I grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood where the IRA held sway and turned my back on it, and this song has always held deep meaning for me. Dolores said at a concert in London "This song is our cry against the violence in London, and the war in Northern Ireland, and it must stop." It was the first song I learned when I picked up bass. Also, that yodel sound is called keening, and is a vocal technique in Ireland when grieving. Dolores does it very well. I so miss her voice, it left us too soon.
I grew up in Irish catholic, in Boston, in the '70's and '80's. There is so much to this song, and I was crushed when I found out Delores was suppose to sing for Bad Wolves but died the day she was supposed to sing it. Also, it is fun to play on bass...
personally, i find keening to be a beautiful and melancholy sound, because it shows so much more emotion, as if your voice is cracking from sadness or something. singers who can use it with this level of skill are able to put tons of emotion that other singers just can't do.
She is as we say in Irish ag caoineadh (crying) or caoin. This was done by women in older times in Ireland at funerals to stir up peoples emotions and get people to cry. There were women who were known for their abilities to do this and came to funerals just to caoin (cry) it was an essential part of our mourning and grieving. Dolores embodies this style throughout this song
Yeah, especially that little drum fill in the beginning that ends with the cymbal crash...dun-dun-dun-dun-dah with the echo and guitar reverb after like you have just been hit by the last shot of an assault rifle and everything is echoing around you (Reminiscent of Tom Hanks "Shell Shock" scenes in Saving Private Ryan)...and they repeat it later as well...I agree, GENIUS!
Came here to say exactly that. That drummer is firing away with passion and anger. I have no doubt he was intentionally representing gunfire. He plays with a very pronounce strike on most songs, but you can hear and feel the intention behind each hit in this song. .
Irish person here - Dolores is blending a traditional Irish singing style called 'keening' which is often used around singing at funerals or to remember people who have passed. I remember my mum and her sister singing old songs with some of this style coming through their tears at their mothers/my granny's funeral.
Her voice technique here is from what in Ireland is called "keening"in Gaelic or "Sean-nós singing" in Irish. I absolutely love how she incorporates her cultural singing into this song.
@@Pebble_Collectorknowing the context of the song, does this defintion help make sense now? keening /ˈkēniNG/ noun the action of wailing in grief for a dead person. "the keening of grieving mothers tore into an otherwise silent afternoon" adjective (of a sound) prolonged and high-pitched, typically in a way that expresses grief or sorrow. "a keening soprano voice"
@@Pebble_Collectorkeening is a sound traditionally used in mourning songs, so it's entirely appropriate for this song, when you enjoy it or not. This really wasn't meant to be enjoyed, but to send a message. And the world got that message.
I might be wrong, but isn't the overall style Sean-nós (Ireland's trad style)? And the "yodel" sound, isnt more of a reverse yodel, as it's been described to me, technique called lilting?
This song used to get played in clubs in Canada in the 'grunge' years. Drunk kids, with no idea, screamed out zombie. I was an immigrant and I shouted along. But with tears streaming.
This song always provokes a shuddering sob at least. My grandparents came from Ireland and the Irish can capture pain and sadness and turn it into the most honest music just the incredible breakdown of humanity that occurred is so incredibly tragic . Yet she says "But you see ,Its not me, not my family." Saying that this is red war that occurs on the earth and just so happens to be happening in her country and its so heavy wow.
To me, her voice conveys a searing anger beneath a valiant attempt to speak in a reasonable tone in order to be actually heard. Which is exactly what it was meant to be. Perfection.
@@drivemenuts3011for me it’s specifically at the line “we must be mistaken”, especially given the visible attitude we can see in the video at that point
Being Irish and living in Dublin when this song was released...... It instantly became an undisputed part of core Irish culture. This song means a LOT to Ireland. It accompanied the peace talks and the new hope that sprung from it beautifully. It also marked a subtle change in Irish opinions towards peace / Northern Ireland. Dolores was amazing, she was one of our greats. It's terrible to have lost her so young. And now we've lost Sinead O'Connor and Shane Mac Gowan also. Three people who absolutely embodied the Irish spirit and culture. To have lost three such amazing artists whose music was honest, raw, uncompromising...... it just sucks, man. Hurts my Irish soul.
Yeah but they are still fighting. And its so sad. In N Ireland the catholics are still oppressed. They just don't seem to want the violence anymore. Of course we can't speak for all the of Ireland.
I'm going to ireland this year on vacation always wanted to go there and then found out my father's roots were from the Galway area. im definitely going to pay my respects to her she was a treasure the whole world lost
Thank you so much for a great reaction. The best comment I have seen is somebody said it should be a World Anthem for PEACE! Rich man's greed with poor mans blood. Peace and Love to you all. Pray for people in Gaza, Palestine and all over the world who are suffering. Love from Ireland
I don't think there exists anyone in this world (who actually sings professionally at least) who has a voice such as hers. Many singers around the world can have similar type of voices but Dolores' was very unique one of a kind.
I have a pretty personal connection to this song, as a lot of people do. Jonathan Ball was one of the children killed in the Warrington bomb, I was in the same nursery group as him. His death, the effect it had on our community and the way it shaped me at a very young age has been....impactful. I find it profound that somebody like Dolores could see and the express the pain people in Warrington suffered, despite the fact she was from the "other side" of the conflict. That simple human act of sharing and understanding what our community was going through forever changed the way I thought about war and conflict. The people on both sides are human, the world would be a much better place if we could rememebr that more often. Its fine to disagree or even be disgusted by the actions of others, but never dehumanise them or we will all suffer.
I absolutely agree. The only way war is possible is by dehumanising the "other," as there's no way the majority of us would inflict such unspeakable horrors upon each other otherwise. It's why governments, militaries, police forces, corporations, the media, etc engage in dehumanising the other side in the lead up to and during war. They know most of us wouldn't go along with their plans, so they dehumanise other people as one way in which they manufacture consent from the broader population for committing atrocities against their fellow humans - it's f_cking disgusting!!!
@RippPryde, I watched the real life drama about the Warrington bombing and the scene where Tim Parry experiences the first bomb and then rushes out of the shop...straight into the path of the second. They way the filmmakers made this scene put you in the moment as much as it possibly could. I've NEVER forgotten it. I was 33 when these particular bombings happened and if I remember, Jonathan was a much loved only child.🥹
I was a teenager when the song came out. It was, I believe, the first I heard from them. I instantly fell in love with the band's music and especially with Dolores' voice. I still remember the first time I heard it. I couldn't leave my dad's car even after we arrived home until the radio finished playing the song. It's truly a masterpiece.
As an Irish man, that used to be an Irish boy that fell in love with this song, then her, she still brings me to tears like nothing else does. This song in particular. Its a song about every tragic battle and innocence lost and the desperate, subtly seething attempts to understand why. We miss you, Dolores. You were one of the few in the world I will always admire.
@w3tua that's awesome. My wife dragged me to a Cranberries concert in the early 2000s which I groaned at the time but I appreciate now that I got to see them.
As an Italian man that is miles away from all of this, still this song bring me to tears almost every time. Just yesterday I was explaining the meaning of Zombie to my 6 years daughter, after we heard it from a street artist in Modena (with small singalong included, that triggered her curiosity) and I was nearly cracking. Few artists deliver their message as strongly as Dolores did with this one.
take a listen to miley cyrus's brilliant version of this song! she doesn't try to sound like dolores but she sings it in her own style! remember, she was in her late 20's when she sang it - a far cry from hannah montana!@@robertoarmenio3516
Dolores's voice is absolutely gorgeous, I listen to her everyday. I read up on The Troubles because of Zombie, I wanted to learn more. Just heartbreaking, no one sang with such emotion as Dolores did.
They say analysing stuff takes the emotion out, but I am crying all the way through. I think what works particularly well is the way every part of the performance is another demonstration of how opposing pairs are connected, lyrically, visually and musically... High and Low, Loud and Quiet, Silence and Violence, Soldiers and Children. It takes incredible skill to join all those dots in multiple layers, and speak to something so profound with your words and the inflection of your voice. It also makes me realise the lyrics "in your head" and "zombie" are in conflict too; a zombie being unthinking and unfeeling, and yet the lines arround "in your head" describe an almost overwhelming heartfelt internal experience and recognition of the violence.
First female rock singer to have 1B views on TH-cam. That's the power of this song and to the great artist she was. RIP Dolores O'Riordan Also, if it helps, this song helped end the war. She was a popular pop/folk/traditional singer and when she came out with this heavy metal song, sounding so bitter, people were shocked and it became an anti-war anthem.
She was so sweet. Miss you Dol!!!!!! Always. The Cranberries, their music, and Dolores' voice literally saved my life when I was a teenager. I will never forget that.
Vocal distortion (aka Saturation) not only helps a vocal stand out in a dense mix by accentuating transients, but can work at a subliminal level by putting the listener in mind of other songs they have heard - and so enhance the experience. Just as a classical composer may reference a previous work by imitating a motif, a particular sound or treatment does the same thing in pop. It's why musicians are so precious about particular guitars, amps, microphones etc: because they have "the sound".
They played this at the Rugby World Cup recently when Ireland beat South Africa (reigning champs) and it was incredible to hear an entire stadium singing this song at their top of their lungs - they even cut out the sound at one point and let them sing acapella, it gave me _chills_
I looked it up and found a couple of clips. I'm not even Irish but knowing the meaning and hearing the crowd singing it like that gave me chills as well! Cheers friend!
I'm Scottish, but I was in a pub in County Laoise for that match. The whole pub (around 150-200 people inside and outside) was belting it along with the TV.
I'm German and was in my teens when this came out. And when it came out, the Troubles were very much still a thing. And when that song was played in a bar or a club, people would belt out the chorus because it's such a fun song to sing along to, and that always rubbed me the wrong way, because if there's one thing that this song isn't, it's "fun". But most German teens back then didn't know any better. I got a similar vibe when watching the game - kind of like the French stadium guys picking this song only because of its undeniable beltability to give the Irish fans something to happily sing along. Now, the Irish singing along to this might be something entirely different - I'm pretty sure that most Irish, even 30 years later, know very well what this song is about, and it is actually (albeit probably by accident) a fitting choice for a team that's made up of players from both NI and the Republic. But I still find it an odd choice for a celebratory song.
