoslavia. Her way of choosing direct words and the way she sang the word Zombie, gave me some sort of expression of how disrespectful i felt about the people that were pushing (their) hate on so many innocent people. When she sang, I first time felt empowered to speak out against people that massproduce innocent victims. It was a way, not to feel weak, to feel ok beeing angry and aggressive with the demands to stop the injustice and violence. This carried a long way for me. I will always be thankful to Dolores for giving this present to me. RIP. Your works live on and carry your strong heart and soul.
Her style of singing is called keening. It is the Irish style of grieving. Great reaction friend. Blessings to you and yours ✌Also Bad Wolves covered this and she was supposed to be in it but sadly passed ..Bad Wolves released it anyway in her honor. The Bad Wolves cover is much heavier and worth a reaction
The song came out in the 90's but it's about the violence that started in 1916 between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British Army supporting the British loyalists living in Northern Ireland. It's wrapped up in a long history of Protestants (British) versus Catholics (Irish). The fighting and bombings took place mainly around the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Cranberries had a lot of hit songs but unfortunately their singer and main song writer Deloris O'Riordan passed away a few years ago so there won't be any new stuff coming out.
Ireland has two main religious groups. The majority of Irish are Roman Catholic, and a smaller number are Protestant (mostly Anglicans and Presbyterians). However, there is a majority of Protestants in the northern province of Ulster. The amount of false information on this song is ridiculous, it's absolutely nothing like you said. The English were sent to Ireland to peace keep as the protestants and catholics (both Irish) were fighting
Seems like you said the same thing I did except I called the protestants in Northern Ireland "loyalists" which they are because they want to stay "Northern Ireland" and be protected by Britain rather than become part of Ireland. And by the way - the guys walking around Ulster with guns are British soldiers from the British Army. So what exactly is false about Zombie's message?@@barr790
The song covers a little of the history of the troubles for sure,the Easter uprising etc but the majority of the song was about one specific event. it was written about an IRA car bomb in Warrington,England that killed two schoolchildren….here’s what Delores said about why she wrote the song. “There were a lot of bombs going off in London and I remember this one time a child was killed when a bomb was put in a rubbish bin -- that's why there's that line in the song, 'A child is slowly taken,'" O'Riordan told Songwriting Magazine. "We were on a tour bus and I was near the location where it happened, so it really struck me hard - I was quite young, but I remember being devastated about the innocent children being pulled into that kind of thing. So I suppose that's why I was saying, 'It's not me' - that even though I'm Irish it wasn't me, I didn't do it. Because being Irish, it was quite hard, especially in the UK when there was so much tension." She told Vox magazine in 1994 that the song was written in part as a mechanism to grapple with her identity as an Irish citizen that did not support the actions of the IRA. "The IRA are not me. I'm not the IRA. The Cranberries are not the IRA. My family are not. ... When it says in the song, 'It's not me, it's not my family,' that's what I'm saying. It's not Ireland".
@glenngotling657 warrington bombings, 2 boys killed in England is what the songs about and no... we didn't say the same thing at all, your Protestant and Catholic info is wrong, the English were sent as peace keepers between the Irish protestants and Irish catholics also the bombings were not only in Ireland, the IRA bombed a lot of army bases and civilian places in England
Greg, thank you for a beautiful reaction and your perfect interpretation of the lyrics. The Colour parts of the video are not real, the B&W parts is reality. Wars, Rich man's greed with poor man's blood. When the power of Love overcomes the Love of power, the world shall have peace. Pray for people in Gaza, Palestine and all around the world where there is suffering. Peace and love from Ireland
The singer died, one of her best songs..1916 refers to ireland taking back our country from England. The video shows Ireland trying to get back northern Ireland,we lost,kids lost😢
@@jameswiglesworth5004you only have to look at the video to understand the complexity and it is not one group. The blue flag with the white cross, the wall with UVF and man with a gun painted on it.
She was such an iconic singer who actually cared!! RIP Deloris..Sad that this song could be put in any place right now and would fit the mold (Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen etc) This song is so powerful and always makes me cry when I hear it (Especially the video)
99% of the commentators writing "Delores" instead of "DOLORES", with an O. Her name was the Spanish DOLORES; Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan. From that name, wich means literally pains/aching/soreness/sorrow, comes the short "Lola".
I'm right with you, its been so hard watching everything that's happening, especially when there isn't anything I can do to help beyond to keep talking about it. But at the same time, I can't not know what's going on. This song came out in the 90s and is still relevant today, and I really really wish it wasn't. If you like protest songs, another one that was very impactful at the time (like this was) is Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Different time period, different war, but similar message. Music can both be impactful and help our mental health, so keep on listening to good music. Personally, I fell down the kpop rabbit hole and if you want to listen to a great, up and coming band, check out LaLaLaLa by Stray Kids. They talk about blasting away all the negative emotions with music so you can face all the noise of the world, and that's just what music does. Great reaction and I look forward to more!
"Zombie" was written by band member Dolores O'Riordan and is about the conflicts in Northern Ireland during the Northern Ireland conflict in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lyrics address the pain and frustration of ongoing violence and conflict, particularly the 1993 Warrington bombing in which two children were killed. The refrain "Zombie, zombie, zombie" refers metaphorically to the thoughtlessness and willingness to use violence shown by the parties to the conflict in Northern Ireland. Overall, "Zombie" is a powerful and emotional song that critically reflects on the destruction caused by the conflict in Northern Ireland and is a call for peace and change.
It bothers me so much, that this song is more valid now than it was back then. My girl does not sleep well. Free Palestine, Free Congo, free Ukraine. This song is needed more than ever!
