Zombie
The Cranberries’ song “Zombie” was written by lead singer Dolores O’Riordan in 1993 in response to a bombing in Warrington, England that killed two children and injured over fifty others. The bombing was carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), a paramilitary group from Northern Ireland, as part of their campaign to end British rule in Northern Ireland. O’Riordan was deeply affected by the tragedy and wrote “Zombie” as a way to express her anger and frustration at the violence and loss of innocent lives caused by the ongoing conflict.
The song was released as a single in September 1994 and quickly became a worldwide hit. It reached the top of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Belgium, France, and Germany. It also reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
One of the most well-known covers of “Zombie” is by the American hard rock band Bad Wolves. Their version was released in 2018 and features a more aggressive sound than the Cranberries” version. The Bad Wolves” cover became a hit in its own right, reaching the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The cover is notable for its video that features a tribute to O’Riordan, who had passed away earlier that year.
Both songs are hits in their own rights. Is one better than the other? Compare them here and decide for yourself:
Here's the original song by the Cranberries:
Here's the cover version by Bad Wolves:
Zombie has been covered and remixed by a number of other artists as well. We’ve included more cover versions below. Listen to them all and let us know which one is best.
Also, if there’s a good cover version that we should add, tell us! Leave us a comment in the comment section with the name of the artist and a link to their performance.
Mell Peck
Brooklyn Duo (cello and piano)
Which is your favorite? Is there another cover song that we should add? Let us know in the comments.