@@joycastle. I can’t speak for the Irish, but my guess is that the song has become meaningful in other ways. Just as old folk songs are, by modern standards, obsolete, yet still sung anyway because it brings people together. In that sense, I believe that The Cranberries fulfilled their objective in writing it.
Great example of the difference between hearing something and listening. Elizabeth heard the song before, but now she listened to it for the first time.
@@mattburgess5697 When you know the context, you probably agree Bad Wolves butchered this song. Sometimes I think God took dolores from us to prevent her from enduring that indignity. Because Bad Wolfs version does not make you feel conplicit in whit those you put in power are doing. To be honnest I dont get any message at all from their version.
@@MaskinJuniorI had not heard about the cover until reading the comments here; I was just about to track it down, but I am very prepared to listen to the original again straight after because I can’t imagine anyone doing this song justice.
I'm crying with you. As many times as I've heard (and performed) this song, the video breaks me down in tears. War; the loss of life and innocence. Beyond tragic and so powerfully expressed in this video.
The song hits a lot harder when you understand the angst and pain of the real world killing that the song is about. It means a lot more when you understand where the all of the emotion is coming from. "Her pain was real: Zombie was a visceral response to the death of two children in an IRA bombing in the Cheshire town of Warrington. Three-year-old Johnathan Ball was killed when two bombs hidden in litter bins detonated on a busy shopping street in March 1993. Tim Parry, aged 12, died five days later."
The "yodel" technique shes using is called Keening, an old Irish style of singing. It was tradtionally a style used at wakes to mourn the loss of a loved one.
I never meet/knew her. But when I did heard she died (in the way she died) I cried. I cried like if were my family whon died. Dolores, you didn't even know me. You didn't even know about my existence, but I hope to know you in the future. I know very well that is posible... Love you (your voice) for ever!
When I first heard this song years ago I knew what it was about and it made me cry, and I'm an old rocker from the '60's, Delores' keening is magical, deep, and hits right to the heart of the matter. Thank you for re-covering this beautiful and timeless song.
I adore this song, it’s devastatingly beautiful and meaningful and Dolores’ voice is honestly amazing. I always tried to emulate her when covering this song but she just had such an amazing range of vocal techniques at her disposal that it was virtually impossible. The vibrato is particularly amazing. Her passing was such a huge loss. It is one of the most emotional songs I know, and I really appreciate your take on it.
This song has haunted me since the first time I heard it. We did not have children at that time so the impact became more intense as our children grew and my sons came of age. Thank you for breaking this song down. The message has always come through but you brought out points that I hadn’t considered. The crying in her voice is more evident now. As you were describing that passion I was struck that the quiet portion of the song was the crying of privacy in a home. The distortion during the chorus and the crying there seem more like the crying of outrage in the public arena. The boys at first seemed distinct with a specific meaning to a particular group but as the song progresses they become nondescript until the middle to end of the song. There is still no distinction based upon their appearance, only in their actions, the cause and effect. Whose children are suffering? Whose children are causing that suffering? It’s not me. It’s not my family…… Then to see only some of the children with Deloris beneath the cross! Wow! Again, we don’t know if they are Protestant or Catholic children but they are under the one cross of the one Christ! Divided or united there? This song has always had a powerful impact on me. I did not imagine that the impact could have been made greater but it has.
@@joergojschaefer3521 If the DUP would get off their arses and honor the Good Friday Accord and agree to a power sharing agreement with Sinn Fein and other republican leaning parties (the major in Stormont) it should be fine.
3:25 - you're absolutely right about the anger here. I've heard that Dolores was so angry after the bombing, so she wrote this song and when she met with the band she told the drummer "play as loud as you can". This song is a little bit of everything - demonstration of anger, appeal for empathy, accusation of being mindless (zombie) and it's also appeal to reason - reminding how long this has been going on and that violence has only proven completely pointless by now, and yet people still doing it mistakenly thinking that this is the way without giving it any actual consideration.
I see the zombie reference as atrocities infecting survivors with hate in the style of a zombie virus. The hate after an atrocity is now 'in your head' & you are now a zombie of hate.
Very sad day when we learned she passed. Voice of an Angel and a Fury. I love the Cranberries Unplugged session, Dolores puts on an incredible performance. The live version of Linger is something else.
I live in Boston, grew up with my parents listening to Irish music on WROL every Sunday morning. I was listening to WAAF (RIP) driving to NH when they announced her passing. I was crushed.
One of the disturbing elements in this song for many US "Irish-American" listeners is that this proud and patriotic real Irish woman sang about both sides in this paramilitary conflict being complicit in indoctrinating children to see violence as the answer to disagreements. She was a brave, if also tragic spokeswoman for peace.
as a native to america, its almost the same here. we glorify violence and sending people off to war, we cant even effectively combat our mass shooting problem because of our obsession with guns and violence. we'd rather children die as a sacrifice to keep our weapons.
There is something about the Troubles that gets woefully mistranslated when it crosses the Atlantic. Irish-Americans who wouldn't know Cork from Cavan support the IRA from behind the Atlantic ocean where they don't actually have to live with sectarianism. This song is about the Warrington Bombing in 1993, when the IRA killed two children, aged 3 and 12. But so many Americans think the Troubles were all "England"'s fault. Never mind that the "English" in question are Ulster Scots who have been in Northern Ireland since before the Mayflower, and the conflict has far more to do with Scotland than England.
@@kennethmacalpin7655 Where do you get your info about Americans supporting IRA? Where does that come from? I'm Catholic and I have Irish ancestry along with some other European roots, but I'm American first and Americans believe in religious freedom. I'd be surprised if what you're saying is the majority since pretty much all Americans believe in freedom of speech and religion. We wouldn't have a problem with the Ulster Scots in other words.
This is the first of your videos I have watched, thank you for this. I have loved The Cranberries for years, and this song in particular, and you have added so much more to my enjoyment.
I love this song and video. I think it was when I first heard this song that I realized that Dolores has a very distinct voice and that she is a true Artist. The video also blew me away, and the band was fantastic too. Watching you analyse it made me relive the first time I saw this video. That mix of rock and folk sounds and the intensity of the emotional expression made them so special. Rest in peace Dolores, you were one of a kind!
It's such a pity more people don't understand the significance of this song but in addition to the wonderful musical and vocal analysis you've covered it beautifully Elizabeth. My father is Irish, my mother Australian. I was born in Australia but we moved to Belfast soon after I was born. Along with many other family members, we returned to Australia in 1974 after my young cousin was beaten up by a bunch of teens for for walking down the wrong road; she was six years old. Hate breeds hate so my parents decided to break the cycle and leave. Years later during the 80's when I was in high school in Australia my best mate was Irish protestant, we were Catholic. His mother didn't want us to be friends so my father paid her a visit and asked why she even moved to Australia if she was going to bring all that baggage? She eventually saw reason and became like a second mum to and both sets of parents are very close to this day. Rest in peace Dolores, your legacy is so much more than many realise.
I am mostly of Irish descent, born in New England in the mid-sixties, and grew up south of Boston. I wasn't allowed to have Protestant friends for the longest time. My three siblings had them long before I could, and I finally said "enough!" in 1979. My parents were so ridiculous, and controlling of me, especially. My two sisters believe that they have broken the cycle, but I had to go No Contact with them, because they embody the hatred that seethed quietly through the family for decades. My paternal grandmother, and her family, were able to escape Northern Ireland in 1923, and come to the US. She was 9 years old, and her and her siblings were constantly fighting with each other, and others, right up until their deaths. They definitely turned their fear and anger back on each other, their children, and grandchildren. Never moved past it all. Not the best legacy to pass on.
@@ladyevil64 Interesting point I hadn't thought of. My father has 12 brothers and sisters and there's 56 cousins of my generation on his side alone. it's hard to keep up with who's talking to who and in 2 cases outright hatred for at least 30 years now. You've made we wonder if they were just so used to hating they transferred it when the original object of their derision was not longer an option.
Understand the significance of the song? I am literally here because of what is happening in Israel and Gaza right now! I needed the refresher of the cost of war.
There's a interview I saw many years back, that Dolores said she's trying add a feeling for screaming out in anger whilst just managing to it hold back. Because she was so enraged by the death of two children aged 3 and 12, who were in Warrington buying a card and gift for mother's day. 30yrs ago this year!! This song also got the NI peace talks going, because of how much it high lighted and on a such global level... Music can bring change.
Amazing song but sorry you are mistaken on the details. I'm from the north of Ireland and grew up during the troubles. This song was released a few weeks after the ceasefire and the start of the peace process, so it's not possible that it got the peace talks going. Ceasefire was Aug 94 and peace talks had already started and led to the ceasefire. Zombie was released September 94. Also, Dolores said the song was about the war on both sides - a song of peace and anti war against both the British occupation in the north of Ireland (their tanks) and the IRA (the bombs). If you look at the video, it shows British soldiers and the kids growing up around it in the north as well. Its not just about the two poor kids in Warrington - it's about all the children that were killed in the conflict. Some interesting numbers regarding children being killed in the troubles are that 257 kids died in the conflict - 245 were killed in the north of Ireland and 12 were killed in the UK. 74 children murdered by loyalist paramilitaries, 73 murdered by the IRA and 67 by the British Army/RUC. She wrote the song about all of those children. Source: cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/violence/cts/smyth1.htm Dolores pointed out in 2017 that there was a line in the song about Tim Parry - not the entire song. I geunuinely don't want to nitpick but I've seen the narrative of what this is song ia about shift and change recently. This song is about the kids that were murdered in the north over 30 years, not just one poor English kid. It's also in protest against the British Army but for some weird reason, lately I see comments everywhere saying that this about Warrington. It's not. It's for every poor child that was murdered, and their parents left behind....since 1916 as she sings. She said "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'. [ ... ] 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."
@@chulainn32 The song was used as a reference point by John Major, the then Priminister as a political tool to make the talks more poiniant and in the public eye. As it was globally a smash hit, all the news media outlets used it numerous times too.
Apologies but this is totally untrue. Show me evidence of John Major referencing Zombie. There should be plenty of links if so. You might also be surprised to know that the main state owned TV stations in the UK and Ireland banned the song - quite the opposite to them using it as part of the news. Anyway, these points are nothing to do with your original statement that this song was only for two English kids and not ALL the children murdered in the conflict. Not just by the IRA but also by the British Government and their army. @@mr_ozzio5095
I am 3rd generation American with an Irish family. I'm in love with Ireland and everything with it. Every time I hear this song or Dolores voice I tear up. The compassion and talent will never be replaced 🇮🇪
Your deep understanding of music, vocals, production and recording tech is amazing and highly entertaining! Plus you're beautiful, charming and a great communicator. Great combo!
