The Corrs Club

The Corrs and 'political' songs
28-Sep-2017 15:16:13

CorrsClub Time:
29-Mar-2024 02:21:21

So far in the comeback era we've got three Corrs songs that are somewhat political in nature: Ellis Island, Harmony, and SOS. For me personally it's a bit of a stretch to call those songs political or controversial, as I find that the songs, while inspired by highly politicised issues or events that have their roots in political quarrels, take a more humanist approach in delivering their messages about the said issues.

Ellis Island doesn't get me to think about all the controversies surrounding immigration; it makes me think about the hope and optimism Irish immigrants in the US had upon their arrival, and the struggles that would follow in years to come. Harmony doesn't get me to think about the IRA; it makes me think about the horrors Irish people faced on a daily basis during the Troubles and how things are still in need to be fixed even though it seems like we've come such a long way since then.

SOS, too, has me thinking about the everyday horrors people face at this time and age not only in parts of Syria as the song's title suggests - but also places like Yemen and other parts of the world going through similar situation, and the struggles they face as they seek refuge with the negative stigma that comes with it. And that's pretty much it, it doesn't get me to debate about, say, Assad, and other world leaders who contribute to the events in Syria.

To me it is a big plus for The Corrs that they manage to deliver strong messages through their songs in relation to social issues that are relevant today without coming across as preachy, pretentious, or patronising. In my case, they get me to vividly imagine the events portrayed in the song and put myself in the shoes of the people who actually go through those things, instead of putting me as an outsider who makes patronising comments about how poor those people are and how we are obliged to be their saviour, the way some songs like Do They Know It's Christmas? are.

I admit, I had my doubts because Andrea's Shame On You didn't do it for me and I found the song rather preachy (as much as I love TFH, it really is my least favourite track from the album), but the three so-called 'political' songs from the comeback era definitely don't disappoint. Given that it's most likely Andrea wrote the lyrics of all three, I guess she has always had concerns for these things (the lady joined this year's Women's March, after all, and in a manner way more subtle and not at all offensive unlike, say, Madonna...) and always wanted to show her thoughts through songs, while refraining from individually speaking anything that could possibly be controversial.

I very much enjoy the mature direction the band now takes, and if they are consistent with this approach I'm sure we are all in for a treat smile.gif

Would love to see what others think about the topic!

MentariS
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