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War ChildThe Cranberries

Released: April 30, 1996

Songwriter: Dolores O’Riordan

Producer: The Cranberries Bruce Fairbairn

Who will save the war child baby
Who controls the keys
The web we weave is thick and sordid
Fine by me
At times of war we’re all the losers, there’s no victory
We shoot to kill, and kill your lover
Fine by me

War child
Victim of political pride
Plant the seed, territorial greed
Mind the war child
We should mind the war child

I spent last winter in New York
And came upon a man
He was sleeping on the streets and homeless
He said ”I fought in Vietman”
Beneath his shirt he wore the mark
He bore the mark of pride
A two-inch deep incision carved, into his side

War child
Victim of political pride
Plant to seed, territorial greed
Mind the war child
We should mind the war child

Whose the loser now, eh?
Whose the loser now
We’re all the losers now
We’re all the losers now
War child, war child

The Cranberries

The Cranberries were an Irish band who found major international success throughout the 1990s as a part of the alternative rock movement. The group’s lineup included Dolores O'Riordan (singer and songwriter), Noel Hogan (guitarist and songwriter), Mike Hogan (bassist) and Fergal Lawler (drummer). Originally formed in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, the band released an independent EP in 1991 that caught the attention of the industry. SPIN Magazine described the band’s sound as “dreamy swirl pop, midway between The Smiths and the Cocteau Twins cradling the will-o’-the-wispy vocals of Dolores O’Riordan.”

In 1992, the band began recording their first album for Island Records with Stephen Street, a producer best known for working with The Smiths. Their debut, Everybody Else is Doing It So Why Can’t We?, was initially ignored when released in early 1993, and it wasn’t until that fall—after the band opened for Suede and Duran Duran on their US tours—that MTV picked up on their single “Linger”. The song eventually peaked at #4 on the US Pop chart in 1994, and the album sold five million copies. Success around the world followed.

Later that year, the band released their sophomore album No Need To Argue, which went on to sell 7 million copies in the US. The lead single, “Zombie,” was a departure from the wistful love songs the band was known for, showcasing aggressive distorted guitars and a bold political message. The song was an immediate smash, hitting at #1 in several countries and topping the US Modern Rock chart. The follow-up single “Ode To My Family,” was a top 40 hit as well.

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To The Faithful Departed (The Complete Sessions 1996-1997)

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