@@rendratvandonkereschrijver2912 “It's the same old theme since 1916”. The Easter Rising in April 1916 is considered as the start of the Irish struggle for independence, and thus the root of the Northern Ireland Conflict.
Dolores O'Riordan in this song is the very essence of a "charismatic voice." I've heard this song perhaps 1,000 times since it was first released, and every time I cry for the senseless loss of innocent life. The video takes the song from deeply sorrowful to utterly heart-wrenching. The second definition for "charisma" in Oxford is "a divinely conferred power or talent." It should be followed by "see: Dolores O'Riordan"
Thank you for your reactions. You break music down to an understanding,no not an understanding, a way of seeing music in a different light. Because of you and others such as Peter Barber, Jennifer G., and one of my personal favorites The Fairy Voice Mother. You all have taught so much about different aspects of music I never knew before. What an absolutely beautiful journey this has been. A joy I never expected and I'm truly grateful. Blessings to you and your family and again thank you 😊
I love your analysis of this amazing song, you got it spot on! Being a trained opera singer, you noticed all the breaths and techniques that Dolores used. This is such a powerful and emotional song laced with anger and deep grief and it never fails to give me chills and brings me to tears.
When this song came out I was intensely drawn to it. Her voice, style, the message. But one aspect of the song that I feel does not get the recognition it deserves for making the song feel so intense throughout is the drummer. Those drums, the way they are played and when the heavy beats are hit add so much to this. This song still gets me to this day, 30 years later. And the drums just add to the emotion of the song, IMO.
I wholeheartedly agree regarding the drums! This entire song is so intense and powerful but the drums have always stood at the forefront for me. In the nearly 30 years since I first heard this song I've still never heard drums more powerful. The force and crack of the snare drum here is unparalleled. I've also always loved the emotion and body language the drummer shows between 22:53-23:17. It's almost as if he himself isn't playing the drums. He's simply letting his emotions play the drums while simultaneously letting those emotions bleed right out of his facial expressions and body movements. It's as if he's taking his anger out on the drum kit. So raw and powerful!
First time it heard it on the radio, I was only casually listening until I heard "it's the same... old teem, since nine... teensixteen..." I remember thinking "holy crap, she's singing about The Trouble, today." And it is SO different than anything else they had put out before then.
Thank you so much for those amazing explanations. I got to hear so much more 'inside' the vocals with that guidance. I think this is the saddest song I've ever heard, and until right now, I'd only seen stage performance clips and heard audio, so the visuals were like sad icing on a bitter cake. I'm Australian, and was 12 when Bloody Sunday was first a headline. It was a relentless, vicious three decade war, as referenced, part of a greater struggle begun in 1916. My encyclopedia told me the atrocities had begun 400 years ago. I see two zombies - one is the automatic reasoning of hate "in your head" on both sides, into which some people were born, began families, and died, never knowing peace. The other is the war itself, mindlessness and devouring, seemingly unstoppable. R.I.P Dolores O'Riordan
When I heard this song as a kid, I felt she was bold and accusing the "innocent" listener. I always felt she was painting the scene, and before you realize it while listening, you realize she's describing it from your perspective. It's a war, but its not your home, not your family. Its just in your head. Yet you can't bring yourself to relate to these families? Zombie. Like how dare our brothers and sisters, watching the news of war across the world, are so hardened to the news of wars and horrible deaths of loved ones. What is in our head? We must be zombies, unable to feel pain for our fellow humans.
@@fohatenchou You described that extremely well, and that's "the pity of war" as Wilfred Owen wrote elsewhere, but as much among zombies as in Northern Ireland.
Even though they are singing in a language that is foreign to me (I am German), I still got goosebumps every time. You can hear the dispair and anger very clearly. It`s as language could bleed.
I grew up a child of 'The Troubles', my parents left Belfast and moved tp Monaghan (a border town) because the were a mixed marriage (Catholic/Protestant) which meant this song has always had special place in my heart. Delores's voice is always unique and unapologetic. She is one of this countries music legends and always will be. RIP Delores
My mum is from Clones.. She and my Dad left Belfast in 1960 and moved to Limerick to get away from the sectarianism. Also, I spent many a night getting drunk and meeting girls in the Hillgrove... and I once saw the Drifters there (1987/ or 88)
I grew up in the 70 and 80 in Belfast, the image of the soldiers walking around fully armed still gives me chills. It was indeed a fearful, angry and very tragic time for everyone involved.
How many tears has been falling listening this song since 90s... thanks a lot for your precious judgement and for your emotions...❤. A big Ciao from Italy 👋
The opening lyrics of this song always make me think of someones voice cracking from crying and emotion. It just rips tears from me too, every time i hear it.
Same. Remember when it came out, how much it brought attention to the ongoing Irish conflict and how it suddenly became real to us in our American family rooms.
This song always brings me right back and those scary memories that my mind somehow buried rise all over again. 😢 but when it came out it was also validation.
I cried my eyes out watching this video, everytime she appears in the video it bring tears to my eyes, and shivers all over my body. God she is missed, I still can't get over her death and the way it all happened, so I get really emotional whenever i watch her singing, specially this song in particular since it means so much to me.
I grew up in belfast in the 70s/80s and those kids played the same way me and my mates did in very similar places. Some of them are no longer here and the rest of us have memories we wish we could forget. This video has me in tears every time I see it and even hearing the song unexpectedly can trigger memories. Some people are horrified by 'funny' stories I tell of my childhood and it took me a while to realise why they were so upset at things i remembered as funny. I know this song was written about the tragic taking of young lives but to me it'salways been the taking of young innocence and the manipulation of my generation by those with twisted agendas that have an equal sense of loss. All these years later the lessons haven't been learned so this song is still as relevant today for my childrens and grandchildrens generations. Thank you for your analasis ,you've hit the mark yet again
Very well said. I grew up near an army base just outside London in the 70s/80s and had to unlearn a lot of things we heard all the time to see the agendas being pushed from many directions and start to see people instead. This song was a large part of that re-examination. I cannot express enough how important this song was at the time, nor how relevant it is to this day. Hearing it always brings tears to my eyes and takes me back to those times.
Oh this song. It is gut wrenching. The Cranberries had *such* an impact on me as a teenage girl. The video shoots me right back to my senior year. The furious, driving guitar and the way the drums are played with such intensity just gives me shivers. They really were so extraordinary. RIP Delores.
They wrote so many other jewels like this. Dolores was such a powerful and original singer, yet her heartbreaking fragility and vulnerability always cut through. Rip Irish Angel.
I can listen to this song on full blast and on repeat. It's one of those that is so good, I never want it to end. R.I.P Dolores. 😇 And thank you for the music.
My favorite part of this song is when you see Dolores do the slides on the guitar that mimics her yodel flips. It's like the guitar is crying along with her.
These yodel flips are actually sean-nós, a traditional Celtic lament singing technique. You see this in perfection in this video: th-cam.com/video/-Cz8nQAi2A4/w-d-xo.html
Every time I hear this song I tear up. Delores puts so much of herself into this. I'm glad you finally covered this one Elizabeth. She was so talented and had the ability to get her message across.
I felt pretty sure there was a good chance for this to be an emotional reaction. Because it’s a very heavy and serious song, once you fully feel it. The subject matter is obviously a major slice of tragedy. To me it’s commendable that Dolores (R.I.P. beautiful Irish voice) and the band felt motivated to write such a tune, upon learning of the terrible event. I love her bleeding vibrato at the end of that line, narrowing down low. Definitely a song that epitomizes the seriousness of rock at the time. And, though some have felt the ‘90s overdid it with somber music, these horrible things were happening, still are, and art is definitely allowed to document such darkness.
The two guys in the mural on the end of the house at 2:29 in the original video were from my regiment. One was a friend of mine. We saw what happened to them on TV. The BBC used my friend's full name, not the name we all knew him by. It was a couple of days before I realised who it was. I was based out in Berlin at the time. Another mate passed me when we were both out running and said "What about Bob?", "Bob who?", "Bob Howes". Then the penny dropped. The IRA funeral that two guys had driven into a couple of days earlier. March 1988. I love this song, but always feel a pang when that brief image flashes past.
"Corporal killings" I believe, correct. I just left Ireland and toured Belfast with the Black Taxis. Sorry for pain you deal with, tragic stuff. Loved the people of Ireland and all the culture there.
I'm so sorry. It hurts enough watching helpless from afar, but when it's someone that you've fought beside and had that bond of brotherhood, it takes a part of you.
I'm so sorry about your trauma. I didn't know about this horrific incident, and I hope it's not too insensitive of me to link to the (lengthy) Wikipedia article, and to urge everyone to read it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporals_killings It conveys the climate of the day *very* well.
The thing I love about the charismatic voice is the depth of involvement and detail that is brought out in her reactions to the various types of music and artistic styles. What a pleasure to observe and have this content.
I can't listen to the Cranberries without missing Dolores terribly and bascially feeling all of the emotions their music triggers in me in a rush. Linger was the first song of theirs I heard, and Zombie was the second. I was a fan for life. Thank you for once again sharing your expertise and vulnerability with us. I appreciate you.
I was just scrolling through the comments and came upon yours. Your experience perfectly matches mine. Her voice and The Cranberries music holds a unique place in my heart that will never be replaced or duplicated.
I love experiencing songs from your point of view. It’s really amazing and helps me hear a song I’ve known and loved for years in a brand new way! Even when I’ve heard some of the things you share it’s really great to hear you educate about techniques I simply didn’t know
Check out the transatlantic sessions on TH-cam there are many special performances. Sarah jarosz has 3: Annabelle lee, runaway, ring them bells. Dan tyminski boy who wouldn’t how corn is just mind blowing. Transatlantic sessions is where it’s at
One of my absolute favorites.... was so sad to hear of her passing. This was my ringtone and alarm on my phone for the last several years. Thank you for the review.
