Zombie

The song is a quintessential example of 90s 'four-chord' grunge harmony. It avoids the traditional V-i (B7 to Em) perfect cadence, opting instead for a VII-i (D to Em) modal cadence. This lack of a leading tone (D#) gives the song its 'flat' and bleak Aeolian character, which mirrors the somber subject matter. The harmonic interest is generated not through chord changes, but through dynamic shifts and the use of the D/F# inversion to create a smoother melodic transition in the bass back to the tonic.

Dolores O'Riordan wrote the song alone on an acoustic guitar in her apartment in Limerick. She later brought the track to the band, emphasizing that she wanted it to have a heavier, more distorted sound than their previous work to reflect the anger and frustration of the lyrics.

Written in response to the IRA's 1993 Warrington bombings, 'Zombie' transformed The Cranberries from indie-pop darlings into global rock icons. It stands as a powerful masterpiece of social commentary, famous for Dolores O'Riordan's distinctive vocal performance and its heavy grunge influence.