{"id":6359,"date":"2026-10-21T19:31:35","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T23:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/?p=6359"},"modified":"2026-10-21T19:31:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T23:31:36","slug":"6-facts-about-zombie-by-the-cranberries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/6-facts-about-zombie-by-the-cranberries\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Facts About \u201cZombie\u201d by The Cranberries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the aftermath of a bombing in England at the hands of the IRA<\/a>, The Cranberries<\/a> frontwoman Dolores O\u2019Riordan wrote \u201cZombie,\u201d an intense rock song criticizing the violence. It was a total departure from the lighter, more pop-oriented songs on their debut album, but it became their biggest hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hit Song<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cZombie\u201d became The Cranberries\u2019 biggest hit, hitting No. 1 in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Iceland. Although it was not eligible to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, it hit No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart. Its popularity has endured, and in 2020, it became the first song by an Irish artist to receive one billion views on YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controversy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019Riordan was accused of taking sides in the conflict, a claim she pushed back on. \u201cI care about the fact that innocent people are being harmed,\u201d she said at the time. \u201cThat\u2019s what provoked me to write the song\u2026 It doesn\u2019t name terrorist groups or organizations. It doesn\u2019t take sides. It\u2019s a very human song.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Banned<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The BBC, as well as Ireland\u2019s national broadcaster RT\u00c9, banned the music video for \u201cZombie\u201d due to its “violent images\u201d\u2014the video was filmed in Belfast, Ireland, and featured actual footage of the Troubles. Instead, they aired a different version featuring footage of the band performing live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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