I had also never seen the video clip and that, combined with focussing more on the (meaning of the) lyrics...... I was bawling my eyes out. I grew up with this song, but didn't realise what it was about until they were playing this song in a sort of day club (very touristy) in Ireland, when I was there working as an Au Pair for 6 months... in 2016. Beforehand, I had no idea about this part of the Irish history. And when I got there, it was exactly 100 years after that. In the song the year 1916 is mentioned & that is where I realised. Absolutely incredible music and strong, strong video clip. Much appreciation for The Cranberries 💛
I'm 64 and this song still brings on a tear often. My wife was in the London army barracks blown up by the IRA, she was unhurt but saw the carnage. A very long time friend of ours, a Kerry gal can imitate Dolores's singing well. She told us that when the Cranberries songs we played in the pub, she & her mates sang along.
A few years back I learned the context of this song, and since then it always leaves me weepy after listening to it. Dolores's ability to express rage mixed with pain mixed with grief along with the power of the lyrics is just an emotional overload for me. At the point of the writing of this song the Troubles had been going on for 30 years. She could barely remember a different Ireland. And you can hear how frustrated, enraged, and emotionally spent she was with the senseless violence in her home country. Dolores O'Riorden may no longer be with us, but she still inspires and challenges our preconceptions from the power of her art.
After I learned the meaning behind the song, I can't listen to it without bawling, anymore. Especially when I think of the children my own family has much more recently lost to violence.
It says bombs twice because she is calling out both sides of the war, the english faught with tanks and bombs, the IRA fought with bombs and guns. The second bar vocal is aimed at the IRA- "Oh no, its not me, it's not my family" later in song she calls out the british for the 1916 easter masacre that occurred in Belfast N.I. She was calling for an end to the killing
The British Army did not use tanks in NI only old centurion tanks fitted with bulldozer blades. Also don’t think they used bombs. The reason she says bombs twice is because they was 2 separate bombs in the Warrington bombings
I was at Cranberries' concert in Montreal, Canada in 2002, and Delores' voice in that song was felt by everyone. There is something mystical about that song as if she was in trance , or something... To hear her voice live, singing "zombie" will last a lifetime...
Elizabeth, don’t let any comments saying that you pause too much or rewind too much change how you do your videos. We love the analysis! Anyone who doesn’t can find a different video. I Love your channel! Also there is an awesome cover by Bad Wolves. Delores was originally going to be featured in it but when she passed they released it in memory of her (I think) instead. I think you might enjoy it.
It is a wonder anyone gets upset about Elizabeth pausing too much. When she does pause, she goes back like 5 times and nothing is missed ever. The only thing Elizabeth sometimes does is get too caught up in the video content and loses focus on the vocal and song briefly. That is annoying, but it's rare and she makes up for it in other ways.
The style of singing is actually just as important as the message. Dolores is "keening", it is a very old Irish style of singing which is for funerals and wakes, its to show sadness for the dead.
The keening in her voice brings me to tears every time. Its truly the sound of someone experiencing heartbreak, grief, and anger. Its just so powerful. In a weird, indirect way, it brings back feelings of Kurt Cobain at the MTV Unplugged concert when he covered "where did you sleep last night" ... the cry he does at the end gives me a similar emotion. Just gut wrenchingly sad and beautiful at the same time.
I had no idea that you were a fan of the Stormlight Archive series. Your reactions and deep dives into the vocals (and beyond) of these songs truly defines "Journey before Destination." Well done Radiant!
I watched a really interesting breakdown of the music theory used in this song. Basically the melodic line never really resolves back to the root so it gives this feeling of no resolution just like the conflict. The Cranberries put so much thought into this song to get their message across and they created a timeless master piece.
I live in Poland. I once walked through Cracow and heard this song on the main square. The performance wasn't perfect but it was sung at a gathering ment to support people hurt by the war in Ukraine and it made me cry knowing the meening of the original. It's tragic that there are still people around the world being hurt becouse of cruelty of others.
This song I feel will never loose its meaning because there's always going to be terrible meaningless wars. I was going to mention Ukraine but came across your comment saying exactly what I wanted to say.
I remember this many years ago, one of a handful of songs I'll never forget hearing and listening to many times. Stupidly powerful and emotional, performed by a girl who had seen it all. Amazing voice, one of a kind, beautiful and scary all in one RIP Dolores O'Riordan - legend.
So many hard rock and heavy metal bands have covered this song!! Bad wolves version of it is really intense and the story I've heard is that Dolores was actually supposed to record vocals with them the day she passed
I absolutely love the Bad Wolves version, it's so so good and I'd love is @TheCharismaticVoice covered it too (or at the very least Elizabeth should listen to it!)
Oh Elizabeth! ..... Thank you so much for your review! Its refreshing to see the songs message through new eyes ........ thank you for reviewing the technicalities of the vocals. Whats matters more here in the UK is the translation of the lyrics. Lets hope we never have to go back to the tensions of the 70's / 80's / 90's when the conflict was at its height.
this is such a cathartic song, filled with emotion, just like you said, there are points in the song that make me want to cry and give me those goose bumps. It's such a great track.
Incredible song, one of the most intense and powerful videos ever. Delores O’Riordan was off the charts here, as well as the other band members. It’s special when musicians use their creative gifts to focus on injustice to help improve the world. RIP Delores you beautiful, special person!
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Oh no, everyone prepare to have this song stuck in your head, in your heaaad...
For the Germans: Za-ahn-weh, Za-ahn-weh...
Comment of the year ! 👍👍👍👍👍
🤔🤨🤯😵💫🤪🤣😂🤣
(Insert beavis and butthead headbanging gif here)
Lololol
I grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood where the IRA held sway and turned my back on it, and this song has always held deep meaning for me. Dolores said at a concert in London "This song is our cry against the violence in London, and the war in Northern Ireland, and it must stop." It was the first song I learned when I picked up bass. Also, that yodel sound is called keening, and is a vocal technique in Ireland when grieving. Dolores does it very well. I so miss her voice, it left us too soon.
There would be no People of Ireland had it not been for the IRA; you'd still be stuck in 700+ years of Black an Tans Rule!
Ireland was attacked by the tyrants in the UK.
I grew up in Irish catholic, in Boston, in the '70's and '80's. There is so much to this song, and I was crushed when I found out Delores was suppose to sing for Bad Wolves but died the day she was supposed to sing it. Also, it is fun to play on bass...
I spent about 3 years in NI as a soldier in the early 80s, this song brings me to tears every time I hear it.
personally, i find keening to be a beautiful and melancholy sound, because it shows so much more emotion, as if your voice is cracking from sadness or something. singers who can use it with this level of skill are able to put tons of emotion that other singers just can't do.
She is as we say in Irish ag caoineadh (crying) or caoin. This was done by women in older times in Ireland at funerals to stir up peoples emotions and get people to cry. There were women who were known for their abilities to do this and came to funerals just to caoin (cry) it was an essential part of our mourning and grieving. Dolores embodies this style throughout this song
I was hoping someone would say this!
We still grieve for Dolores.
That did it 😢I am literally crying even though I have heard this a million times and knew the history.
Im not caoin, youre caoin
This is done in many cultures. ✌🏽
The drums with a military 'rat-tat' beat and bullet shot echo. Genius!
Yeah, especially that little drum fill in the beginning that ends with the cymbal crash...dun-dun-dun-dun-dah with the echo and guitar reverb after like you have just been hit by the last shot of an assault rifle and everything is echoing around you (Reminiscent of Tom Hanks "Shell Shock" scenes in Saving Private Ryan)...and they repeat it later as well...I agree, GENIUS!
Never noticed it before - now I can’t unhear it…
@EH23831 @42Mrgreenman it amazing when a song opens up completely to your ears
Reminds me of U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday....
Came here to say exactly that. That drummer is firing away with passion and anger. I have no doubt he was intentionally representing gunfire.
He plays with a very pronounce strike on most songs, but you can hear and feel the intention behind each hit in this song.
.
Irish person here - Dolores is blending a traditional Irish singing style called 'keening' which is often used around singing at funerals or to remember people who have passed. I remember my mum and her sister singing old songs with some of this style coming through their tears at their mothers/my granny's funeral.
Thanks for sharing this context.
Thank you
This song will always be an iconic song and tbh people will love it but you can hear it in the rugby World Cup how much the song means to
miley cyrus does a great version of 'zombie'!
It’s where the saying “keening and wailing “ originate. 😊
Her voice technique here is from what in Ireland is called "keening"in Gaelic or "Sean-nós singing" in Irish. I absolutely love how she incorporates her cultural singing into this song.
Yeah, and it's really bloody annoying.
Unpopular opinion, evidently.
@@Pebble_CollectorWhat, no? It's what makes the song, it's amazing and sets it apart from so many other songs.
So, yes, it is an unpopular opinion.
@@Pebble_Collectorknowing the context of the song, does this defintion help make sense now?
keening
/ˈkēniNG/
noun
the action of wailing in grief for a dead person.
"the keening of grieving mothers tore into an otherwise silent afternoon"
adjective
(of a sound) prolonged and high-pitched, typically in a way that expresses grief or sorrow.
"a keening soprano voice"
@@Pebble_Collectorkeening is a sound traditionally used in mourning songs, so it's entirely appropriate for this song, when you enjoy it or not. This really wasn't meant to be enjoyed, but to send a message. And the world got that message.
I might be wrong, but isn't the overall style Sean-nós (Ireland's trad style)?
And the "yodel" sound, isnt more of a reverse yodel, as it's been described to me, technique called lilting?
This song used to get played in clubs in Canada in the 'grunge' years. Drunk kids, with no idea, screamed out zombie. I was an immigrant and I shouted along. But with tears streaming.
To me j acks up adenine
This song always provokes a shuddering sob at least. My grandparents came from Ireland and the Irish can capture pain and sadness and turn it into the most honest music just the incredible breakdown of humanity that occurred is so incredibly tragic . Yet she says "But you see ,Its not me, not my family." Saying that this is red war that occurs on the earth and just so happens to be happening in her country and its so heavy wow.
💔
Wow, simple and straight but with a deeply emotional message. Yasss, I can identify...
I loved this song as a teen in the 90s and only now learned what it was about. We were clueless.
OMG You brought a grown man to tears 😭. This is the most beautiful breakdown of a mind blowing song EVER . I'm glad I found your channel today ❤️
Same here, let em flow. Glad I found the channel this week as well.
Same
Same !