Save us all from the experts. The song was a reaction to two children who were killed by an IRA bomb in England. And above all, it’s an anti-war song and the suffering of the innocent. The conflict in Northern Ireland saw violence carried out by groups representing all sides, and the IRA made a decision to carry the conflict to England and beyond. Ireland ( the Republic ) was bombed by loyalist paramilitary groups. There’s peace now, and a person in Northern Ireland can carry an Irish passport or a British passport - or both. The Good Friday agreement - brokered by the governments in London, Dublin and Washington, sees a Northern Ireland government that represents both communities, and if there’s a belief that a majority of the people of Northern Ireland want the island to be unified, a vote will be put to the people in the North and the citizens of The Republic. Shifting demographics suggest that this could happen within a couple of decades.
In 1916, Ireland broke away from England except for the north. This song is about The Troubles in Northern Ireland that went on with the people who wanted the north to break away as well. Look it up if if you want. A really sad thing is the fact that the singer wound up drinking herself to death a few years ago. She was a tortured soul.😢
Lol, there's a couple things wrong in this post but the main thing is that she accidently drowned. Also Ireland didn't break away in 1916, that was the year of the failed uprising which lead to the war of independence.
@@alzer6467 also I see posts always refering to the troubles in Ireland- it is Northern Ireland not Ireland ( the South of Ireland is a different country and is still in the European Union unlike the North). Also they are not part of England, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. I honestly think people know the difference between United Kingdom and Great Britain.
It was the 90s and about the war in northern Ireland she wrote it after 2 boys wer killed by a bomb in a mailbox. The song shamed them into calling a ceasefire
This song was written in response to a bombing in northern England that killed two young children. Basically, saying you are not doing this in mine or my families name. RIP Delores.
MUST DO "Bad Wolves - Zombie" it's a Tribute cover! She was going to be on it.. but died the same day she was going to record it with them.. they not only honor her.. but do the song much justice!! Plz react to it.. Must be music video!! PLZ
My 19 year old son loves this original over remake by Bad Wolves. She was supposed to sing with Bad Wolves for the remake but she died the night before. I was in HS when this song came out...song is about the war between Ireland & Scotland...the 80's.
@@barr790 Then who were they fighting then? I'm curious? I'm way older then you & so I know history without having to look it up because both countries had been fighting for centuries. Internet nor school/ college books give you actual information girl. I have family in Ireland & I got my info first hand. Because my dad came from Ireland.
@jerrimilsteen5427 Nah its wrong, look it up. Oh and I was born in 1973 and served in the British army, both my parents served before me and the IRA were something we dealt with a lot, the Warrington Bombs were what inspired the song, Dolores wrote it for the 2 boys who were killed
It was b/w Ireland and England. This song was in response to a bombing in London by the IRA (Irish Republican Army) which killed two young boys. She is decrying both sides for the constant state of war in her country (Ireland). She apparently had to fight to release it.
Death and destruction of the IRA war between 70-90s brought into your home and in front of your face which you can’t ignore or turn away from. Not to mention the mental damage suffered by soldiers from what they’d seen trying to stop it. It was so sad 😢
The IRA were not solely responsible, there were other factions involved, such as the INLA, UVF and UDA, and if you took some time to read up on the history of the conflict, you will find that the soldiers sent as peacemakers also committed atrocities in the name of the British Army
@@jameswiglesworth5004 I was talking about the IRA war in general- not casting blame around to particular people- the soldiers trying to stop it suffered too. You are tarring everyone with the same brush for atrocities committed by the few
Bloody Sunday, or the Bogside Massacre,[1] was a massacre on 30 January 1972 when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march in the Bogside area of Derry,[n 1] Northern Ireland. Fourteen people died: thirteen were killed outright, while the death of another man four months later was attributed to his injuries. Many of the victims were shot while fleeing from the soldiers, and some were shot while trying to help the wounded.[2] Other protesters were injured by shrapnel, rubber bullets, or batons, two were run down by British Army vehicles, and some were beaten.[3][4] All of those shot were Catholics. The march had been organised by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) to protest against imprisonment without trial. The soldiers were from the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment ("1 Para"), the same battalion implicated in the Ballymurphy massacre several months before.[5]
@@user-kx6qw2nd8v Nowhere in my reply to you did I "Tar everyone with the same brush" as you put it, I merely pointed out the other factions involved as well as the IRA, I am aware soldiers suffered, but it has to be remembered that they also killed innocent civilians, notably 26 unarmed protesters in January 1972
@@jameswiglesworth5004 The IRA also killed innocent people too approx 600. The bombings took innocent people’s lives. That’s the point- the IRA war was horrendous and that is what the song is about. Peace ✌🏽
No Katy, this was written about the Warrington Bombings in Cheshire, England. 2 boys were killed by IRA bombs planted in litter bins in a shopping area. 3yr old Jonathan Ball died at the scene and 12 yr old Tim Parry died in hospital a few days later. 54 other people were injured.
They were not Irish boys, nor were they caught in a crossfire, the incident was in Warrington, England and was as a result of two bombs that were planted
Its a song about the destruction of a war fought between two different religious factions. Think of it as calling out the damage done to families, just like what goes on every day in cities like Chicago, St Louis, Memphis, Baltimore and Detroit. You have different factions who want to kill each other and don't care if they kill little kids and rip families apart.
There is a recent cover of this that is worth checking out. It was done as a tribute after Dolores, (the lead singer died) Check it out. Bad Wolves - "Zombie" 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