The Cranberries “Zombie” released

Zombie The Cranberries

Writer(s): Dolores O'Riordan (see lyrics here) Released: September 19, 1994 First Charted: October 1, 1994 Peak: 22 BA, 25 GR, 20 RR, 32 AR, 16 MR, 14 UK, 19 CN, 18 AU, 10 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 1.8 UK, 3.42 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 2227.55 video, 1376.10 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Cranberries released their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, in 1993. It sold eight million copies worldwide on the strength of hit songs “Dreams” and “Linger.” A year later, the group was back with their second album, No Need to Argue. It was even more successful, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard album chart and selling 17 million copies worldwide. The album was supported by four singles, the first of which was “Zombie.” It was a #1 hit on the Billboard modern rock chart and reached #3 in the band’s native Ireland. The song was written by Dolores O’Riordan, the lead singer, about the Northern Ireland conflict that lasted from the late 1960s through 1998 during which the paramilitary organization known as the IRA (Irish Republican Army) led an effot to overthrow British rule in Northern Ireland. Author Dave Thompson said, “The struggle that the English press euphemistically called the Irish Troubles was nearing its end when this was released, after a quarter century of violence.” DT In 1993, there were two bombings in Warrington, England. The second killed 56 people, including two children. After O’Riordan visited the town, she decided to write a song about it. She explained, “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.” SW The band’s label, Island, was leary about releasing such a politically-charged single WK but the subject matter “didn’t dent the power of the song.” DT It went to #1 in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Iceland. WK James Linderman told Songwriting magazine “This is a song that completely exemplifies the tricky balancing act of caring very deeply about people, but at the same time, not caring one bit about what they think of your art and so being able to express yourself honestly.” SW Resources: SW SongwritingMagazine.co.uk (9/19/2019). “How I wrote ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan” by Aaron Slater DT Dave Thompson (2011). 1000 Songs That Rock Your World. Krause Publications: Iola, WI. Page 151. WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 1/18/2025.

4 Non Blondes “What’s Up?” charted

What’s Up? 4 Non Blondes

Writer(s): Linda Perry (see lyrics here) Released: March 11, 1993 First Charted: March 13, 1993 Peak: 14 BB, 13 CB, 7 GR, 15 RR, 16 AR, 29 MR, 2 UK, 33 CN, 2 AU, 8 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.7 US, 0.6 UK, 2.72 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1867.00 video, 1038.69 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: 4 Non Blondes formed in San Francisco in 1989. The all-female band was led by the “iron-lunged Linda Perry.” TB The rock band only released one album, 1992’s Bigger, Better, Faster, More! The platinum-seller spawned “What’s Up?” topped the charts in multiple European countries and in went gold and reached the top 20 in the U.S. In 2007, VH1 named it one of the “100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders.” An early version of the song produced by David Tickle featured a different arrangement and lyrics. Perry hated it and complained to the record executives at Interscope, but her protests fell on deaf ears. She booked a recording session on her own and re-recorded her original version. Interscope co-owner Jimmy Iovine backed her and her version became the one on the record. The song “nick[ed] the cord sequence for this song from a million old hits (including Bobby McFerrin’s ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’).” TB AllMusic.com’s Tom Demalon called the song a “neo-hippie anthem.” AM and, indeed, “adding a vocal hook consisting of variations on the word ‘yeah’ ensured that Generation X didn’t have to work too hard to get the message.” TB Billboard’s Larry Flick said, “gymnastic vocals, leaping from a breathy, high range, to gravelly, bar-rock blues in a single passage, front this straightforward, heartfelt rocker.” BB While 4 Non Blondes didn’t release another album, Linda Perry did release a few solo albums. However, she became even better known as a songwriter, penning tunes for Christina Aguilera (“Beautiful”), Cheap Trick, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, Susanna Hoffs, Alicia Keys, Courtney Love, Pink (“Get the Party Started”), and Gwen Stefani. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. Resources: AM AllMusic.com album review by Tom Demalon BB Billboard magazine (2/27/1993). “Singles Reviews” by Larry Flick. Page 75. TB Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Page 259. Related Links: First posted 1/12/2025.