Same
To me, her voice conveys a searing anger beneath a valiant attempt to speak in a reasonable tone in order to be actually heard. Which is exactly what it was meant to be. Perfection.
Keening.... Is the technique
but the fury at the brutal madness of the conflict.
No toy guns in Belfast ... One mistake could be fatal..
Sounds like she's hyperventilating to me. I just thought she was having panic attacks.
Yes, I sensed sarcasm in her voice for a split second.
She is constraining her anger, to be more productive in delivering her message.
@@drivemenuts3011for me it’s specifically at the line “we must be mistaken”, especially given the visible attitude we can see in the video at that point
I also hear her voicing kids who bully eachother...kids saying na-na-na-naa... Dolores: heaaad, in your hea-ea-aad.
Being Irish and living in Dublin when this song was released...... It instantly became an undisputed part of core Irish culture. This song means a LOT to Ireland. It accompanied the peace talks and the new hope that sprung from it beautifully. It also marked a subtle change in Irish opinions towards peace / Northern Ireland. Dolores was amazing, she was one of our greats. It's terrible to have lost her so young.
And now we've lost Sinead O'Connor and Shane Mac Gowan also. Three people who absolutely embodied the Irish spirit and culture.
To have lost three such amazing artists whose music was honest, raw, uncompromising...... it just sucks, man. Hurts my Irish soul.
It hurts my English soul too. A huge loss to humanity.
Yeah but they are still fighting. And its so sad. In N Ireland the catholics are still oppressed. They just don't seem to want the violence anymore. Of course we can't speak for all the of Ireland.
We miss her here in the U.S. too. ❤️
I'm going to ireland this year on vacation always wanted to go there and then found out my father's roots were from the Galway area. im definitely going to pay my respects to her she was a treasure the whole world lost
@johnscott33 sorry.... where on earth are you getting "islam" from in ANY of this?
This is a universal cry for the horror of human warring. It’s superb in every way.
Thank you so much for a great reaction. The best comment I have seen is somebody said it should be a World Anthem for PEACE! Rich man's greed with poor mans blood. Peace and Love to you all. Pray for people in Gaza, Palestine and all over the world who are suffering. Love from Ireland
Dolores is one of those once in a lifetime voices that is terribly missed. 😢
Unfortunately too damn true😢
I don't think there exists anyone in this world (who actually sings professionally at least) who has a voice such as hers. Many singers around the world can have similar type of voices but Dolores' was very unique one of a kind.
Her passing hit me hard
I couldn't have said it better
@@woeshaling6421 still hurts like hell, Dolores was the one and only :(
I have a pretty personal connection to this song, as a lot of people do. Jonathan Ball was one of the children killed in the Warrington bomb, I was in the same nursery group as him. His death, the effect it had on our community and the way it shaped me at a very young age has been....impactful. I find it profound that somebody like Dolores could see and the express the pain people in Warrington suffered, despite the fact she was from the "other side" of the conflict.
That simple human act of sharing and understanding what our community was going through forever changed the way I thought about war and conflict. The people on both sides are human, the world would be a much better place if we could rememebr that more often. Its fine to disagree or even be disgusted by the actions of others, but never dehumanise them or we will all suffer.
😌🙏☮️💛
I absolutely agree. The only way war is possible is by dehumanising the "other," as there's no way the majority of us would inflict such unspeakable horrors upon each other otherwise. It's why governments, militaries, police forces, corporations, the media, etc engage in dehumanising the other side in the lead up to and during war. They know most of us wouldn't go along with their plans, so they dehumanise other people as one way in which they manufacture consent from the broader population for committing atrocities against their fellow humans - it's f_cking disgusting!!!
Very well said. Thank you for the reminder.
Today this song and Your comment are really sadfully actual. Thanks
@RippPryde, I watched the real life drama about the Warrington bombing and the scene where Tim Parry experiences the first bomb and then rushes out of the shop...straight into the path of the second. They way the filmmakers made this scene put you in the moment as much as it possibly could. I've NEVER forgotten it.
I was 33 when these particular bombings happened and if I remember, Jonathan was a much loved only child.🥹
I was a teenager when the song came out. It was, I believe, the first I heard from them. I instantly fell in love with the band's music and especially with Dolores' voice. I still remember the first time I heard it. I couldn't leave my dad's car even after we arrived home until the radio finished playing the song. It's truly a masterpiece.
As an Irish man, that used to be an Irish boy that fell in love with this song, then her, she still brings me to tears like nothing else does. This song in particular. Its a song about every tragic battle and innocence lost and the desperate, subtly seething attempts to understand why. We miss you, Dolores. You were one of the few in the world I will always admire.
Delores and I share the same day and year of birth. I couldn't believe it when she passed. 😞
@w3tua that's awesome. My wife dragged me to a Cranberries concert in the early 2000s which I groaned at the time but I appreciate now that I got to see them.
take a listen to miley cyrus's brilliant version of this song!! she sings it in her own style & is not trying to sound like dolores!!
As an Italian man that is miles away from all of this, still this song bring me to tears almost every time.
Just yesterday I was explaining the meaning of Zombie to my 6 years daughter, after we heard it from a street artist in Modena (with small singalong included, that triggered her curiosity) and I was nearly cracking.
Few artists deliver their message as strongly as Dolores did with this one.
take a listen to miley cyrus's brilliant version of this song!
she doesn't try to sound like dolores but she sings it in her own style!
remember, she was in her late 20's when she sang it - a far cry from hannah montana!@@robertoarmenio3516
RIP Dolores, you will forever be missed. Her voice still gives me chills
Dolores's voice is absolutely gorgeous, I listen to her everyday. I read up on The Troubles because of Zombie, I wanted to learn more. Just heartbreaking, no one sang with such emotion as Dolores did.
She was one of a kind!
They say analysing stuff takes the emotion out, but I am crying all the way through.
I think what works particularly well is the way every part of the performance is another demonstration of how opposing pairs are connected, lyrically, visually and musically... High and Low, Loud and Quiet, Silence and Violence, Soldiers and Children. It takes incredible skill to join all those dots in multiple layers, and speak to something so profound with your words and the inflection of your voice.
It also makes me realise the lyrics "in your head" and "zombie" are in conflict too; a zombie being unthinking and unfeeling, and yet the lines arround "in your head" describe an almost overwhelming heartfelt internal experience and recognition of the violence.
This is one of the most important and beautiful songs ever written. Thank you for doing it!
First female rock singer to have 1B views on TH-cam. That's the power of this song and to the great artist she was. RIP Dolores O'Riordan
Also, if it helps, this song helped end the war. She was a popular pop/folk/traditional singer and when she came out with this heavy metal song, sounding so bitter, people were shocked and it became an anti-war anthem.
the power of this song and the actuality of the lyrics to this day
I love this song, but please don't call it heavy metal.
It's definitely heavy metal.
@@splorticussuii3303 OK
Its a folk rock song not heavy metal, but otherwise yes.
The way she swings from sorrow and despair to seething rage is truly amazing. I get goosebumps every time I hear this song.
❤ me to she's incredible
even though I heard that song circa zillion times, it still brings goosebumps :D
She was so sweet. Miss you Dol!!!!!! Always. The Cranberries, their music, and Dolores' voice literally saved my life when I was a teenager. I will never forget that.
Vocal distortion (aka Saturation) not only helps a vocal stand out in a dense mix by accentuating transients, but can work at a subliminal level by putting the listener in mind of other songs they have heard - and so enhance the experience. Just as a classical composer may reference a previous work by imitating a motif, a particular sound or treatment does the same thing in pop. It's why musicians are so precious about particular guitars, amps, microphones etc: because they have "the sound".
They played this at the Rugby World Cup recently when Ireland beat South Africa (reigning champs) and it was incredible to hear an entire stadium singing this song at their top of their lungs - they even cut out the sound at one point and let them sing acapella, it gave me _chills_
I looked it up and found a couple of clips. I'm not even Irish but knowing the meaning and hearing the crowd singing it like that gave me chills as well! Cheers friend!
I'm Scottish, but I was in a pub in County Laoise for that match. The whole pub (around 150-200 people inside and outside) was belting it along with the TV.
I'm a South African who was disappointed by the loss BUT hearing them singing this sent me over the edge...incredible!
I'm German and was in my teens when this came out. And when it came out, the Troubles were very much still a thing. And when that song was played in a bar or a club, people would belt out the chorus because it's such a fun song to sing along to, and that always rubbed me the wrong way, because if there's one thing that this song isn't, it's "fun". But most German teens back then didn't know any better.
I got a similar vibe when watching the game - kind of like the French stadium guys picking this song only because of its undeniable beltability to give the Irish fans something to happily sing along.
Now, the Irish singing along to this might be something entirely different - I'm pretty sure that most Irish, even 30 years later, know very well what this song is about, and it is actually (albeit probably by accident) a fitting choice for a team that's made up of players from both NI and the Republic. But I still find it an odd choice for a celebratory song.
@@joycastle. I can’t speak for the Irish, but my guess is that the song has become meaningful in other ways. Just as old folk songs are, by modern standards, obsolete, yet still sung anyway because it brings people together. In that sense, I believe that The Cranberries fulfilled their objective in writing it.
Great example of the difference between hearing something and listening. Elizabeth heard the song before, but now she listened to it for the first time.
First time knowing the context, too. Changes things.
She needs to listen to Chester Benningtons voice from LP, if she hasn't already!
@@hapwn she has. There are four LP videos on the channel
@@mattburgess5697 When you know the context, you probably agree Bad Wolves butchered this song. Sometimes I think God took dolores from us to prevent her from enduring that indignity. Because Bad Wolfs version does not make you feel conplicit in whit those you put in power are doing. To be honnest I dont get any message at all from their version.
@@MaskinJuniorI had not heard about the cover until reading the comments here; I was just about to track it down, but I am very prepared to listen to the original again straight after because I can’t imagine anyone doing this song justice.
I'm crying with you. As many times as I've heard (and performed) this song, the video breaks me down in tears. War; the loss of life and innocence. Beyond tragic and so powerfully expressed in this video.
In my experience, performing this song is the only time I don’t cry to it. But trying to emulate Dolores’ voice is a folly. She was one of a kind.
The song hits a lot harder when you understand the angst and pain of the real world killing that the song is about. It means a lot more when you understand where the all of the emotion is coming from.
"Her pain was real: Zombie was a visceral response to the death of two children in an IRA bombing in the Cheshire town of Warrington. Three-year-old Johnathan Ball was killed when two bombs hidden in litter bins detonated on a busy shopping street in March 1993. Tim Parry, aged 12, died five days later."
The "yodel" technique shes using is called Keening, an old Irish style of singing. It was tradtionally a style used at wakes to mourn the loss of a loved one.
Thanks for sharing that. I always called it an Irish call. Sinead O’Conner was a master of this…which I always adored.
Remembering that she died at 46 devastates me.
Rest in Peace Dolores O'Riordan. You are missed and your beautiful, amazing voice lives on for all time.
my thoughts her too .. she is very much missed.. bf from finland
Cantoras boas parecem que morreram todas
I read this post while listening to the song. The combination brought me to tears. Ugly tears
I never meet/knew her. But when I did heard she died (in the way she died) I cried. I cried like if were my family whon died.
Dolores, you didn't even know me. You didn't even know about my existence, but I hope to know you in the future. I know very well that is posible... Love you (your voice) for ever!
❤
When I first heard this song years ago I knew what it was about and it made me cry, and I'm an old rocker from the '60's, Delores' keening is magical, deep, and hits right to the heart of the matter. Thank you for re-covering this beautiful and timeless song.
I adore this song, it’s devastatingly beautiful and meaningful and Dolores’ voice is honestly amazing. I always tried to emulate her when covering this song but she just had such an amazing range of vocal techniques at her disposal that it was virtually impossible. The vibrato is particularly amazing. Her passing was such a huge loss.
It is one of the most emotional songs I know, and I really appreciate your take on it.
This song has haunted me since the first time I heard it. We did not have children at that time so the impact became more intense as our children grew and my sons came of age.
Thank you for breaking this song down. The message has always come through but you brought out points that I hadn’t considered.
The crying in her voice is more evident now. As you were describing that passion I was struck that the quiet portion of the song was the crying of privacy in a home. The distortion during the chorus and the crying there seem more like the crying of outrage in the public arena.
The boys at first seemed distinct with a specific meaning to a particular group but as the song progresses they become nondescript until the middle to end of the song.
There is still no distinction based upon their appearance, only in their actions, the cause and effect. Whose children are suffering? Whose children are causing that suffering? It’s not me. It’s not my family……
Then to see only some of the children with Deloris beneath the cross! Wow! Again, we don’t know if they are Protestant or Catholic children but they are under the one cross of the one Christ! Divided or united there?
This song has always had a powerful impact on me. I did not imagine that the impact could have been made greater but it has.
Dolores O’Riordan 1971 - 2018 😔 A life full of demons and struggles 😔 May she now rest in peace
Generational trauma is a plague in the North of Ireland. The suicide and drug/alcohol abuse rates on both sides of the 'walls' is heartbreaking
@@muireobrien4642 I hope that Brexit doesn't fuel the conflict again... 😟
@@joergojschaefer3521 If the DUP would get off their arses and honor the Good Friday Accord and agree to a power sharing agreement with Sinn Fein and other republican leaning parties (the major in Stormont) it should be fine.
Childhood sexual abuse she suffered from a family member just infuriates me. I'd love to have a piece of that guy!
@@muireobrien4642exactly 👏🏻
3:25 - you're absolutely right about the anger here. I've heard that Dolores was so angry after the bombing, so she wrote this song and when she met with the band she told the drummer "play as loud as you can".
This song is a little bit of everything - demonstration of anger, appeal for empathy, accusation of being mindless (zombie) and it's also appeal to reason - reminding how long this has been going on and that violence has only proven completely pointless by now, and yet people still doing it mistakenly thinking that this is the way without giving it any actual consideration.
i always thought the drums mimic the bombs in that song
I see the zombie reference as atrocities infecting survivors with hate in the style of a zombie virus. The hate after an atrocity is now 'in your head' & you are now a zombie of hate.
I never realised how not just talented but absolutely stunning she was. I just never did. I just love this channel
This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. The beauty of her voice combined with the haunting lyrics is just...so powerful.
Very sad day when we learned she passed. Voice of an Angel and a Fury. I love the Cranberries Unplugged session, Dolores puts on an incredible performance. The live version of Linger is something else.
I totally forgot she passed away :(
Linger is still a favourite song of mine today. Love her voice even more today cause it is still so unique.
so sad made me weep ,i loved her so powerful woman n!!! rock on sister!!!!
I agree the live version is moving in a way the leaves you shattered.
I live in Boston, grew up with my parents listening to Irish music on WROL every Sunday morning. I was listening to WAAF (RIP) driving to NH when they announced her passing. I was crushed.
One of the disturbing elements in this song for many US "Irish-American" listeners is that this proud and patriotic real Irish woman sang about both sides in this paramilitary conflict being complicit in indoctrinating children to see violence as the answer to disagreements. She was a brave, if also tragic spokeswoman for peace.
I am so glad she got to see the ceasefire.
as a native to america, its almost the same here. we glorify violence and sending people off to war, we cant even effectively combat our mass shooting problem because of our obsession with guns and violence. we'd rather children die as a sacrifice to keep our weapons.
Well said!! Here’s to PEACE ✌️ ✌️✌️💚💚💚
There is something about the Troubles that gets woefully mistranslated when it crosses the Atlantic. Irish-Americans who wouldn't know Cork from Cavan support the IRA from behind the Atlantic ocean where they don't actually have to live with sectarianism. This song is about the Warrington Bombing in 1993, when the IRA killed two children, aged 3 and 12. But so many Americans think the Troubles were all "England"'s fault. Never mind that the "English" in question are Ulster Scots who have been in Northern Ireland since before the Mayflower, and the conflict has far more to do with Scotland than England.
@@kennethmacalpin7655 Where do you get your info about Americans supporting IRA? Where does that come from? I'm Catholic and I have Irish ancestry along with some other European roots, but I'm American first and Americans believe in religious freedom. I'd be surprised if what you're saying is the majority since pretty much all Americans believe in freedom of speech and religion. We wouldn't have a problem with the Ulster Scots in other words.
This is the first of your videos I have watched, thank you for this. I have loved The Cranberries for years, and this song in particular, and you have added so much more to my enjoyment.
I love this song and video. I think it was when I first heard this song that I realized that Dolores has a very distinct voice and that she is a true Artist. The video also blew me away, and the band was fantastic too. Watching you analyse it made me relive the first time I saw this video. That mix of rock and folk sounds and the intensity of the emotional expression made them so special. Rest in peace Dolores, you were one of a kind!
It's such a pity more people don't understand the significance of this song but in addition to the wonderful musical and vocal analysis you've covered it beautifully Elizabeth.
My father is Irish, my mother Australian. I was born in Australia but we moved to Belfast soon after I was born. Along with many other family members, we returned to Australia in 1974 after my young cousin was beaten up by a bunch of teens for for walking down the wrong road; she was six years old. Hate breeds hate so my parents decided to break the cycle and leave. Years later during the 80's when I was in high school in Australia my best mate was Irish protestant, we were Catholic. His mother didn't want us to be friends so my father paid her a visit and asked why she even moved to Australia if she was going to bring all that baggage? She eventually saw reason and became like a second mum to and both sets of parents are very close to this day.
Rest in peace Dolores, your legacy is so much more than many realise.
I am mostly of Irish descent, born in New England in the mid-sixties, and grew up south of Boston. I wasn't allowed to have Protestant friends for the longest time. My three siblings had them long before I could, and I finally said "enough!" in 1979. My parents were so ridiculous, and controlling of me, especially. My two sisters believe that they have broken the cycle, but I had to go No Contact with them, because they embody the hatred that seethed quietly through the family for decades. My paternal grandmother, and her family, were able to escape Northern Ireland in 1923, and come to the US. She was 9 years old, and her and her siblings were constantly fighting with each other, and others, right up until their deaths. They definitely turned their fear and anger back on each other, their children, and grandchildren. Never moved past it all. Not the best legacy to pass on.
@@ladyevil64 Interesting point I hadn't thought of. My father has 12 brothers and sisters and there's 56 cousins of my generation on his side alone. it's hard to keep up with who's talking to who and in 2 cases outright hatred for at least 30 years now. You've made we wonder if they were just so used to hating they transferred it when the original object of their derision was not longer an option.
Understand the significance of the song? I am literally here because of what is happening in Israel and Gaza right now! I needed the refresher of the cost of war.
@@ladyevil64 I hate to staty in the 2000's I still know sectratian Irish bars in New England that want to continue the war against Margret Thatcher.
There's a interview I saw many years back, that Dolores said she's trying add a feeling for screaming out in anger whilst just managing to it hold back.
Because she was so enraged by the death of two children aged 3 and 12, who were in Warrington buying a card and gift for mother's day. 30yrs ago this year!!
This song also got the NI peace talks going, because of how much it high lighted and on a such global level... Music can bring change.
I didn't know the details about the two kids, OMG can't stop crying ...😭😭😭😭
Amazing song but sorry you are mistaken on the details. I'm from the north of Ireland and grew up during the troubles. This song was released a few weeks after the ceasefire and the start of the peace process, so it's not possible that it got the peace talks going. Ceasefire was Aug 94 and peace talks had already started and led to the ceasefire. Zombie was released September 94.
Also, Dolores said the song was about the war on both sides - a song of peace and anti war against both the British occupation in the north of Ireland (their tanks) and the IRA (the bombs). If you look at the video, it shows British soldiers and the kids growing up around it in the north as well. Its not just about the two poor kids in Warrington - it's about all the children that were killed in the conflict. Some interesting numbers regarding children being killed in the troubles are that 257 kids died in the conflict - 245 were killed in the north of Ireland and 12 were killed in the UK. 74 children murdered by loyalist paramilitaries, 73 murdered by the IRA and 67 by the British Army/RUC. She wrote the song about all of those children.
Source: cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/violence/cts/smyth1.htm
Dolores pointed out in 2017 that there was a line in the song about Tim Parry - not the entire song. I geunuinely don't want to nitpick but I've seen the narrative of what this is song ia about shift and change recently. This song is about the kids that were murdered in the north over 30 years, not just one poor English kid. It's also in protest against the British Army but for some weird reason, lately I see comments everywhere saying that this about Warrington. It's not. It's for every poor child that was murdered, and their parents left behind....since 1916 as she sings.
She said
"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'. [ ... ] 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."
@@chulainn32 The song was used as a reference point by John Major, the then Priminister as a political tool to make the talks more poiniant and in the public eye. As it was globally a smash hit, all the news media outlets used it numerous times too.
Apologies but this is totally untrue. Show me evidence of John Major referencing Zombie. There should be plenty of links if so. You might also be surprised to know that the main state owned TV stations in the UK and Ireland banned the song - quite the opposite to them using it as part of the news. Anyway, these points are nothing to do with your original statement that this song was only for two English kids and not ALL the children murdered in the conflict. Not just by the IRA but also by the British Government and their army. @@mr_ozzio5095
@@chulainn32 eloquent, factual and very well written explanation. Thank you.
I am 3rd generation American with an Irish family. I'm in love with Ireland and everything with it. Every time I hear this song or Dolores voice I tear up.
The compassion and talent will never be replaced 🇮🇪
Your deep understanding of music, vocals, production and recording tech is amazing and highly entertaining! Plus you're beautiful, charming and a great communicator. Great combo!
This song is as powerful, relevant and appropriate in the world today as it was when first released. Just a brilliant song, RIP Dolores.
like she said "its the same old team"
And it was released almost 30 years ago.
@@rendratvandonkereschrijver2912 “It's the same old theme since 1916”. The Easter Rising in April 1916 is considered as the start of the Irish struggle for independence, and thus the root of the Northern Ireland Conflict.
@@Nikioko fun but I did not need the history lesson
Daughter of Eire , she will live on forever , Limerick Abu!
Dolores O'Riordan in this song is the very essence of a "charismatic voice." I've heard this song perhaps 1,000 times since it was first released, and every time I cry for the senseless loss of innocent life. The video takes the song from deeply sorrowful to utterly heart-wrenching. The second definition for "charisma" in Oxford is "a divinely conferred power or talent." It should be followed by "see: Dolores O'Riordan"
Excellent comment
O'Riordan
@@hackzan2475 Thanks, I was typing from memory. Could have checked, but didn't.
Thank you for your reactions. You break music down to an understanding,no not an understanding, a way of seeing music in a different light. Because of you and others such as Peter Barber, Jennifer G., and one of my personal favorites The Fairy Voice Mother. You all have taught so much about different aspects of music I never knew before. What an absolutely beautiful journey this has been. A joy I never expected and I'm truly grateful. Blessings to you and your family and again thank you 😊
I love your analysis of this amazing song, you got it spot on! Being a trained opera singer, you noticed all the breaths and techniques that Dolores used. This is such a powerful and emotional song laced with anger and deep grief and it never fails to give me chills and brings me to tears.
There will never be another like her. She was unique. Makes me cry when I hear Zombie.
Aye!
Gay!
💯
When this song came out I was intensely drawn to it. Her voice, style, the message. But one aspect of the song that I feel does not get the recognition it deserves for making the song feel so intense throughout is the drummer. Those drums, the way they are played and when the heavy beats are hit add so much to this. This song still gets me to this day, 30 years later. And the drums just add to the emotion of the song, IMO.
Fergal Lawler kicked ass in this, absolutely
I wholeheartedly agree regarding the drums! This entire song is so intense and powerful but the drums have always stood at the forefront for me. In the nearly 30 years since I first heard this song I've still never heard drums more powerful. The force and crack of the snare drum here is unparalleled. I've also always loved the emotion and body language the drummer shows between 22:53-23:17. It's almost as if he himself isn't playing the drums. He's simply letting his emotions play the drums while simultaneously letting those emotions bleed right out of his facial expressions and body movements. It's as if he's taking his anger out on the drum kit. So raw and powerful!
First time it heard it on the radio, I was only casually listening until I heard "it's the same... old teem, since nine... teensixteen..." I remember thinking "holy crap, she's singing about The Trouble, today." And it is SO different than anything else they had put out before then.
I was blessed to watch her live. RIP lovely Dolores.
Thank you for doing this video
Thank you so much for those amazing explanations.
I got to hear so much more 'inside' the vocals with that guidance.
I think this is the saddest song I've ever heard, and until right now, I'd only seen stage performance clips and heard audio, so the visuals were like sad icing on a bitter cake.
I'm Australian, and was 12 when Bloody Sunday was first a headline. It was a relentless, vicious three decade war, as referenced, part of a greater struggle begun in 1916.
My encyclopedia told me the atrocities had begun 400 years ago.
I see two zombies - one is the automatic reasoning of hate "in your head" on both sides, into which some people were born, began families, and died, never knowing peace.
The other is the war itself, mindlessness and devouring, seemingly unstoppable.
R.I.P Dolores O'Riordan
When I heard this song as a kid, I felt she was bold and accusing the "innocent" listener.
I always felt she was painting the scene, and before you realize it while listening, you realize she's describing it from your perspective.
It's a war, but its not your home, not your family. Its just in your head. Yet you can't bring yourself to relate to these families?
Zombie.
Like how dare our brothers and sisters, watching the news of war across the world, are so hardened to the news of wars and horrible deaths of loved ones.
What is in our head? We must be zombies, unable to feel pain for our fellow humans.
@@fohatenchou You described that extremely well, and that's "the pity of war" as Wilfred Owen wrote elsewhere, but as much among zombies as in Northern Ireland.
Even though they are singing in a language that is foreign to me (I am German), I still got goosebumps every time. You can hear the dispair and anger very clearly. It`s as language could bleed.
Sehr tiefer Satz 🙏🏻
Ich bin Brasilianer und denke ähnlich
Das war deep bro
Is english foreign to you. Why ? Im from N Europe myself.
English would be a foreign language to someone from Germany who speaks German as their first language, like, obviously?
I grew up a child of 'The Troubles', my parents left Belfast and moved tp Monaghan (a border town) because the were a mixed marriage (Catholic/Protestant) which meant this song has always had special place in my heart. Delores's voice is always unique and unapologetic. She is one of this countries music legends and always will be. RIP Delores
Miss her presence in music so much. One of my favourite songs, although it is so sad. Happening right now in Palestine.
My mum is from Clones.. She and my Dad left Belfast in 1960 and moved to Limerick to get away from the sectarianism. Also, I spent many a night getting drunk and meeting girls in the Hillgrove... and I once saw the Drifters there (1987/ or 88)
I grew up in the 70 and 80 in Belfast, the image of the soldiers walking around fully armed still gives me chills. It was indeed a fearful, angry and very tragic time for everyone involved.
When you said "The Troubles" it made me think of the tv series "Haven."
@@TheUToobGirl Happening now where???
Your passion for music is contagious. Please don’t stop sharing.
How many tears has been falling listening this song since 90s... thanks a lot for your precious judgement and for your emotions...❤. A big Ciao from Italy 👋
The opening lyrics of this song always make me think of someones voice cracking from crying and emotion. It just rips tears from me too, every time i hear it.
Like someone is out of breath and panting from fighting/running/crying/etc
I'm going to be a mess watching this. It always brings tears to my eyes. After her passing even more than before.
Same. Remember when it came out, how much it brought attention to the ongoing Irish conflict and how it suddenly became real to us in our American family rooms.
This song always brings me right back and those scary memories that my mind somehow buried rise all over again. 😢 but when it came out it was also validation.
I cried my eyes out watching this video, everytime she appears in the video it bring tears to my eyes, and shivers all over my body. God she is missed, I still can't get over her death and the way it all happened, so I get really emotional whenever i watch her singing, specially this song in particular since it means so much to me.
Always have loved this song & video. The emotion just bleeds through to the listener. Thank you for heightening my appreciation for it.
You are the right person to do this review. Well done and thank-you. Nailed it in so many ways.
I grew up in belfast in the 70s/80s and those kids played the same way me and my mates did in very similar places. Some of them are no longer here and the rest of us have memories we wish we could forget. This video has me in tears every time I see it and even hearing the song unexpectedly can trigger memories. Some people are horrified by 'funny' stories I tell of my childhood and it took me a while to realise why they were so upset at things i remembered as funny. I know this song was written about the tragic taking of young lives but to me it'salways been the taking of young innocence and the manipulation of my generation by those with twisted agendas that have an equal sense of loss. All these years later the lessons haven't been learned so this song is still as relevant today for my childrens and grandchildrens generations. Thank you for your analasis ,you've hit the mark yet again
Very well said. I grew up near an army base just outside London in the 70s/80s and had to unlearn a lot of things we heard all the time to see the agendas being pushed from many directions and start to see people instead. This song was a large part of that re-examination. I cannot express enough how important this song was at the time, nor how relevant it is to this day. Hearing it always brings tears to my eyes and takes me back to those times.
Oh this song. It is gut wrenching. The Cranberries had *such* an impact on me as a teenage girl. The video shoots me right back to my senior year. The furious, driving guitar and the way the drums are played with such intensity just gives me shivers. They really were so extraordinary. RIP Delores.
First rock video I ever saw as a kid. I remember it so clearly, the emotions that it brought up in me. RIP indeed.
Such a moving song that the video just takes to another level. I always shed a tear and i have been listening to this for 30 years
They wrote so many other jewels like this. Dolores was such a powerful and original singer, yet her heartbreaking fragility and vulnerability always cut through. Rip Irish Angel.
They should have won a Grammy, an Emmy, an Oscar and anything else they could have given the band. This video goes way beyond song.
Oscars are for movies
@@Whatisthisstupidfinghandle "well aaaactually" come on
And yes! She does seem like she is weeping! I live that you pointed that out! I’m so in love with your breakdowns.
I can listen to this song on full blast and on repeat.
It's one of those that is so good, I never want it to end.
R.I.P Dolores. 😇 And thank you for the music.
My favorite part of this song is when you see Dolores do the slides on the guitar that mimics her yodel flips. It's like the guitar is crying along with her.
Actually, I so agree with that assessment about the guitar crying with her. I noticed that some few years after it originally came out.
These yodel flips are actually sean-nós, a traditional Celtic lament singing technique. You see this in perfection in this video: th-cam.com/video/-Cz8nQAi2A4/w-d-xo.html
Not yodel but Keening aka Sean-Nós Singing (typically used in Irish and Scottish songs mourning the dead)
Every time I hear this song I tear up. Delores puts so much of herself into this. I'm glad you finally covered this one Elizabeth. She was so talented and had the ability to get her message across.
Watching your mouth move while narrating is absolutely hypnotic! Excellent video! I'm a new subscriber and can't wait to binge your content :)
The combination of her rage and heartache is out of this world. And powerful. Miss her and so grateful for her amazing talent she shared.
I felt pretty sure there was a good chance for this to be an emotional reaction. Because it’s a very heavy and serious song, once you fully feel it. The subject matter is obviously a major slice of tragedy. To me it’s commendable that Dolores (R.I.P. beautiful Irish voice) and the band felt motivated to write such a tune, upon learning of the terrible event. I love her bleeding vibrato at the end of that line, narrowing down low. Definitely a song that epitomizes the seriousness of rock at the time. And, though some have felt the ‘90s overdid it with somber music, these horrible things were happening, still are, and art is definitely allowed to document such darkness.
The reason why that she was doing it with Bad Wolves was because of the war in Afghanistan.
The two guys in the mural on the end of the house at 2:29 in the original video were from my regiment. One was a friend of mine. We saw what happened to them on TV. The BBC used my friend's full name, not the name we all knew him by. It was a couple of days before I realised who it was. I was based out in Berlin at the time. Another mate passed me when we were both out running and said "What about Bob?", "Bob who?", "Bob Howes". Then the penny dropped. The IRA funeral that two guys had driven into a couple of days earlier. March 1988. I love this song, but always feel a pang when that brief image flashes past.
"Corporal killings" I believe, correct. I just left Ireland and toured Belfast with the Black Taxis. Sorry for pain you deal with, tragic stuff. Loved the people of Ireland and all the culture there.
@@Gurtsak That is correct. Derek Woods and David "Bob" Howes.
What else can be expected from 700 years of British occupation and suppression? Tragedy enough to go around.
I'm so sorry. It hurts enough watching helpless from afar, but when it's someone that you've fought beside and had that bond of brotherhood, it takes a part of you.
I'm so sorry about your trauma. I didn't know about this horrific incident, and I hope it's not too insensitive of me to link to the (lengthy) Wikipedia article, and to urge everyone to read it:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporals_killings
It conveys the climate of the day *very* well.
The thing I love about the charismatic voice is the depth of involvement and detail that is brought out in her reactions to the various types of music and artistic styles. What a pleasure to observe and have this content.
Wow. I’m in tears. Love your thoughts and commentary on this one
The way she incorporated keening into her songs was heartbreakingly brilliant. Hers is a voice that will never be forgotten😢
I can't listen to the Cranberries without missing Dolores terribly and bascially feeling all of the emotions their music triggers in me in a rush. Linger was the first song of theirs I heard, and Zombie was the second. I was a fan for life. Thank you for once again sharing your expertise and vulnerability with us. I appreciate you.
I was just scrolling through the comments and came upon yours. Your experience perfectly matches mine. Her voice and The Cranberries music holds a unique place in my heart that will never be replaced or duplicated.
@@sugarbooger5838 amen brother, glad to have shared this with you
I love experiencing songs from your point of view. It’s really amazing and helps me hear a song I’ve known and loved for years in a brand new way! Even when I’ve heard some of the things you share it’s really great to hear you educate about techniques I simply didn’t know
She was absolutely amazing! Heard their music for the first time in the 90s and they instantly were one of my favorite bands.
Nearly 30 years later and this song is just as powerful as the day it was released. Dolores was a talent gone far to soon...
Yeah and no shortage of zombies in the world to heed D's words either these days.
Dolores was in a league of her own. Stunning.
Check out the transatlantic sessions on TH-cam there are many special performances. Sarah jarosz has 3: Annabelle lee, runaway, ring them bells. Dan tyminski boy who wouldn’t how corn is just mind blowing. Transatlantic sessions is where it’s at
That was Lori Petty
Wow, did you just assume her gender? Stunning and brave.
One of my absolute favorites.... was so sad to hear of her passing. This was my ringtone and alarm on my phone for the last several years. Thank you for the review.
I had also never seen the video clip and that, combined with focussing more on the (meaning of the) lyrics...... I was bawling my eyes out.
I grew up with this song, but didn't realise what it was about until they were playing this song in a sort of day club (very touristy) in Ireland, when I was there working as an Au Pair for 6 months... in 2016. Beforehand, I had no idea about this part of the Irish history. And when I got there, it was exactly 100 years after that. In the song the year 1916 is mentioned & that is where I realised.
Absolutely incredible music and strong, strong video clip. Much appreciation for The Cranberries 💛
I'm 64 and this song still brings on a tear often. My wife was in the London army barracks blown up by the IRA, she was unhurt but saw the carnage. A very long time friend of ours, a Kerry gal can imitate Dolores's singing well. She told us that when the Cranberries songs we played in the pub, she & her mates sang along.
A few years back I learned the context of this song, and since then it always leaves me weepy after listening to it. Dolores's ability to express rage mixed with pain mixed with grief along with the power of the lyrics is just an emotional overload for me. At the point of the writing of this song the Troubles had been going on for 30 years. She could barely remember a different Ireland. And you can hear how frustrated, enraged, and emotionally spent she was with the senseless violence in her home country. Dolores O'Riorden may no longer be with us, but she still inspires and challenges our preconceptions from the power of her art.
After I learned the meaning behind the song, I can't listen to it without bawling, anymore. Especially when I think of the children my own family has much more recently lost to violence.
It says bombs twice because she is calling out both sides of the war, the english faught with tanks and bombs, the IRA fought with bombs and guns. The second bar vocal is aimed at the IRA- "Oh no, its not me, it's not my family" later in song she calls out the british for the 1916 easter masacre that occurred in Belfast N.I. She was calling for an end to the killing
The British Army did not use tanks in NI only old centurion tanks fitted with bulldozer blades. Also don’t think they used bombs. The reason she says bombs twice is because they was 2 separate bombs in the Warrington bombings
I was at Cranberries' concert in Montreal, Canada in 2002, and Delores' voice in that song was felt by everyone.
There is something mystical about that song as if she was in trance , or something...
To hear her voice live, singing "zombie" will last a lifetime...
Elizabeth, don’t let any comments saying that you pause too much or rewind too much change how you do your videos. We love the analysis! Anyone who doesn’t can find a different video. I Love your channel! Also there is an awesome cover by Bad Wolves. Delores was originally going to be featured in it but when she passed they released it in memory of her (I think) instead. I think you might enjoy it.
Yeah, I want an analysis, not a video of someone nodding along to a song. I'll always watch the music video seperately to get a 'clean' run through.
Yes the title says it is a vocal analysis not just a reaction.
It is a wonder anyone gets upset about Elizabeth pausing too much. When she does pause, she goes back like 5 times and nothing is missed ever.
The only thing Elizabeth sometimes does is get too caught up in the video content and loses focus on the vocal and song briefly. That is annoying, but it's rare and she makes up for it in other ways.
I think I recall also that TH-camrs have to pause/rewind and do commentary after a certain number of seconds of playback, to avoid a copyright strike?
Funny how other people manage just fine to analyze and give interesting commentary without rewinding literally every 10 second section 30 times.
The style of singing is actually just as important as the message.
Dolores is "keening", it is a very old Irish style of singing which is for funerals and wakes, its to show sadness for the dead.
The keening in her voice brings me to tears every time. Its truly the sound of someone experiencing heartbreak, grief, and anger. Its just so powerful. In a weird, indirect way, it brings back feelings of Kurt Cobain at the MTV Unplugged concert when he covered "where did you sleep last night" ... the cry he does at the end gives me a similar emotion. Just gut wrenchingly sad and beautiful at the same time.
I had no idea that you were a fan of the Stormlight Archive series. Your reactions and deep dives into the vocals (and beyond) of these songs truly defines "Journey before Destination."
Well done Radiant!
I watched a really interesting breakdown of the music theory used in this song. Basically the melodic line never really resolves back to the root so it gives this feeling of no resolution just like the conflict. The Cranberries put so much thought into this song to get their message across and they created a timeless master piece.
I live in Poland. I once walked through Cracow and heard this song on the main square. The performance wasn't perfect but it was sung at a gathering ment to support people hurt by the war in Ukraine and it made me cry knowing the meening of the original. It's tragic that there are still people around the world being hurt becouse of cruelty of others.
This song I feel will never loose its meaning because there's always going to be terrible meaningless wars. I was going to mention Ukraine but came across your comment saying exactly what I wanted to say.
and, of course, the endless senseless crap in the Middle East
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦🙏🏴
Yes, being from Ukraine this song really hits extra hard. We are very grateful for the support of the Polish people 💛💙
I will always miss O'Riordan's voice. Every time I heard her sing brought me to tears of happiness, sadness, compassion and enlightenment.
I remember this many years ago, one of a handful of songs I'll never forget hearing and listening to many times. Stupidly powerful and emotional, performed by a girl who had seen it all. Amazing voice, one of a kind, beautiful and scary all in one RIP Dolores O'Riordan - legend.
So many hard rock and heavy metal bands have covered this song!! Bad wolves version of it is really intense and the story I've heard is that Dolores was actually supposed to record vocals with them the day she passed
They ended up doin the song an donating the proceeds to her family. I feel their version totally did Dolores’s version Justice
I absolutely love the Bad Wolves version, it's so so good and I'd love is @TheCharismaticVoice covered it too (or at the very least Elizabeth should listen to it!)
@@hallowedbeminenameI second this!
@@hallowedbeminename pretty sure she already reacted to that version
If you visit Dublin and walk around listening to street musicians (buskers) for an hour, I guarantee you'll hear a cover of this song.
This song never loses its intensity for me. It breaks me every single time.
Oh Elizabeth! ..... Thank you so much for your review! Its refreshing to see the songs message through new eyes ........ thank you for reviewing the technicalities of the vocals. Whats matters more here in the UK is the translation of the lyrics. Lets hope we never have to go back to the tensions of the 70's / 80's / 90's when the conflict was at its height.
this is such a cathartic song, filled with emotion, just like you said, there are points in the song that make me want to cry and give me those goose bumps. It's such a great track.
Incredible song, one of the most intense and powerful videos ever. Delores O’Riordan was off the charts here, as well as the other band members. It’s special when musicians use their creative gifts to focus on injustice to help improve the world. RIP Delores you beautiful, special person!